What is an Orthopedic Surgeon?

If you play sports or are in your 40s or are older, you’ve probably heard of the word "orthopedics.”

Orthopedics is a medical specialty, referring to physicians who treat bones, joints, nerves, tendons and ligaments. Or, in other words, your musculoskeletal system.

Wear and tear on our bodies—either from sports and physical activities—or just from aging can be quite painful and prevent us from enjoying the activities we love. Arthritis or osteoporosis usually get worse over time without treatment. Even our jobs—whether that is typing at the computer or doing manual labor—can lead to overuse injuries.

Orthopedic doctors can diagnose, treat, and manage care to improve your quality of life.

The team at DeKalb Orthopedics & Sports Medicine specializes in the following body parts:

• hand and wrist
• knee
• shoulder
• elbow
• hips
• foot and ankle

Do Orthopedic Doctors Have to Perform Surgery?

It’s a common misconception that orthopedic doctors always recommend surgery to treat bone and joint problems. In most cases, surgery is a last resort.

Instead, your orthopedic doctor will most likely recommend non-surgical treatments like:

• rest
• physical therapy or rehab
• medications/injections

Seeking care earlier, when the pain starts, rather than later will often give you more treatment options. Delaying care often causes the injury to worsen, requiring more complex treatments.

If you think you could benefit from seeing an orthopedic specialist, call 256-979-1550.