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Who is an orthopedic surgeon?

Orthopedics is a field of medicine dealing with the functioning of the human body's musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system consists of skeletal components such as bones, muscles, cartilage, joints and connecting segments such as tendons, ligaments, and nerves.

Orthopedic surgeons, also known as orthopedists, study the injuries, diseases, and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. They primarily concentrate on hand, foot, ankle, and back injuries caused by illnesses, sports, or other trauma. They form a crucial part of the orthopedic treatment team, which includes physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurse practitioners, and athletic trainers.

Orthopedic surgeons undergo extensive training to provide holistic treatment, including non-surgical and surgical means. As a result, they play a vital role in helping patients with orthopedic conditions stand and move around comfortably. They also educate patients on lifestyle changes to prevent further damage and complications.

How does one become an orthopedic surgeon in the U.S.?

Aspiring orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. must begin with a four-year undergraduate degree in sciences, followed by medical school. After completing four years of medical school, doctors must undergo a five-year residency in orthopedic surgery before enrolling in a one-year fellowship in one of the subspecialties. Orthopedic surgery is a vast field with several subspecialties, including pediatric orthopedics, hand and upper extremity, foot and ankle, sports medicine, trauma surgery, orthopedic oncology, spine surgery, and joint replacement surgery.

Doctors can apply for board certification after two years of practicing as an orthopedic surgeon. In the U.S., two governing bodies administer examinations to orthopedic surgeons, and upon clearing them, doctors get board-certified. The certifying organizations are the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

Common conditions that orthopedic surgeons treat

Orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat all conditions that cause pain, swelling, loss of movement, and decreased range of motion in joints. Some common conditions are:

• Bone fractures: Orthopedic surgeons are experts at diagnosing and treating both simple and compound fractures. For simple fractures, they use casts and traction to stabilize the broken bones and the surrounding regions. For compound or complex fractures, orthopedic surgeons perform surgery. Surgical treatment for compound fractures includes open reduction and internal or external fixation. Internal fixation involves screws and metal plates to fix the broken bones and metal rods through the bony centers to stabilize the fracture. On the other hand, external fixation uses a stabilizing bar outside the skin, which holds the bone in place.
• Congenital conditions: Common congenital conditions orthopedists treat are clubfoot, scoliosis, and bowlegs. When a newborn's feet point inward, it is called club feet. Orthopedic surgeons use non-surgical means known as stretching and surgical options to fix the deformity. Severe defects require surgical intervention to reposition the bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. If the curvature of the spine is abnormal, "S" or "C" shaped, this condition is known as scoliosis.

Scoliosis occurs due to neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, genetic disorders such as muscular dystrophy, congenital disabilities such as spina bifida, or injuries or infections that affect the spine. Standard treatment options for scoliosis include bracing and spinal fusion surgery. In the spinal fusion procedure, orthopedic surgeons fuse the vertebral bones with the help of rods, screws, and bone grafts. This condition is known as bow legs if a child's legs bow outside. Surgery is an option if non-surgical methods like special shoes, casts, and braces are unsuccessful in treating the condition.

• Degenerative conditions such as arthritis: Orthopedic surgeons are experts at making timely diagnoses and treatments for all kinds of arthritis. They prescribe medications to control the condition and, in extreme cases, operate on the affected joints to help patients live better.
• Sports injuries: Sports medicine is a subspecialty devoted to studying sports injuries caused by long and rigorous training sessions, such as sprains, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, meniscus tears, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendinitis. These specialists deeply understand such damages and how to control and treat them best, thus helping athletes retain the maximum amount of form and function.
• Bone cancers: Orthopedic surgeons specializing in orthopedic oncology have extensive knowledge about tumors that start in the bones and metastasize from elsewhere in the body. They study benign and malignant cancers of the bones and coordinate with other specialists to manage them. Some common bone cancers include osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma.

How do you choose the right specialist for your symptoms?

You may want to visit an orthopedic doctor near you if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Pain, stiffness, or discomfort that affects daily functioning.
• Chronic pain, or pain for more than 12 weeks.
• Decrease in range of motion.
• Loss of stability when walking or standing.
• Soft tissue injury without any improvement after about 48 hours.

