The Role Of Orthopaedic Physicians In Healthcare

 

The branch of medicine dealing with the treatment of ailments, injuries, or conditions of the musculoskeletal system is referred to as orthopaedics. The musculoskeletal system comprises the skeletal bones, muscles, joints, cartilage, and connective tissues such as ligaments and tendons. Orthopaedic physicians are the specialists who treat the conditions through surgical as well as non-surgical approaches. Furthermore, they develop rehabilitation programs and perform researches associated with the musculoskeletal system. Some of the most common conditions treated by orthopaedic physicians include joint pain, back pain, neck pain, fractures, sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, meniscus tears, and so on. And the treatment methods include over the counter medications, therapies, injections, surgery, etc. The various roles of orthopaedic physicians in healthcare are as follows.

Diagnosis
The functioning of the musculoskeletal system can be affected by a large number of conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia, to name a few. However, identifying a specific disease is crucial to initiate treatment. And, one of the primary roles of orthopaedic physicians is to diagnose the illness. They use a variety of diagnostic tools for the proper diagnosis of a disorder. For instance, MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computerized Tomography or CT Scan, Arthroscopy, etc are some of the techniques used. It helps in diagnosing diseases and evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment throughout the process.

Treatment
Another vital role of orthopaedic physicians is in the treatment processes. It involves choosing an appropriate remedy after assessing the patient’s requirement. Administering medications and injections, providing rehabilitation and physical therapies, or performing surgery are some of the treatment options adopted. Yet, one or more of the approaches mentioned may be used based on the condition to be treated. Moreover, there are orthopaedic subspecialties such as hand and upper extremity, foot and ankle, spine surgery, trauma surgery, and joint replacement, each dealing with different parts of the musculoskeletal system.

Research
Apart from their roles in the diagnosis and treatment processes, orthopaedic physicians conduct research as well. Researching their respective specializations allows them to analyze and improve the efficiency and safety of the therapy employed. Ultimately, it helps in producing better results. Though diagnosis, treatment, and research are the principal roles of orthopaedic physicians, they also contribute to healthcare through other functional areas, which consist of functional mobility, casting and splinting, wheelchair safety, exercise programming, gait retraining, etc.

When you visit an orthopaedic physician, you will be diagnosed first through a series of procedures. Basically, it involves enquiring about the symptoms followed by a physical examination. Often X-rays are used for diagnosis at the time of appointment. Besides, your medical history too would be taken into consideration. Further, a suitable treatment option is prescribed since each condition require different approaches. It can be medication, injection, therapy, or even surgery. However, when choosing an orthopaedic physician, make sure that they are well trained and experienced in their corresponding specializations. Ultimately, orthopaedics is handled by a team of orthopedists, including physicians, nurses, trainers, and therapists.