Orthopedic surgeons are physicians who receive specialized training in the care and management of musculoskeletal (bone and muscle) diseases and injuries. These surgeons can work in general orthopedics or receive further training in several sub-specialties. Board certification is also possible for general orthopedic surgery and hand surgery, provided comprehensive education, training and examination requirements are met.
General Orthopedic Surgeon
General orthopedic surgeons work with patients of all ages and do not specialize in a specific type of orthopedic surgery. They work with injuries and diseases that affect the nerves, tendons, muscles, bones, joints and ligaments. Examples of conditions treated by general orthopedic surgeons include fractures, bone tumors, arthritis, muscle or ligament tears, spine disorders and osteoporosis. General orthopedic surgeons must complete medical school and five years of residency. Residency programs usually include four years of training in orthopedics and one year of training in internal medicine, surgery or pediatrics.
Hand Surgeon
Hand surgery is a sub-speciality of orthopedic surgery that requires surgeons to complete one year of additional education, document a minimum number of surgeries on the hand, obtain an endorsement from a program director, undergo review by peers in the specialty and pass a written examination. After these requirements have been met, the surgeon receives a certificate from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, hand surgeons treat conditions of the hands, forearms and wrists. Examples of conditions managed by hand surgeons include carpal tunnel syndrome, sports injuries of the wrist and cuts of the hands and fingers.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is an orthopedic specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and management of joint diseases and injuries. Arthroscopic surgery involves the insertion of thin instruments into the joints, which provides lighting and magnification of the structures inside each joint. Arthroscopic surgeons can see the inside of the joints by watching a video screen, allowing joint inflammation, tendon tears, dislocations and other conditions of the joints to be diagnosed. Arthroscopic surgery may also be combined with traditional surgical methods to treat rotator cuff injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and other conditions.
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Pediatric orthopedic surgeons treat and manage orthopedic conditions in children. In addition to knowledge of orthopedic conditions and skill in orthopedic surgery, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon also has to develop skill in dealing with young patients who may not be able to answer questions about the cause of an injury or the level of pain associated with the injury. Orthopedic surgeons must also be able to work with parents who may be concerned about their children, resulting in many questions and high levels of anxiety. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a qualified pediatric orthopedic surgeon has completed medical school, orthopedic surgery residency training and additional training in pediatric orthopedics. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons treat conditions like broken bones, joint infections, spine deformities and limping.
Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon
Orthopedic trauma surgeons diagnose, treat and manage traumatic injuries to the bones, muscles, tendons, joints and ligaments. Orthopedic surgeons who work on trauma cases must be able to make quick decisions and handle emergency situations in a calm manner. This type of surgeon is often on-call and may have to interrupt personal activities or the care of non-trauma patients to care for someone with a traumatic orthopedic injury. While there is no board certification for orthopedic trauma surgery, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association indicates that fellowship training is available for orthopedic surgeons who want to handle trauma cases. Some of the conditions managed by orthopedic trauma surgeons include broken bones, fractures, dislocations and cartilage injuries.
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