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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an Orthopedic Surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon is a trained professional who specializes in dealing with issues related to bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. They can perform surgeries on the following parts when required, and play an important role in restoring the body movements, reducing pain, and curing various diseases.
What are the qualifications of an Orthopedic Surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon needs an MBBS degree from an accredited medical school and extensive hands-on training to become a specialist.
Becoming an orthopedic surgeon requires thirteen years of extensive training and education. It includes:
They must go through at least 13 years of education including:
- A bachelor's degree
- Completing school of medicine
- A 5-year orthopedic surgery residency from a renowned medical university or institution
- To become a specialist an additional one year of schooling in a specialization of orthopedics
- A prospective orthopedic surgeon must practice in the field for two years after completing their five-year residency
What are the subspecialties of Orthopedic surgeons?
Orthopedics is a wide area with lots of sub-specializations within.
Some of the subspecialties that a doctor can opt for are mentioned below:
- Foot and ankle
- Oncology and tumors of bone
- Pediatrics
- Hip or knee
- Sports medicine
- Trauma
- Joint reconstruction including hip or knee arthroscopy
- Shoulder and elbow
- Spine
What conditions do Orthopedic Surgeons treat?
An Orthopedic doctor can be referred to for treating a variety of musculoskeletal problems including:
- joint or back pain
- arthritis
- bone fractures
- muscle strains
- sprains, tendonitis, and ACL tears like injuries to tendons or ligaments
- limb abnormalities, such as clubfoot and bowlegs
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- bone cancer
What diagnostic tests are required by an Orthopedic Surgeon?
An Orthopedic surgeon can order any of the following diagnostic tests:
- Arthrography
- Computed Tomography (CT Scan)
- Discography
- Ultrasonography
- Venography
- Blood Tests
- Bone Scan
- Doppler Ultrasound
- Joint Aspiration and Analysis
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Muscle Tests
- Dual-Photon Absorptiometry
- Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry
- Electromyography
- Palpation
- Quantitative Computed Tomography
- Radiographs (X-rays)
- Flexibility Tests
- Intrathecal Contrast-Enhanced CT Scan
- Nerve Conduction Study (NCS)
- Peripheral Bone Density Testing
- Single Photon Absorptiometry
When should you visit an Orthopedic Surgeon?
One might visit an orthopedic surgeon in the following cases:
- When one is in persistent, recurring, or unresponsive pain or swelling in a bone, joint, or muscle
- If there is a severe reduction of a joint's mobility or range of motion including your knees, elbows, or shoulders, making it difficult to perform daily activities
- Numbness, tingling, or a "pins and needles" sensation in your arms or legs are all nerve-related symptoms that require attention
- Damage to a bone or joint that necessitates medical attention
Orthopedic surgeons can assist with healing and injury prevention after having a huge accident making them primary care professionals for the athletes.
Some examples of injuries that an orthopedic surgeon might treat are:
- Broken bones that have trouble healing in a cast
- Spine or hip fractures due to osteoporosis
- Torn, broken, or ruptured ligaments
- Torn or broken tendons
One might visit an orthopedic surgeon in case of bone or injury of soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments. Long-term persistent illnesses usually demand operative procedures. They might include:
- Chronic muscle and joint pain
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Non-cancerous tumors
- Cancerous tumors or sarcomas
- Metastatic tumors
- Multiple myelomas like blood cancer, impacts and weakens the bones
What can you expect from your first visit with an Orthopedic Surgeon?
When you visit an orthopedic surgeon for the first time, they will inquire about your medical history and symptoms.
- It is essential to bring any medical documents or previous testing documentation you may have with you.
- A doctor will perform a test or a series of tests to diagnose a health problem. Some of these tests may include X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging, depending on the symptoms.
- An orthopedic surgeon can also diagnose a problem sometimes without performing any tests. They may simply ask you questions and your medical history to figure out what's causing the trouble or health problem in this scenario.
- After a successful diagnosis, the doctor will help you to review treatment choices and decide on the best course of action for you.