An orthopedic surgeon diagnoses and surgically treats musculoskeletal system disorders affecting bones, joints, soft tissues, and connective structures. These surgeons restore mobility and alleviate pain from injuries, degenerative conditions, and structural abnormalities.
Orthopedic surgeons complete medical school and a five-year orthopedic surgery residency. Many pursue subspecialty fellowship training in athletic medicine, joint reconstruction, spinal surgery, hand surgery, or pediatric orthopedics.
An Orthopedic Surgeon's practice includes:
- Specializes in skeletal structures, articulations, soft tissues, and musculoskeletal mechanics
- Assesses patients, orders imaging, diagnoses musculoskeletal pathology, provides operative and conservative management
- Treats skeletal fractures, degenerative joint disease, athletic trauma, vertebral disorders, articular problems, and skeletal neoplasms
- Performs arthroplasty, arthroscopic procedures, fracture fixation, immobilization, therapeutic injections, and rehabilitation
- Also known as: orthopedic specialist, bone surgeon, musculoskeletal surgeon, MD, DO