Every day, bones are injured due to accidents or overuse
This is when an orthopedic doctor, a bone specialist for orthopedic surgery, is called into action.
What is Orthopedic?
It is the study of the musculoskeletal system which involves the bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons, as well as muscles and nerves. What is Orthopedic Surgery?
When is Orthopedic Surgery needed?
Surgery is recommended when daily activity is too painful on a bone or joint. Severely damaged joints from arthritis or injury (both acute and chronic) can damage the bones, joints, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
What are Orthopedic Care Specialists?
An orthopedic doctor is a bone specialist who identifies and treats issues of the musculoskeletal system. It is their job to correct the condition, using surgical and non-surgical treatment to help the patient enjoy an active, pain-free lifestyle.
Orthopedic care specialists include chiropractors, physiotherapists, kinesiologists, occupational therapists, surgeons, and podiatrists. Like other medical professions, non-surgical and surgical methods are available to orthopedic care specialists. Most surgical methods are used to correct musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, sports injuries, infections, tumors, degenerative diseases, congenital disorders, and musculoskeletal trauma.
What is the most common type of Orthopedic Surgery?
Joint replacements of the shoulders, knees, and hips are the most common types of orthopedic surgeries administered worldwide. In fact, reconstructive joint implants are increasingly popular. Artificial components are used for large joint replacements (knee and hip) as well as smaller joint replacements (elbow, ankle, wrist, and fingers), to give full mobility to the patient.
In what areas do Orthopedic Care Specialists concentrate?
There are six joints that commonly require medical attention: ankle, elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, and wrist. An orthopedic doctor may choose to become a bone specialist in one of these areas, undergoing additional training and examination. For instance, she may become a hand specialist dealing with hand, wrist, and forearm complications. Sometimes, a hand specialist will also have extended knowledge of the problems of elbows and shoulders.
Other areas of specialization include total joint reconstruction (arthroplasty), spinal surgery, musculoskeletal oncology, sports injuries, and orthopedic trauma. Regardless of his area of expertise, an orthopedic doctor will tend to the repair and inflammation of the body part and required rehabilitation for a full recovery.
How do you know if you need Orthopedic Surgery?
If an ongoing injury or condition affects your everyday life, then it is time to see a doctor. This could include mobility and sleep. If a condition affects movement and sleep, and pain killers no longer work, then it’s time to talk to seek the help of orthopedic care specialists.
What to look for when selecting a bone specialist?
It is up to the patient to do his homework when looking for a bone specialist.
Here are some questions to help you in your search:
- Does your surgeon come highly recommended?
- What is their experience level?
- How many orthopedic surgeries have they performed?
- Does he or she listen to your symptoms and repeat them back to you clearly and precisely?
- Do they keep up with the latest breakthroughs in orthopedic medicine?
- What kind of credentials does he or she have in the field?
What should I expect when undergoing Orthopedic Surgery?
Pre-surgery:
- IV fluids, antibiotics, and medications.
- A catheter for urine drainage.
- General or spinal anesthesia (depending upon the area.)
- Banked blood in the event that a transfusion is needed.
Post-surgery:
- Observation in a recovery room.
- Continued IV fluids, antibiotics, and medications.
- Blood work as needed.
- Catheter removal.
- Blood thinner to prevent clotting.
- Physical therapy.
- The release is granted with the patient can function properly (often with the use of crutches.)
Leading a happy and healthy lifestyle is important for everyone. Be sure that you are getting the orthopedic care specialists your body needs.
