Who are orthopedic surgeons?
An orthopedic surgeon is a doctor trained in treating and caring for the musculoskeletal system comprising the bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. They can diagnose musculoskeletal problems, prescribe remedies, assist with rehabilitation, and develop long-term treatment and wellness strategies.
To start practicing as an orthopedic surgeon, an aspirant must complete at least 13 years of education, including a bachelor's degree and completion of medical school, followed by a five-year residency focused on orthopedic surgery. They can also choose to undergo one year of education within an orthopedic subspecialty. Post-residency, they must practice for at least two years and take a final American Board of Orthopedic Surgery exam.
The human body has more than 200 bones, making the scope of an orthopedic surgeon's practice immense. They often sub-specialize to streamline their focus on treating a specific body area. For example, a hand and wrist surgeon may only take those cases, while a joint surgeon may only treat hip or knee issues like arthritis or other conditions limiting joint mobility.
When to see an orthopedic surgeon?
While pains and aches can be a normal part of life, especially as one age, pain tolerance is subjective and may vary from person to person. Thus, listening to your body is essential. The following experiences may be indicators that it is time to see an orthopedic surgeon:
- Gradual onset of swelling, stiffness, or pain in a joint: You must consider seeing an orthopedic surgeon when such sensations persist for over two to three days and are not relieved through activity, ice, rest, or over-the-counter medications.
- Progressive numbness or ache in a joint: Such sensations may make it difficult or even impossible to carry on routine activities such as cleaning, climbing the stairs, lifting a cup of coffee, etc., and may require medical assistance.
- A ligament, tendon, or muscle injury: You must schedule an orthopedic examination if a joint feels unsteady or you hear a catching or popping sound.
- Extreme pain: You must visit a doctor if you feel intense discomfort or pain that keeps you awake at night.
- Infection: If you are experiencing an infection in an injured area with symptoms such as redness, swelling, soreness, drainage, pus, or fever, scheduling an appointment would be advisable.
While the above experiences indicate serious issues, orthopedic surgeons often use surgeries as a last resort and opt for non-operative and therapeutic measures first.
What does an orthopedic surgeon do?
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating people of all ages, from newborns to seniors. They may conduct an exploratory test or a series of tests to undertake a diagnosis, like an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Diagnosis without tests is possible and may consist of answering simple questions.
They usually begin their treatment by exploring non-surgical options, including rehabilitation, pain medication, etc. If the patient does not feel relief, they move on to surgery, as necessary, to repair an injured part or treat a particular condition. Orthopedic surgeons typically:
- Replace painful joints
- Treat broken bones
- Attend to back pain, spinal stenosis, and ruptured disks
- Treat clubfoot, bow legs, and hip dysplasia
- Undertake limb lengthening
- Treat bunions, foot and ankle injuries, and Achilles tendon injuries
- Treat disorders like carpal tunnel, arthritis, osteoporosis, orthopedic trauma, etc.
An orthopedic surgeon treats injuries, can help with long-lasting aches or loss of mobility, and can detect blood cancers such as multiple myeloma that weaken the bones. Based on a patient's condition, an orthopedic surgeon creates a holistic treatment plan comprising surgery, medication, and physical therapy.
What procedures can orthopedic surgeons perform?
Some of the surgical procedures that an orthopedic surgeon performs include the following:
- Total joint replacement (TJR)
TJR surgery is one of the most commonly performed elective procedures in the United States. During a TJR, the doctor removes the worn-out surfaces of your damaged joint and replaces them with a prosthesis that performs the functions of a typically healthy joint. Most people can resume everyday activities sooner after having a total joint replacement.
Surgeons use a minimally invasive technique called arthroscopic surgery, which uses an arthroscope to diagnose joint problems.
An arthroscope is a thin camera device that a surgeon inserts into a patient's joint, often the knee or shoulder. The camera is linked to a visual display, allowing them to see inside the joint. By creating additional incisions, the surgeon uses multiple small, thin devices to repair various problems. An orthopedic surgeon may perform this surgery to treat common joint ailments such as ACL, meniscus, and rotator cuff tears. It may take a few weeks to several months for a person to fully recover from an arthroscopy.
