Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
Orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat musculoskeletal disorders or conditions associated with muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, joints, and soft tissues. The field of medicine focusing on these particular disorders is termed orthopedics.
Orthopedic surgeons provide comprehensive patient care to people of all age groups. These experts offer surgical and non-surgical treatment options depending on the individual's condition. Besides treatment and diagnosis, they also order tests, recommend physical therapy exercises, and provide prevention strategies to slow disease progression.
In terms of education, aspirants typically require 14 years of dedication to become licensed orthopedic surgeons. The journey begins with obtaining a bachelor's degree in science and four years of training in an accredited medical school. After successfully passing their board examinations, students are then titled Doctors of Medicine (MDs).
After medical school, doctors must study further in a medical specialty and enroll in a five-year residency program. Upon finishing residency, if doctors choose to become board-certified experts, they must pass the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) examination or the one conducted by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (AOBOS).
Some surgeons additionally enroll in fellowships in various subspecialties, such as:
- Hand and upper extremity
- Foot and ankle or podiatry
- Sports medicine
- Joint replacement surgery
- Spine surgery
- Trauma surgery
- Orthopedic oncology, including tumor and cancer care
- Pediatric orthopedics
What conditions do orthopedic surgeons treat?
Musculoskeletal disorders are very prevalent and are the leading cause of disabilities. Certain chronic conditions can also lead to life-long pain and restriction in mobility. An orthopedic surgeon specializes in treating various forms of bone and joint diseases, including:
- Arthritis: This disorder manifests as pain, inflammation, and swelling of the joints. The joints commonly affected are the feet, hands, knees, lower back, and hips. Osteoarthritis is another prevalent form of arthritis, a degenerative disorder that occurs with age. To treat arthritis, your specialist may recommend medication (to manage pain) and physical therapy. They may also suggest surgical treatments if necessary.
- Low back pain (LBP): Often found in adults over 30, obese individuals with a family history of osteoarthritis, and occupations requiring heavy lifting or sitting at a desk all day. Muscle stiffness in the lower back, a bent or crooked posture, and pain with muscle spasms are some indications of LBP. Pain relieving medications, for example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, steroid injections, chiropractic adjustments, and minimally invasive surgery, are some treatment options for LBP.
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of the connective tissues between the bones and muscles may be acute or chronic and occur almost anywhere in the body, like the base of the thumb, elbows, shoulders, knees, hips, and Achilles tendon. Repetitive physical activity such as playing sports, poor posture, and rheumatoid arthritis or gout can cause tendinitis. Surgery is typically not required in inflamed tendons except in very severe cases.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS): The carpal tunnel is an inch-wide narrow pathway in the wrist that allows nerves and tendons to pass through. Compression or pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel would result in pain, numbness, and a tingling sensation in the forearm. CTS also causes weakness and loss of sensation in the hands, which may worsen with time. Early-diagnosed CTS can be relieved by wearing a wrist splint, exercising, and inserting steroid injections. Surgeons may perform procedures like carpal tunnel release to relieve pressure on the median nerve.
- Clubfoot is a congenital abnormality in which a child's foot points inward instead of forward. Healthcare providers often diagnose the illness after delivery. However, doctors can detect clubfoot in an unborn infant during an ultrasound. Although the disease usually affects only one foot, both can be affected. Stretching and bracing can occasionally repair clubfoot, although extreme cases may require surgery.
- Bowlegs: A condition exists in which a person's legs appear bent out, indicating that their knees remain wide apart even when joining their ankles. Bowlegs occasionally indicate an underlying condition, such as Blount's disease or rickets, and can progress to knee and hip arthritis. Braces, casts, and surgery are all methods for correcting these bone defects.
What types of non-surgical procedures do orthopedic doctors perform?
An orthopedic surgeon near you may specialize in various therapies and procedures to address multiple musculoskeletal issues. These non-surgical approaches, often termed conservative treatments, are pivotal components of orthopedic care. Before considering surgical options, orthopedic specialists typically explore and recommend non-invasive therapies tailored to individual patient needs.
Some of the most common non-surgical treatments are:
- Immobilization: In some instances, providing rest and limiting the movement of a particular area can facilitate healing. Immobilization treatments include braces, splints, and casts to stabilize and support injured or compromised areas, aiding recovery.
- Exercises: Your orthopedic specialist may prescribe specific exercises or movements to help you maintain or increase your range of motion and flexibility of a particular spot.
- Lifestyle modifications: Your orthopedic doctor may also assist you in making lifestyle changes. These changes may include modifying your physical activity, diet, and exercise routines to reduce the risk of exacerbating an injury or condition.
- Medications: Your orthopedic specialist may prescribe certain medications to treat symptoms such as edema and pain. Examples include over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin. They may also prescribe treatments such as corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory medications.
What types of surgical procedures do orthopedic doctors perform?
Conservative measures may not always be effective in treating a condition or injury. In such instances, your doctor may propose surgery. An orthopedic surgeon may conduct the following operations:
- Total joint replacement (TJR) is the process of replacing a damaged joint using a prosthesis.
- Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally intrusive procedure to diagnose and fix common problems, such as ACL tears and rotator cuff tears, using a long, thin camera and making minor incisions.
- Fracture repair surgery is a process of using rods, plates, wires, and screws to stabilize a broken bone.
- Bone grafting surgery uses donated or synthetic bone to repair and strengthen the patient's damaged or diseased bones.
