Orthopaedist

Orthopaedist

An Orthopaedist or Orthopedic Surgeon is a medical professional who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of injuries, disorders and diseases of the body's musculoskeletal system. This system includes bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves and tendons.

While orthopaedists are familiar with all aspects of the musculoskeletal system, many orthopaedists specialize in certain areas, such as the foot and ankle, hand, shoulder and elbow, spine, hip or knee. Orthopaedists can also choose to focus on specific fields like pediatrics, trauma, reconstructive surgery, oncology (bone tumors) or sports medicine.

Education and Training

Becoming an orthopaedist requires up to 14 years of formal education. This includes four years of undergraduate studies, four years of medical school, and a five-year orthopedic residency at a major medical center. Those who choose to specialize in a certain area may also need to complete a one-year fellowship program in that area.

Roles and Responsibilities

Orthopaedists use medical, physical and rehabilitative methods as well as surgery. Typically, as much as 50 percent of the orthopedist's practice is devoted to non-surgical or medical management of injuries or disease and 50 percent to surgical management. Surgery may be needed to restore function lost as a result of injury or disease of bones, joint, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or skin.

See Also

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Musculoskeletal System
• Bone
• Joint
• Ligament
• Muscle
• Tendon
• Nerve
• Skin

References

Orthopaedist Resources
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