What is orthopedics?
Orthopedics is a medical specialty that manages the musculoskeletal system and its interconnected components, including bones, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Orthopedists are divided into two groups: those who perform surgery and those who provide non-surgical treatments. Orthopedic surgeons are known as orthopedic surgeons, while physiatrists, physical medicine, and rehabilitation specialists are non-surgical.
Orthopedic practitioners are typically part of a larger treatment team that may include nurse practitioners, occupational and physical therapists, physician assistants, and athletic trainers.
What does an orthopedic surgeon do?
Orthopedic surgeons are medical experts who can diagnose, treat, and prevent musculoskeletal disorders. They can assist with long-term plans for managing ailments associated with muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints. They can treat several conditions, such as joint pain from arthritis, back pain, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, congenital conditions such as clubfoot and scoliosis, and bone cancer.
Moreover, these medical professionals can perform various procedures, such as ankle, knee, hip, spine, hand, and neck surgery. However, they generally prioritize non-invasive, holistic approaches before considering surgery.
How do you choose an orthopedic surgeon?
Before undergoing orthopedic surgery, carefully selecting a licensed and qualified surgeon is crucial. Ensure that the surgeon meets the following qualifications:
- Graduated from a recognized medical school
- Completed a residency program in orthopedic surgery
- Holds certification from either the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS) or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery (AOBOS)
- Possesses the necessary experience and professional training to carry out the procedure
- Complies with the medical education requirements, adheres to patient safety standards, and follows a strict ethical code.
Who are the various orthopedic surgery subspecialists?
Orthopedic surgery encompasses various subspecialties that focus on specific body areas and types of conditions. Orthopedic surgeons are highly trained to treat musculoskeletal issues, from arthritis and sports injuries to fractures and tumors. Orthopedic subspecialists include:
- Pediatric orthopedics - specializes in treating conditions in children, including hip dysplasia, scoliosis, fractures, and clubfoot. These doctors work closely with pediatric specialists to ensure the best care for young patients.
- Foot and ankle specialists - focus on conditions affecting the lower extremities, such as Achilles tendon issues, bunions, diabetic foot problems, and ankle arthritis. They use advanced surgical techniques to address these problems and improve mobility.
- Hand and upper extremity surgeons - treat hand, elbow, and arm disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve injuries, and fractures. Their innovative approaches help restore function and relieve pain.
- Hip and knee replacement specialists - use minimally invasive techniques and advanced materials to perform total hip and knee replacements, providing relief to patients with severe arthritis and joint damage.
- Orthopedic oncology specialists - deal with bone and soft tissue tumors, both benign and malignant, and metastatic disease. These specialists provide compassionate care for children, adolescents, and adults.
- Trauma specialists - handle emergency orthopedic care, treating patients injured in accidents or falls. They also perform reconstructive surgeries to help restore function and mobility after trauma.
- Shoulder surgeons - focus on treating nerve injuries, shoulder arthritis, fractures, and rotator cuff problems, helping patients regain movement and return to daily activities.
- Spine specialists - manage spinal disorders, deformities, and injuries, offering both non-operative therapies and advanced surgical solutions to treat conditions like scoliosis and other spinal issues.
- Sports medicine doctors - are experts in treating and rehabilitating sports-related injuries. They work with athletes of all levels to ensure a safe and effective recovery.
These orthopedic subspecialties ensure that patients receive specialized care tailored to specific needs, helping them achieve the best possible outcomes for their musculoskeletal health.
What surgeries do orthopedic surgeons typically perform?
Orthopedic surgeons are skilled in performing various procedures on the spine, foot and ankle, hips, knees, hands, and wrists. They also specialize in trauma care and joint replacement and reconstruction. Some common surgeries performed by them include-
- ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) reconstruction - The primary responsibility of an anterior cruciate ligament is to stabilize the knee joint and stop any forward movement. It connects the shin bone (tibia) to the thigh bone. An ACL tear is painful and can occur in many ways. In a grade one injury, the ligament has been stretched but holds the knee bones together. The ligament is a little torn and loosened in grade two (or a partial tear). In a grade three ACL injury, a total tear occurs where the ligament gets torn into two pieces.
ACL tears are widely prevalent in athletes who play sports that require a sudden change in direction, such as football, soccer, and basketball. To reconstruct a torn ACL, your orthopedic surgeon will take tissue from your body and place it where your old ACL was. They may use screws and other devices to hold your new ligament in place while the area heals.
- Spinal fusion - Sometimes, conditions like severe arthritis, a herniated disk, and scoliosis cause the spine to become deformed, weak, or unstable. In such cases, doctors may recommend a procedure called a “spinal fusion.” This method works well for fixing broken bones and reshaping the spine. However, it may not completely cure issues like back pain and arthritis.
During this procedure, your orthopedic surgeon will connect two or more bones in the spine. They may use a bone graft to help the fusion process. They put pieces of bone into the space between vertebrae. To help the fusion progress after bone grafting, your surgeon will use screws, plates, and rods to hold the spine in the correct position.
