What is an Orthopedic Surgeon?
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What is an orthopedic surgeon?
An orthopedic/orthopaedic surgeon is devoted to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Some orthopedists specialize in general orthopedics, while others specialize in certain areas of the body, such as:
- Spine (Dr. Burg specializes in Spine)
- Hand
- Shoulder & Elbow
- Foot & Ankle (Dr. Desai specializes in Foot & Ankle)
- Hip & Knee
According to American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), “Orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors who have completed a total of approximately 14 years of formal education. Board-certified orthopaedic surgeons must maintain their certification with continuous, life-long learning and demonstrating their expertise on a regular basis via an oral or written examination.”
What does an orthopedic surgeon treat?
Many people hear orthopedic “surgeon” and think that they only deal with surgical procedures; however, orthopedic surgeons explore non-surgical options first. This may include pain medication or physical therapy.
Orthopedic surgeons treat many different conditions, including:
- Broken bones
- Joint pain
- Sports injuries
- Arthritis
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Bunions
- Orthopaedic trauma
- Foot and ankle injuries
- Back pain – ruptured disks
- Carpal tunnel
- Hip Dysplasia
One in two Americans suffer from a musculoskeletal condition.
Why see an orthopedic surgeon?
People shouldn’t have to suffer from chronic back pain or long-term tendon, muscle or joint pain. Many people believe that the only solution for these issues is medication; however, an experienced and quality orthopedic surgeon specializes in issues, diseases, and injuries pertaining to the musculoskeletal system. These trained physicians are critical in helping with the appropriate diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation. Patients who come to Total Orthopedics Sports & Spine, receive high-quality care that is personalized.