Orthopaedic Traumatology

What are the subspecialties of orthopaedic surgeons?

While some orthopaedic surgeons focus on treating a wide range of conditions, others choose to pecialize. Orthopedists with subspecialties have advanced training in specific diagnostic groups. The subspecialties of orthopaedics include:

• Foot and ankle surgery
• Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery
• Joint replacement and prosthetics
• Orthopaedic Oncology, including tumour and cancer care
• Orthopaedic Trauma
• Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery (Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery)
• Spine Surgery
• Sports Medicine

When Should You See an Orthopaedic Doctor?

Anyone experiencing symptoms related to a musculoskeletal disorder should see an orthopedist. These symptoms may include:

• Grinding, crunching, or popping sounds when moving the affected joint
• Inflammation and swelling
• Joint pain
• Numbness or tingling
• Limited movement due to pain
• Joint stiffness or rigidity

What Happens During the First Appointment with an Orthopaedic Doctor?

The first appointment with an orthopedist typically includes the following:

• Discussion about symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle
• Physical examination, which may include moving the affected joint in specific ways
• Imaging studies such as X-rays
• Explanation of the diagnosis
• Treatment recommendations

In some cases, additional imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI, may be needed for a more detailed view of the painful area. Therefore, a diagnosis or treatment plan may not always be possible during the first visit. Until a diagnosis is made, the orthopedist will suggest various treatments to alleviate symptoms.

Orthopaedic surgeons specialise in both surgical and non-surgical techniques. For some types of orthopaedic trauma or congenital conditions, the first step in treatment is often surgery.

For many other conditions, orthopedists initially try non-surgical treatments. Achieving lasting relief may take time. It is also common to try several types of non-surgical treatments simultaneously. If these options do not alleviate symptoms, surgery may be considered. The orthopedist will provide personalised advice, explaining the risks and benefits.

What Are the Subspecialties of Orthopaedic Surgeons?

While some orthopaedic surgeons focus on treating a wide range of conditions, others choose to specialize. Orthopaedists with subspecialties have advanced training in specific diagnostic groups. The subspecialties of orthopaedics include:

• Foot and ankle surgery
• Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery
• Joint replacement and prosthetics
• Orthopaedic Oncology, including tumour and cancer care
• Orthopaedic Trauma
• Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery (Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery)
• Spine Surgery
• Sports Medicine

When Should You See an Orthopaedic Doctor?

Anyone experiencing symptoms related to a musculoskeletal disorder should see an orthopedist. These symptoms may include:

• Grinding, crunching, or popping sounds when moving the affected joint
• Inflammation and swelling
• Joint pain
• Numbness or tingling
• Limited movement due to pain
• Joint stiffness or rigidity

What Happens During the First Appointment with an Orthopaedic Doctor?

The first appointment with an orthopaedist typically includes the following:

• Discussion about symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle
• Physical examination, which may include moving the affected joint in specific ways
• Imaging studies such as X-rays
• Explanation of the diagnosis
• Treatment recommendations

In some cases, additional imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI, may be needed for a more detailed view of the painful area. Therefore, a diagnosis or treatment plan may not always be possible during the first visit. Until a diagnosis is made, the orthopedist will suggest various treatments to alleviate symptoms.

Orthopaedic surgeons specialise in both surgical and non-surgical techniques. For some types of orthopaedic trauma or congenital conditions, the first step in treatment is often surgery.

For many other conditions, orthopaedists initially try non-surgical treatments. Achieving lasting relief may take time. It is also common to try several types of non-surgical treatments simultaneously. If these options do not alleviate symptoms, surgery may be considered. The orthopaedist will provide personalised advice, explaining the risks and benefits.

Sports Injury Procedures

Orthopaedic specialists perform the following sports injury procedures:

• Meniscus surgery
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair
• Rotator cuff tear repair
• Hip surgery for labral tears

Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery

Paediatric orthopaedic procedures include:

• Fracture repair of the hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, and surrounding areas in children
• Surgery for a congenital hip dislocation
• Correction of all foot deformities occurring after birth (e.g., clubfoot, metatarsus adductus)
• Limb lengthening surgeries for arms and legs
• Tumour surgery of the musculoskeletal system in children
• Deformity correction surgeries

What Non-Surgical Treatments Do Orthopaedic Specialists Offer?

