Who are Orthopedists?

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

Are Orthopedists different from Orthopedic Surgeons?

Yes, Orthopedists are different and are commonly mistaken for Orthopedic surgeons. An Orthopedist provides pre-surgical consultations and post-surgical consultations. Orthopedic surgeons, on the other hand, provide the same care as an Orthopedist but perform the surgery as well. Surgery is done for back pain, ruptured discs, bone tumors, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and other injuries.

Are Orthopedists different from Podiatrists?

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. Therefore, based on the cause of an illness, one can consult either an Orthopedist or Podiatrist.

What conditions do Orthopedists treat?

Some of the conditions treated by an Orthopedist are:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Tendonitis
• Dysplasia
• Bursitis
• Osteoporosis
• Impingement
• Stiffening or hardening of the joints, muscles, etc
• Scoliosis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Compartment syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis
• Bone spurs
• Frozen shoulder
• Muscle dystrophy
• Cerebral palsy
• Rickets
• Sciatic nerve dysfunction

What are the most common procedures performed by an Orthopedist?

The following are the most common procedures performed by an Orthopedist:

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

How do I consult an Orthopedist?

You can consult an Orthopedist either online or offline. However, depending on the availability of the doctor and the convenience of the patient, pre-booking may be required for consultation.

How often should an individual visit an Orthopedist?

It is recommended that an individual visit an Orthopedist once a year to check the medical condition of their bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, if a person is suffering from related diseases or conditions, they must consult an Orthopedist as advised and follow up regularly.