Orthopedics and Traumatology is a medical specialty that deals with the human skeletal system and muscles. The orthopedic specialists in this department also serve as orthopedic surgeons. This medical department is involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of various diseases related to bones, joints, and muscles.
What is Orthopedics and Traumatology?
Orthopedics and traumatology is a medical specialty. It focuses on injuries and diseases in the musculoskeletal system of the human body. Although an orthopedic doctor is a surgeon, they also plan treatments for non-surgical conditions. With advancing technological developments, the orthopedics and traumatology department is an important branch of medicine that operates to enhance the quality of life people may need in their daily lives. Patients often consult an orthopedic doctor due to pain, swelling, and deformities caused by damage to the joint, muscle, ligament, and other supporting skeletal structures. When treatment is required, the orthopedic specialist examines the patient’s condition and symptoms and may recommend surgical or non-surgical treatment options. Additionally, if surgery is needed based on the assessments, the orthopedic surgeon can perform it and manage the post-operative recovery process.
Which Diseases Do Orthopedics and Traumatology Treat?
Orthopedic specialists help treat various muscle, bone, or tissue injuries that occur in people. Accurate and effective treatment by an orthopedic specialist can help avoid issues caused by the following injuries:
- Fractures and dislocations: Bone fractures and joint dislocations resulting from traumatic events are frequently encountered by orthopedics and traumatology specialists.
- Joint diseases: Degenerative and autoimmune diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are associated with joint inflammation and damage, resulting from the wear and inflammation of joint cartilage.
- Spinal disorders: Conditions such as lumbar and cervical hernias, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, and vertebral fractures are among the encountered spinal issues.
- Muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries: Strains from sports, overuse, or trauma can cause injuries to muscles, tendons, menisci, and ligaments.
- Congenital Disorders: Congenital anomalies can affect joint and bone development, leading to long-term health issues.
- Sports injuries: Various injuries occurring during sports activities, especially joint, muscle, and tendon injuries, are frequently encountered conditions.
- Joint inflammations: Joint inflammations occur with damage and inflammation of joint cartilage.
- Bone tumors: Benign or malignant bone tumors refer to abnormal growths in bone tissue that may require treatment.
What Causes Orthopedic and Traumatology Diseases?
In cases of musculoskeletal pain such as joint pain, back or neck pain, or an injury restricting daily activities, it may be necessary to consult a specialist, associate professor, or professor doctor. Orthopedic specialists try to identify possible ailments by examining the patient. Some causes of orthopedic and traumatology diseases are:
- Trauma and accidents: Car accidents, sports injuries, falls, and collisions can cause conditions such as fractures, dislocations, and tendon injuries.
- Strain: Repetitive movements or excessive physical activities performed by athletes can cause such injuries.
- Genetic and congenital factors: Spinal disorders like scoliosis can be influenced by genetic factors, and congenital bone anomalies can affect bone development.
- Aging: Degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis can occur with age, causing joint inflammation or pain.
- Metabolic disorders: Metabolic disorders can cause bones to weaken or become fragile.
- Inflammatory diseases: Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis occur when the body mistakenly targets its tissues, severely affecting joint health.
What Are the Treatment Methods for Orthopedic and Traumatology?
Specialists, associate professors, or professors in the orthopedics and traumatology staff can alleviate the patient’s ailments with non-surgical treatments or surgical methods. Additionally, some orthopedic doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating children’s orthopedic conditions. Pediatric orthopedic doctors diagnose and treat developmental issues such as scoliosis in children, clubfoot, or hip dysplasia. Some treatment methods in orthopedics and traumatology may include:
- Medication: Medications can be used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, or strengthen bone tissue. Medication therapy is applied by orthopedics and traumatology specialists based on the patient’s specific condition and ailment.
- Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: Physical therapy and rehabilitation programs are used to strengthen muscles, increase joint mobility, correct posture, and improve balance.
- Joint injections: Steroid or hyaluronic acid injections into the joint can help reduce joint inflammation and pain.
- Cast applications: Casts can be used to stabilize and support the healing of fractures or dislocations.
- Surgical interventions: In some cases, surgical intervention may be required. Procedures such as fixation of fractures, placement of joint prostheses, tendon or ligament repairs, spinal surgery, and surgical removal of bone tumors may be applied.
- Minimally invasive surgery: Minimally invasive procedures such as arthroscopic surgery can be effective in treating joint injuries and specific joint problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orthopedic doctors diagnose and treat various health issues related to bones, joints, and muscles in patients. They evaluate patients’ conditions using methods such as physical examination, imaging studies, and patient history analysis. The goal of orthopedic doctors is to ensure patients’ mobility, quality of life, and functional recovery.
The most suitable doctor to consult for joint and leg pain is an orthopedics and traumatology specialist. Expert doctors in orthopedic polyclinics at public hospitals or adequately equipped private health facilities can intervene in joint and leg pain.
The appropriate specialty to consult for hip and leg pain is orthopedics and traumatology. Patients can start the treatment process by making an orthopedic appointment.
The most suitable doctor to visit for determining the causes of bone pain in the body is an orthopedics and traumatology doctor. These specialists conduct necessary examinations to identify the causes of bone pain and create appropriate treatment plans.
Orthopedics and traumatology specialists can also treat conditions such as rheumatism, which cause joint inflammation and pain. However, rheumatology specialists generally intervene in rheumatic ailments.
An orthopedist is also known as an orthopedic surgeon. This specialist is involved in treating pain and movement problems arising from musculoskeletal system issues in people.
Orthopedics and physical therapy are different but complementary medical fields. Orthopedics includes surgical interventions and treatments related to bones, joints, and muscles, while physical therapy uses exercises and rehabilitation programs to improve movement restrictions, relieve pain, and support functional recovery.
The orthopedics and traumatology department is a medical specialty dealing with injuries and diseases in the musculoskeletal system. It is important for individuals with skeletal or muscle disorder symptoms to make an appointment with the orthopedics and traumatology polyclinic to start treatment.
