What Is An Orthopedic Physician?

There are so many different types of doctors that it can be very confusing at times. Of course, it's a very good thing that doctors are so specialized, ensuring the best quality health care possible, but it can sometimes be hard to keep up with. Here I would like to talk about an orthopedic physician and what his role and responsibilities in the medical community are.

Orthopedics is the medical branch that deals with the muscular and skeletal systems and problems and conditions that arise there. Orthopedic medicine is when orthopedic physicians evaluate and treat those conditions. This might include anything from broken bones or arthritis to osteoporosis. Sports injuries, tumors, congenital conditions and infections are also treated by orthopedic physicians.

In the medicinal branch, the orthopedic doctor uses a hands on approach, and is not greatly involved with machines and surgeries. Instead, methods are used such as deep friction massage and others that can be performed by therapists in other fields that are trained for this type of treatment. Problems requiring a more technical solution can be referred to an orthopedic surgeon.

Within orthopedic surgery, an orthopedic physician might work with serious bone breaks and fractures. This may include replacing bones, as in a hip replacement, or using orthopedic implants to assist in repairing a fracture. These types of procedures require actual surgery which the orthopedic doctor is trained.

An orthopedic physician studies for four years of undergraduate work, and then goes on to four years of medical school. Residency training lasts five years. The first year is in general surgery and the next four are in orthopedic surgery specifically.

After residency some physicians opt to do a fellowship, which usually lasts one year, but sometimes two. In a fellowship, the doctor gets subspecialty training. They receive clinical and operative training, but there is a research element as well. After this is completed, the doctor is an orthopedic expert that specializes in a specific area of orthopedics.

Some of the subspecialty training areas are in shoulder and elbow surgery, foot and ankle surgery, spine surgery, total joint reconstruction, pediatric orthopedics, hand surgery and more.

Only three to four percent of physicians in the United States are orthopedic physicians. This means that the field is very competitive, and is only for the most serious of doctors. Those looking into a career in orthopedics are in for a bit of a battle, but one that will be worth it in the end for the good that you can do for people.

The specialized training that the orthopedic doctor gets ensure that, when you are referred to him with a problem with your foot or hip, he is sure to have lots of experience, not just with bones and joints in general, but with hips in specific. This is reassuring when your ongoing health is at stake.

 

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