Orthopaedics (also called orthopaedic surgery) is the medical specialty that focuses on injuries and diseases of your body's musculoskeletal system. This complex system, which includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves, allows you to move, work, and be active.

 

Once devoted to the care of children with spine and limb deformities, orthopaedists now care 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 at any age.

 

What Does an Orthopaedic Surgeon Do?

Orthopaedic surgeons treat problems of the musculoskeletal system. This involves:

 

Diagnosis of your injury or disorder

Treatment with medication, injections, casting, bracing, surgery, or other options

Rehabilitation by recommending exercises or physical therapy to restore movement, strength, and function

Prevention with information and treatment plans to prevent injury or slow the progression of disease
 

Orthopaedic Subspecialties
 

While orthopaedic surgeons are familiar with all aspects of the musculoskeletal system, many orthopaedists specialize in certain areas, such as:

 

Foot and ankle

Hand and wrist

Hip replacement and reconstruction

Knee replacement and reconstruction

Orthopaedic oncology (bone tumors)

Orthopaedic trauma

Pediatric orthopaedic surgery

Shoulder and elbow

Spine

Sports medicine

Some orthopaedic surgeons may specialize in multiple areas, and several different types of specialists may treat the same conditions. For instance, sports medicine surgeons, shoulder and elbow surgeons, and hand and wrist surgeons all perform surgery on the elbow.