Orthopedics, also referred to as orthopedic surgery, is a medical discipline focused on the care of the musculoskeletal system and its interconnected components, including:
Orthopedic specialists are typically divided into two categories: surgical and nonsurgical. Surgical specialists are known as orthopedic surgeons, while nonsurgical practitioners include physiatrists and specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Orthopedists often collaborate with a multidisciplinary treatment team, which may consist of:
Orthopedists address a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions, which may stem from congenital factors, injuries, or age-related degeneration. Some common conditions treated by orthopedists include:
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in addressing issues related to the musculoskeletal system, which includes: