What Is an Orthopedic Doctor and How Can They Help You?

Orthopedics is the field of medicine that concentrates on ailments and conditions that impact the muscle and skeletal system. This includes:

bones
muscles
Tendons and ligaments
joints
nerves

Patients often see an orthopedic physician for injuries or when they’re suffering from chronic conditions like lower back pain or arthritis.
In this article, we’ll do a deeper in-depth look at what orthopedic doctors perform, the ailments they treat, and the best way to locate the best orthopedic doctor for your needs.

What does an orthopedic doctor do?

Orthopedic physicians, commonly called orthopedic surgeons, are specialized in aiding patients with muscular and skeletal problems. Their responsibilities include:

diagnosing and treating any conditions that impact the muscle and skeletal system
aiding in rehabilitation, which aids in regaining flexibility, strength, and range of motion and flexibility after an accident or surgery
creating strategies to prevent injuries or keep chronic diseases, like arthritis from becoming worse

Although orthopedic physicians are aware of all aspects of the musculoskeletal system, they opt to specialize in particular areas. A few subspecialties in orthopedics are:

spine
knee and hip
Hand
elbow and shoulder
Foot and ankle
Sports medicine
trauma surgery

What kinds of ailments are orthopedic surgeons treating?

Orthopedic physicians treat a broad range of ailments, including but not limited to:

bone fractures
muscles strains
joints as well as back back
arthritis
carpal tunnel syndrome
ligaments and tendons that affect ligaments and tendons. Examples include injuries to ligaments or tendons, such as tendonitis or tear of the ACL
Anomalies of the limbs, like the clubfoot as well as bowlegs
bone cancer

What kind of processes do they perform?

Orthopedic specialists recommend a variety of procedures and treatments to treat the ailments they treat.
Let’s look at a few more in-depth below.
Non-surgical treatments
These kinds of treatment options are referred to as conservative treatments. Orthopedic surgeons will typically be focusing on nonsurgical therapies first before suggesting surgery.

Certain kinds of non-surgical treatments include:

exercises. Your orthopedic doctor may suggest specific exercises or stretching exercises to aid in maintaining or improving your flexibility, strength, and flexibility in a specific area.
Imprisonment. Sometimes preventing additional strain on an area may aid in healing. Immobilization techniques can include braces, splints, or castings.
Medicines. Your orthopedic doctor might recommend specific medications to ease symptoms such as swelling and pain. Examples include over-the-counter medicines such as Ibuprofen as well as aspirin. They might also prescribe drugs, such as corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory medications.
Lifestyle alters. Your orthopedic physician can assist you in making lifestyle adjustments. They can include adjusting your diet, your physical activity, and how you exercise to avoid aggravation in an injured condition.

Treatments with surgical instruments

Sometimes an injury or condition does not improve after the use of conservative measures. In these instances, your physician may suggest surgery. Examples of surgeries carried out by orthopedic surgeons are:

Joint replacement. Joint replacement surgery involves the replacement of parts of a joint that are damaged or diseased often due to arthritis. The most common examples are knee as well as hip replacement surgery.
Fixation inside the body. Internal fixation involves the use of equipment like screws, pins rods, plates, and pins to hold fractured bones in place while healing.
Fusion. This involves using bone graft material and some kind of internal fixation that connects two bones. As the tissue of the bone heals, it will fuse to form one bone. This is a common procedure for cervical or spine surgery.
Osteotomy. Osteotomy is a kind of surgery that involves cutting off a portion of bone and then shifting it. This kind of surgery can occasionally be utilized to alleviate arthritis.
Repair of soft tissue. This kind of procedure is used to fix injured ligaments, muscles as well as tendons.
Surgery to release. This is a type of operation which is carried out to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. It assists in relieving symptoms by decreasing tension on the median nerve.

When do you need to visit an orthopedic physician?

It is possible to visit an orthopedic surgeon for:

swelling or pain in joints, bones, or muscles that’s constant and recurring or doesn’t respond to home care
an increase in the range of motion of a joint for example, your elbow, knee, or shoulder
having trouble with your daily tasks
nerve-related symptoms, like the sensation of numbness or sensations of nerves, such as numbness and or sensations that are related to nerves, like numbness and tingling or a ” pins and needles” sensation that you feel in your legs or arms
A bone injury or joint that demands the medical attention of an expert

Where can I locate an orthopedic physician?

If you need an orthopedic surgeon, here are some steps you should do:

Contact your primary care physician. Your primary care doctor might suggest or refer you to an orthopedic surgeon in your region.
Find online. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) provides an online search tool that will help you locate an orthopedic physician close to you.
You can ask for a family member or friend. If someone close to you has experienced an identical problem and is in a position to suggest an orthopedic surgeon they have had a positive experience.
Review online reviews or on social media. Online reviews can provide some insight into the orthopedic surgeon’s education capabilities, skills, and experience in treating various ailments. Utilizing apps for your neighborhood or on social media can aid in finding a doctor who is the right fit for you.

It is possible to connect to a doctor within your region through Healthline’s Healthline FindCare tool.

Does orthopedic care get included in the insurance plan and Medicare?

If you’re searching for an orthopedic physician you’ll need to determine what they’re covered under your insurance. If not then you could have to pay out-of-pocket expenses you didn’t anticipate.
In most cases, insurance companies will cover services that are medically essential to diagnose or treat the condition.
But, it’s always an excellent idea to call your insurance provider to find out more about the coverage prior to going to an orthopedic physician.

What do you think of Medicare or Medicaid?

Medicare can be described as an insurance plan that is administered by the federal government for those who are over 65, in addition to other younger people with particular chronic health issues. Medicare beneficiaries are those who have: Medicare typically has one of the following:

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Part B is the medical insurance for outpatients of Original Medicare. It provides non-hospital-based medical procedures that are essential to diagnose or treat the condition in question.
Medicare Advantage (Part C). Part C plans are provided by private insurance firms. Advantage plans must offer the same essential benefits as the original Medicare but they can also provide additional benefits.

Medicaid Medicaid is a federal and state-wide program that offers assistance with the cost of healthcare to people with less income or resources. The eligibility criteria and the amount covered differ from state to state.
Some studies on both new trusted sources as well as more seasoned trusted sources have revealed that individuals who are on Medicare or Medicaid might have difficulty getting prompt orthopedic care.
Some tools can be used to locate doctors who accept these types of programs:

for Medicare. Use the Physician Compare tool. This tool lets you enter a range of data to locate doctors in your region who are accepted on Medicare.
For Medicaid. Contact the State’s Medicaid office to learn the doctors in your state are accepting Medicaid.

It’s the bottom line
Orthopedic surgeons treat ailments that affect your muscles, bones, and joints.
Treatment may include measures that are conservative like exercise and medications, or in certain cases, surgeries like a total knee replacement.
Orthopedic specialists can also help in rehabilitation and can help to prevent the signs of an existing problem from becoming worse.
A few examples of the conditions orthopedic surgeons treat are:

bone fractures
arthritis
joint or back joint

It is also possible to find certain orthopedic physicians who specialize in specific areas of orthopedics. For instance:

Sports medicine
Hand operation
orthopedic trauma

For locating the best orthopedic doctor, request your primary physician to refer you or use an online database similar to the one offered by the AAO.
To limit any out-of-pocket expenses Make sure that the physician you select is part of your insurance provider’s plans and network.