4 Questions to Ask Your Orthopedic Doctor

Orthopedics refers to a branch of medicine that is focused on the diagnosis and treatment of issues related to the musculoskeletal system. An orthopedic doctor, or orthopedic surgeon, specializes in conditions and diseases that affect the nerves, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones in the body.

They not only diagnose and treat conditions that have affected the musculoskeletal system, but they also help with the rehabilitation of their patient’s following surgery or an injury to help them regain strength, flexibility, movement, and range of motion. Orthopedic doctors can work with their patients to help prevent injuries from happening or to help them manage pain from chronic conditions, such as arthritis.

Patients may be referred to an orthopedic doctor by their primary care physician either following an injury or if they have chronic pain that their doctor feels require specialized care.

Orthopedic doctors can keep their practice more generalized to treat any and all conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, or they may choose a speciality to further their focus on a specific area. Subspecialties that orthopedic doctors may choose to focus on include the hip and knee, spine, shoulder and elbow, ankle and foot, trauma surgery or sports medicine.

Orthopedic doctors can treat a wide variety of conditions that affect any part of the body’s musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system is the system of the body that is comprised of the muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves.

Some orthopedic doctors may choose to complete further specialization and focus on specific parts of the body such as the shoulder and elbow, spine, hip and knee, foot and ankle, sports medicine, or trauma surgery.

Within their practice, orthopedic doctors are able to diagnose and treat many different conditions such as muscle strains, bone fractures, arthritis, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, bone cancer, sprains, tendonitis, ACL tears, and limb abnormalities like bowlegs or club foot.

Orthopedic doctors can also work with their patients on rehabilitation following surgery or an injury. Additionally, they may work with their patients on preventative measures to prevent re-injury or an initial injury by helping with the patient’s strength, mobility, flexibility, and range of motion.

Mild pain happens, particularly in people who are active. However, when the pain becomes more intense, doesn’t respond to at-home treatment, decreases mobility, or won’t go away, it may be time to seek the expert opinion of an orthopedic doctor. As they specialize in the musculoskeletal system, they are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of pain caused by injury or a wide range of diseases and conditions.

The musculoskeletal system is made up of the bones, muscles, joints, nerves, tendons, and ligaments, with orthopedic doctors have received additional education and training following medical school, focused on this part of the body.

Depending on the orthopedic doctor, patients may be able to book directly with the doctor’s office for an appointment or they may require a referral from their primary care physician based on the doctor’s diagnosis of the area of concern.

For mild injuries and pain, your primary care physician can often provide a diagnosis and treatment, however, they are likely to refer you to a specialist for chronic pain, complex injuries, or any condition or disease that requires the advanced expertise of an orthopedic doctor.

Patients requiring the services of an orthopedic doctor in Maui, Wailuku, HI can reach out to NorthShore Orthopedics. We have a team of highly qualified orthopedic doctor who can diagnose and treat any diseases or conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, whether it’s a bone, joint, muscle, ligament, tendon or nerve, or any combination of these.

We specialize in issues impacting the spine, but also all other areas of the system to provide our patients with pain relief, post-surgery or injury rehabilitation, preventative care and where needed, surgery.

Reach out to our office to book an appointment or learn more about the services we can offer. We serve patients from Wailuku HI, Lahaina HI, Kahului HI, Kihei HI, Wailuku HI, Kula HI, Makawao HI, Paia HI, Wailea HI, Haiku HI and Waihee-Waiehu HI.