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Orthopedics Diagonisis
Dr.Ravi Gupta
Public Helthcare Expert
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
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
In-office procedures
An orthopedist may carry out in-office procedures to help diagnose and treat certain musculoskeletal conditions.
X-rays are the “most common and widely available diagnostic imaging technique.” An orthopedist will often perform X-rays in-office, allowing them to diagnose certain conditions during a person’s appointment.
Some acute injuries, such as fractures and dislocations, will require the orthopedist to manipulate (reset) the bone or joint and immobilize it using a splint, cast, or brace.
Treatment options
If a person’s orthopedist is not able to offer in-office treatment for a particular condition, they will discuss the various treatment options that are available for the condition.
For chronic musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain or arthritis, the orthopedist may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
- rehabilitation and physical therapy
- home exercise programs
- injections
- acupuncture
- mobility aids
- surgery, though this is a last resort
An orthopedist may specialize in a particular branch of orthopedic medicine. These branches are called subspecialties.
Some orthopedic subspecialties include:
- hand and upper extremity
- foot and ankle
- musculoskeletal oncology (tumor)
- pediatric orthopedics
- sports medicine
- spine surgery
- trauma surgery
- joint replacement surgery
The sections below look at some surgical procedures that an orthopedist may perform as part of their work.
Total joint replacement
A total joint replacement (TJR), or arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure that replaces the damaged joint with a prosthesis, which usually consists of some combination of metal and plastic.
TJR surgery is one of the most commonly performed elective surgeries in the United States.
Arthroscopic surgery
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a device called an arthroscope to diagnose joint problems.
An arthroscope is a long, thin camera that an orthopedic surgeon will insert into a person’s joint, most commonly the knee or shoulder. The camera is connected to a video monitor that allows them to see the inside of the joint.
By making small additional incisions, the surgeon can use a number of small, thin instruments to fix a wide variety of problems.
Arthroscopic surgery of the knee is the most common type of orthopedic surgery performed in the U.S. An orthopedist may perform arthroscopic surgery to repair common joint injuries, such as meniscus tears, ACL tears, and rotator cuff tears.
Fracture repair surgery
Sometimes, an orthopedic surgeon needs to perform an operation to repair a more severely broken bone. To stabilize the bone, they can use a number of different types of implants. These include rods, plates, screws, and wires.
Bone grafting surgery
In bone grafting surgery, an orthopedic surgeon uses bone from elsewhere in the body to repair and strengthen diseased or damaged bones.
They may also source this bone from another person.
Spinal fusion
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that fuses together adjoining vertebrae of the spine. This procedure allows the vertebrae to heal into a single, solid mass of bone.
An orthopedic spine surgeon may perform a spinal fusion for a number of back and neck problems, including injuries to the vertebrae or intervertebral disks and scoliosis.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet, exercise routine, or lifestyle, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions.
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