Who are orthopedic surgeons?
An orthopedic surgeon is a qualified professional who diagnoses and treats musculoskeletal problems. The musculoskeletal system of our body includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles; it plays an essential role in our bodily functions and motions.
Orthopedic surgeons perform various surgical and nonsurgical procedures to treat issues, assist in rehabilitation, and help manage long-term illnesses and disorders. They prioritize the most holistic and least intrusive treatment possible and only perform surgery if necessary.
The specialist will conduct tests like X-rays and MRIs to identify and diagnose the issue. They then design a treatment plan based on the severity of the conditions and various other factors.
What is the education and training of orthopedic surgeons?
Orthopedic surgeons undertake extensive education and training of a minimum of 13 years before they qualify for professional practice. It includes earning a 4-year bachelor's degree followed by a 4-year medical degree and then completing an orthopedic surgery residency program for five years. After that, orthopedic surgeons start practicing in the medical field or take up a 1-2 year fellowship training in any orthopedic subspecialties.
Finally, they take the necessary exams to get certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Throughout their career, they keep updated with the latest advances in the field to provide the best possible care to their patients. To do that, they attend workshops, seminars, conferences, and online courses, read medical journals and peer-reviewed articles, and become a member of orthopedic associations and societies.
What conditions do different types of orthopedic surgeons treat?
Orthopedic surgeons may specialize in spine, hip and knee, hand, shoulder and elbow, foot and ankle, sports medicine, pediatrics, oncology, and trauma surgery. Here are some of the orthopedic surgeon's specialties and the conditions they treat:
- Foot and ankle surgeons treat complex disorders and foot injuries that cause pain and difficulty moving. It includes arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, flat feet, bunions, hammer toes, plantar fasciitis, and ankle fractures.
- Hand surgeons: They diagnose and treat any problems with the upper extremities, including hands, wrists, forearms, and elbows. Some of them that cause pain and impair function include arthritis, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, upper extremity fractures, cysts, or tumors.
- Pediatric orthopedic surgeons deal with orthopedic conditions affecting all growing children, from newborns to adolescents. Common ones include cerebral palsy, fractures, sports injuries, clubfoot, toe walking, hip dislocation, and spina bifida.
- Spine surgeons: They focus on spine conditions such as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, scoliosis, spinal arthritis, spinal infections, spinal deformities, and tumors.
- Sports medicine surgeons work with athletes and active individuals who have suffered sports-related injuries such as fractures, muscle strains, ligament tears, tendonitis, and joint instability.
- Joint replacement surgeons specialize in replacing joints such as hip and knee that get damaged due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other degenerative joint diseases.
- Orthopedic trauma surgeons treat individuals who have sustained traumatic injuries such as fractures or dislocations due to accidents, assaults, or falls.
- Orthopedic oncologists diagnose and treat malignant and benign tumors in the bone and soft tissues.
What are the different types of procedures performed by orthopedic surgeons?
An orthopedic surgeon can recommend and perform various procedures to treat conditions, some surgical and some non-invasive. Nonsurgical treatments are called conservative treatments; specialists are more likely to focus on these procedures before recommending surgery. Some of the nonsurgical treatment procedures are:
- Exercises: The doctor may recommend specific exercises and stretches to maintain and improve strength and flexibility.
- Medications: Doctors may recommend specific medications to relieve symptoms like pain and swelling. It may include over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen, aspirin and certain prescription drugs such as corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory medication.
- Immobilization: The doctor may sometimes advise against any additional strain to an affected area and recommend protective gear to help it heal. Immobilization techniques include braces, splints, and casts.
The specialists perform surgical procedures when medication and other nonsurgical procedures don't improve the condition or injury. Some standard surgical procedures are:
- Joint replacement: This surgery involves replacing parts of damaged and diseased joints. Some examples are hip and knee replacement surgery.
- Internal fixation: This procedure helps hold broken bones in place with the help of hardware such as pins, screws, plates, and rods to promote healing.
- Osteotomy: This surgery involves cutting a part of a bone and repositioning it to treat conditions like arthritis.
- Soft tissue repair: This surgery repairs severely damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
How do you choose an orthopedic surgeon?
Choosing the correct physician and feeling confident is essential for a surgery like a knee replacement. Similarly, if your kid needs assistance, choosing a pediatric orthopedic surgeon over a general surgeon is better. You can ask your doctor vital questions before proceeding with any procedure or treatment.
- What are the credentials of the physician?
Knowing the surgeon's educational background regarding their degree, specializations, and certifications can help ascertain whether the physician can meet your needs.
