Understanding your healthcare needs and the specific services a provider offers can help you decide which medical professional you should choose. An orthopedic surgeon focuses on the musculoskeletal system, so they can diagnose and treat bone and joint conditions. These providers perform orthopedic surgery and treat conditions non-surgically, too. Here is more information about some services an orthopedic surgeon might offer:
Defining Orthopedic Providers
An orthopedic surgeon specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the musculoskeletal system, and this field covers a vast array of medical issues. Orthopedic surgery addresses problems in your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. While these medical professionals manage degenerative diseases, they also treat sudden injuries like fractures. They focus on major body parts like the spine, knees, hips, and shoulders.
Providers treat a wide variety of specific conditions:
- Bone fractures and joint dislocations
- Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Tendon tears and ligament sprains
- Spine disorders and bone tumors
Understanding Arthroscopic Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, and orthopedic surgeons use it to diagnose and treat joint problems. The surgeon inserts a narrow tube attached to a fiber-optic video camera through a small incision. This camera transmits the view inside your joint to a video monitor. While surgeons use this technique to treat meniscus tears, they also repair rotator cuffs.
Arthroscopy has advantages over traditional open surgery. Because patients experience less tissue trauma, they may recover faster. The smaller incisions reduce scarring, and the risk of infection decreases drastically. You can return to normal activities sooner, and your hospital stay will likely be shorter.
Explaining Spinal Stimulators
A spinal cord stimulator is an implanted medical device that sends low levels of electricity directly into the spinal cord to relieve pain. This device alters pain signals before they reach the brain, and patients experience relief from chronic back and leg pain. Medical professionals use this treatment for complex regional pain syndrome and neuropathy.
The process of getting a stimulator involves multiple steps.
- Trial Period: Patients undergo a trial period where a medical professional places temporary leads into the back to evaluate pain relief levels.
- Permanent Implantation: If the trial is successful, a surgeon permanently implants the generator device under the skin.
- Patient Control: Patients can control the electrical impulses using an external remote, allowing for customization to maximize comfort and pain relief.
Treating Nerve Injuries
An orthopedic surgeon possesses the skills to treat complex nerve injuries. Nerves can suffer damage from traumatic accidents, and they also become compressed by surrounding tissues. When they release trapped nerves during surgery, it relieves severe pain and numbness. A timely medical intervention prevents permanent nerve damage, and patients may regain their mobility.
Learn More About Orthopedic Surgery
Choosing the right specialist requires some understanding of your specific physical symptoms and the available medical treatments. Orthopedic surgeons evaluate your musculoskeletal system, and they perform advanced procedures like arthroscopy and nerve repair. They also implant spinal cord stimulators to manage chronic pain. If you are interested in learning more about orthopedic surgery, consult an orthopedic surgeon near you.
