WHO IS AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON?

Orthopedic surgery (orthopedics) is sometimes spelled as orthopaedics. It is the branch of surgery focused on improving all the conditions which involve the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means for treating musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders. [1]

Orthopedic (sometimes spelled orthopedic) surgery is an operation performed by a medical specialist such as an orthopedist or orthopedic surgeon, who is trained to assess and treat problems that develop in the bones, joints, and ligaments of the human body.

Orthopedic surgery addresses and attempts to correct problems that arise in the skeleton and its attachments, the ligaments and tendons. It may also include some problems of the nervous system, such as those that arise from injury of the spine. These problems can occur at birth, through injury, or as the result of aging. They may be acute, as in an accident or injury, or chronic, as in many problems related to aging. [2]

Orthopedics comes from two Greek words: ortho meaning “straight”, and pais meaning “child”. Originally, orthopedic surgeons treated skeletal deformities in children, using braces to straighten the child's bones. With the development of anesthesia and an understanding of the importance of aseptic technique in surgery, orthopedic surgeons extended their role to include surgery involving the bones and related nerves and connective tissue.

Today, both terms of orthopedic surgeon and orthopedist are used interchangeably to indicate a medical doctor with special training and certification in orthopedics.

Many orthopedic surgeons maintain a general practice, while some specialize in one particular aspect of orthopedics such as hand surgery, joint replacements, or disorders of the spine. Orthopedists treat both acute and chronic disorders. Some orthopedic surgeons specialize in trauma medicine and can be found in emergency rooms and trauma centers, treating injuries. Others find their work overlapping with plastic surgeons, geriatric specialists, pediatricians, or podiatrists (foot care specialists). A rapidly growing area of orthopedics is sports medicine, and many sports medicine doctors are board certified in orthopedic surgery.

The orthopedic doctor job description includes meeting with patients, ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing medication, ordering physical therapy, setting fractured bones and performing surgery. At times, it might be complicated to choose a skilled and experienced orthopedist for each unique occasion: therefore, a professional team from Prague-based clinique - Medical Travel Czech - may become the most trustworthy and reliable solution for very special cases.

Moreover - each orthopedic surgeon works in both clinical and hospital environments. Even before seeing a patient, an orthopedic surgeon reviews his/her patient's medical history along with the rest of any relevant information. In addition to examining the patient - an orthopedic surgeon orders tests, and uses the findings to determine the diagnosis. 

Each orthopedic surgeon's responsibilities include non-invasive procedures such as immobilizing a fractured bone, or performing surgery on a torn ligament. After surgery, every orthopedist ensures that a plan for postoperative care is in place and, when necessary, prescribes physical therapy. In addition to having medical responsibilities, an orthopedic surgeon supervises other staff. Some orthopedic surgeons educate medical interns and engage in continuing research. [3]

Sources:

[1] Surgery Encyclopedia: Orthopedic  Surgery

https://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/La-Pa/Orthopedic-Surgery.html#ixzz6IrWn8mQU

[2] Wikipedia: Orthopedic Surgery

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopedic_surgery

[3] Responsibilities of an Orthopedic Surgeon

https://work.chron.com/responsibilities-orthopedic-surgeon-14965.html