what is orthopedic?

Answer 1

Orthopedics is a medical specialty that deals with musculoskeletal system. An orthopedist, also called an orthopedic surgeon, is a physician who specializes in treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system-the system of the body that includes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, skin, and any structures related to them.

The orthopedist performs surgery for those conditions requiring it, but orthopedic practice involves much more than surgery. In fact, the Greek roots of the word orthopedic mean "straight" (orthos) "child" (paidios). Much of the early work in orthopedics involved children who had spine or limb deformities. Treatment included the use of braces to make the child straight, and to correct deformity.

Today, the orthopedist works with people of all ages helping to restore function lost because of disease or injury, correcting birth abnormalities, and educating patients in the prevention of injury and disease. Qualified through years of training to provide many forms of treatment, the orthopedist uses casts for broken bones; prescribes exercises or medication for musculoskeletal injury or disease; and also performs surgery, such as implanting artificial joints and reconstructing damaged limbs.

How does the orthopedist learn such a variety of medical skills? First, he or she must become licensed as a practicing physician. To obtain a license, an individual must attend four years of medical school, earn a diploma, and pass a state qualifying examination. Then, the licensed physician who wishes to become an orthopedic specialist must spend at least five additional years of postgraduate study in an orthopedic residency program conducted in a major medical center or hospital. During these years, the physician studies to become an expert in the science and care of the musculoskeletal system. After completing this postgraduate education, the physician must pass an oral and a written certifying examination administered by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Only at this point is the physician certified as an orthopedic surgeon. Orthopedic surgeons spend many hours each year attending continuing medical education courses in order to keep their knowledge and skills up to date.

Some orthopedists confine their practice to specific areas of the musculoskeletal system, such as the spine, hip, knee or hand. Most orthopedists, however, practice general orthopedics, treating a wide variety of diseases, injuries, and conditions.

Clearly, the orthopedist possesses a great deal of knowledge and clinical "know how" about the musculoskeletal system. As a consequence of at least thirteen years of premedical, medical, and orthopedic education, the orthopedic specialist is skilled in all of the following areas:

Diagnosis Identifying the patient’s injury or condition
Treatment - Taking the appropriate measures to correct the condition or repair the injury
Rehabilitation - Taking the appropriate measures to restore maximum possible function
Prevention - Educating the patient to prevent injury or halt the progression of disease.


Common Problems

Among the many musculoskeletal conditions that the orthopedist treats most often are such common problems as those caused by injuries from accidents that occur at home, at work, in athletic contests, or on the highway. Some of the most frequent of these are:

Broken Bones
Torn Ligaments
Dislocations
Sprains
Tendon Injuries
Pulled Muscles
Ruptured Discs & Sciatica


In addition to injuries, the orthopedic surgeon is also an expert in treating more chronic (long lasting) conditions, such as Problems with the back, legs, and feet. These include:

Low back pain
Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
Knock knees or bow legs
Bunions and hammer toes
Knee malfunction
Another important part of orthopedic practice is the treatment of arthritis and bursitis. Arthritis (joint inflammation) is one of the most common and most disabling disorders of the musculoskeletal system. It takes several forms:

Osteoarthritis - a degenerative condition of joints that causes pain and limits motion
Rheumatoid Arthritis - a generalized inflammation of joints that causes pain, impairment of function, and deformity
Pyogenic Arthritis - an infection in the joint which occurs less frequently than the other types of arthritis, but is a serious problem requiring immediate attention.


The orthopedic surgeon can also relieve the pain caused by bursitis ( inflammation of a sac that facilitates movement of one body tissue over another). This condition occurs most commonly in the shoulder but may also occur around the elbow, knee, or hip. Other serious conditions often treated by the orthopedic surgeon are:

Congenital deformities (deformities present at birth)
Growth abnormalities
Osteoporosis (porous bone)
Muscular dystrophy
Cerebral palsy

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

What Is Orthopedic

Answer 4

Orthopedic refers to a bone/joint doc. An orthopedic doc is the one who specializes in broken bones and other bone and joint problems.

Answer 5

It involves your bones - when my son broke his leg in 3 places, he saw an orthopedic surgeon.

Answer 6

u mean an orthopedic surgeon? that would be a person who does different surgerys on bones, for instance if some1 had a bone that poped through their leg (compound frature) they would put pins and it and put it back together, or knee surgerys, back, amr, shoulder, neck

Answer 7

Skleton: Shin Bone, connect to Hip Bone- Hip Bone connected to Spine bones

Answer 8

You should see a good qualified orthopedist to evaluate your situation. I see a chiropractor, but I would always get an evaluation from an orthopedist. They can refer you for some tests that a chiropractor can't do. Also, if the accident was someone else's fault, you will need a medical report for insurance reasons. If for no other reason, it will not harm you to get a second opinion. Your chiropractor should welcome that.

Answer 9

Bones.

Answer 10

Branch of medicine related to skeletal/bone system