Your bones support your entire body and protect your organs. They also store minerals such as calcium and produce blood cells. When you break or injure a bone, a bone doctor can help treat it. There are different types of bone doctors, and you may see more than one during your treatment.
Here’s a look at the different types and their specialties:
Orthopedic Doctors
An orthopedic doctor specializes in diagnosing and treating problems with the bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments. They may also be called an orthopedist.
Orthopedic doctors usually treat conditions that result from injuries or diseases. For example, they may treat:
- Fractures – broken bones
- Dislocated joints – when the ends of bones don’t line up properly
- Arthritis – a disease that causes swelling and pain in joints
- Osteoporosis – a condition that causes bones to become brittle and weak
- Back pain
Some orthopedic doctors also treat congenital conditions. Examples include:
- Scoliosis – an abnormal curvature of the spine
- Clubfoot – a congenital deformity in which the foot turns inward and downward
Orthopedic Surgeons
An orthopedic surgeon is an orthopedic doctor who can perform surgical procedures.
Orthopedic surgeons may pursue additional training in a subspecialty, such as:
- Joint replacement surgery – also called arthroplasty, where the surgeon removes a damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial implant
- Sports medicine – the diagnosis and treatment of injuries related to sports and exercise
- Spine surgery – the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the spine, such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis
- Pediatric orthopedics – the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the bones and joints of children
- Orthopedic oncology – the diagnosis and treatment of bone tumors
Some examples of bone procedures performed by orthopedic surgeons include:
- Fusion – the joining of two or more bones
- Osteotomy – the cutting of a bone to change its shape or alignment
- Reconstructive surgery – the repair of damaged bones or joints
Rheumatologists
A rheumatologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases. These are conditions that affect joints, muscles, and bones.
Rheumatologists treat a wide variety of conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis – a disease that causes bones to become thin and weak
- Fibromyalgia – a condition that causes fatigue, muscle pain, and tenderness in joints
- Lupus – a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain
- Gout – a form of arthritis that causes sudden, severe attacks of pain and swelling in joints
Osteopaths
An osteopath specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and joint problems. They can help with conditions like:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Joint pain
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
Podiatrists
A podiatrist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle problems. In some cases, they can treat conditions affecting the lower legs. Podiatrists treat a wide variety of bone conditions, including:
- Foot, foot, and ankle pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Clubfoot
- Ankle arthritis
- Toe deformities, such as hammertoe and bunions
Bone Doctor Near You In Bloomfield, CT
Do you need a trusted bone doctor? Look no further than Advanced Orthopedics New England. Our compassionate, board-certified orthopedic surgeons can give you the excellent care you deserve. You may call our friendly staff at (860) 728-6740 to learn about our services or to schedule an appointment with one of our dedicated providers.
For your convenience, we also have locations in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts. We look forward to serving you!