Conditions that Require Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgeons are doctors that treat disorders and injuries to the musculoskeletal system. These are those painful conditions which affect your nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and bones.
If you’re suffering from pain that isn’t treatable by normal, non-invasive methods such as chiropractic or medication, you might need treatment by an orthopedic surgeon to address the condition. Learn about some conditions that require orthopedic surgery and how surgical procedures can help you get back on your feet once more.
Treating Orthopedic Conditions
The first step in treating an orthopedic condition is to diagnose exactly what’s wrong. Your doctor will conduct a thorough examination and in many cases will try non-invasive treatments before recommending surgery. If surgery is required, the doctor will refer you to an orthopedic surgery specialist. Some of these surgeons are generalist, but many specialize in specific areas of the body—and the diseases and injuries related to those areas.
Your overall treatment plan could include many factors. You could be prescribed surgery, medication, non-invasive adjustment, physical therapy and more. All of this is designed to help you regain strength, function and range of motion as well as helping you avoid future problems.
Orthopedic Surgery and the Spine
Your spine is the communications center of your body, the central area where all of the brain’s messages that tell the rest of you how to work are coordinated and transmitted. Orthopedic surgeons can help with many of the conditions that affect the spine, including:
- Fractures
- Sports injuries
- Chordoma
- Degenerative Disk Disease
- Cervical Spondylosis
- Diskitis
- Herniated Discs
- Abscesses, Infections, Infarctions and Trauma
- Dislocation
- Tumors
Feet, Legs and Hips
Your feet, legs and hips are vital to your ability to stand, sit and move around. They also are subject to conditions which can be treated by orthopedic surgeons. A few of the ailments that can be treated by orthopedic surgery include:
- Flatfoot
- Arthrocentesis
- Dislocations
- Splints
- Bunions
- Claw Toe
- Clubfoot
- Freiberg Disease
- Hallux Rigidus, Valgus and Varus
- Kohler Disease
- Mallet Toe
- Deformities
- Turf Toe
- Arthrodesis
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Bone Fractures
- Femoral Neck Stress
- Hip Resurfacing
- Joint Reduction
- Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
Hands and Arms
If you are dealing with pain in your hands, arms or shoulders, you may be suffering from a condition best addressed by orthopedic procedures. Some of these procedures can include:
- Fractures
- Tendon injuries
- Deformities
- Carpal Tunnel
- Ligament problems
- High-Pressure Injuries
- Kienbock’s Disease
- Knuckle Pads
- Mallet Finger
- Trigger Finger
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Arthrocentesis, Arthrodesis, Arthroscopy
- Triangular Fibrocartilage Injuries
- Soft Tissue Injuries
Systemic Conditions
There are also a variety of systemic conditions that cause chronic ongoing pain, which can be sometimes treated effectively using orthopedic procedures. These range from arthritis to felty syndrome, and can include such diverse conditions as gout, lupus, mixed connective-tissue disease, Freidreich Ataxia, Osteoporosis and more.
The conditions listed here are just a few of those that an orthopedic surgeon can effectively address. Read a bit more about orthopedic procedures, and give us a call today to find out if this solution might be right for you!
