What does an orthopedic surgeon do?
Daily physical activity can develop injuries or pain in your musculoskeletal system, consisting of the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves coordinating movement. An orthopedic surgeon specializes in treating the conditions that affect these areas. Some musculoskeletal conditions are present at birth or may develop due to injury or age. And while physiatrists and rehabilitation specialists can provide non-surgical treatment for such situations, only an orthopedic surgeon can use surgical and non-surgical methods.
Becoming an orthopedic surgeon entails extensive education and training. Physicians undertake five years of orthopedic residency after completing four years of medical school. All board-certified orthopedists are certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
Beyond general orthopedic surgery, some orthopedists specialize in particular areas, such as the spine or hip. Consulting an orthopedic subspecialist is a good idea because they have experience in their expertise. Subspecialties of orthopedic surgeons include but are not limited to the following:
- Joint replacement
- Fracture care and trauma
- Hand surgery
- Hip surgery
- Knee surgery
- Shoulder surgery
- Spine surgery
- Foot and ankle injuries
- Sports injuries
What is the difference between orthopedic surgeons and rheumatologists?
Rheumatologists and orthopedists specialize in addressing conditions that impact the musculoskeletal system, covering areas such as arthritis, back pain, and osteoporosis. Despite treating similar ailments, there are notable distinctions between these medical specialties.
One key difference lies in surgery – orthopedists receive training to perform surgical interventions, while rheumatologists do not conduct surgical procedures. Orthopedics primarily addresses issues arising from injuries, congenital disabilities, and degenerative diseases caused by wear and tear. On the other hand, rheumatologists specialize in treating conditions rooted in systemic diseases that affect the entire body, such as lupus, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and rare inherited disorders.
Collaborative care is expected, with rheumatologists and orthopedists often working together to provide comprehensive healthcare. For instance, in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, both specialists may collaborate to ensure a holistic and well-coordinated approach to patient care.
When should you see an orthopedic surgeon?
A common reason to visit an orthopedic surgeon is an injury to the bone or joint that could result from sports or strenuous activity. You can consult an orthopedic surgeon for persistent or recurring pain, swelling, or stiffness. Another reason is experiencing numbness or tingling sensation in the arms or legs. If you find moving your knee or joint increasingly tricky, an orthopedic surgeon will help you regain movement. They will also help you manage chronic conditions such as arthritis. Symptoms may often look mild but can worsen if left untreated.
The following are some of the conditions an orthopedic surgeon treats:
- Arthritis: Chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, etc., fall under the bracket of arthritis.
- Fibromyalgia: Chronic condition that causes pain in muscles and soft tissues.
- Foot pain and problems: Causes improper functioning affecting parts of the foot, like the heel.
- Fractures: Partial or complete break of the bone causing pain, swelling, or restricted movement.
- Hand pain and problems: Can be caused by arthritis or other conditions.
- Hip fracture: When the femur bone (thigh bone) breaks where it meets the pelvic bone.
- Low back pain: Caused by strenuous activity, injury, infection, or disease.
- Neck pain: The neck may feel tender, sharp, stiff to touch, or experience a burning or tingling sensation.
- Osteoporosis: A condition that causes bones to get brittle and break from minor falls or bumps.
- Scoliosis: A type of spinal deformity that may have unknown causes.
- Shoulder pain: Caused by dislocation, frozen shoulder, or fracture.
- Soft tissue injuries: Includes sprains, strains, tendonitis, or stress injuries.
What kind of procedures can an orthopedic surgeon near you perform?
Orthopedic surgeons perform various surgical procedures to treat conditions that don’t respond to rest, physical therapy, or medication. Here are some standard surgeries that might be recommended:
- Fusion surgery: Occasionally, fractured bones need help healing correctly. During a fusion procedure, an orthopedic surgeon joins the bones using graft material and internal fixation, eventually allowing them to form a single, solid bone. This approach is often used in neck and spine surgeries.
- Joint replacement: Commonly used to treat arthritis or age-related joint damage, joint replacement involves replacing parts of a worn or damaged joint with artificial components. It can restore movement and relieve hip, knee, or shoulder pain.