An orthopedic surgeon can recommend fracture repair surgery to restore the normal anatomy of a severely damaged bone. They may use various kinds of implants to stabilize the bone, which includes rods, plates, screws, and wires.
After fracture repair surgery, the affected individual will likely experience reduced muscular strength and range of motion in the affected area. The doctor will, however, suggest particular exercises to restore normal muscle strength, joint motion, and flexibility.
Pediatric orthopedic surgeon vs. general orthopedic surgeon
Both adults and children may suffer from musculoskeletal diseases, fractures, dislocated joints, and other orthopedic traumas. But, even identical conditions can affect adults and children differently, so their bodies may behave and recover differently. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons are uniquely trained to manage, assess, evaluate, diagnose, and treat children, whereas general orthopedic surgeons are trained to treat adults.
Tips for ensuring quality pediatric orthopedic care
Ensuring your child receives the best care is essential for their health and well-being. Here are some tips explicitly tailored for visiting pediatric orthopedic surgeons to help you advocate for yourself effectively:
- Strategic booking: When scheduling appointments for your child, communicate any special needs or concerns to the receptionist. Although you don't need to disclose your child's medical history, providing relevant information can help ensure the appointment is appropriately scheduled. Additionally, aim to schedule appointments when your child is typically more alert and cooperative, such as earlier in the day.
- Bring a support person: Medical appointments can be overwhelming, especially for children. To help and support you emotionally, think about bringing along a dependable friend or family member. This support person can help keep track of important information, ask questions, and reassure you and your child.
- Prepare what to say: Before the appointment, take some time to organize your thoughts and concerns regarding your child's orthopedic health. Write down any questions you have and practice expressing them clearly and succinctly. A prepared list of concerns can help ensure you cover all relevant topics during the appointment.
- Ask many questions: It's essential to fully understand your child's diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis. Don't hesitate to ask the pediatric orthopedic surgeon any questions you have, no matter how small they may seem. Clarifying uncertainties can help you make informed decisions about your child's care and treatment plan.
- Keep detailed records: Managing your child's orthopedic health involves keeping track of appointments, treatments, and medications. Maintain detailed records of your child's medical history, including previous consultations, diagnostic tests, allergens and prescribed medications. Bringing these records to appointments can provide valuable insight for the pediatric orthopedic surgeon and help guide discussions about your child's care and curate a detailed plan accordingly.
How do you find an orthopedic surgeon near Germantown, MD?
Now that you know who an orthopedic surgeon is and when you should see one, the next step is to select one who meets your needs and expectations. Zocdoc can help you do so.
Log into Zocdoc and enter your location (Germantown, Maryland) or symptoms to receive a list of top-rated orthopedic surgeons near you. By browsing through this list, you can learn about the listed practitioners' licensure, areas of expertise, experience, and educational background. You can also become acquainted with their ratings, awards, and accreditations through their personalized profiles. You can add additional filters to streamline your search according to gender, language, whether they cater to your insurance plan, treat children, etc.
After creating a shortlist, you can finalize your decision by reading verified and trustworthy reviews from previous patients. After choosing the practitioner you want to seek treatment from, Zocdoc allows you to directly and securely book an in-person and virtual appointment per your needs.
All bookings with Zocdoc are easy, free, and safe!
Orthopedic statistics for Maryland
In May 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released national estimates of the number of orthopedic surgeons practicing in the United States, except those specializing in pediatrics. The statistics revealed that in 2021, there were around 270 orthopedic surgeons in Maryland, implying that for every 1,000 people employed in the state, 0.11 worked as orthopedic surgeons.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that in 2015, approximately 21.5% of the adult residents of Maryland had arthritis.
The prevalence of arthritis in the state was higher among women (24.64%) than men (17.98%).
The CDC's report also stated that 35.38% of Marylandians faced work limitations caused by arthritis, and 28.5% were experiencing severe joint pain due to arthritis. In Montgomery County, where Germantown is located, 18.9% of the state's residents were experiencing arthritis.
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
WebMD
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
MedicalNewsToday
Watauga Orthopedics
Healthline
