What does an orthopedic surgeon do?
Orthopedic surgeons are sometimes referred to as orthopedic. Orthopedic surgery is conducted by medical professionals, such as orthopedic surgeons or orthopedic doctors, trained to address the problems of the human bone structure, joints, and ligaments.
Orthopedic surgeons correct the skeleton and its joints, ligaments and tendon problems. They can also address certain nervous system problems, such as those caused by a spinal injury. These problems may occur when they are born, injured or aged. They may be acute or chronic as in many problems associated with aging.
Two Greek words: ortho, which means straight and pais which mean child. Originally, bone deformities in children were treated by orthopedic surgeons using braces to straighten the bones of the child. With the development of anesthetic, an orthopedic surgeon extends their role to include bone surgery, associated nerves, and connective tissues by an understanding of the importance of the aseptic technique in surgery. The terms orthopedic surgeon and orthopedist are used today to indicate an orthopedic medical physician with a special certification.
Many orthopedic surgeons practice generally, while some orthopedic surgeons are specialized in a particular aspect, such as hand operations, articular replacement, or spinal disorders. Treatment of acute as well as chronic disorders. Some orthopedics are trauma specialists and are available in emergencies and trauma centers for the treatment of the injury. Others are overlapped with plastic surgeons, geriatric specialists, children’s doctors or podiatrists. Sports medicine is a rapidly growing field of orthopedics and many doctors are orthopedic boards certified.
What is the qualification of an orthopedic surgeon?
After completion of a BSc in Biology, pre-medicine or related subjects, orthopedic aspirant surgeons have to complete four more years of medical school, followed by a residency in a hospital of four to five years of orthopedic surgery. The first year of residence usually includes general operations, with the remaining years spent in orthopedics. Surgeons who wish to further specialize in subspecialties, for example, orthopedic or pediatric orthopedic treatments must also complete a bursary for a period of 1 to 2 years after their residency.
As with all doctors, the national licensing exam should be passed by orthopedic surgeons. This examination may be performed in a number of areas, usually while students are still involved. After their residencies have ended the orthopedic surgeons must pass an examination, in order to be certified in their field of operation, by the national committee for Orthopedic Surgery, an organization of the American Board of Medical Specialties. Every 7-10 years, recertification is necessary.
Treatment from an orthopedic surgeon?
The range of orthopedic treatments is huge. It can cover everything from traction to amputation, reconstruction of the hands to spinal fusion or replacement of joint. The bones, strains and sprains, and dislocations also are broken. An orthopedic surgeon may offer a range of treatments and procedures including fracture repair, kneecap removal, arthroscopic surgery, arthroplasty, bone grafting, fasciotomy, and traction. Generally, orthopedists work closely with the surgical team including an anesthesiologist and a surgical nurse at a hospital, a medical center, a trauma center or a surgical center.
Orthopedic surgery under general, regional or local anesthesia may be performed. Much of the operator’s activity includes the addition of external material to the body as sculptures, wires, pins, tongs and prosthetic material to hold damaged bones in their proper alignment. Improving the development of artificial limbs, joints, and materials to repair bone and connective tissue damage was considerable. As the fields of metallurgy and plastics develop, changes will be made in orthopedic operations to enable the orthopedic surgeon to nearly duplicate the natural functions of bones, joints, and ligaments and to restore damaged parts to their original range of motion with greater accuracy.
A general physician or family doctor usually refer patients to an orthopedic surgeon. In order to establish the proper corrective procedure, the patient undergoes extensive tests before any surgery. X-rays, CT-scans, MRIs, myelograms, diagnostic arthroplasty, and blood tests may be included in the test. Tests may include: The orthopedist will determine the history and treatments previously tested. Prior to surgery, a rest period for the injured party may be recommended.
Top doctors can found in most well-known, private and government hospitals. Prices of an orthopedic surgeon can be different depending on the hospital the patient chooses to have surgery and care at. Government hospitals are cheaper as compared to private hospitals. However private hospitals provide better treatment comfort-wise. It all depends on what the patient prefers and what kind of care they want while having surgery.