- Soft tissue repair: Severe muscle, ligament, or tendon tears may require surgical repair. This procedure is often recommended when injuries don’t heal on their own and are causing significant pain or instability.
- Internal fixation: When bones break, they sometimes need help to stay in place while they heal. Using pins, screws, plates, or rods, an orthopedic surgeon stabilizes broken bones, preventing further injury and promoting faster recovery.
- Osteotomy: This procedure involves cutting and realigning a bone to correct deformities or address issues such as femur fractures. Osteotomy can improve alignment, reduce pain, and preserve joint function.
- Release surgery: For conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, release surgery is the best way to alleviate pressure on the median nerve by making a small incision, which can relieve pain and restore hand function.
If conservative treatments aren’t working, an orthopedic surgeon near you may consider one of these procedures to help restore optimal functioning and improve quality of life.
How to prepare for your first consultation with an orthopedic surgeon?
When preparing for your initial consultation with an orthopedic surgeon near you, it's common to have apprehensions about potential surgery or the effectiveness of available treatments. To ensure a productive and informative appointment, consider the following tips:
- Create a list of questions: Before the appointment, list any concerns or questions. Often, individuals need to remember their queries once in the specialist's office, so having a written list in your hand ensures that your orthopedic surgeon can adequately address all aspects of your condition.
- Maintain a pain diary: Document your daily experiences with pain, noting when it intensifies, instances of reduced mobility, and any other relevant details. This information is valuable for the orthopedic surgeon in understanding the nuances of your discomfort and guiding the diagnostic process effectively.
- Bring pertinent documents and imaging: If another physician referred you to the orthopedic surgeon, gather all relevant documents, notes, X-rays, or other imaging results. This comprehensive information aids the specialist in gaining insights into your condition, eliminating potential causes, and determining suitable treatment options.
By adhering to these preparations, you contribute to a more efficient consultation and facilitate a smoother exchange of information between you and the orthopedic surgeon. This proactive approach ensures that the orthopedic surgeon thoroughly addresses your concerns, increasing the likelihood of achieving a positive outcome.
In cases where surgery is necessary, the orthopedic surgeon can guide you through available options, including advanced techniques like Mako Robotic Surgery. It's essential to prioritize your health, and consulting with an orthopedic surgeon provides the necessary insights to make informed decisions about your well-being. Remember, seeking professional advice is prudent, offering reassurance and potentially uncovering viable solutions for your condition.
What happens when you visit an orthopedic surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon will diagnose your condition and suggest a treatment plan accordingly. Depending on the concern and severity of symptoms, the surgeon will choose a type of treatment. Treatment plans may involve surgical as well as non-surgical methods. However, an orthopedist may recommend non-surgical or conservative treatment to avoid surgery. Some types of non-surgical treatments are:
- Specific exercises or stretches that improve strength, flexibility, and movement.
- Medications to help relieve pain and swelling. These can be over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen or prescription drugs like corticosteroids.
- Immobilization using braces and casts can restrict movement and strain, thus fastening the healing process.
- Lifestyle changes involving movement, exercise, diet, and other methods to avoid worsening the condition.
If there is no noticeable improvement with the conservative treatment, an orthopedic surgeon may recommend surgery based on the type of condition or injury involved. Some standard surgical options are:
- Internal fixation: Involves special screws, rods, or plates to reconnect broken bones.
- External fixation: Using screws inside the body and connecting them to a brace or bracket on the outside.
- Joint replacement: An arthroplasty replaces a damaged joint with an artificial one.
- Bone grafting: Insert additional bone tissue if the bone doesn't heal correctly after a fracture.
An orthopedic surgeon may also suggest orthopedic rehabilitation as part of your recovery process or treatment for chronic conditions. Orthopedic rehabilitation will help you regain movement, flexibility, and strength. Some standard rehabilitation options are:
- Physical therapy: Includes stretching exercises, strength training, massage, or a home exercise plan.
- Occupational therapy: Helps recover or maintain movement with adaptive equipment such as canes, reachers, or orthotics.
- Sports rehabilitation: Typically used for sports-related injuries.
If you have pain-related symptoms indicating problems with your musculoskeletal system, you must urgently look for orthopedic doctors near you. Obtaining an early diagnosis and following the treatment plan provided by an orthopedic surgeon will lead to an effective outcome.
