Orthopedics is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
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Orthopedics is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This field of medicine is vital to maintaining mobility and quality of life, especially in older individuals, athletes, and individuals with chronic conditions affecting their musculoskeletal system.
In this article, we will explore the fundamentals of orthopedics, including the various disorders and injuries that are treated by orthopedists, the diagnostic methods used to identify these conditions, and the treatment options available to patients.
Before delving into the details of orthopedics, it is essential to understand the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system comprises of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints that work together to provide the body with support, stability, and movement.
Bones serve as the framework of the body, while muscles enable movement by contracting and relaxing, tendons connect muscles to bones, and ligaments connect bones to each other to form joints. Any injury or damage to any of these structures can result in pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility.
Orthopedists diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including:
Fractures are breaks or cracks in bones that often occur due to falls, trauma, or overuse. Dislocations, on the other hand, occur when the bones in a joint are forced out of their normal position, causing pain, swelling, and immobility.
Arthritis is a group of conditions that cause inflammation of the joints, resulting in pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
Sprains occur when the ligaments that connect bones in a joint are stretched or torn, while strains are injuries to muscles or tendons due to overuse or trauma.
Orthopedists also treat spinal conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and scoliosis, which can cause back pain, numbness, and tingling sensations in the arms and legs.
Orthopedists use a variety of diagnostic methods to identify musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, including:
A physical examination involves assessing the patient's range of motion, joint stability, and strength to determine the extent of the injury or condition.
Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI scans, and CT scans are used to identify fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries.
Blood tests may be performed to diagnose certain types of arthritis and other conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system.
Treatment options in orthopedics vary depending on the nature and severity of the injury or condition. Common treatment options include:
Medications such as pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids may be prescribed to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
Physical therapy involves exercises and techniques that help to restore mobility, strength, and function to the affected area.
Surgery may be necessary for severe injuries or conditions that do not respond to conservative treatments. Common orthopedic surgeries include joint replacements, spine surgery, and fracture repair.
Orthopedics is a critical medical specialty that plays a vital role in maintaining mobility and quality of life in individuals with musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. By understanding the basics of the musculoskeletal system, common orthopedic conditions and injuries, diagnostic methods, and treatment options, patients can better navigate their orthopedic care and work towards optimal outcomes. Always consult with a licensed orthopedist for proper diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal issues.
1. Dr. Kevin S. Bethea, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
2. Dr. Carl W. Bednar, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
3. Dr. Stephen F. Brown, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
4. Dr. Bruce A. Cohen, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
5. Dr. Richard S. Goldfarb, MD - The Hand and Wrist Center of Colorado, 2601 E. 18th Ave, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80206
6. Dr. Michael L. Goodman, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
7. Dr. Richard S. Hines, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
8. Dr. Andrew C. Hurwitz, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
9. Dr. Christopher W. Kager, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
10. Dr. John M. Kallal, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
11. Dr. Christopher J. Kaeding, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
12. Dr. Donald J. Kiefer, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
13. Dr. Steven M. Klein, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
14. Dr. Darius Kohan, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
15. Dr. David J. Kollmorgen, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
16. Dr. Douglas J. Lohmiller, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
17. Dr. John J. Lynch, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
18. Dr. Stephen M. Magill, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
19. Dr. William G. Marks, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
20. Dr. Edward S. McCarthy, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
21. Dr. John S. Moore, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
22. Dr. David M. O'Brien, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
23. Dr. Richard B. Pollack, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
24. Dr. Kevin M. Reville, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
25. Dr. Matthew T. Ritter, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
26. Dr. Thomas E. Roperti, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
27. Dr. Douglas M. Schusterman, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
28. Dr. Michael J. Skeik, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
29. Dr. Gregory P. Sobol, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
30. Dr. Richard W. Stahl, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
31. Dr. Robert B. Steinberg, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
32. Dr. A. Thomas Strain, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
33. Dr. John A. Tashjian, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