Orthopaedists provide personalised care plans for patients that may include the following:

• Devices such as slings, casts, or splints: These keep bones or joints in a specific position to aid healing.
• Joint injections or viscosupplementation: These include cortisone or other steroid medications.
• Non-opioid medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen,.
• Physical therapy: to relax stiff muscles or increase muscle strength.
• Occupational therapy: To help perform daily tasks like dressing.
• Orthotics: special shoe inserts that support proper foot positioning.

What Types of Surgeries Do Orthopaedic Specialists Perform?

Orthopedists perform a wide range of procedures. The appropriate procedure depends on the diagnosis.

Arthroscopic Surgery (Minimally Invasive Joint Surgery)

Types of arthroscopic surgeries performed by orthopaedic specialists include:

• Elbow arthroscopy
• Foot and ankle arthroscopy
• Hand and wrist arthroscopy
• Hip arthroscopy
• Knee arthroscopy
• Shoulder arthroscopy

Foot and ankle surgeries

Foot and ankle procedures performed by orthopaedic specialists include:

• Achilles tendon repair
• Bunion correction surgery (Hallux Valgus)
• Hammer-toe surgery
• Plantar fasciitis surgery
• Total ankle replacement (ankle arthroplasty) or fusion
• Cartilage disease treatments
• Synovitis treatments
• Removal of foreign bodies
  
  

  Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeries

  Orthopedic specialists perform the following hand and upper extremity surgeries:

  • Dupuytren’s contracture surgery
  • Ganglion cyst removal
  • Rotator cuff surgery
  • Fracture repair of fingers, wrists, and elbows
  • Surgical treatment of tendon lacerations in fingers and wrists
  • Dislocation repairs of the elbow and fingers
  • Nerve decompressions in the wrist and elbow (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ulnar Nerve Entrapment)
  • Tendon release surgeries in the finger and wrist (Trigger Finger, De Quervain’s Disease)
  • Surgical treatment of cysts in the wrist and fingers

  Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty) and Reconstruction Surgeries

  Orthopaedic specialists perform the following joint replacement and reconstruction surgeries:

  • Total hip replacement
  • Total and partial knee replacement
  • Total shoulder replacement
  • Elbow or wrist replacement
  • Total ankle replacement
  • Corrective bone surgeries of the knee and hip joints
  • Revision surgeries (hip, knee, shoulder, ankle)
  • Foot surgery
  • Prosthetic surgery for joint fractures
  • Surgery for hip and shoulder impingement syndromes

  Orthopaedic Trauma Treatments

  Orthopaedic specialists perform the following orthopaedic trauma treatments:

  • Dislocation repairs
  • Fracture fixation
  • Care for non-union, malunion, or bone infection (osteomyelitis) post-fracture
  • Reconstructive surgery for shattered bones or severely damaged joints

  Spine Surgeries

  Orthopaedic specialists perform the following spine surgeries:

  • Laminectomy
    
    
  • Spinal decompression
    
    
  • Spinal fusion: a procedure to stabilize the spine by fusing two or more vertebrae
    
    
  • Surgery for congenital spine deformities (congenital scoliosis, Sprengel deformity, hemivertebra)
    
    
  • Surgery for postnatal spine deformities (idiopathic scoliosis and kyphosis)
    
    
  • Ankylosing spondylitis and spinal infections
    
    
  • Spondylolisthesis (spinal slippage)
    
    
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back)
    
    
  • Cervical spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck)
    
    
  • Microscopic, endoscopic, minimally invasive surgery for herniated discs, neck herniation, and degenerative spine diseases
    
    
  • Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty for osteoporotic spine fractures
    
    
  • Pain management procedures in the lumbar region (selective root block, caudal root block, provocative discography, plasma collation)
    
    
  • Treatment of primary spinal tumours
    
    
  • Removal and functional restoration of sacroiliac tumours
    
    
  • Removal and functional restoration of Pancoast tumours
    
    
  • Removal and functional restoration of metastatic tumours