Orthopedist

Orthopedist

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

Education and Training

Becoming an orthopedist requires up to 14 years of formal education. It begins with a four-year undergraduate degree, typically in a pre-medical or biological sciences field. This is followed by four years of medical school, leading to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. After medical school, the physician completes a five-year residency program in orthopedic surgery. Some orthopedists will complete additional fellowship training in a specific area of orthopedics, such as hand surgery or joint replacement.

Role and Responsibilities

Orthopedists treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions. These include fractures and dislocations, torn ligaments, sprains and strains tendon injuries, pulled muscles and bursitis ruptured disks, sciatica, low back pain and scoliosis knock knees, bow legs, bunions and hammer toes, arthritis and osteoporosis, bone tumors, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, club foot and unequal leg length, abnormalities of the fingers and toes and growth abnormalities.

Orthopedists 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
• Rheumatology
• Physical Therapy

References

Orthopedist Resources
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