An orthopedic surgeon, commonly known as an orthopedic physician, or orthopedic doctor, is a medical professional. He/she specializes in treating the muscular and skeletal system's deformities such as muscles, bones, joints, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
People can typically consult an orthopedic surgeon to seek relief from significant painful conditions like deformity due to joint damage or severe sprain related skeletal, muscles, and ligament structure.
Most of the treatments an orthopedic surgeon provides or recommends focus on surgical procedures and aftercare or healing following surgery with several other conservative treatments. as medical professionals, the surgeons have become an integral part of the healthcare system.
Dr. Derek Hill, for instance, is one of the highly-competent orthopedic surgeons in the US. He has been helping people recover from mild to severe joint injuries through effective treatments for decades.
Reasons to Visit an Orthopedic Surgeon
An orthopedic surgeon is devoted to diagnose, treat, and prevent disorders of muscles, ligaments, joints, and tendons. You may schedule your visit to your surgeon if you have;
Fractures
Rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases related to rheumatic
Dysplasia -abnormal cell growth within tissues
Osteoporosis
Breaks
Bursitis
Contractures hardening or stiffening of joints, muscles, or bones in the body
Impingement
Some acute orthopedic injuries your surgeon may recommend you include;
Meniscus tear
ACL tear
Plantar Fasciitis
Knee Replacement
Hip Replacement
Orthopedic Evaluation You Can Expect
Physical examination is one thing many people are concerned about before making an appointment. It is always better to know about orthopedic evaluation as much as you can. Typically, the evaluation comprises three stages that include;
Physical Examination
An orthopedic examination aims to determine the causes of the symptoms you experience and the extent they interfere with the normal activities of life.
For instance, if you have severe joint pain, prohibiting you from performing simple activities, an orthopedic surgeon will examine your range of motions, skin conditions strength, and reflexes. He/she may ask you to stand up, lie down, sit down, or walk around to do gait analysis.
Diagnostic Testing
An orthopedic does an X-ray after the physical exam to perform an accurate diagnosis of muscuskeletal and bone issues. The diagnostic test helps orthopedists spot incorrect abnormalities, incorrect bone alignment, and other joints, muscles, and bone issues.
In many cases, orthopedic surgeons run other diagnostic tests that include lab tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Some of the commonly recommended treatments include;
Surgical Treatment
Meniscus repair
Shoulder arthroscopy
Intervertebral disk
ACL reconstruction
Carpal tunnel release
Knee or hip replacement
Rotator cuff repair
Non-Surgical Treatments
Oral medications
Minimally invasive surgical procedures
Steroid injections
Rehabilitation services
Physical therapy
Summing Up
Bones and musculoskeletal surgeries are common. Knowing what an orthopedic surgeon or the reasons you must visit an orthopedic surgeon can help you relieve pain can lead to a happy and healthy life. Contact Dr.Hill or his team to learn more about the orthopedic treatments you can opt for.