What is Orthopedics?

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the musculoskeletal system. This system is made up of muscles and bones, as well as joints, ligaments, and tendons.

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the skeletal system and its interconnecting parts. These parts include the:

• bones
• muscles
• joints
• tendons
• ligaments

Orthopedists treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions. These conditions may be present from birth, or they may occur as a result of injury or age-related wear and tear.

Below are some of the most common conditions that an orthopedist may treat:

• joint pain from arthritis
• bone Fracutes
• Soft tissue (muscle, tendon, and ligament) injuries
• Back Pain
• Neck Pain
• shoulder pain and problems, such as burtisis
• Carpal Tunnel syndrome
• overuse and sports injuries, including Tendenitis, meniscus tears, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
• congenital conditions, such as clubfoot and scoliosis 

What to expect during an appointment?

During the first appointment, the orthopedist will work to diagnose the person’s condition. This normally includes conducting a physical examination and taking X-rays.

Sometimes, the orthopedist will use an in-office procedure, such as an injection, to help make the diagnosis or treat the condition.

In some instances, additional testing will be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Diagnosis

In order to help diagnose a person’s condition, the orthopedist will:

• ask about the person’s symptoms
• review the person’s medical record to gather more information about their medical history and overall health
• carry out a physical examination
• review any X-rays conducted before the appointment

The orthopedist may also order additional diagnostic tests. These may include:

• an MRI scan
• a CT scan
• a bone scan
• an ultrasound
• nerve conduction studies
• blood tests