- How experienced is the surgeon?
It is wise to inquire about the number of procedures the doctor performs annually to ascertain their experience level, seniority, and success rate. It will make you more confident about the doctor.
- What will the cost of the surgery be?
The cost of surgery is vital as surgeries can be expensive. Hence, please inquire if your insurance covers the surgery. You can call the hospital's billing office to get a clear idea, which will help you narrow down the choices of hospitals.
Apart from these questions, meeting the surgeon one-on-one and discussing your situation with them is beneficial. You can ask them about the surgery's preparatory requirements, benefits, risks, and post-procedure care. You can also ask them about their experience with similar cases.
How do you improve your orthopedic health?
Orthopedic problems can result in long-term pain and physical incapacity. Slowly changing your daily habits and lifestyle can help you prevent this problem. Here are the top tips for improving your orthopedic health.
A sedentary or inactive lifestyle is the root cause of major orthopedic ailments. Therefore, you must indulge in physical activity daily to maintain healthy bones and joints. Daily brisk walks and exercises are excellent ways to keep your body and bones healthy. Focus on exercises that build bone strength and joint resistance. Avoid vigorous exercises which may put unnecessary stress on the bones and joints. Do a thorough stretching routine before starting your exercise. Stretches enhance flexibility in the muscles and joints and prevent injuries during workouts.
It's not how much you eat but what you eat that makes the difference. A healthy, nutrient-rich diet can help improve bone and joint health and prevent orthopedic disorders. Maintain a balanced diet and eat healthy, nutritious foods at every meal. Calcium helps keep the bones healthy. Milk and milk products are the best calcium-rich foods and should be included in the daily diet. Vitamin D is also essential for the bones. Foods like fatty fish, egg yolk, and dairy products are rich in vitamin D and should be included in the diet. You can take the help of supplements if you cannot consume the required quantities of vitamin D and calcium.
- Proper clothing and footwear
You should wear comfortable clothing that allows free movement of your joints and bones. Too tight clothes can sometimes restrict joint movement and may lead to orthopedic issues. High heels significantly affect the natural body posture and may lead to various orthopedic problems. Therefore, wear proper, comfortable shoes that balance your body and help you maintain your overall health.
Adopting and practicing healthy habits consistently is crucial to maintaining optimum orthopedic health. Always keep a good posture when sitting or standing. Keep a straight back, and pull back your shoulders to maintain an upright posture. Avoid undue stress on the back joints and muscles. Use supportive pillows when sleeping and ensure the head and neck receive proper support. Adopt sleeping positions that aid the natural curvature of the spinal cord.
How to find top-rated orthopedic surgeons near you in San Francisco?
Orthopedic surgeons focus on helping with issues related to bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. They diagnose and treat conditions and help regain movement, strength, range of motion, and flexibility post-injury or surgery. They also manage chronic diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis, preventing them from worsening. All aspects considered, choosing the correct physician can be a task. Zocdoc helps you find the best pediatric orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco, CA through its comprehensive directory of available providers in a few easy steps:
- Log onto the website, type in your symptoms and location, and click "find."
- The platform also allows you to look for doctors who accept your healthcare plan. Choose your insurance carrier and plan to narrow the list of providers.
- Each of the doctors associated with Zocdoc has a unique profile where you can read about their educational qualifications, board certification, clinical interests, expertise, experience, and language.
- You can also access verified reviews and ratings from previous patients.
Once you have found an experienced orthopedic surgeon near you, go ahead and book your first appointment via Zocdoc—it is safe, secure, and free of charge!
Statistics on orthopedics in California
California ranks number one in orthopedic surgeon employment compared to all US states, with around 4,990 active professionals as of May 2022. These numbers do not account for pediatric orthopedic surgeons.
Arthritis is one of the most prevalent orthopedic diseases in the United States and affects millions annually. The condition is responsible for restricting movements and causing disability in adults, especially those over 60. According to the data published by the Arthritis Foundation, 1 in 4 adults in America suffer from arthritis. The reports predict that by 2040, the number of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis will increase by nearly 49%, taking the number to roughly 78.4 million people with the condition.
According to America's Health Rankings in 2020, around 19.7% of California's adults have arthritis. Among these, 24% of adults aged between 45 and 64 and almost 48.% of adults over 65 have been diagnosed with arthritis. This condition is more common in women (23.2%) than men (16%).
Sources
WebMD
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Preventions
Arthritis Foundation
America's Health Rankings
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
John Hopkins Medicine
MediConnect
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