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Orthopaedic
Orthopaedics is the medical specialty devoted to the
diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of
injuries and diseases of your body's musculoskeletal system.
This complex system includes your bones, joints, ligaments,
tendons, muscles and nerves and allows you to move, work and
be active.
Once devoted to the care of children with spine and limb
deformities, orthopaedics now cares for patients of all
ages, from newborns with clubfeet to young athletes
requiring arthroscopic surgery to older people with
arthritis. And anybody can break a bone.
Your orthopaedist
Your orthopaedist manages special problems of the many
regions of the musculoskeletal system. Your orthopaedist is
skilled in the
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Diagnosis
of your injury or disorder
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Treatment
with medication, exercise, surgery or other treatment
plans
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Rehabilitation by recommending exercises or physical
therapy to restore movement, strength and function
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Prevention
with information and treatment plans to prevent injury
or slow the progression of diseases.
While most
orthopaedists practice general orthopaedics, some may
specialize in treating the foot, hand, shoulder, spine, hip,
knee, and others in pediatrics, trauma or sports medicine.
Some orthopaedists may specialize in several areas.
Your orthopaedic surgeon is a medical doctor with extensive
training in the proper diagnosis and treatment of injuries
and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Your
orthopaedist completed up to 14 years of formal education.
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Four years of
study in a college or university
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Four years of
study in medical school
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Five years of
study in orthopaedic residency at a major medical center
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One optional
year of specialized education
After
establishing a licensed practice, your orthopaedic surgeon
demonstrated mastery of orthopaedic knowledge by passing
both oral and written examinations given by the American
Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Each year your orthopaedist spends many hours studying and
attending continuing medical education courses to maintain
current orthopaedic knowledge and skills.
Treatment
Orthopaedic patients have benefited from technological
advances such as joint replacement and the arthroscope that
allows the orthopaedist to look inside a joint. But your
visit will start with a personal interview and physical
examination. This may be followed by diagnostic tests such
as blood tests, X-rays, or other tests.
Your treatment may involve medical counseling, medications,
casts, splints, and therapies such as exercise, or surgery.
For most orthopaedic diseases and injuries there is more
than one form of treatment. Your orthopaedist will discuss
the treatment options with you and help you select the best
treatment plan to enable you to live an active and
functional life.
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 About
Arthritis | |
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Up
to 32.9 million American adults reported being
told by a physician that they have some type of
arthritis. It is a major cause of lost work time
and serious disability for many people. Although
arthritis is mainly a disease of adults,
children may also have it.
The
most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis.
It is seen in many people as they age, although
it may begin when they are younger as a result
of injury or overuse. It is often more painful
in weight bearing
joints such as the knee, hip, and spine than in
the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. All
joints may be more affected if they are used
extensively in work or sports, or if they have
been damaged from fractures or other injuries.
Making a diagnosis of arthritis often includes
evaluating symptoms, a physical examination, and
X-rays, which are important to show the extent
of damage to the joint. Blood tests and other
laboratory tests may help to determine the type
of arthritis.
The goals of treatment are to provide pain
relief, increase motion, and improve strength.
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