We all know someone who has been stopped in his or her tracks by bone, muscle or joint pain. Musculoskeletal conditions and pain affect people at any time and any age, keeping people of all ages from working or enjoying life. The good news is that everyone — from the child with scoliosis to the person with traumatic injuries requiring limb-saving surgery — can benefit from the expertise of an orthopaedic surgeon. There are treatment options that help people lead happier and more productive lives.
WHAT IS AN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON?
Orthopaedic surgeons are devoted to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles.
Some orthopaedists are generalists, while others specialize in certain areas of the body, such as:
- Hip and knee
- Foot and ankle
- Shoulder and elbow
- Hand
- Spine
WHO ARE OUR PATIENTS?
Orthopaedic surgeons treat patients of all ages — from newborns to the elderly. We treat conditions that include sports injuries and joint replacement to fractures and spinal deformity.
If you or someone you know is considering orthopaedic surgery, visit OrthoInfo.org to read inspiring patient stories and outcomes.
WHAT DOES AN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON TREAT?
Orthopaedic surgeons explore nonsurgical options first, such as pain medication or rehabilitation. They also have the expertise to perform surgery to repair an injury or correct a condition, if necessary.
Musculoskeletal pain is the number one reason why people visit their doctors each year.
Many people know that orthopaedic surgeons treat broken bones and replace painful joints, but did you know that orthopaedic surgeons also treat patients for these problems?
- Sports injuries
- Back pain, ruptured disks and spinal stenosis
- Bone tumors
- Carpal tunnel, hand arthritis and hand injuries, club foot, bow legs and hip dysplasia
- Orthopaedic trauma
- Limb lengthening
- Achilles tendon injuries, bunions and foot and ankle injuries
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
To learn about the treatment and management of these and many other orthopaedic conditions, visit The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' (AAOS) patient education website, orthoinfo.org
WHY CHOOSE AN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON?
An orthopaedic surgeon is an expert with extensive training in the proper diagnosis and both non-surgical and surgical treatment of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS ARE COMMITTED TO YOU AND TO PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY CARE
Members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons are committed not only to treating injuries, but preventing them.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors who have completed a total of approximately 14 years of formal education. Board-certified orthopaedic surgeons must maintain their certification with continuous, life-long learning and demonstrating their expertise on a regular basis via an oral or written examination.
Certain orthopaedic surgeons meet the qualifications to use the FAAOS letters after their name or to include the logo on their website. This stands for "Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons." This is a professional designation that sets them apart from other providers on the bone and joint healthcare team. The FAAOS designation not only distinguishes your orthopaedic surgeon from other healthcare specialists, but also signifies their commitment to continuous education, professional development, and the highest quality of care you expect to receive.
To identify your orthopaedic surgeon as a qualified Academy fellow, look for the FAAOS letters after his or her name or the logo (Left) on their website.
ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS KEEP OUR NATION IN MOTION
High-quality orthopaedic care is invaluable. It helps people reclaim their quality of life.
The value of orthopaedic care is when people like YOU can get back to work, to family, and to doing the things you love.