What Is A Orthopedic Surgeon

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Published On

Jun 1, 2021

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Insights

Have you been dealing with bone, muscle, or joint pain that has affected you daily? These conditions can affect people at any time and age. Thankfully, you can benefit from the expertise of an orthopedic knee surgeon, no matter your situation.

At Noyes Knee Institute,  we know how crucial it is to bring you the right treatment option. This will allow you to lead a happier life. Today, we’ll discuss what an orthopedic surgeon is and how they can bring your relief.

What Orthopedic Surgeons Are And What They Specialize In?

An orthopedic surgeon is a doctor who is trained to treat, diagnose, and prevent disorders of the body’s musculoskeletal system. Ortho is also an accepted term for this type of physician. They work to treat these five areas of the system, as shown below.

  • Bones
  • Joints
  • Ligaments
  • Muscles
  • Tendons

Since the body has 200+ bones, it requires a lot of training and practice. This helps them gain the skills needed to deal with complex scenarios.

Areas Of The Body That They Could Subspecialize In

With the surgeons’ training, It’s common to see them narrow their focus on specific treatment areas. Below is a common list of areas they subspecialize in.

  • Elbow and shoulder
  • Foot and ankle
  • Hand and wrist
  • Hip and knee
  • Spine

Although hand surgeons may not deal with knees, they’re classified as orthopedic surgeons since they’ve completed the required ortho training.

What Treatment Options Do Orthopedic Knee Surgeons Or Other Doctors Use?

Surgeons use non-surgical and surgical means to treat spine issues, sports injuries, infections, tumors, and other disorders. During your visit to the doctor,  they’ll ask you questions to help detect the cause of your issue. They’ll also perform an exam on you to look at your range of motion and locate the source of your pain.

As for options that aren’t surgical, drugs, exercise, and other alternative therapies can help. If patients don’t respond to these treatments, surgery may be needed.

Here’s a list of treatments that may be performed during an ortho procedure.

  • Arthroscopy: A method in which a camera is used to see inside a joint.
  • Fusion: A process where rods are used to fuse bones.
  • Internal Fixation: A surgical option used to hold broken pieces of bone together with plates, screws, or pins.
  • Joint Replacement: A process in which damaged joints are removed and replaced by an artificial joint.
  • Osteotomy: A practice where deformed bones are corrected by cutting and relocating them.
  • Soft Tissue Repair: A process in which tendons or ligaments are repaired.
  • Injection And Pain Management: A treatment option used to manage pain with injections, drugs, or physical therapy.

Even though surgery is common, a doctor can advise you of other treatment options to best benefit you.

When Should I See A Surgeon?

These treatments can help people of all age groups. It may be time to see an ortho doctor as soon as possible if you’re dealing with these conditions.

  • Bone injury
  • Chronic pain
  • Muscle injury

Not only do they help treat these conditions, but they’ll also give you advice for prevention as well. They will then provide you with tailored treatment solutions that will best address your unique needs.

Choose Noyes Knee Institute For Your Orthopedic Treatment Needs

At Noyes Knee Institute, Dr. Noyes and his orthopedic knee surgeon team will provide you with the support you need. Our team stands ready to help you achieve a bright and pain-free future. Make an appointment with us today, and we’ll help put you on a path towards recovery.