Who are Orthopedists?

Orthopedists or Orthopedic doctors are the ones who are specialized in preventing, diagnosing, and treating the medical conditions related to joints, bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. They treat conditions like sports injuries, arthritis, osteoporosis, bone tumors, back pain, spinal stenosis, and tendon & ankle injuries etc.

What are the qualifications of Orthopedists?

A 5-year medical degree [MBBS] that is recognized by the General Medical Council and a 2-year foundation course of general training are the basic requirements for an individual to be a doctor. However, following are the specialties or extra qualifications required to be an Orthopedist:

• CCT - Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery
• M.Ch - OrthopaedicsMS - Orthopaedics
• FRCS - Trauma & Orthopedic Surgery
• DNB - Orthopedics/Orthopedic Surgery
• Ph.D. - Orthopaedics
• Diploma in Orthopaedics
• FCPS - Orthopedic
• Diploma in Trauma and Ortho Surgery
• MNAMS - Orthopaedics
• Diploma in Orthopaedics

How often should I visit an Orthopedist?

Depending on the age and health condition of the individual’s joints, one must visit or consult an Orthopedist once in six months. However, if the individual is healthy, then he/she should visit an Orthopedist once in a year to check the status of the health condition of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Why should an individual consult an Orthopedist?

If you are suffering from any of the following diseases or medical conditions related to bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles, then you should consult an Orthopedist.

• Bone fractures
• Joint fractures
• Dislocation of joints
• Muscle pains
• Severe body pains
• Osteopetrosis
• Osteoporosis
• Fibrous dysplasia
• Osteomalacia
• Osteopenia
• Myopathy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Arthritis
• Scleroderma and many more

Are Orthopedists and Podiatrists the same?

Orthopedists examine, diagnose, and treat diseases related to bones, ligaments, joints, and muscles throughout the human body. Podiatrists are doctors who are specialized in treating medical conditions related to the foot, ankle, and lower extremity. However, Podiatrists can treat knee injuries and hip injuries as they may be caused due to foot or ankle deformities. So, depending on the cause of illness, one can consult either an Orthopedist or Podiatrist.

Can Orthopedists cure arthritis?

Yes, Orthopedists or Orthopedic doctors can treat and cure arthritis with proper medications and lifestyle modifications. If arthritis does not cure even after therapeutic treatment, then the Orthopedist may suggest the patient undergo surgery.

Can Orthopedists treat joint disorders?

Orthopedists are specialized doctors who are well trained in diagnosing and treating diseases related to bones and joints like arthritis, hip fracture, osteoarthritis, and tennis elbow, etc.

What are the most common surgeries that can be performed by an Orthopedist?

Following are few of the surgeries and procedures that can be performed by an Orthopedist:

• Arthroscopy
• Tissue repair
• Joint replacement
• Knee replacement
• Spine fusion
• Osteotomy
• Bone fracture repair
• Hip replacement
• Laminectomy
• Ligament reconstruction
• Chondroplasty

Can an Orthopedist read X-rays?

Yes, Orthopedists read X-ray films of an individual’s bones and can diagnose the medical condition.

Can I consult an Orthopedist for back pain?

Individuals who are suffering from back pain can consult an Orthopedist and can get an appropriate treatment course to cure or treat back pain. However, an individual can visit an Orthopedist to get diagnosed for any kind of disease related to bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles.

Do Orthopedists treat muscle disorders?

Muscular disorders like multiple sclerosis, myopathy, myasthenia gravis and myositis, etc can be diagnosed and treated by an Orthopedist.