Healthy bones and joints are very important for an active lifestyle. So, when they are injured, damaged or deformed, make sure you meet the right orthopedic surgeon on time.
This article talks about 10 things you need to know about orthopedic surgeons.
The Musculoskeletal System
The first thing one should know with respect to orthopedists or orthopedic doctors is that they are specialists well-trained to diagnose and treat bone and joint-related medical conditions or problems.
Our musculoskeletal system is composed of various bones and soft tissues. When they suffer from diseased conditions, we need orthopedic doctors or specialists to cure them. Healthy joints and bones are very essential if we want to adopt an active lifestyle.
Thus, approach orthopedists for better bone and joint health and live life to the fullest.
Treatment for Soft-Tissue Joint Injuries
Orthopedic surgeons are also trained in treating soft-tissue injuries. Joints contain various soft tissue structures ranging from articular cartilage, meniscus, ligaments, tendons, bursae, synovium, nerves to muscles.
So, if any abnormal conditions happen to such joint soft parts, an orthopedist is required for the treatment.
Some such abnormal conditions are as follows:
Tendonitis: This is the inflammation of a tendon. A tendon can get inflamed and damaged because of either external or internal conditions. External conditions are falls and road accidents while internal ones include internal infection, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
Synovitis: Each joint has a joint cavity that contains an internal thin lining that produces synovial fluid for the lubrication of the joint. Synovitis is the inflammation of this thin lining meant to secret synovial fluid.
Cartilage Damage: If your cartilage has been damaged and it has loose parts, an orthopedic surgeon can repair the cartilage with the help of arthroscopy. The repair can either be done by sewing the torn parts together or replacing the damaged part with the help of a graft taken from some other part of the body of the same patient.
Bursitis: A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that is found in joints. When this structure gets injured or infected, it gives rise to bursitis. The bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa.
Furthermore, muscle imbalance and ligamentous injuries are also soft-tissue injuries related to joints that only orthopedic doctors can cure.
Muscle imbalance is cured with the help of physiotherapy.
Diagnostic Options
Orthopedic specialists use X-rays, CT scans and MRIs to diagnose and thus customize post-diagnostic treatment plans. In some cases, a biopsy can also be done.
X-rays help show abnormalities only in the bones while MRIs are used to see damage or injuries related to both bones and soft tissue. A CT scan is preferred when a person has implants of metal inside their body and an MRI can cause harmful consequences interfering with such metal implants.
Do you have knee pain? Consult the best doctor today. Click on the following link to book your appointment: knee pain treatment in Delhi.
Diseases Cured by Orthopedists
Orthopedic surgeons and doctors can cure all sorts of joint abnormalities, disorders, diseases or deformities, whether congenital or developed after birth.
Joint deformities like knock-knee, bow legs or hip dysplasia can be treated through arthroplasty, which is a joint replacement or deformity correction surgical procedure.
If your joints like the knees or the hips have been totally damaged due to internal diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, it can also be cured through joint replacements. An orthopedic surgeon will perform arthroplasty to remove damaged and injured parts and replace the same joint with artificial implants.
If your joints have pain because some part of the joint is inflamed, irritated or damaged, an orthopedic doctor can also cure this pain and also find out if this needs surgery or not.
Joint Arthroplasty
Joints are crucial for day-to-day activity and thus problems pertaining to them can cause real stagnancy (a state of inactivity). Various disorders can deteriorate the agility of the weight-bearing joints considerably like the knee, the hip, etc.
Such disorders are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis.
In these conditions, the knee and hip joints become damaged and you experience extreme pain and discomfort during mobility.
In such cases, you can go to consult an orthopedic surgeon or specialist as they may advice arthroplasty. This is also known as a joint replacement.
If you have a damaged knee or hip, an orthopedic surgeon can replace the damaged joint with the help of artificial implants and it will become new and agile again. These artificial implants are made up of metal and plastic.
Joint Pain Medications
It should also be noted that orthopedists also offer medications for joint pain. Joints can feel inflamed because of many reasons. Some reasons could be internal while others might be related to external causes like falls or accidents.
Some of the reasons are rheumatoid arthritis, advancing osteoarthritis, septic arthritis, synovitis, bursitis, muscle strain, sprain, ligament tears, cartilage damage, tendonitis, etc.
No matter what is giving you joint pain, an orthopedist is the specialised doctor you need to consult. Orthopedic surgeons are specialised in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the musculoskeletal system.
If the problem can be solved by mere medications, they will prescribe medicines. And, if your joints and bones need surgery, they will do the surgery.
Specialised in Curing Joint Problems
Joint doctors are specialised in curing joint problems. Orthopedics means medical science and practice related to the musculoskeletal system. So, orthopedic doctors are those who have studied and hence practise this branch of medicine.
Surgical Interventions with Non-Surgical Interventions
Orthopedic surgeons may advise surgical and non-surgical treatment depending on the condition of the joints. They may also advise minimally invasive treatments (arthroscopic procedures) and non-surgical interventions like medicines, injections, physiotherapy, pain management, etc.
Qualifications
Orthopaedics is a special branch of medicine that solely focuses on the musculoskeletal system. Medical specialists or doctors who specialise in this branch of medicine are called orthopedists.
Before qualifying as an orthopedist, a person has to pursue an MBBS degree along with the subsequent completion of a Master of Surgery in Orthopaedics—this degree is also known as MS Ortho in short.
An MS Ortho is a qualified orthopedic surgeon specialised in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders related to the musculoskeletal system.
Experience
Practice makes a man perfect. As the saying goes, consult an orthopedic doctor who is well experienced in their field of specialisation. He will advise you on the best option for complete cure and treatment.
Conclusion
To know more about orthopedic surgeons and the best treatments, refer to the following link: orthopedic surgeon in East Delhi.
