What is an Orthopaedic Surgeon?

An orthopaedic surgeon is a physician devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of injuries, disorders and diseases of the body’s musculoskeletal system. This system includes bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves and tendons.

Who does an Orthopaedic Surgeon treat?

Orthopaedic surgeons treat patients of all ages – new-borns, children, athletes, baby boomers and the elderly – with conditions that range from bone disorders and fractures to diseases or tears of the muscles, ligaments and tendons in all regions of the body.

What does an Orthopaedic Surgeon treat?

An orthopaedic surgeon treats many musculoskeletal conditions without surgery, by using medication, exercise or other rehabilitative or alternative therapies.

Some of the conditions an orthopaedic surgeon treats include:

• Abnormalities of the fingers and toes
• Back pain, compression fractures, ruptured discs, sciatica, scoliosis
• Club foot, bunions, bow legs, knock knees and unequal leg length
• Fractures and dislocations
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sports and work related injuries
• Tendon injuries, pulled muscles, bursitis and torn cartilage
• Torn ligaments, sprains and strains

When should you see an Orthopaedic Surgeon?

AN ACUTE INJURY IS A SUDDEN TRAUMA SUCH AS SPRAINS, STRAINS, BRUISES AND FRACTURES.

Consult an orthopaedic surgeon for any acute injury:

• That does not respond to rest.
• Causes significant or severe pain
• Results in a visible deformity

OVERUSE INJURY – SERIES OF REPEATED SMALL INJURIES.

Consult an orthopaedic surgeon for overuse injuries when:

• Pain does not respond to rest
• Worsening pain
• Pain causing inability to be active
• Pain causing decreased ability to be active
• Stiffness
• Loss of motion
• Locking, popping, catching associated with pain

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