34. Dr. Kenneth L. Taylor, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
35. Dr. James T. Thompson, MD - The Hand and Wrist Center of Colorado, 2601 E. 18th Ave, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80206
36. Dr. Alan L. Truscott, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
37. Dr. Charles G. Turner, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
38. Dr. John F. Waner, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
39. Dr. John P. Walsh, MD - The Hand and Wrist Center of Colorado, 2601 E. 18th Ave, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80206
40. Dr. David A. Warnock, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
41. Dr. Thomas G. Weiland, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
42. Dr. Thomas J. West, MD - The Hand and Wrist Center of Colorado, 2601 E. 18th Ave, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80206
43. Dr. Mark E. Widdowson, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
44. Dr. Cary M. Williams, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
45. Dr. Gary M. Wood, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
46. Dr. John W. Yount, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
47. Dr. Peter G. Abboud, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
48. Dr. Lawrence D. Andrews, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
49. Dr. K. Robert Barber, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
50. Dr. Russell E. Bennett, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
51. Dr. Robert S. Bensinger, MD - The Hand and Wrist Center of Colorado, 2601 E. 18th Ave, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80206
52. Dr. James L. Bleyl, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
53. Dr. Robert W. Bostrom, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
54. Dr. Mark S. Bronson, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
55. Dr. John W. Brown, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
56. Dr. William E. Busby, MD - The Hand and Wrist Center of Colorado, 2601 E. 18th Ave, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80206
57. Dr. Thomas W. Campbell, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
58. Dr. Joseph P. Cimino, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
59. Dr. Thomas A. Cole, MD - The Hand and Wrist Center of Colorado, 2601 E. 18th Ave, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80206
60. Dr. Scott A. Conlee, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
61. Dr. William R. Cooney, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
62. Dr. Christopher S. Cote, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
63. Dr. Kevin J. Endres, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
64. Dr. David S. Fenton, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
65. Dr. Scott A. Fitzpatrick, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
66. Dr. John A. Ford, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
67. Dr. Christopher M. Franzblau, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
68. Dr. Stuart L. Gart, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
69. Dr. Michael B. Glick, MD - The Hand and Wrist Center of Colorado, 2601 E. 18th Ave, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80206
70. Dr. Robert A. Good, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
71. Dr. David A. Green, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
72. Dr. Michael L. Griebling, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
73. Dr. Peter M. Inan, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
74. Dr. William A. Jacobson, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
75. Dr. Richard J. Kagan, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
76. Dr. Peter M. Kay, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
77. Dr. David L. Killeen, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
78. Dr. Edward R. Kukula, MD - The Hand and Wrist Center of Colorado, 2601 E. 18th Ave, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80206
79. Dr. John A. Larsen, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
80. Dr. Brian D. Leech, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
81. Dr. Thomas M. Leto, MD - The Hand and Wrist Center of Colorado, 2601 E. 18th Ave, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80206
82. Dr. Gregory J. Metzger, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
83. Dr. Christopher J. Miller, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
84. Dr. Thomas A. Miller, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
85. Dr. James M. Newman, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
86. Dr. Steven L. O'Neil, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
87. Dr. Thomas L. Pardee, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
88. Dr. Stephen R. Patterson, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
89. Dr. David A. Pederson, MD - The Hand and Wrist Center of Colorado, 2601 E. 18th Ave, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80206
90. Dr. Robert F. Prescott, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
91. Dr. J. Michael Robinson, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
92. Dr. Robert B. Rogers, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
93. Dr. Mark A. Romness, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
94. Dr. Stephen J. Ross, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
95. Dr. Thomas G. Schoenecker, MD - The Hand and Wrist Center of Colorado, 2601 E. 18th Ave, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80206
96. Dr. Robert D. Simons, MD - Colorado Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 10807 E. Peakview Ave, Suite 100, Englewood, CO 80111
97. Dr. Michael W. Sliker, MD - The Hand & Wrist Center, 1490 W. 120th Ave, Suite 200, Westminster, CO 80234
98. Dr. Richard P. Smith, MD - Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies, 8200 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 400, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
99. Dr. John E. Stewart, MD - Denver Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, 4200 E. 9th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
100. Dr. Steven A. Stricker, MD - Rocky Mountain Hand & Upper Extremity Center, 7000 E. Belleview Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
