Orthopedic surgeons deal with patients of all ages for all kinds of reasons, but for many reasons children are their most common ones.

The etymology of the word orthopedics stems from Greek roots for "straighten" and "rearing of children," the former the meaning of "orthos" and the latter the meaning of "paideia." In the beginning, this was a science dedicated to children with musculoskeletal disorders. Children with cerebral palsy frequently visit orthopedic surgeons, since the disease is entirely a musculoskeletal disorder. Inhibited range of motion, spasticity, weak ankle and leg muscles, and all sorts of muscle weaknesses define the birth defect, and along with pediatricians, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons are part of life long team for a child striving to conquer the difficulties that come with the disability.

Since its beginnings, the medical specialty has grown to encompass patients of all ages with all kinds of muscle and bone issues. However, children and adolescents still comprise the majority of patients in an orthopedic clinic. This is likely because diagnoses like cerebral palsy are present from shortly after birth. Other musculoskeletal issues rarely appear later in life, unless they are due to diseases like fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, or lupus. Children and adolescents make up the largest percentage of patients seen for broken bones and fractures, with senior citizens making up the second largest group. It stands to reason that the population of children is larger than that of seniors prone to bone fractures, due to people die off as the age. So, it remains that children make up most of an orthopedics practice.

The referral process for an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon is usually a long one. This is not because orthopedic surgeons do not want to see new patients; rather it is because early interventions like physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) are the most important steps in a treatment plan. An orthopedics practice would much rather a child's ailments be solved with therapy and rehabilitation rather than with splints, casts, and surgery. For children with physical developmental delays, PTs and OTs are educated and skilled, and can and will often make a successful plan for a child's development. It is when normal interventions seem to be failing that an intervention team will refer a child to orthopedic surgeons. This step is taken when it becomes evident that surgery may be need for a child's utmost success.

In events such as accidents that cause broken bones, a patient will be referred immediately, probably as a part of emergency room procedure. Injuries and other things present at birth such as displaced hips a surgeon will want to take ultrasounds and x-rays for verification immediately.

Article Tags: Orthopedic Surgeons