Orthopedics is defined by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons as the medical specialty that focuses on injuries and diseases of the body's musculoskeletal system. Originally dedicated to deal with children bone diseases, orthopedics has evolved to cover patients of all ages. The specialist who provide orthopedic treatments is called an orthopedic surgeon.

While orthopedic surgeons perform surgery, hence the title, they also perform treatments that do not involve incisions, sutures, and other surgical procedures. Like most physicians who have their own specializations, these specialists remain as general practitioners who provide general medications. Orthopedic surgeons like Dr. Wade Faerber, however, work in a wide range of medical settings, including geriatrics and pediatrics.

The medical conditions that require orthopedic treatment include tendon dysfunction, hammer toe, and frozen shoulder. In severe conditions, the orthopedic surgeon may need to perform amputation and replacement. Minor conditions like hammer toe may only require mild therapy to correct the position of the affected joints.

There are several specialties under orthopedics, each dealing with a certain category of musculoskeletal illnesses. Rheumatology, sports medicine, and hand surgery are among the most commonly practiced orthopedic specialties. Pain management, on the other hand, is a specialty that deals with a wide range of diseases, including those that are within the scope of other specialties.

An orthopedic surgeon can only obtain his title by finishing 14 years of formal education and training. He should complete four years of study in a university, four years in a medical school, five years of orthopedic residency in a medical center, and one year of specialized education. The specialized education is given to orthopedic surgeons like Dr. Wade Faerber as an option. Proper understanding of the specialties and the diseases they cover help patients identify the right orthopedic surgeon to consult with and seek treatment from.

Today, many orthopedic surgeons concentrate on trauma cases, which are common in sports settings. A lot of these surgeons treat patients in emergency rooms since the conditions they treat normally require immediate treatments. However, they also deal with serious cases that require long-term treatments, often involving long post-operative medications. To learn more about orthopedics, visit ibji.com/blog/2011-12-08/what-is-orthopedics.