- Hip replacement - An orthopedic surgeon typically recommends hip replacement surgery (also called total hip arthroplasty) as a treatment option if you have persistent hip pain despite taking medications, your pain interferes with daily activities like sitting down or getting up, and your hip pain worsens even when you walk with a cane. Often, conditions like osteonecrosis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis can damage the hip joint.
Following the administration of either a spinal block or general anesthesia to numb the lower body, a hip replacement typically takes two hours to complete. During the procedure, orthopedic surgeons make an incision on the hip, remove the damaged bone or cartilage, and implant the replacement into your pelvic bone. Then, they place a metal stem and a replacement ball into the thigh bone.
Reasons to visit an orthopedic surgeon
Typically, individuals seek the assistance of an orthopedic doctor when they experience discomfort or pain in their joints, muscles, or bones. You should consult the best orthopedic surgeon near you if you suffer from pain, stiffness, frequent swelling, or any injury that affects your joints, bones, muscles, or ligaments.
In addition, if you have limited mobility, an orthopedic doctor can assist you in restoring your ability to move in a specific way. For those with significant injuries, orthopedic surgeons can help recover and prevent future injuries. Consequently, athletes often seek the services of orthopedic surgeons.
Orthopedic surgeons may treat typical injuries, including torn or ruptured ligaments, tendons, broken bones that require more than a cast to heal, and spinal or hip fractures due to osteoporosis.
Individuals with injuries are not the only ones who can consult an orthopedic surgeon. Many people also visit them due to persistent aches, pains, or loss of mobility. These issues may result from an old injury or develop gradually over time.
People with long-term illnesses may also seek orthopedic surgeons to treat bone and soft-tissue problems, including ligaments and tendons.
What can you expect during an orthopedic surgeon visit?
At the initial consultation, the orthopedic specialist will attempt to identify the person's ailment by performing a physical assessment and taking X-rays. The physician may also perform some tests at the office or request further examinations to verify the diagnosis in certain situations.
Diagnosis
The orthopedist will diagnose the condition by inquiring about the patient's symptoms, reviewing their medical records to learn more about their medical history and overall health, conducting a physical exam, and examining any previous X-rays. Additionally, the orthopedist may order additional diagnostic tests such as MRI, CT, bone scan, ultrasound, nerve conduction studies, and blood tests.
In-office procedures
An orthopedist may conduct an in-office procedure to diagnose and treat certain musculoskeletal conditions. As per the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, X-rays are the most commonly used and widely available diagnostic imaging technique. They may also offer corticosteroid injections to alleviate inflammation and perform ultrasound scans. For severe injuries like fractures and dislocations, the orthopedist may need to manipulate the bone or joint and immobilize it using a splint, cast, or brace.
Treatment options
Apart from in-office treatments, an orthopedist may suggest one or more of the given treatments to manage chronic musculoskeletal conditions:
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Home exercise programs
- Injections
- Acupuncture
- Mobility aids
- Surgery if other treatments are unsuccessful.
Finding the best orthopedic surgeons near you in Henderson, NV
Zocdoc is a reliable source for finding a highly skilled orthopedic surgeon in Henderson, Nevada. It functions as a search engine for the best doctors in your area. By entering "orthopedic surgeon in Henderson, Nevada" into the search bar, Zocdoc will scour millions of entries to present you with the top orthopedic surgeons.
The search results provide several filters, such as specialty, location, appointment availability, zip code, and insurance plans. After narrowing down your choices, you can review each surgeon's comprehensive profile, which includes their education, experience, years of practice, and additional certifications.
Our online patient support center can assist if you need help finding orthopedic surgeons who accept your insurance. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, though you can use only one plan per appointment.
You can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes for those with multiple insurance plans. Alternatively, if your healthcare provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can enter your secondary insurance information directly into the form.
After completing an appointment, Zocdoc asks patients to leave a review. These updated and verified patient ratings and reviews can help you find the most trusted orthopedic surgeon best suited for your needs. You can also book video appointments with the best orthopedic surgeons in your vicinity on Zocdoc before an in-person visit to better understand your provider.
Booking appointments with orthopedic surgeons near you through Zocdoc is simple, secure, and free!
Arthritis statistics in Nevada, United States
As per America's Health Rankings, 23.9% of adults in Nevada had some form of arthritis in 2021. About 51.1% of adults aged 65+, 27% between 45 and 64, and 8.8% between 18 and 44 years had arthritis in 2021. There was also a visible percentage increase in patients with arthritis, from about 22.8% in 2019 to about 24.9% in 2020.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates, the frequency of arthritis diagnoses will rise in the upcoming decades. Arthritis will affect 78.4 million adults (18 years and older), or 25.9% of the projected adult population, by 2040. This figure represents a significant increase compared to the 58.5 million adults diagnosed with arthritis in 2013-2015. Females are expected to make up two-thirds of arthritis patients.
Furthermore, by 2040, approximately 34.6 million adults (43.2% of adults with arthritis or 11.4% of all US adults) will have limitations in activities caused by arthritis.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
WebMD
Medical News Today
America's Health Rankings
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
Mayo Clinic[3]
Cleveland Clinic
MedlinePlus
Massachusetts General Hospital
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