What is orthopedics?
The human body contains bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. These are all part of your musculoskeletal system. When one part stops working properly, it can restrict movement, cause pain, or both. General orthopedics is a specialty in medicine. Its focus is on evaluating, diagnosing, and treating musculoskeletal injuries and diseases.
What does an orthopedic doctor do?
Doctors who specialize in treating musculoskeletal injuries and diseases are called orthopedic doctors or orthopedists. They evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with acute or chronic conditions.
- Acute conditions: Refer to a condition that persists for fewer than six months. The condition improves after a physician determines the cause and treats it, or it resolves itself. Examples of acute conditions: Broken bones and torn ligaments.
- Chronic conditions: These conditions last longer than six months. In some cases, they continue for years. Examples of chronic conditions: Carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis.
What do orthopedic doctors treat?
Orthopedic doctors treat a variety of injuries and conditions. Treatments can be surgical or nonsurgical. Some patients come to us unsure where the pain comes from. Our orthopedic specialists will help identify the source of the pain and propose a treatment plan.
The areas we can help diagnose and treat include the following:
- Foot and ankle: The feet and ankle consist of muscles, tendons, bones, and tissues that support the entire body and provide balance. Common conditions we treat include fractures, broken bones, rheumatoid arthritis, and plantar fasciitis.
- Hand and wrist: Their delicate and complex nature makes them vulnerable to injuries and conditions. Such conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, fractures, and dislocation.
- Spine: Made up of 33 bones stacked on top of each other, the spinal column provides support to allow you to stand, bend, and twist. Our physicians diagnose and treat neck and back pain.
- Elbow: The elbow joint consists of three bones to allow you to move, straighten, and bend it. We successfully treat common conditions and injuries such as bursitis, hyperextension, and tendonitis.
- Shoulder: Our physicians specialize in surgical and non-surgical procedures for shoulder pain and conditions. Patients have come to us with a dislocation, frozen shoulder, and a fractured collarbone.
- Hip: Hip injuries and conditions can affect people of all ages. We’ve helped patients with hip fractures, hamstring injuries, hernias, and bursitis. For the right patient, the same-day surgical option for joint replacement exists here at Memorial Hermann Surgery Center The Woodlands. All of our programs are physician-led and patient-centered to ensure all of your care, outcomes, and personal health needs are between you and the doctor you trust. Learn more by visiting our myJOINT Health Rapid Recovery Program page today.
- Knee: Because it’s a complex joint with many components, the knee is vulnerable to many injuries and conditions. Patients come to our surgical center with ACLs, meniscal tears, osteoarthritis, arthritis, and knees needing replacement. For the right patient, the same-day surgical option for joint replacement exists here at Memorial Hermann Surgery Center The Woodlands. All of our programs are physician-led and patient-centered to ensure all of your care, outcomes, and personal health needs are between you and the doctor you trust. Learn more by visiting our myJOINT Health Rapid Recovery Program page today.
Our physicians provide patient-focused care using the latest treatments. We help patients affected by orthopedic issues, injuries, and diseases. The goal is to restore function and mobility while improving your quality of life.
Schedule an appointment with a Memorial Hermann Surgery Center The Woodlands physician today!