What They Do
An orthopedic surgeon is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. While the specialty includes surgical treatment, orthopedic surgeons also manage many conditions through non-surgical means, such as physical therapy referrals, bracing, or injections.
What They Treat
Orthopedic surgeons treat a wide range of conditions, including fractures, joint problems such as arthritis, sports-related injuries, and issues affecting the spine. Many orthopedic surgeons further subspecialize in a specific area, such as joint replacement, sports medicine, spine surgery, hand surgery, or pediatric orthopedics.
Training Path
Becoming an orthopedic surgeon requires completing a medical degree, followed by dedicated residency training in orthopedic surgery, covering both surgical techniques and non-surgical management of musculoskeletal conditions. Many orthopedic surgeons pursue further fellowship training to specialize more deeply in one particular area of the musculoskeletal system.
When to See One
People commonly see an orthopedic surgeon for persistent joint pain, fractures, sports injuries, or conditions affecting mobility and movement. Orthopedic surgeons are also commonly involved in evaluating candidates for joint replacement surgery, when conditions like advanced arthritis have significantly affected joint function and quality of life.
Background
Orthopedics developed as a medical specialty in the 18th and 19th centuries, originally focused largely on correcting skeletal deformities in children, which is reflected in the origin of the specialty's name. The field expanded considerably over the 20th century to cover the full range of musculoskeletal conditions across all ages, with major advances including the development of modern joint replacement surgery in the mid-20th century, which transformed treatment options for severe arthritis and joint damage.