An orthopedic surgeon is a type of surgeon who specializes in diseases and injuries of the bones, joints, and muscles. He is usually seen working with other health care professi...

An orthopedic surgeon is a type of surgeon who specializes in diseases and injuries of the bones, joints, and muscles. He is usually seen working with other health care professionals and specialists. Their work may involve research and even instruction, but the most important thing they do is they treat injuries and disorders of the bones, muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments. Some of the conditions they treat are arthritis, bone tumors, cerebral palsy, joint dislocations, fractures, backbone disorders, and osteoporosis.

Orthopedic surgeons may choose to stay in the field of general orthopedic surgery or may seek specialization. Specific fields in orthopedic surgery may deal with any of the following: foot and ankle, hand, joint replacement, pediatrics, rehabilitation, shoulder and elbows, backbone, and reconstructive surgery.

People who want to become orthopedic surgeons go through long education, starting with undergraduate program. The undergraduate program should be anything related to medicine as a preparatory course. Then he or she should take 4 years of general medicine. After that they go through 5 years of residency program, which include 4 years of orthopedic surgery training and another year of training in pediatrics, internal medicine, or general surgery. The entire training is quite expensive.

Upon finishing all the courses, the student would have to go through certification, wherein he or she should practice orthopedic surgery for two years and pass eligibility examination for physicians specializing in orthopedic surgery. The American Board of Orthopedic Surgery ensures the expertise of orthopedic surgeons in the country through testing. The examination is done every 7-10 years to ensure the proficiency of the physicians.

Orthopedic surgeons employ surgical and non-surgical ways to treat a wide range of injuries and disorders. They deal with amputations, joint replacements, broken bones, dislocations, and sprains. However, with the several aspects of orthopedic surgery, you may have confusion about where to go. There is a different specialist for sprains and ankle injuries, and there is another for slipped disk. That is why you have to find the right specialist depending on the condition you are suffering from.

One of the misconceptions of people is that orthopedic surgeons only deal with musculoskeletal problems by performing surgery. However, surgery is usually the last resort for different musculoskeletal problems, because there are several ways to treat disorders and injuries without requiring surgery. These surgeons examine the person to find the cause of the disorder. The treatment route depends on the cause of the disorder.

Orthopedic surgery comes with some risks. Some people who undergo orthopedic surgery suffer from infections or allergic reactions. In the case of surgical implants and prostheses, inflammation can occur in areas where these devices are attached. One of the most worrisome risks is the one that involves damage to the spine and the nerves.

All types of surgery now involve the use of anesthesia, so people need not worry about the pain. Anesthetics may cause allergic reactions in very few people, but tests are done to make sure patients are not allergic to the anesthetic.

A patient can reduce the risks incurred during surgery by looking for the right orthopedic surgeon. Look for a surgeon who specializes in your disorder or injury.

Article Tags: Orthopedic Surgeons, Orthopedic Surgery