A Beginner's Guide to Orthopedics

by Kevin Smith Author

The medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the musculoskeletal system is called orthopedics. In Suffolk County, NY, people who might need this service are those who have a problem with their joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Orthopedics began as the study of developmental deformities in children, but it has also extended to individuals of all ages.

The Role of Professionals

Practitioners under this area of medicine are known as orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons. While they're all familiar with every aspect of the field, some specialize in certain parts, like the spine, shoulder, foot and ankle, hip, knee, or hand. Apart from identifying and treating conditions, surgeons may also recommend rehabilitation and other methods that will help the patient recover.

Injuries and Disorders

There are numerous conditions involved in orthopedics, but the most common are:

· Arthritis - Arthritis is a chronic condition that affects the joints and connective tissues. It causes swelling, stiffness, and pain. Like other rheumatic conditions, it also limits a person's movement.

· Fractures - A fracture is a complete or partial break in the bone that happens when the bone receives more force than it can take. This injury can be classified as either closed or open. An open fracture means that the bone can be seen or is exposed by a deep wound. A closed fracture, on the other hand, remains underneath the skin.

· Scoliosis - Scoliosis affects the mid or lower parts of the spine. This is categorized when the curvature measures 10 degrees or higher on an X-ray. It may occur on the left, right, or both sides but in different sections of the spine.

· Kyphosis - Similar to scoliosis, kyphosis is a deformity in the vertebrae. A typical spine's upper area can bend from 20 to 45 degrees. But for someone with kyphosis, the curvature measures 50 degrees or more.

Treatments

A visit to the doctor will start with a personal interview and will be followed by physical and diagnostic examinations, such as X-rays and blood tests. Patients have benefited from the advancement of technology with joint replacements and arthroscopy, which allows orthopedists to look inside a joint.

Treatments may involve medications, splints, casts, therapies, or surgeries. Most injuries and disorders have more than one form of rehabilitation. For such cases, patients will work closely with a team of subspecialists to determine the most appropriate treatment. They'll discuss the options and select the best plan for the patient.

The goal of orthopedics in Suffolk County, NY is to restore or preserve a person's musculoskeletal system. It aims to halt or slow the progression of the disease by taking careful steps to minimize complications. Research is continuously being conducted to increase knowledge of treating the conditions involved and help patients regain their health.