About Orthopedics

Orthopedics, or orthopedic surgery, is a medical specialty focused on conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons. Orthopedic surgeons use a combination of surgical and non-surgical treatments to manage various conditions, including musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative disorders, infections, tumors, and congenital abnormalities.

Orthopedic conditions affect many areas of the body, and treatment varies by region:

• Wrists: Common procedures include carpal tunnel release and distal radius fracture repair.
• Ankles: Ankle fractures are frequent in sports and workplace injuries, especially where falls or trip hazards are present.
• Hips: Hip procedures often involve repairing femoral neck or trochanteric fractures, or replacing the hip joint with a prosthetic.
• Spine: Common spinal surgeries include laminectomies, spinal fusions, and intervertebral disc repairs.
• Shoulders: Arthroscopic surgery can repair the rotator cuff, decompress the shoulder, or remove the distal clavicle.
• Knees: Procedures to repair the MCL or ACL, along with total knee replacements, are common knee surgeries.

Orthopedic Surgery Process

Before surgery, patients meet with an orthopedic surgeon for a consultation and evaluation, where a full medical history is taken. The surgeon will also examine the affected area and review imaging tests, like X-rays, to determine the best course of action.

With advances in minimally invasive techniques, many surgeries, such as arthroscopic procedures, now offer shorter recovery times and less discomfort than traditional surgeries.

Types of Common Orthopedic Procedures

• Joint Replacement: One of the most common orthopedic surgeries, especially for hip and knee replacements, where a damaged joint is replaced with a prosthetic.
• Revision Joint Surgery: Sometimes, an existing implant may need to be replaced due to failure or wear, requiring revision surgery.
• Debridement: Bone is removed when overgrowth hampers movement or causes pain.
• Internal Fixation of Bones: Involves joining broken bone pieces using pins, screws, or plates to stabilize and allow proper healing.
• Osteotomy: Often performed on children with bone deformities to correct alignment and support proper growth.

The timing of surgery depends on the severity of the condition. Severe fractures may require immediate surgery, while others may be scheduled according to patient readiness for recovery.