![orthopedic](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/foot-pain-cramps-stretch-pressure-orthopedic-toes.jpg?output-quality=75)
You may consider visiting an orthopedic doctor if you have any of the following complaints:
- Joint swelling or inflammation
- Progressive pain in the back, knee, hip, neck, or shoulder
- Pain with or without numbness in the wrist, hands, ankles, or feet
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Sports or road traffic injuries including soft tissue injuries and fractures
- Pain or stiffness in the spine
- Difficulty standing, walking, or running
- Radiating or shooting pain in your limbs or spine
If you are not sure whether your symptoms need orthopedic care, you may consult your primary care provider.
Who is an orthopedic doctor?
An orthopedic doctor (orthopedic surgeon) is a medical doctor who deals with health conditions that affect your musculoskeletal system (bones, cartilage, joints, tendons, ligaments, and associated nerves).
To become a board certified orthopedic surgeon, one needs four years of medical school and five years of residency after college. This may be followed by one or two extra years of fellowship for further training or specialization. Orthopedics is a physically and mentally demanding branch of medical science catering to people of all ages presenting with symptoms related to the musculoskeletal system.
An orthopedic doctor may be a generalist or offer specialties in treating diseases of the following:
- Spine
- Hand
- Hip and knee
- Foot and ankle
- Shoulder and elbow
- Bones
- Tumors and cancer related to the bones and muscles
Generally, it is assumed that you need to consult an orthopedic doctor only if you need surgical intervention for your condition, which is not the case. Orthopedic doctors do not perform surgeries on all their patients. Orthopedic surgery is generally reserved as the treatment option when the condition is not treatable conservatively (through physical therapy and medications). Many times, orthopedic doctors may help prevent the worsening of your symptoms by advising lifestyle modifications such as weight reduction, improvement in posture, improved ergonomics, and adequate physical activity and rest.
What diseases does an orthopedic doctor treat?
Orthopedic doctors treat various diseases related to the musculoskeletal system, such as:
- Arthritis including osteoarthritis, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis
- Fractures
- Joint dislocation or instability
- Joint replacement surgery
- Hip replacement surgery
- Knee replacement surgery
- Osteoporosis (a condition that makes the bones weak and brittle, leading to an increased risk of fractures)
- Cervical spondylosis (age-related wear and tear of the cervical spine)
- Tendonitis (inflammation of the muscle-tendon)
- Ruptured intervertebral disk
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (a condition causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm due to pinching of the median nerve in the wrist)
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome (a condition causing shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the foot due to pinching of the posterior tibial nerve)
- Sports injuries and sports medicine
- Road traffic accidents
- Pain management
- Injuries due to falls
- Repetitive strain injuries (injuries due to repetitive or prolonged activities)
- Connective tissue disorders (diseases affecting protein-rich components in the body that support and connect various body structures such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers–Danlos syndrome)
- Musculoskeletal tumors (such as chondroma, osteoma, osteosarcoma, and chondrosarcoma) and tumor-like growths (such as bone cysts and granulomas)
- Spinal curvature abnormalities such as scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis
- Developmental and genetic diseases of the musculoskeletal system
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/least_effective_exercises_s1_man_after_workout.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
Pictures of the 7 Riskiest Workout Moves, and How to Improve Them See Slideshowhttps://healthcare.utah.edu/orthopaedics/specialties/what-is-orthopedic-doctor.php
Top What Do You See an Orthopedic Doctor For Related Articles
Ankle Pain (Tendonitis)
Ankle pain is commonly due to a sprain or tendinitis. The severity of ankle sprains ranges from mild (which can resolve within 24 hours) to severe (which can require surgical repair). Tendinitis of the ankle can be caused by trauma or inflammation.Back Pain: Common Spine Problems
That stack of little bones along the center of your back has a key role to support and control your body. What happens when something's not right with your spine?Broken Bone
A broken bone is a fracture. There are different types of fractures, such as:- compressed,
- open,
- stress,
- greenstick,
- spiral,
- vertebral compression,
- compound, and
- comminuted.
Symptoms of a broken bone include pain at the site of injury, swelling, and bruising around the area of injury. Treatment of a fracture depends on the type and location of the injury.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are a common type of injury. Bones are some of the hardest tissues in the body, but they can break when they are stressed. Osteoporosis and cancer may cause bone fractures. The broken bone needs immediate medical treatment.Can a Bone Fracture Heal on Its Own?
Learn what medical treatments can help your bone fracture heal and help you manage this condition.Can You Walk on a Stress Fracture?
Stress fractures are tiny cracks that develop in the weight-bearing bones. These are often caused by repetitive force to bone such as during long marches, by repeatedly jumping up and down, or by running long distances. Because the cracks are tiny, you may be able to walk despite them, albeit painfully.Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which irritation of the wrist's median nerve causes tingling and numbness of the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the severity of the symptoms and the nature of any disease that might be causing the symptoms.Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, Surgery, and Treatment
Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness may need treatment. Carpal tunnel surgery is reserved for those who do not get relief from exercises, stretches, home remedies, wrist braces, and medication.Carpal Tunnel Quiz
Who is more affected by carpal tunnel syndrome: Men or women? Take the Carpal Tunnel Quiz to learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments for this common hand condition.Fractured Spine Picture
Fractures of the spine (vertebra) can cause severe "band-like" pain that radiates around from the back to the side of the body. See a picture of Fractured Spine and learn more about the health topic.How Do You Know if You Have a Fracture?
There are around 206 bones in the human body, and each plays a crucial role. They protect and preserve the shape of your soft tissues, serve as a framework for your muscles, and direct the pressure inside of you.Lower Back Pain (Lumbar Spine Pain)
There are many causes of back pain. Pain in the low back can relate to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the pelvis, and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar area.Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by the loss of bone density, which leads to an increased risk of bone fracture. Unless one experiences a fracture, a person may have osteoporosis for decades without knowing it. Treatment for osteoporosis may involve medications that stop bone loss and increase bone strength and bone formation, as well as quitting smoking, regular exercise, cutting back on alcohol intake, and eating a calcium- and vitamin D-rich balanced diet.Osteoporosis Slideshow
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and density. Osteoporosis causes symptoms of weak, thin, fragile bones. Learn the treatments and medications used to fight osteoporosis, as well as prevention tips.Osteoporosis Quiz
What are the causes, symptoms, and risk factors of osteoporosis? Quiz yourself about vitamin deficiency, maintaining bone density, and preventing osteoporosis-related fractures.Sprains and Strains
An injury to a ligament is called a sprain, and an injury to muscle or tendon is called a strain. Sprains and strains may be caused by repetitive movements or a single stressful incident. Symptoms and signs include pain and swelling. Though treatment depends upon the extent and location of the injury, rest, ice, compression, and elevation are key elements of treatment.What Are the 4 Types of Fractures?
What are the four types of bone fractures? Learn the signs of bone fractures and how doctors treat them.