What is orthopaedics?

Orthopaedics is a medical specialty dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions, disorders, and injuries of the muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. A doctor who specializes in this medical specialty is called an orthopaedic surgeon.

What is arthritis?

The word arthritis literally means “joint inflammation.” Arthritis refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and other conditions that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that damages the lining surrounding our joints while also destroying our bones, tissue, and joints over time. Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition that slowly damages the cartilage surrounding the ends of bones and is common in the hip, knee, or spine.

What is bursitis?

Bursitis is an inflammation or irritation of a bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac located around joints. Bursitis causes a reduction in or a loss of motion at the affected joint. Bursitis typically occurs in the heel, hip, knee, shoulder, or thumb.

What is cartilage?

Cartilage is a soft, rubbery, gel-like coating on the ends of bones, where they articulate, that protects joints and facilitates movement

What is a ligament?

A ligament is an elastic band of tissue that connects bone to bone and provides stability to the joint

What is a tendon?

A tendon is a band of tissue that connects muscle to bone.

Will I need surgery?

Although orthopedic surgeons are trained and experienced in providing surgery, they do not always prescribe this treatment. Non-surgical options like R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation), casting, physical therapy, and injections can be sufficient in many situations.

Surgical treatment options will vary depending upon your needs and may be used as a last resort.

Arthroscopy, joint replacement, ligament reconstruction, fracture repair, and hand surgery are just some of the most common orthopedic surgeries.

How do injections work for orthopedic health issues?

Orthopedic injections aren’t like numbing shots from the dentist or a flu shot. These can be used for relief from pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Some common conditions they treat include arthritis, nerve pain, and tendonitis. Orthopedic injections can even be used to help diagnose health issues

What is arthroscopic surgery?

This surgery is a non-invasive diagnostic and treatment option that is especially popular in sports medicine. The surgeon will make a small incision with thin needles and use special tools to conduct the procedure. You can have this surgery in a hospital or outpatient facility and it usually doesn’t require more than a day.

What do I need to know about joint replacement surgery?

Joint replacement is a surgical procedure, so it is not for those who could benefit more from non-invasive treatments. During this procedure, the orthopedic surgeon will replace the damaged joint with a prosthesis. These can be ceramic, plastic, or metal.

Doctors typically recommend joint replacement surgery in cases of debilitating joint pain and damage where lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and injections don’t work.