Common misconceptions about orthopedic surgeons
Orthopedic surgeons are often subject to various misconceptions that affect everyone's perception of their vital role in healthcare. Understanding and dispelling these misconceptions is crucial to appreciating their expertise and contributions. Some of the most common misconceptions are:
They only work with professional athletes
While orthopedic surgeons often help improve the health and performance of athletes, they are not limited to providing medical attention to this group. People often visit orthopedic surgeons for acute injuries, trouble moving, chronic muscle pain, or joint problems.
All surgeons practice the same way
Orthopedic surgeons take on different specialties, such as spine surgery, hip and knee replacements, shoulder and elbow surgery, or foot and ankle surgery. The unique fellowships and certifications make them different from one another. So, the next time you look for orthopedic doctors near you, choose one who specializes in your issue.
They treat only broken bones and damaged joints
There is more to their expertise than only treating broken bones or joints. Orthopedic surgeons treat many diseases, including bone tumors, bunions, arthritis, and osteoporosis.
They only focus on treatment
In addition to treating acute and chronic orthopedic conditions, these doctors also look at prevention, diagnosis, and treatment recovery. They suggest prescriptions and therapies and also recommend tips for future care.
They only perform invasive procedures
Some people may avoid seeing an orthopedic surgeon because they fear surgery. It is essential to know that surgery is not the first and only treatment option offered. With the changing landscape of orthopedic medicine, doctors can introduce many less invasive methods, like arthroscopy, providing safer and faster recovery.
You can only find them in hospitals
Many orthopedic surgeons work exclusively in private or public hospitals. However, some providers may work as solo practitioners in their clinics, professors in universities and medical schools, or you may find them in other medical and research facilities. Continue reading to know where you can discover orthopedic doctors near you.
Finding an orthopedic surgeon near you in Jersey City, NJ
Orthopedic surgeons play a pivotal role in caring for injured and sick patients. Understanding the extent of their care will enable you to find the perfect specialist for your needs.
With Zocdoc, you can find the best orthopedic surgeons in your city at no extra cost. Visit the Zocdoc website and enter your condition or symptoms, location, and preferred appointment date. With these few steps, you can get a list of the top orthopedic surgeons matching your requirements. You can filter these results by distance, time of day, spoken languages, hospital affiliations, gender, and whether the provider treats children.
If you have an existing healthcare plan, you can minimize out-of-pocket expenses by finding an in-network provider. Enter your healthcare plan and find suitable providers on the platform. Our online patient support center can help you find healthcare professionals who accept your insurance.
Through Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account; however, you can only use one insurance plan for each appointment.
If you have multiple insurance plans, add your secondary insurance details to the appointment notes. Additionally, if your healthcare provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can enter your secondary insurance information directly into the form for a smoother experience.
Every provider has a verified profile where you can find their credentials, user ratings, and verified reviews.
With Zocdoc, finding certified orthopedic doctors near you is easy. And what's more, all bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free!
Arthritis and related conditions in New Jersey, United States
The Arthritis Foundation reports that more than 100 arthritis-related conditions are known today, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016). About one in four U.S. adults have arthritis, while in rural areas of the U.S., the figure is one in three.
Moreover, arthritis is a leading cause of disability in New Jersey. According to data collated by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, 2001-2008, over 1.5 million New Jersey residents were affected by arthritis. Of those diagnosed, about 78% were not receiving any treatment, and more than half were unaware of the type of arthritis they had. Additionally, data revealed that arthritis affected women (28%) more than men (20%).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, osteoarthritis has affected over 32.5 million adults as of 2020. The prevalence of arthritis is only going to increase over time. As of 2020, 23.7 million adults suffer from arthritis-related activity limitations. By 2040, the same will affect an estimated 34.6 million adults. Everyone should prioritize the necessary treatment and care for such chronic conditions to retain physical movement and range of motion.
Sources
WebMD
Healthline
Medical News Today
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Healthgrades
Arthritis Foundation
New Jersey Department of Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
The Orthopaedic Hand and Arm Center
Orthopedic & Sports Institute of the Fox Valley
