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As a patient, you have access to the best orthopedic surgeons in Orange County right in our office. Contact us today to see how we can help you to:
- Schedule a consultation
- Learn more about the orthopedic services that we provide
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Facts About Orthopedic Surgeon Education and Training
An orthopedic surgeon is a surgical physician that has received additional training in order to diagnose and perform the preoperative, operative and postoperative treatments needed to resolve diseases and injuries in a person’s musculoskeletal system. Most patients are referred to an orthopedic surgeon for specialty care. In order to become a qualified and board certified orthopedic surgeon and practice medicine in Orange County and the state of California, about 14 years of formal education are required. These years include four years of study in an accredited college or university with any major, followed by four years of study and then graduation from medical school. Upon graduating from medical school, the physician completes five years of focused studies in an orthopedic residency program at a teaching medical center. Most orthopedic surgeons take at least one additional year of specialty training so that they can focus on an area of expertise, such as orthopedics of the knee or shoulder. Most orthopedic surgeons complete the board certification process. In order to become bard certified, an orthopedic surgeon participates in a peer-review process and passes an oral and a written exam that demonstrates expertise in orthopedic surgery.
What Orthopedic Surgeons Do
Orthopedic problems account for 14 percent of all health care spending in the United States. An orthopedic surgeon performs the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of muscle and skeletal injuries, disorders, and diseases. The parts of the body that are treated by an orthopedic surgeon include the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and tendons. Many orthopedic doctors have an area of specialty such as working in trauma, reconstructive surgery, sports medicine. or pediatrics.
Your orthopedic surgeon may begin your treatment by using medications, exercise, physical therapy, and supportive therapies and devices. If your problem does not respond to other treatments, your orthopedic surgeon may perform surgery in order to correct the problem. The goal of orthopedic surgery is to restore full functioning and range of motion so that your body performs at the same level as it did before your injury or disorder occurred.
When you visit your orthopedic surgeon, you can expect to participate in a personal interview so that the doctor understands what the problem is and how it is impacting your life. The doctor will perform a physical examination and review your medical history. The surgeon may request that you have some diagnostic exams, such as blood tests, x-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI study. Once a diagnosis is made, the orthopedic surgeon will work with you to develop a treatment plan.
You will be a full participant in your orthopedic care. In most cases, the surgeon will begin with the most effective conservative treatment and have you come in for regular evaluations to see if your condition is improving. You may have more than one treatment at the same time. Orthopedic surgery might take place right away if you have a severe injury, or it may be put off until all other methods of treatment have been proven to be ineffective for your condition.
Conditions Treated by the Best Orthopedic Surgeons
At our office, the best orthopedic surgeons in Orange County are available to treat a variety of conditions. You may need to visit the orthopedic surgeon for conditions such as arthritis or osteoporosis, which are chronic conditions that affect your bone and joint health. Orthopedic surgeons also care for patients with dislocations, sprains, strains, and fractures. They care for patients who have tendon, ligament, or muscle damage from an accident or an injury. Non-cancerous tumors, bone misalignment, bunions, hammertoe, ruptured discs, and sciatica are also treated by orthopedic surgeons. People with congenital health conditions such as club foot, growth abnormalities, and cerebral palsy may also receive orthopedic treatment. If you have a work-related injury or were hurt in a car crash, you may need to see the orthopedic surgeon.
Areas of Specialty for Orthopedic Surgeons
There are many areas of specialty that the best orthopedic surgeons may focus on. Some of these areas of specialty include arthroscopy and joint replacement, which are focused around the body’s major joints such as the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle. Orthopedic surgeons may also focus on other body areas, such as the hand, spine, foot or ankle. Orthopedic surgeons who do not focus on a particular body part might instead specialize in a modality of care, such as pediatrics, rehabilitation, reconstructive surgery, sports medicine, or trauma. At our office, we see patients for all of these conditions and injuries.
Types of Surgeries Performed by an Orthopedic Surgeon
Your orthopedic surgeon in Irvine may decide that surgical care is the best option for your condition. Arthroscopy is a procedure that involves inserting a small camera to visualize problems within a joint. A fusion surgery focuses on using grafted bone tissue and metal rods or screws to heal a fracture into a single, solid piece of bone. A temporary internal fixation surgery involves placing bones in the proper position with plates, pins or screws so that the bone can heal. Joint replacement is a common type of orthopedic surgery and involves replacing an arthritic joint with a prosthesis.
If you do need surgery, your doctor will explain exactly what you can expect from the procedure itself and from recovery afterward. It is very important to follow the instructions provided by your doctor leading up to and following your surgery. These steps are provided to help you minimize complications and promote the best possible results.
To schedule an appointment with one of the best orthopedic surgeons in Orange County, contact our office today. You can also feel free to ask us any questions you might have about our treatment options.