Are you suffering from joint pain? Whether you’ve recently had an accident or had to put up with chronic pain for some time, you could benefit from seeing an orthopedic specialist. If you’re like many people, you’re probably wondering what an orthopedic surgeon is and how they can help you. There are many misconceptions circulating about this field of medicine. Below, we take a closer look at what orthopedics involves and how you can benefit from consulting with a specialist.

Orthopedic Surgeons – The Basics

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that deals with the musculoskeletal system. This includes the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments as well as the muscles. It involves treating and managing conditions that affect parts of the body that are essential to movement in everyday life.

1. Types of Orthopedic Doctors

An orthopedic surgeon, also known as an orthopedic doctor, is a doctor specialized in orthopedics and qualified to perform operations. An orthopedic specialist is also a doctor specializing in orthopedics. However, unlike surgeons, specialists are only qualified to assess, diagnose and treat your ailments using non-invasive treatment methods.

2. Should You See a Surgeon or a Specialist?

You may start off by seeing a specialist to get a diagnosis of your condition. If your condition can be treated effectively without surgery, then you may not need to see a surgeon. Specialists may refer you to surgeons if surgical treatment is deemed necessary.

3. The Role of Primary Care Providers

Primary care providers (or PCPs) are often the starting point for patients seeking solutions to their healthcare concerns. These healthcare providers refer patients requiring more specialized care to specialists for proper diagnosis and effective treatment.

4. Should You See a Sub-Specialist?

A sub-specialist is a doctor that specializes in a particular area of orthopedics. For example, you may want to see an orthopedic knee surgeon when you have suffered a knee injury. Sub-specialists have a wealth of knowledge and experience in their particular area of specialization. This is beneficial when navigating high risk or complex cases. They are often involved in research and will have the knowledge and skills when implementing new and better treatments.

5. Choose a Specialist with Robust Resources

If you’re searching for a specialist, it is important to choose one that has access to a variety of resources. They should have access to adequate resources and provide you with various options for diagnosis, rehabilitation, treatment, pain management and more.

6. Seek a Highly Qualified Specialist

Be sure to check the specialist’s qualifications. They should not only have the required degrees and board-certified training but also have undergone medical training for a year or more at an accredited institution. Ask questions such as where they went for their fellowship training. Search for their online profile and check their training and experience.

7. You don’t have to live with joint or one pain

Whether you’ve suffered a traumatic injury or have a degenerative condition, you don’t have to live with the pain. Dr. Chris Boone, M.D. is an orthopedic surgeon committed to providing patients with solutions to treat and manage joint and bone pain. Our clinic is at the forefront of orthopedics. We apply the latest and best techniques and treatments to ensure the best results for our patients. We’ll help you live a pain-free life.

Request an Appointment

Are you still wondering ‘what is an orthopedic surgeon?’ Are you wondering how you can benefit from orthopedics? Get in touch with us and schedule an appointment with Dr. Chris Boone, MD. Have your condition assessed and get an accurate diagnosis. We will help you on your road to recovery.