If you need heart surgery, you go to a heart surgeon. If you need brain surgery, you go to a brain surgeon. But what if you need surgery on your bones or the tissues that make your bones move? What type of surgeon do you need for that? An orthopedic surgeon, that’s who.
Orthopedic surgeons diagnose, treat, and prevent musculoskeletal system injuries, diseases, and conditions. And the musculoskeletal system includes bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, tendons, and connective tissue in the body.
Because the musculoskeletal system is vast, many orthopedic surgeons have areas of specialty. Two of these areas are the foot/ankle and spine. When choosing an orthopedic surgeon for your musculoskeletal issue, you should make sure he or she specializes in the type of surgery you need.
There are hundreds of types of musculoskeletal surgical procedures that orthopedic surgeons perform to restore function and reduce pain to patients.
The Most Common Types of Musculoskeletal Surgical Procedures
- Fusion – Fusion uses bone grafts and surgical connecting devices like rods and screws to weld bones together. This process helps heal the bones into a single solid bone. Fusion can be used to treat a variety of issues in places such as the spine and foot or ankle.
- Internal Fixation – After a bone is broken, it takes time for it to heal itself. While it is healing, it’s essential the bone sits in the correct position for proper healing. Internal fixation holds broken bones in the proper position with metal plates, pins or screws so the bone can heal properly.
- Joint Replacement and Arthroscopy – A joint replacement is a procedure that involves removing and replacing an arthritic or damaged joint with an artificial prosthesis. When a joint is damaged beyond repair, total joint replacement may be used to treat the issue. An arthroscopy involves making small incisions and inserting a small camera inside the body so the orthopedic surgeon can diagnose and treat the problem. Arthroscopic procedures tend to be preferred over more traditional, open surgeries because they involve less pain, fewer complications, and a reduced recovery period.
- Osteotomy – Sometimes bones do not grow in the proper way and need to be corrected. Sometimes, injuries cause bones to be out of alignment. In order to correct these issues, an osteotomy, which involves cutting and repositioning the bone, is performed to correct the bone deformity or misalignment.
- Soft Tissue Repair – Orthopedic surgeons also perform a wide variety of soft tissue repair surgeries. This involves the mending of soft tissue, such as torn tendons or ligaments in the body.
Musculoskeletal health is an essential part of your overall health a
nd well-being. If you suffer from a musculoskeletal issue that may require surgery, it’s important to see an experienced and reputable orthopedic surgeon. Movement Orthopedics specializes in a variety of orthopedic surgeries for issues such as fractured or broken bones, sports medicine, arthritis, and more. Call (586) 436-3785 today to make an appointment.
