Orthopedics is a specialized medical field focused on diagnosing, treating, and managing conditions of the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Orthopedic surgeons play a critical role in restoring function and alleviating pain for patients with a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders, from injuries to chronic diseases.

Common Procedures and Treatments in Orthopedics

Orthopedic specialists are skilled in various procedures and treatments, such as:

• Fracture Management: Treating broken bones with casting, splinting, or surgical intervention to ensure proper healing and restore function.
• Joint Replacement Surgery: Replacing damaged joints like the hip or knee with artificial implants to relieve pain and improve mobility.
• Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure using a small camera to diagnose and treat joint problems such as ligament tears or cartilage damage.
• Spinal Surgery: Treating spinal disorders, including herniated discs and scoliosis, to relieve pain and restore proper spinal alignment.
• Sports Medicine: Addressing sports-related injuries, including ligament tears, tendonitis, and overuse injuries.
• Pediatric Orthopedics: Managing children’s musculoskeletal conditions, such as congenital deformities and growth-related disorders.

When to See an Orthopedist

Signs you may need to see an orthopedist can include:

• Joint or limb pain after injury, such as a fall, twist, or forceful impact. This is especially important if you heard a “pop,” felt intense pain, or can’t bear weight on the area.

• Visible deformity, sudden swelling, or bruising around a bone or joint. This may suggest fractures, dislocations, torn ligaments, or significant sprains.

• Inability to use the affected limb or joint, such as difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or moving your arm. This is a sign that daily function is being limited.

• Chronic stiffness or pain that worsens with activity, or pain that continues even at rest. This may indicate degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis.

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in a limb, which can result from nerve compression or spine-related problems like herniated discs.

Signs You May Need to See a Rheumatologist Instead of an Orthopedist

If you’re experiencing persistent joint pain and swelling, especially in multiple joints, without a history of injury, along with the following signs and symptoms, it may point to an autoimmune or inflammatory condition, not a structural issue. Common rheumatological signs and symptoms include:

• • Morning stiffness lasting more than an hour

  • Unexplained fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest

  • Low-grade fever without infection

  • Unintentional weight loss

  • Skin rashes, such as a butterfly-shaped rash or red, scaly patches

  • Eye inflammation, including redness, pain, or light sensitivity

  • Soft tissue nodules, like lumps under the skin near joints

  • Mouth or nose ulcers that keep coming back

  • A family or personal history of autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriasis

These symptoms may indicate conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, or vasculitis. Early diagnosis and treatment by a rheumatologist can help prevent long-term joint and organ damage.