Orthopedics is a vast medical specialty with different subspecialties. But, many people do not know when they should contact an orthopedic surgeon. If you have joint aches or muscle pain in your legs, knees, or shoulders, you should consult a well-trained orthopedic doctor. You may suffer from musculoskeletal problems at any age. However, before appointing a top orthopedic specialist Melbourne, you should learn about their roles.
How does a qualified orthopedist treat you?
During the first consultation, the orthopedist in Melbourne will learn about your issues. They will diagnose the condition with a medical evaluation and physical test. Some diagnostic processes involve an image-guided invasive examination because they need to check the internal parts to determine musculoskeletal conditions. It enables your doctor to identify the cause of the symptom.
They will start treatment based on the diagnosis. The orthopedic specialist may prescribe steroid injections and medications or suggest physical therapy. In some cases, you need to undergo a traditional open surgery or minimally invasive surgical treatment.
Some common conditions that need orthopedic treatment are:
- Osteoporosis
- Bone tumors
- Nerve and spine disorders
- Sports injuries
- Ankle and foot injuries
- Ruptured discs
- Hand and wrist injuries
Types of orthopedic surgeries performed by orthopedists:
Orthopedic surgeons conduct various types of surgeries ranging from spinal fusions to amputation. These surgeries include:
Arthroscopy – This process involves using special equipment and cameras to visualise and treat problems inside your joints.
Joint replacement – Also known as prosthesis, it is the removal and replacement of weak joints with artificial ones.
Fusion – The surgeon fuses the bones into a solid bone.
Soft tissue repair – Mend the soft tissues like ligaments and tendons.
Osteotomy – Correct deformity of bones by repositioning them.
So, you can contact an orthopedic specialist in Melbourne to know whether your condition needs surgery.
Not every disorder needs surgical treatments. Some non-operative remedies are physical therapy, ortho biologics, bracing cryotherapy, and injections.
Other orthopedic specialists and their responsibilities:
Depending on subspecialties, orthopedic doctors can be categorised in different ways.
Hand specialists – These professionals treat hand and wrist tissues with drugs, physical therapy, and injections. Hand surgeons can treat conditions like arthritis, ganglion cysts, sprained fingers, and so on.
Spinal specialists – Some orthopedic spine surgeons conduct spine fusion for neck and back issues. If the vertebrae discs are damaged, you need this surgery. The surgical process joins the vertebrae to create a single bone mass.
Joint restoration specialists – You can look for different orthopedic specialists to treat bone degenerative conditions like arthritis. The treatment also rebuilds the ligaments of your knees and hip.
Sports medicine doctors – Orthopedic doctors have expertise in treating sports-related injuries. These surgeons also provide different surgical treatments ranging from meniscus and arthroscopic surgeries to cartilage repair.
Depending on your problem, you can choose an orthopedic surgeon in Melbourne. In some cases, medications and therapies provide the solution. So, you should consult the best specialist in orthopedics and get the desired treatment. With proper surgical or non-surgical treatments, you can restore your bones and muscles.