Orthopaedics

Orthopaedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the musculoskeletal system. This includes the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders and injuries related to the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

History

The term "orthopaedics" was coined in 1741 by Nicholas Andry, a professor of medicine and dean at the University of Paris. The term is derived from the Greek words orthos, meaning "straight", and paideia, meaning "child-rearing". The field originally focused on the correction of deformities in children, but has since expanded to include all ages and many subspecialties.

Subspecialties

Orthopaedics has several subspecialties, including:

• Sports medicine: Focuses on the prevention and treatment of injuries related to sports and exercise.
• Pediatric orthopaedics: Specializes in treating musculoskeletal problems in children.
• Trauma and orthopaedics: Deals with injuries to the musculoskeletal system caused by accidents.
• Spine surgery: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the spine.
• Hand surgery: Specializes in treating conditions of the hand and wrist.
• Foot and ankle surgery: Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the foot and ankle.
• Joint replacement: Specializes in replacing damaged joints with artificial ones.

Education and Training

Becoming an orthopaedic surgeon requires several years of education and training. This typically includes four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school, and a five-year residency in orthopaedic surgery. Some orthopaedic surgeons also complete additional fellowship training in a subspecialty.

See Also

• Physical therapy
• Rheumatology
• Podiatry

References

Orthopaedics Resources
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