An Orthopedic Specialist and what they do

The musculoskeletal system that involves your bones and muscles is one of the most overworked areas of your body. Your constant motion when doing daily activities makes these areas always active and at an increased risk of injury. This risk is even higher for athletes and people who do regular physical activity. This has led to a Lake Oconee orthopedic specialist stepping up to offer specialized care to these issues while preventing the risk of recurrence. More about what an orthopedic specialist does is discussed in detail below.

Who is an Orthopedic Specialist?

Ligaments, joints, bones, muscles, and tendons make up the musculoskeletal system in which orthopedic specialists are involved. Through various surgical and nonsurgical approaches, they deal with issues affecting these areas, including joint pain, injuries, and back problems.

Orthopaedists are typically working together with a team of healthcare providers, including:

  •         Nurse practitioners
  •         Physician assistants
  •         Athletic trainers
  •         Physical and occupational therapists

Orthopedic specialists can deal with multiple conditions in the body, such as:

  •         Bone fractures
  •         Joint pain from arthritis
  •         Back pain
  •         Injuries to soft tissues like ligaments, muscles, or tendons
  •         Problems and pain in your shoulder, including bursitis
  •         Neck pain
  •         Sports injuries due to overuse like meniscus tears and tendinitis
  •         Carpal tunnel syndrome
  •         Congenital issues like clubfoot

These specialists can perform:

Total Joint Replacement

This surgical operation replaces an injured joint with an artificial one made of an alloy of plastic and metal. This is done when the joint is too damaged for repair to produce any worthwhile results.

Fracture repair surgery

A broken bone may need an operation by an orthopedic surgeon to repair it. Implants of various kinds can be used to stabilize the bone, including plates, rods, wires, and screws.

Arthroscopic surgery

This minimally invasive operation is done to diagnose joint issues using a specialized device called an arthroscope. This device has a slender, thin camera used by the physician to put inside the joint, typically the shoulder or knee. The camera has a connection to a video screen, making it possible for them to view inside your joint.

Minor cuts can be added around the joint, and tiny instruments can be used to fix multiple issues. This applies when treating many joint problems like ACL tears, meniscus tears, and rotator cuff tears.

Spinal Fusion

This surgical operation is done to bond together vertebrae in the spine. These vertebrae, in turn, heal to form a singular mass of bone. Spinal fusion can be done to solve many neck and back problems, including injuries to the intervertebral disks or vertebrae and scoliosis.

Bone grafting surgery

An orthopedic specialist can use bone from a different body part to strengthen and repair injured or diseased bones through bone grafting surgery. This bone may also come from someone else.

Issues in your musculoskeletal system, especially for athletes and physically active patients, require specialized care. Since these individuals constantly use these body parts, proper care and rehabilitation are needed so the injuries may not reoccur. For any questions concerning orthopedic specialists, visit our website, or call our offices in Lake Oconee, GA.