You would typically see a doctor for pain or problems in your muscles, joints, or bones. However, it may be difficult for you to choose the right type of specialist to diagnose and treat you. Some specialists treating conditions affecting the bones, joints, and muscles are orthopedic doctors and surgeons, rheumatologists, physical therapists, neurologists, and rehabilitation medicine doctors. Here is a list of specialists that you would visit based on the nature of your concerns:

1.You may see an orthopedic doctor near you if you have any of these symptoms:

• Muscle, joint, or bone pain after an injury or accident.
• Torn or ruptured tendon.
• Hip or knee pain.
• Dislocation or instability.
• Hip or knee arthritis.
• Diagnosis of osteoarthritis.
• Pain in the back or neck.

2 .Rheumatologists are helpful for symptoms such as:

• Pain in multiple joints across the body.
• New joint pain that is not related to any accident or injury.
• Fever, rash, fatigue, or chest pain accompanied by joint, bone, or muscle pain.
• Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

3. A neurologist can help diagnose and treat symptoms such as:

• Chronic pain, which is accompanied by tingling, numbness, or weakness.
• Back and neck pain with headaches.
• Movement or coordination issues.

4. A sports medicine doctor is trained to deal with problems such as:

• Any sports injury like rotator cuff injury or tennis elbow.
• Injuries or conditions that affect your participation in sports.

How can you make the most of your orthopedic appointment?

Your visit with an orthopedic surgeon can be most effective if you plan with the following checklist:

• Find out about the doctor's location, timings, and any documents you must carry, such as your insurance card or a medical referral.
• Compile your medical records, including lab reports and imaging test copies, to help your doctor understand your medical history.
• Prepare a list of the medications you take regularly, including supplements, over-the-counter, and prescription medications.
• Note down past treatments and surgeries that you have had for present or previous health problems, such as thyroid or heart concerns. Include any known allergies.
• You may ask a friend or family member to attend the appointment. It would help in asking questions and remembering the information provided by the doctor.
• Wear comfortable clothing as you may have to change, especially if you have spine or arm problems.
• Try to be at the office in time to complete any required forms before meeting the doctor.

Be honest while sharing information about your symptoms and overall health, as it can help the doctor understand you better. You can ask the orthopedic surgeon about your treatment plan and its effect on your everyday activities. You must also take the full course of medication and follow the prescribed diet or exercise routine. Lastly, you must keep your doctor informed on test results, medication reactions, and any changes in your symptoms.

Locating the best orthopedic doctor near you in San Antonio, Texas

With Zocdoc, you can find the best orthopedic surgeons near your home or place of work in just a few clicks. Go to the Zocdoc website and enter essential details, such as your current address, zip code, symptoms or condition you want to see a specialist for, preferred date and time of appointment, and medical insurance policy. Click on 'search,' and the website will display a curated list of doctors near you. Zocdoc provides free access to its entire database of doctors, and each specialist listed on the website has a unique profile page. You can also book in-person and virtual appointments; both are free.

Every provider's profile lists the orthopedic surgeons' educational background, including their years of training and experience, certifications and licenses, affiliations and accreditation, and any special awards they have received in the past. The profile also contains details about the doctors' gender, fluent languages, age group of patients they specialize in treating, and conditions they have expertise in managing. Zocdoc also allows you to check if the orthopedic surgeon of your choice accepts your current medical insurance policy and plan. Once you select your insurance from the drop-down menu at the top of the webpage, the application will immediately tell you if the doctor is in-network.

Find an orthopedic doctor near you on Zocdoc, where all bookings are fast, free, and secure!

Statistics related to orthopedics in San Antonio, Texas

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2022, 970 licensed orthopedic surgeons were practicing in Texas; this number does not include pediatric orthopedic surgeons. The location quotient for the state, the ratio between the number of orthopedic surgeons in Texas versus the entire U.S., was 0.58, much lower than the national average.

According to the "State Arthritis Statistics" report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2015, the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis among adults in Texas was 19.8%. The disease was more prevalent among women (23.13%) than men (16.17%). Among the patients diagnosed with arthritis, 38.90% complained of workplace limitations, and 48.2% complained of limitations in daily activities. The city of San Antonio comes under Bexar County in Texas. According to the same CDC report, the prevalence of arthritis in Bexar County in 2015 was 20.8%; this includes adults of both genders.

Sources

WebMD

MedicalNewsToday

Healthline

Cleveland Clinic

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Beaumont

OrthoInfo

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.