Orthopedic surgery contains a large group of operations that aim to treat problems that affect the health of the musculoskeletal system, including fractures, cracks, and herniated disc. There is no doubt that the need for surgical intervention in these cases is an essential step to relieve the severity of pain and restore the ability to perform daily tasks and activities efficiently. So let us get to know the difference between a doctor and an orthopedic surgeon, and the most important cases that are treated.

What is orthopedic surgery?

It is one of the branches of medicine that deals with the skeletal system and its parts, including: 

• Bones
• Muscles 
• Joints 
• Tendons 
• Ligaments and nerves. 

The specialty is usually divided between two categories of surgeons and orthopedists, but in many cases they form a team that also includes nurses and physical therapists. 

What are the cases that require orthopedic surgery specialization? 

Conditions that require intervention from an orthopedic specialist include: 

• Arthritis: It is an inflammation of the body's joints, leading to chronic pain, stiffness, stiffness, and difficulty in movement that affects the performance of daily activities. 
• Fractures: A condition in which bones are broken as a result of trauma or excessive and incorrect use, or because of a problem of weakness and fragility of the bones that increases the possibility of fracture, or glass bone syndrome. 
• Low back pain: It is one of the most common problems that affects the lives of millions of people, and a herniated disc is usually one of the reasons that increase the probability of developing it, in addition to wrong habits and behaviors.
• Ligament tear: It is a health condition that involves partial or complete damage to the connective tissues that support bones and joints, and usually causes severe pain. 
• Fibromyalgia syndrome: It is a condition that is very similar to arthritis but affects and infects the supporting tissues. 

The previous cases require simple intervention by an orthopedic doctor, or in other cases require surgical intervention.

What are the types of orthopedic surgeries?

There are many operations performed by an orthopedic surgeon based on an accurate diagnosis, including:

• Joint replacement surgery: It is one of the most common orthopedic surgeries in which worn or damaged joint surfaces are partially or completely replaced to ensure the restoration of normal joint functions. 
• Knee arthroscopy: It is one of the diagnostic surgeries that relies on the surgical arthroscope, and making an opening in the area to be diagnosed, which most commonly includes the knee and shoulder. It helps the surgeon find out the causes of the problem, and using simple tools the orthopedic surgeon can treat it.  
• Fracture repair surgery: It is one of the surgeries used to repair and treat fractures, and it includes stabilizing the broken bones either with a splint, plaster, or the need for plates and screws.  
• Bone transplantation: The doctor needs to perform this type of surgery to strengthen the bones in a specific area, or fix a broken bone problem, etc.
• Spine surgery: It is one of the most common surgeries used to treat cartilage problems, and it involves stabilizing and assembling the vertebrae, after removing and removing protruding or eroded cartilage. 

What is the difference between an orthopedic doctor and an orthopedic surgeon?

The main difference between a surgeon and an orthopedist is:

• Surgeon: Specializes in all surgical procedures to treat bone and joint problems. 
• Orthopedic doctor: He is the person responsible for diagnosing the problem, finding out the causes of pain, and treating it with medications. He also provides reliable medical advice to patients, through which their behaviors may change, and they become less likely to undergo surgery.

Read also: Rare bone diseases

How can bone diseases be diagnosed? 

Diagnosing conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system requires the following:

• Listen to your medical history to find out how likely you are to have any of the types of problems we discussed above.
• Magnetic resonance imaging. 
• الأشعة المقطعية. 
• Ultrasound.
• Nerve conduction examination. 
• Blood tests.

The doctor may use one or more of the previous tests based on how quickly the causes of the problem are detected and the accurate diagnosis is known to facilitate the development of the appropriate treatment program. 

Book your consultation now at Orthopedic center  At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital 

What is the importance of physical therapy after orthopedic surgery?

The rehabilitation step after surgeries, and follow-up with a physical therapist, is one of the main steps that the injured person needs due to its following benefits: 

• Improving movement: Physical therapy helps restore motor functions again through exercises and activities performed. 
• Muscle strengthening: Physical therapy exercises rebuild muscle strength again after surgery to increase recovery speed. 
• Pain relief: Physical therapy exercises reduce the need for analgesic medications through exercises that help reduce the severity of pain. 
• Improving blood circulation: Physical therapy stimulates peripheral blood circulation, thus accelerating the healing process.

In conclusion, making the decision for orthopedic surgery is a joint matter between the doctor and the surgeon. There are some cases that will not only respond to drug treatment, but to ensure the proper restoration of motor ability, the operation must be performed. Therefore, do not hesitate to consult a specialist doctor when needed, to ensure that the duration of treatment is reduced, and the best results are obtained, ensuring that serious complications are avoided. You can visit Al-Mousa clinics to learn more about our latest offers and services.

Frequently asked questions

What are the specialties of orthopedic surgery?

Orthopedic surgery specializations include several precise fields aimed at treating skeletal and musculoskeletal problems, the most prominent of which is spine surgery that deals with herniated discs and vertebral deformities, joint surgery, which includes replacing the knee or hip with artificial joints, hand and upper extremity surgery that focuses on injuries to the wrist and fingers, foot and ankle surgery to treat deformities or fractures, in addition to bone tumor surgery and pediatric orthopedic surgery that treats congenital deformities and growth problems, as well as trauma and fracture surgeries.

What are the names of orthopedic surgeries?

The names of orthopedic surgeries vary according to the type of injury or disease condition. The most famous of them are the process of stabilizing fractures using plates and screws, joint replacement operations such as knee or hip replacement, arthroscopic operations to treat knee or shoulder problems, in addition to operations to correct bone deformities such as orthotics or limb lengthening, in addition to spine surgeries such as stabilizing the vertebrae or removing a herniated disc, and operations to treat complex or dislocated fractures, in addition to surgery to remove bone tumors and surgery to reconstruct joints or ligaments after injuries.

How many years to study orthopedics?

The study of orthopedic surgery usually lasts about 10 to 12 years after high school, as the student begins studying general medicine for approximately 6 years, followed by a year of practical training in hospitals, then specializes in orthopedic surgery through a residency program lasting from four to 6 years, according to the system approved by the state, and during that period the person receives intensive training in diagnosing and treating injuries and deformities of the musculoskeletal system, and doctors may choose to specialize after that in one of the branches of orthopedic surgery through fellowships.

Medical references 

Orthopedic Doctor: What They Do and When to See One – webmd

Orthopedic services – medlineplus