BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuOrthopedic servicesOrthopedics, or orthopedic services, aim at the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. This includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Information There can be many medical problems that can affect the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.Bone problems may include:Bone deformities Bone infections Bone tumors Fractures Need for amputation Nonunions: failure of fractures to heal Malunions: fractures healing in a wrong position Spinal deformities Joint problems may include:Arthritis ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bursitis BursitisBursitis is the swelling and irritation of a bursa. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between muscles, tendons, and bones....Read Article Now Book Mark Article Dislocation Joint pain Joint painJoint pain can affect one or more joints.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Joint swelling or inflammation Ligament and tendon tears Common orthopedic-related diagnoses based on body part include:ANKLE AND FOOTBunions BunionsA bunion forms when your big toe points outward toward your second toe. This causes a bump to appear on the inside edge of your toe.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Fasciitis of the sole of the foot called plantar fascitis FasciitisThe plantar fascia is the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot. It connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot. When this...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Foot and ankle deformities Fractures Hammer toe Heel pain Heel spurs Joint pain and arthritis Sprains Tarsal tunnel syndrome Tarsal tunnel syndromeTarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the tibial nerve is being compressed. This is the nerve in the ankle that allows feeling and movement...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Sesamoiditis Tendon or ligament injuryHAND AND WRISTFractures Joint pain Arthritis Tendon or ligament injury Carpal tunnel syndrome Carpal tunnel syndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which there is excessive pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. This is the nerve that allows feeling a...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Ganglion cyst Tendinitis TendinitisTendons are the fibrous structures that join muscles to bones. When these tendons become swollen or inflamed, it is called tendinitis. In many case...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Tendon tears Infection SHOULDERArthritis Bursitis Dislocation Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) Adhesive capsulitisFrozen shoulder is a condition in which the shoulder is painful and loses motion because of inflammation.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Impingement syndrome Loose or foreign bodies Rotator cuff tear Rotator cuff tendinitis Rotator cuff tendinitisThe rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that attach to the bones of the shoulder joint, allowing the shoulder to move and keep it stable. ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Separation Torn labrum SLAP tears Fractures KNEECartilage and meniscus injuries Dislocation of the kneecap (patella) Ligament sprains or tears (anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, medial collateral, and lateral collateral ligament tears) Meniscus injuries Loose or foreign bodies Osgood-Schlatter disease Osgood-Schlatter diseaseOsgood-Schlatter disease is a painful swelling of the bump on the upper part of the shinbone, just below the knee. This bump is called the anterior ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Pain Tendinitis Fractures Tendon tearsELBOWArthritis Bursitis Dislocation or separation Ligament sprains or tears Loose or foreign bodies Pain Tennis or golfers elbow (epicondylitis or tendinitis) TennisTennis elbow is soreness or pain on the outside (lateral) side of the upper arm near the elbow.Read Article Now Book Mark Article GolfersMedial epicondylitis is soreness or pain on the inside of the lower arm near the elbow. It is commonly called golfer's elbow.Read Article Now Book Mark Article EpicondylitisTennis elbow is soreness or pain on the outside (lateral) side of the upper arm near the elbow.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Elbow stiffness or contractures Fractures SPINEHerniated (slipped) disk Herniated (slipped) diskA herniated (slipped) disk occurs when all or part of a disk is forced through a weakened part of the disk. This may place pressure on nearby nerves...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Infection of the spine Injury to the spine Scoliosis ScoliosisScoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Your spine is your backbone. It runs straight down your back. Everyone's spine naturally curves a b...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal stenosis Spinal stenosisSpinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal column that causes pressure on the spinal cord, or narrowing of the openings (called neural foramina) wher...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal tumor Fractures Spinal cord injuries Spinal cord injuriesSpinal cord trauma is damage to the spinal cord. It may result from direct injury to the cord itself or indirectly from disease of the nearby bones,...Read Article Now Book Mark Article ArthritisSERVICES AND TREATMENTSImaging procedures can help diagnose or even treat many orthopedic conditions. Your health care provider may order:X-rays Bone scans Computed tomography (CT) scan Computed tomography (CT) scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Arthrogram (joint x-ray) Arthrogram (joint x-ray)This test is an x-ray of a knee, shoulder, hip, wrist, ankle, or other joint.Read Article Now Book Mark Article DiscographySometimes, treatment involves injections of medicine into the painful area. This may involve corticosteroid or other types of injections into joints, tendons, and ligaments, and around the spine.Surgical procedures used in the treatment of orthopedics include:Amputation AmputationLeg or foot amputation is the removal of a leg, foot or toes from the body. These body parts are called extremities. Amputations are done either by...