Orthopaedic Surgery

What is orthopaedic surgery?
Orthopaedic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with diagnosis, care, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of injuries and diseases of the body's musculoskeletal system, the complex system that includes: bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, the proper spelling is orthopaedic not orthopedic, although the alternative spelling, orthopedic, has become an accepted use. The word orthopaedic comes from two Greek words:

• ortho meaning straight
• paedia meaning children

The proper title of the specialty is orthopaedic surgery, although orthopaedics is a generally accepted term.

What is an orthopaedic surgeon?
The physician who specializes in orthopaedic surgery is called an orthopaedic surgeon, or sometimes, simply, an orthopaedist. Orthopaedists are educated in the workings of the musculoskeletal system, including the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention ofproblems involving:

• muscles
• bones
• joints
• ligaments
• tendons
• nerves

They manage special problems of the many regions of the musculoskeletal system, including:

• diagnosing of an injury or disorder
• treatment of the injury or disorder with medication, exercise, surgery, or other treatment plans
• management of the rehabilitation process by recommending exercises or physical therapy to restore movement, strength, and function
• management of prevention protocols with information and treatment plans to prevent injury or slow the progression of diseases

The orthopaedist may have completed up to 14 years of formal education:

• four years of college
• four years medical school
• five years in an orthopaedic surgery residency program
• one optional year of specialized education

After becoming licensed to practice medicine, the orthopaedic surgeon becomes board certified by passing both oral and written examinations given by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Many orthopaedic surgeons practice general orthopaedics, while others specialize in treating certain areas of the body, such as the foot, hand, shoulder, spine, hip, or knee. Still others may specialize in pediatrics, trauma, or sports medicine. Some orthopaedists may specialize in several areas, and may collaborate with other specialists, such as neurosurgeons or rheumatologists, in caring for patients.