- Spinal fusion is a method of fusing two or more vertebrae to cure spinal disorders such as scoliosis and vertebral trauma.
How are orthopedic doctors different from rheumatologists?
Orthopedic doctors and rheumatologists are similar in treating conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, which comprises bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. For example, both providers treat back pain, arthritis, and osteoporosis. However, the differences between these medical specialties lie in their education and the scope of practice.
Rheumatologists are experts in rheumatic conditions, which are chronic and complex inflammatory conditions affecting the connective tissues, including muscles, tendons, bones, and ligaments. They possess specialized training in musculoskeletal conditions of an autoimmune nature and systemic diseases that affect the whole body (including the eyes, skin, nervous system, and internal organs), such as vasculitis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatic conditions are often hereditary and can be caught early during routine checkups or screenings. If untreated, rheumatic diseases tend to progress and worsen over time, affecting more tissues. You can consult a rheumatologist if you have joint pain in multiple joints, muscular pain without symptoms, and musculoskeletal pain associated with systemic symptoms like fever, fatigue, rash, or chest pain.
An orthopedist treats musculoskeletal injuries, congenital diseases, and degenerative conditions. They offer surgical and non-surgical treatment options. On the other hand, rheumatologists cannot perform surgery. Instead, they focus on a person's type of musculoskeletal disease and how to treat it using non-surgical methods such as medication or injections.
Occasionally, rheumatologists and orthopedic doctors work together in the same setting. Often, conditions like rheumatoid arthritis require the expertise of both professionals. You may consult an orthopedic doctor if your hip or knee pain is worsening with weight bearing, severe joint pain, previous unsuccessful treatment for joint pain, or if your doctor suggests getting a joint replacement.
If you are unsure which doctor to visit, see your primary care physician for your symptoms first. For example, if you have back pain, your PCP or family doctor would refer you to a rheumatologist in cases where:
- Medications and other treatment options have been unsuccessful
- Your PCP is uncertain about what exactly is causing your back pain but suspects it might be something rheumatological
- Blood tests for inflammatory markers or specific antibodies (immune-system cells) yield abnormal results
- You have a family history of rheumatic or autoimmune diseases.
When should you see an orthopedic surgeon near you?
People with joint, muscle, or bone pain or movement problems usually visit an orthopedist. Symptoms like stiffness, swelling, or joint and bone pain may warrant a consultation. If you have a diminished range of motion, the doctor can recommend exercises that help improve your movement.
Orthopedic surgeons also treat injuries such as torn or broken ligaments, tendons, or broken bones that don't heal with a cast. They also look at conditions associated with long-lasting pain and symptoms from long-term illnesses like arthritis and chronic joint pain.
After finding orthopedic doctors, you may book an appointment and prepare a list of symptoms and questions you want to discuss. During the first appointment, be ready to answer questions about your medical history and symptoms. Bring previous medical records and a list of medications that you are taking. The doctor may suggest a series of physical exams and diagnostic tests such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) to diagnose your condition.
Once the doctor diagnoses your condition, they suggest a treatment plan, including surgery, cast or tape, or exercise. An orthopedic surgeon is cooperative and patient, ready to answer any doubts or concerns you may have regarding your treatment.
Find orthopedic surgeons near you in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
If you experience joint pain, numbness, swelling, and stiffness symptoms, you should consider seeing an orthopedic surgeon who can assess your condition and recommend treatment. However, finding the best orthopedic doctors nearby in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, can be challenging and time-consuming. Zocdoc is a platform that provides users with a simple way of finding healthcare providers from the comfort of their homes.
To book a video consultation or in-person appointment, you only need to visit the Zocdoc website and enter your condition or symptoms, location, preferred appointment date, and insurance plan to access a list of the top-rated doctors who can help you. Filter the results based on gender, time, hospital affiliation, distance, and spoken language of the provider. If you need help with your insurance, enter the health plan in the drop-down menu at the top of the page. This step will automatically filter and show only in-network orthopedic surgeons. If you cannot find your health plan listed on Zocdoc, you can also upload a photo of your insurance card. Once you upload a photo, Zocdoc will scan the image of your card and show you your likely plan. Note this service is available only for medical insurance cards. Dental and vision are excluded. If you need help uploading your card, contact Zocdoc's service team. For more insurance-related information, check out Zocdoc's patient help center.
Zocdoc believes in transparency and wants you to find the best care for yourself. Therefore, to aid you in choosing from the best orthopedic surgeons, Zocdoc includes a profile summary of each practitioner detailing their medical background, clinical experience, certifications, licensures, awards, and accreditations. Further, you can also read through honest and verified patient reviews to aid your decision.
All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!
Statistics for conditions treated by orthopedic surgeons in Florida
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida employed nearly 1,140 orthopedic surgeons (as of May 2023), the third highest number of employees in the United States, following California and New York.
According to data collected by the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System in 2020 and published by the Florida Department of Health, approximately 24.0% of adults in Florida aged 18 and above had arthritis. Arthritis was more common in women (≈27.7%) than men (≈20.1%).
The report also stated that arthritis was highest among adults over 65 (45.0%) and lowest among people between 18 and 44 (7.4%).
Sources
Cleveland Clinic[1]
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[1]
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[2]
Penn Medicine
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]
MedicalNewsToday
WebMD
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
Healthline[3]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
UMass Memorial Health System
American College of Rheumatology
Verywell Health
Florida Department of Health
