Orthopaedic services are a branch of medicine concerned with treating injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Surgeons in this field use both surgical and nonsurgical methods to treat injuries and degenerative and congenital diseases of the bones and joints. Some of the conditions that orthopedic surgeons treat include fractures, sports injuries, and degenerative diseases of the spine.
Treatment options
Orthopedic services provide care for a wide variety of conditions that affect the bones and muscles. Orthopedists can help you manage the treatment of the injury or condition and coordinate the care of other doctors who specialize in this field. If you have insurance, you can use the online database of physicians to find an orthopedist near you. It is important to look for one who is part of the network of your insurance provider.
Patients suffering from a variety of orthopedic conditions can get pain relief through physical therapy. These therapies include strengthening and range-of-motion exercises that can help to reduce pain and speed up the healing process. Moreover, patients who experience joint pain can get steroid injections or anesthetics, which provide temporary relief from the pain. However, joint pain specialists rarely recommend these as a single treatment and usually combine them with physical therapy to provide long-term relief from symptoms.
Cost
The GIRFT project aims to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of orthopaedic services in England. The project will assess the impact of changes to orthopaedic services and will identify lessons to inform future improvement work. It will also explore the views of patients and the public regarding planned changes.
The Dr Navi Bali study will include patients who have undergone orthopaedic care. Patients will be recruited through patient representative groups, including the British Orthopaedic Association’s Patient Liaison Group and groups within NIHR CLAHRC North Thames provider organizations in North Central and East London, Bedfordshire and Essex. In addition, hospital-based patient involvement groups and health watch organizations will be contacted to recruit participants.
Waiting times
Waiting times for orthopaedic treatment are getting worse for some patients, but there are ways to reduce them. A new initiative, ACT, has been launched by Children’s Health Ireland, which will reduce waiting times for children and young adults seeking orthopaedic treatment. The scheme will allow doctors to screen referrals to make sure that only those with a clear clinical need are booked for an appointment.
Patients who are waiting for orthopaedic treatment can speak to their GPs to find out what options they have. They can also contact the orthopaedic unit to discuss the situation and arrange for further assessments.
Conditions treated by orthopaedic surgeons
Orthopaedic surgeons treat conditions involving the bones, joints and soft tissues of the body. These surgeons treat a variety of ailments, including sports injuries, age-related bone damage, and osteoarthritis, which can be hereditary or the result of a trauma. They can repair damaged joints or implant artificial devices for hip or knee replacement. They can also treat problems with the spine.
In addition to treating fractures, broken bones, and other injuries, orthopedic surgeons also treat injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. A key factor in a patient’s recovery is timely and thorough care. These specialists work closely with other medical professionals, including physiotherapists, to ensure the best possible outcome.