A Beginner's Guide to Orthopedics
by Kevin Smith AuthorThe 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.
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Created on Aug 22nd 2019 05:34. Viewed 507 times.