Quality of life can be disrupted when you constantly experience pain in some areas of your body, such as your hands, spine, hips, elbows, knees, and feet. Knowing the best course of action to increase their functions and reduce pain is essential to solve the problem. And in cases like these, sometimes all you need is orthopedic surgery.
Arizona Specialty Hospital specializes in orthopedic surgery, done by expert surgeons with years of experience in the field. However, it’s best to know what orthopedic surgery is all about, its benefits, and when you need to call an orthopedic surgeon for your current issues.
Orthopedic surgery is a type of operation that corrects problems in the musculoskeletal system. It involves the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This surgery aims to restore the function of these parts as much as possible while relieving pain.
Orthopedic surgeons do these types of surgeries. They devote their expertise and knowledge to diagnosing and treating disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Moreover, some orthopedic surgeons are generalists, while others specialize in certain body areas.
In general, orthopedic surgeons complete 13 years of formal education. Board-certified orthopedic surgeons must maintain their certification with continuous, life-long learning and demonstrate their expertise regularly via an oral or written examination. In addition, they have completed a one-year fellowship training on a sub-specialty related to your condition or suspected condition.
Following residency, fellowships typically last a year or longer, and it helps physicians develop their specialization. So it’s best to find orthopedic surgeons specializing in your current condition. You may consult a physician directly to ensure you get the best care.
Primary care physicians and general surgeons are trained in internal medicine. They will determine your condition based on your symptoms and signs and the results of your physical examination. Once they determine that your issue is orthopedic-related and require surgery, you will be referred to an orthopedic surgeon.
At the same time, people diagnosed with orthopedic conditions can seek an orthopedic specialist before their general physician. They are essential if you have rheumatic disease, chronic joint or bone pain, arthritis, or repetitive motion injuries to your bones, joints, tendons, or nerves.