What does an orthopedic surgeon treat?
Orthopedic 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.
To learn about the treatment and management of orthopedic conditions, visit The
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) patient education website,
orthoinfo.org.
What is an orthopedic surgeon?
Orthopedic surgeons are devoted to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
Some orthopedists are generalists, while others specialize in certain areas of the body, such as:
- Hip and knee
- Foot and ankle
- Shoulder and elbow
- Hand
- Spine
