Orthopedic surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system. This includes injuries and diseases of the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage found throughout the body. Together, these soft and hard tissues work to help us move and perform our daily activities.
With overuse, improper form, accidents, or traumatic incidents, you can develop an injury and experience pain in the body. Fortunately, orthopedic surgeons spend decades studying the musculoskeletal system and learning how to treat it through clinical training. Orthopedic surgeons can use both surgical and nonsurgical methods to treat orthopedic problems.
Here, we will talk about some of the most common orthopedic conditions treated by orthopedic surgeons.
Neck and Back Problems
The most common neck and back conditions orthopedic surgeons treat are degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and sciatica.
Surgical treatments for neck and back pain include spinal fusion surgery, laminectomy (removal of part of a vertebra), disc replacement surgery, and vertebroplasty (injection of cement into a cracked vertebra). Nonsurgical treatments include physical therapy, epidural injections (steroids injected around the spinal cord), or nerve blocks (injections that numb specific areas).
Shoulder Conditions
The shoulder is a complex joint with many different structures that can be injured or experience degenerative changes. Orthopedic surgeons can treat rotator cuff tears, osteoarthritis, bursitis, frozen shoulder, and impingement syndrome – all of which are common shoulder ailments.
Arthroscopic surgery is often used by orthopedic surgeons to repair damage in the shoulder or replace the shoulder joint with a new one.
Hand, Wrist, and Elbow Conditions
The hand, wrist, and elbow are heavily used daily and are prone to overuse injuries. From ganglion cysts, fractures, tendonitis, and tendon damage, to injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome, orthopedic surgeons can provide expert care for all these issues. They can use casting or brace for fractures, perform tendon repair surgery, and carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel release surgery, among many other treatments.
Hip and Knee Conditions
The hip and knee joints are weight-bearing and thus, prone to degenerative diseases such as arthritis. Orthopedic surgeons are well-trained in the treatment of hip and knee arthritis, including using minimally invasive techniques to resurface the joint or replace it partially or entirely with an artificial prosthetic.
Foot and Ankle Conditions
The feet and ankles take such a beating day in and day out and are prone to many problems. Orthopedic surgeons can treat ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, fractures, tendon injuries, ankle arthritis, and much more. Many foot and ankle injuries respond to non-surgical treatments, but orthopedic surgeons can also perform surgery, such as ankle replacement surgery, Achilles tendon repair surgery, and plantar fasciotomy.
Experienced Orthopedic Surgeons in Hartford and Tolland Counties, CT, and Springfield, MA
The team at Advanced Orthopedics New England can treat all orthopedic issues that arise from daily life, work, and sports. Our orthopedic surgeons are board-certified and have advanced training in the treatment of many areas of the body. Plus, we provide compassionate, patient-centric care. An orthopedic condition is never just a small thing, and we will give you the state-of-the-art care that you deserve.
Call our office today at (860) 728-6740 to make an appointment.