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Arthroscopic surgeries ArthroscopicHip arthroscopy is surgery that is done by making small cuts around your hip and looking inside using a tiny camera. Other medical instruments may a...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bunionectomy and hammer toe repair Cartilage repair or resurfacing procedures Cartilage surgery to knee Fracture care Joint fusion Arthroplasty or joint replacements ArthroplastyShoulder replacement is surgery to replace the bones of the shoulder joint with artificial joint parts.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Ligament reconstructions Repair of torn ligaments and tendons Spine surgery, including diskectomy, foraminotomy, laminectomy, and spinal fusion Newer orthopedic services procedures include:Minimally invasive surgery Advanced external fixation Use of bone graft substitutes and bone-fusing protein WHO IS INVOLVEDOrthopedic care often involves a team approach. Your team may include a doctor, a non-doctor specialist as well as others. Non-doctor specialists are professionals such as a physical therapist.Orthopedic surgeons receive 5 or more extra years of training after medical school. They specialize in the care of disorders of the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They are trained to manage joint problems with both operative and non-operative techniques. Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors have 4 or more extra years of training after medical school. They specialize in this type of care. They are also referred to as physiatrists. They do not perform surgery, although they can give joint injections. Sports medicine physicians are doctors with experience in sports medicine. They have a primary specialty in family practice, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, or physical medicine and rehabilitation. Most have 1 to 2 years of additional training in sports medicine through subspecialty programs in sports medicine. Sports medicine is a special branch of orthopedics. They do not perform surgery, although they can give joint injections. They provide complete medical care to active people of all ages.Other physicians that may be a part of the orthopedics team include:Neurologists Pain specialists Primary care doctors Psychiatrists Sports medicine specialistsOther health professionals that may be a part of the orthopedics team include:Athletic trainers Chiropractors Counselors Nurse practitioners Physical therapists Physician assistants Psychologists Social workers Vocational workers Open ReferencesReferencesBall JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW. Musculoskeletal system. In: Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW, eds. Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination. 10th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2023:chap 22.McGee S. Examination of the musculoskeletal system. In: McGee S, ed. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 57.Naples RM, Ufberg JW. Management of common dislocations. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 49.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Review Date: 6/8/2022 Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Orthopedic servicesOrthopedics, or orthopedic services, aim at the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. This includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Information There can be many medical problems that can affect the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.Bone problems may include:Bone deformities Bone infections Bone tumors Fractures Need for amputation Nonunions: failure of fractures to heal Malunions: fractures healing in a wrong position Spinal deformities Joint problems may include:Arthritis ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bursitis BursitisBursitis is the swelling and irritation of a bursa. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between muscles, tendons, and bones....Read Article Now Book Mark Article Dislocation Joint pain Joint painJoint pain can affect one or more joints.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Joint swelling or inflammation Ligament and tendon tears Common orthopedic-related diagnoses based on body part include:ANKLE AND FOOTBunions BunionsA bunion forms when your big toe points outward toward your second toe. This causes a bump to appear on the inside edge of your toe.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Fasciitis of the sole of the foot called plantar fascitis FasciitisThe plantar fascia is the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot. It connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot. When this...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Foot and ankle deformities Fractures Hammer toe Heel pain Heel spurs Joint pain and arthritis Sprains Tarsal tunnel syndrome Tarsal tunnel syndromeTarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the tibial nerve is being compressed. This is the nerve in the ankle that allows feeling and movement...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Sesamoiditis Tendon or ligament injuryHAND AND WRISTFractures Joint pain Arthritis Tendon or ligament injury Carpal tunnel syndrome Carpal tunnel syndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which there is excessive pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. This is the nerve that allows feeling a...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Ganglion cyst Tendinitis TendinitisTendons are the fibrous structures that join muscles to bones. When these tendons become swollen or inflamed, it is called tendinitis. In many case...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Tendon tears Infection SHOULDERArthritis Bursitis Dislocation Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) Adhesive capsulitisFrozen shoulder is a condition in which the shoulder is painful and loses motion because of inflammation.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Impingement syndrome Loose or foreign bodies Rotator cuff tear Rotator cuff tendinitis Rotator cuff tendinitisThe rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that attach to the bones of the shoulder joint, allowing the shoulder to move and keep it stable. ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Separation Torn labrum SLAP tears Fractures KNEECartilage and meniscus injuries Dislocation of the kneecap (patella) Ligament sprains or tears (anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, medial collateral, and lateral collateral ligament tears) Meniscus injuries Loose or foreign bodies Osgood-Schlatter disease Osgood-Schlatter diseaseOsgood-Schlatter disease is a painful swelling of the bump on the upper part of the shinbone, just below the knee. This bump is called the anterior ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Pain Tendinitis Fractures Tendon tearsELBOWArthritis Bursitis Dislocation or separation Ligament sprains or tears Loose or foreign bodies Pain Tennis or golfers elbow (epicondylitis or tendinitis) TennisTennis elbow is soreness or pain on the outside (lateral) side of the upper arm near the elbow.Read Article Now Book Mark Article GolfersMedial epicondylitis is soreness or pain on the inside of the lower arm near the elbow. It is commonly called golfer's elbow.Read Article Now Book Mark Article EpicondylitisTennis elbow is soreness or pain on the outside (lateral) side of the upper arm near the elbow.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Elbow stiffness or contractures Fractures SPINEHerniated (slipped) disk Herniated (slipped) diskA herniated (slipped) disk occurs when all or part of a disk is forced through a weakened part of the disk. This may place pressure on nearby nerves...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Infection of the spine Injury to the spine Scoliosis ScoliosisScoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Your spine is your backbone. It runs straight down your back. Everyone's spine naturally curves a b...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal stenosis Spinal stenosisSpinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal column that causes pressure on the spinal cord, or narrowing of the openings (called neural foramina) wher...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal tumor Fractures Spinal cord injuries Spinal cord injuriesSpinal cord trauma is damage to the spinal cord. It may result from direct injury to the cord itself or indirectly from disease of the nearby bones,...Read Article Now Book Mark Article ArthritisSERVICES AND TREATMENTSImaging procedures can help diagnose or even treat many orthopedic conditions. Your health care provider may order:X-rays Bone scans Computed tomography (CT) scan Computed tomography (CT) scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Arthrogram (joint x-ray) Arthrogram (joint x-ray)This test is an x-ray of a knee, shoulder, hip, wrist, ankle, or other joint.Read Article Now Book Mark Article DiscographySometimes, treatment involves injections of medicine into the painful area. This may involve corticosteroid or other types of injections into joints, tendons, and ligaments, and around the spine.Surgical procedures used in the treatment of orthopedics include:Amputation AmputationLeg or foot amputation is the removal of a leg, foot or toes from the body. These body parts are called extremities. Amputations are done either by...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Arthroscopic surgeries ArthroscopicHip arthroscopy is surgery that is done by making small cuts around your hip and looking inside using a tiny camera. Other medical instruments may a...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bunionectomy and hammer toe repair Cartilage repair or resurfacing procedures Cartilage surgery to knee Fracture care Joint fusion Arthroplasty or joint replacements ArthroplastyShoulder replacement is surgery to replace the bones of the shoulder joint with artificial joint parts.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Ligament reconstructions Repair of torn ligaments and tendons Spine surgery, including diskectomy, foraminotomy, laminectomy, and spinal fusion Newer orthopedic services procedures include:Minimally invasive surgery Advanced external fixation Use of bone graft substitutes and bone-fusing protein WHO IS INVOLVEDOrthopedic care often involves a team approach. Your team may include a doctor, a non-doctor specialist as well as others. Non-doctor specialists are professionals such as a physical therapist.Orthopedic surgeons receive 5 or more extra years of training after medical school. They specialize in the care of disorders of the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They are trained to manage joint problems with both operative and non-operative techniques. Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors have 4 or more extra years of training after medical school. They specialize in this type of care. They are also referred to as physiatrists. They do not perform surgery, although they can give joint injections. Sports medicine physicians are doctors with experience in sports medicine. They have a primary specialty in family practice, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, or physical medicine and rehabilitation. Most have 1 to 2 years of additional training in sports medicine through subspecialty programs in sports medicine. Sports medicine is a special branch of orthopedics. They do not perform surgery, although they can give joint injections. They provide complete medical care to active people of all ages.Other physicians that may be a part of the orthopedics team include:Neurologists Pain specialists Primary care doctors Psychiatrists Sports medicine specialistsOther health professionals that may be a part of the orthopedics team include:Athletic trainers Chiropractors Counselors Nurse practitioners Physical therapists Physician assistants Psychologists Social workers Vocational workers Open ReferencesReferencesBall JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW. Musculoskeletal system. In: Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW, eds. Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination. 10th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2023:chap 22.McGee S. Examination of the musculoskeletal system. In: McGee S, ed. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 57.Naples RM, Ufberg JW. Management of common dislocations. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 49.