What Does an Orthopedic Surgeon Do?

An orthopedic surgeon specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders and conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, including the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. As there is a plethora of different bones, joints, and soft tissues in any person’s body, orthopedic surgeons can treat an extensive range of conditions, disorders, and injuries! With that in mind, some of the conditions, disorders, and injuries that orthopedic surgeons commonly treat include the following:

• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Carpal tunnel
• Cuts and lacerations
• Degenerative disc disease
• Dislocations, fractures, sprains, and strains
• Hamstring injuries
• Herniated or ruptured discs
• Knee injuries
• Osteoporosis
• Overuse or repetitive strain injuries, such as tendonitis
• Neck pain
• Sciatica
• Sports injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries or concussions
• Unexplained pain -Worker’s compensation injuries

While your first orthopedic surgeon appointment will ultimately occur according to the particular reason you seek orthopedic treatment, there are some things that you can expect to happen at your first orthopedic surgeon appointment. With that in mind, your first orthopedic surgeon appointment will most likely include a comprehensive review of your medical history, diagnostic tests with X-rays, medical resonance imaging (MRI), as well as a physical examination.

With the review of your medical history, either the orthopedic surgeon will ask you various questions about your medical history, or you will be given a questionnaire form to fill out. You may be asked about any allergies, pre-existing or underlying medical conditions you have, medication you take, previous hospitalizations or surgeries, and other questions.

Your provider will then conduct a physical examination, which will likely include an assessment of your vitals, including your blood pressure, heart rate, and more, as well as the health of your heart and lungs, the strength and flexibility in your joints, as well as your muscle and bone strength. The diagnostic tests and imaging they request or recommend will depend on what they find concerning the health of your muscles, bones, ligaments, joints, and tendons during the physical examination.

The term orthopedic refers to the correct or proper alignment of the musculoskeletal structure. As such, orthopedic surgery refers to surgical interventions to bring about the correct or proper alignment of a person’s musculoskeletal structure.

Since orthopedic surgery is concerned with the entire musculoskeletal structure, there are many different types of orthopedic surgeries. With that in mind, some of the most common orthopedic surgeries include the following:

• ACL surgery
• Arthroscopy
• Hip replacement
• Joint fusion
• Knee replacement
• Shoulder replacement

For more information about orthopedic surgery or to schedule an appointment with our orthopedic surgeon at NorthShore Orthopedics, we welcome you to get in touch with us! For an appointment, please feel free to call us, or schedule an appointment through our website. We serve patients from Maui, Wailuku HI, Lahaina HI, Kahului HI, Kihei HI, Wailuku HI, Kula HI, Makawao HI, Paia HI, Wailea HI, Haiku HI, and Waihee-Waiehu HI.