Quick Answer: What Do Orthopedics Treat?

Why would you be referred to an orthopedic?

Broken bones, compression fractures, stress fractures, dislocations, muscle injury, and tendon tears or ruptures are common reasons people visit orthopedic doctors. Athletes will often work with orthopedists to help prevent future injury and optimize performance.

When should I see an orthopedist?

When should you see an orthopedic doctor?

• You have pain, stiffness, or discomfort that are making it difficult to perform everyday activities.
• You are experiencing chronic pain (pain lasting longer than 12 weeks)
• You’re noticing decreases in your range of motion.
• You feel unstable while walking or standing.

What is difference between orthopedic and orthopedist?

An orthopedic surgeon treats conditions impacting the musculoskeletal system and may specialize on a specific body part. Orthopedists do perform surgery, and also use various other treatments to alleviate pain. Doctors usually want patients to avoid surgery, and turn to it as a last resort.

What is Orthopaedic medicine?

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the musculoskeletal system. This system is made up of muscles and bones, as well as joints, ligaments, and tendons. A person who specializes in orthopedics is known as an orthopedist.

What should I expect at an orthopedic appointment?

Physical examinations are important for the surgeon to assess your range of motion, swelling, reflexes, and skin condition. Your doctor will be observing your general capacity to move around in certain positions such as walking, sitting, standing, climbing stairs, bending forward and backward, etc.

How do I prepare for an orthopedic appointment?

Preparing for Your Orthopedic Appointment

1. Arrive Prepared. Like with any other initial appointment with a medical professional, you will need to bring a photo ID, your medical insurance card and referral if you were referred by another physician.
2. Bring Medical Documentation.
3. Bring a List of your Meds.
4. Bring a Buddy.
5. Physical Therapy Reports.

What will an orthopedic doctor do for back pain?

Options include trigger point injections to relieve painful muscles, anti-inflammatory joint injections, epidural injections for spinal nerves, or nerve blocks. In more serious cases, your doctor may recommend surgery.

What can an orthopedic doctor do for arthritis?

Orthopedists are surgeons who address bone and joint diseases and injuries, such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, and body trauma. An orthopedic physician treats conditions such as:

• Arthritis.
• Nerve pain.
• Joints that must be surgically repaired.
• Scoliosis.
• Neck pain.
• Back pain.
• Herniated disc.
• Sciatica.

Should I see an orthopedist or physical therapist?

Through physical therapy, you can treat many of the same issues that would make you seek an orthopedist. Your therapist can help with back pain, hip mobility, shoulder pain and diagnose knee osteoporosis. If you do need orthopedic surgery, there are many orthopedic surgeons in Bethesda who can help you.

Do all orthopedics do surgery?

An orthopedist can provide braces, splints, casts and can reset bones when necessary. They can provide pre- surgery consultation and help with follow-up and recovery after a surgery, recommending patients seek occupational or physical therapy, but an orthopedist does not perform surgery.

DO orthopedic doctors treat nerve pain?

If you believe you may be suffering from a pinched nerve, you should always visit an orthopedic surgeon near you to ensure that is the problem and rule out any more serious spinal issues. These doctor visits can also help determine if a more chronic ailment, like spinal arthritis, is to blame.

What is a bone doctor called?

Orthopedic surgeons are doctors who specialize in the musculoskeletal system – the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that are so essential to movement and everyday life.

What should I wear to an orthopedic appointment?

If you are attending for a knee, hip or spine problem, please wear or bring shorts to your appointment. If you are having shoulder or elbow problems, please wear a singlet or a top that has few buttons.

Do surgeons only do surgery?

Surgeons can be general surgeons and perform all types of surgery, or they can be specialized, such as heart surgeons, brain surgeons, dentists, or veterinarians.