Orthopedic Medicine
All Orthopedic Medicine information on Ewtrf.org
What Is Orthopedic Medicine
Orthopedic medicine is a form of medicine that is concerned with the parts of the body that govern movement: the bones and the muscles. The musculoskeletal system consists of the bones or skeleton, the muscles and all of the joints, tendons and ligaments that connect the system together.
Orthopedic medicine is often used as a term to describe the non-surgical aspect of orthopedics, as distinct from orthopedic surgery, although it may also be used as an umbrella term covering both forms of treatment. Orthopedic medicine is a very diverse field. It involves both surgical and non-surgical treatments. It also involves preventative medicine as well as the treatment of problems once they have arisen.
Preventative orthopedics usually focuses on the prevention of injuries, by teaching people how to move safely and take care of their bodies. This type of prevention is particularly important for people whose bodies are regularly put under a lot of strain, such as those whose jobs involve carrying, lifting and other physical activities. Orthopedic medicine can also be used to prevent injuries among athletes. Preventative measures include teaching people how to stretch properly before and after exerting themselves, making sure that people are using the right muscles while they are working or playing sports and advising on the use of supports and braces.
If an injury does occur, orthopedic medicine can help to treat it. Orthopedic medicine can help with a wide range of different injuries, from those that have occurred as the result of trauma to those that are the result of a degenerative musculoskeletal disease. Typical injuries which are treated by orthopedic medicine include torn ligaments, broken bones and joint inflammation.
Orthopedic medicine enlists a wide range of treatment options. It can involve surgical interventions such as using pins to set broken bones or replacing joints with artificial ones. Non-surgical treatments involve the use of medication, traction, braces and physical therapy.
Many different types of patients require orthopedic medicine, and the relationship between physician and patient can be either long term or short term, depending on the injury and the type of treatment that is being used. It is not uncommon for a patient to require regular physical therapy over an extended period, or to need regular check ups in order to manage a degenerative disease.
Clinicians who wish to work in orthopedics may choose to specialize in orthopedic surgery or in non-surgical orthopedic medicine, although it is common for patients to cross over between these two fields. A doctor working in orthopedic medicine may need to refer a patient to an orthopedic surgeon for further treatment, for example, while the surgeon may decide to send a patient to a specialist in orthopedic medicine to help with their recovery after surgery.
The non-surgical form of orthopedic medicine includes the examination, diagnosis and treatment, through non-surgical options, of musculoskeletal diseases. Common methods for diagnosis include taking a comprehensive patient history, performing a detailed physical examination, and the use of radiology and local anesthetic blocks, but this does depend on your health insurance provider. Non-surgical treatments include manipulation or massage of the body, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise, and the use of proliferant and corticosteroid injections and medications.