If you’re struggling with arthritis or are experiencing recurring neck pain, you’re likely to make an initial appointment with your regular family doctor. While they can help get the ball rolling on treatment, you really want to see an orthopaedic doctor who specializes in these types of conditions.
What is an orthopaedic surgeon?
An orthopaedic surgeon specializes in injuries, conditions, and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Bones, joints, and ligaments are the particular parts of the body that orthopaedic specialists work with everyday. Orthopaedic doctors perform surgery and administer other non-surgical treatments to help heal patients dealing with an orthopaedic injury or condition.
What does an orthopaedic surgeon do?
Orthopaedic surgeons treat musculoskeletal and sports injuries, degenerative diseases (ex: arthritis), infections, tumors, and congenital disorders (ex: spina bifida). Some treatments involve adding materials to replace bones and/or connective tissue, to repair damaged bones, or help align bones because of damaged tissue. In any of these cases, the orthopaedic surgeons are teamed up with an anesthesiologist and surgical nurse to help assure the surgery is a success.
At OrthoUnited, many of our doctors are general orthopaedic surgeons, meaning they accept patients with a condition affecting any part of the body, while others are focused on specialties, such as:
When should I see an orthopaedic specialist?
If you go to see your primary care doctor about an injury or condition, he or she will decide whether or not you should be referred to a specialist, but you’re also able to make an appointment directly with an orthopaedic doctor for a consultation.
You should make an appointment with an orthopaedic doctor if you have:
- Muscle, joint, or ligament pain that began after an injury
- Arthritis
- Hip or knee pain
- Neck or back pain
- A sports injury
Why choose a doctor at OrthoUnited?
At OrthoUnited, we select the top, most intelligent doctors in the country. Our surgeons are certified or certified eligible by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery to provide you with the best and most advanced care possible.
Learn more about our doctors here.
Request a Consultation with a OrthoUnited Surgeon
If it’s time to see an orthopaedic surgeon about an injury or condition, choose one of the experienced doctors at OrthoUnited. Contact us today to set up a consultation!
