Orthopedics

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the skeletal system and its interconnecting parts. These parts include the:

bones
muscles
joints
tendons
ligaments

An orthopedist often works as part of a larger orthopedic treatment team. This team may include:

physician assistants
nurse practitioners
occupational and physical therapists
athletic trainers

Symptoms

Orthopedists treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions. These conditions may be present from birth, or they may occur as a result of injury or age-related wear and tear.

Below are some of the most common conditions that an orthopedist may treat:

joint pain from arthritis
bone fractures
soft tissue (muscle, tendon, and ligament) injuries
back pain
neck pain
shoulder pain and problems, such as bursitis
carpal tunnel syndrome
overuse and sports injuries, including tendinitis, meniscus tears, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
congenital conditions, such as clubfoot and scoliosis

Diagnosis

In order to help diagnose a person’s condition, the orthopedist will:

ask about the person’s symptoms
review the person’s medical record to gather more information about their medical history and overall health
carry out a physical examination
review any X-rays conducted before the appointment

The orthopedist may also order additional diagnostic tests. These may include:

an MRI scan
a CT scan
a bone scan
an ultrasound
nerve conduction studies
blood tests