What Does Orthopedic Mean?

Orthopedics is the diagnosis, treatment and management of injuries, illnesses and congenital disorders affecting the human musculoskeletal system, which consists of:

• Bones
• Ligaments
• Joints
• Tendons
• Muscles

What Does an Orthopedic Doctor Do?

If you get injured due to sports or other physical activities, consult our orthopedic doctors for proper diagnosis and treatment. Back pain, hip pain, arthritis and other musculoskeletal system conditions may worsen if neglected.

An orthopedic doctor in Fountain Valley, CA has gone through years of education and clinical training to diagnose, treat, manage and prevent musculoskeletal injuries, illnesses and conditions. An orthopedic doctor may further specialize in one or more of these areas:

• Arthroscopy and sports medicine
• Hand and upper extremity
• Joint replacement surgery
• Pediatric orthopedics
• Podiatry (foot and ankle)
• Trauma and spine surgery
• Tumor (musculoskeletal oncology)

An orthopedic doctor may ask you about the symptoms and other signs you experience. Make sure to disclose your medical and family history so your doctor can provide you with the necessary treatment. Based on your initial medical assessment, an orthopedic doctor may recommend further screenings to assess your condition, such as:

• Arthrogram (joint X-ray)
• Blood tests
• Bone scans
• CT scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
• Nerve conduction studies
• X-rays
• Ultrasounds

What Does an Orthopedic Doctor Treat?

Our orthopedic physicians are dedicated to diagnosing, treating, preventing and managing musculoskeletal conditions, such as:

• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Bone cancer
• Bone fractures
• Bone tumors
• Bursitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Knee pain
• Hip pain
• Ligament, tendon or muscle injuries
• Limb abnormalities
• Osteoporosis
• Shoulder pain
• Scoliosis
• Sports injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Tendonitis
• Wrist pain

What Is an Orthopedic Surgeon?

Orthopedic doctors are often referred to as orthopedic surgeons. An orthopedic surgeon is a bone and joint specialist who can perform surgical treatments for musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. As much as possible, orthopedic doctors will recommend nonsurgical approaches to treat your condition, such as:

• Braces, casts, boots or sleeves
• Complementary therapies
• Home exercise programs
• Ice or heat therapy
• Massage therapy
• Muscle relaxants
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Prescription medications
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Ointments
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
• Steroid injections

When nonsurgical approaches do not improve your pain or condition, your orthopedic doctor may recommend surgical treatment options for your case. Here are some of the treatments our orthopedic surgeons in Fountain Valley, CA may perform:

Artificial Disc Replacement

Sometimes, chronic low back pain may be caused by a damaged spinal disc, which is the cushioning between the series of small bones that make up the backbone. These discs provide shock absorption, maintain spine stability and give the backbone “pivot points” for movement.

However, certain types of pressure can strain or irritate the spinal discs, resulting in back pain that non-invasive treatments may not relieve. Through artificial disc replacement surgery, the surgeon will remove the problematic disc and replace it with an artificial disc, which may be made from any of these materials:

• Ceramics
• Cobalt-chrome alloys
• Polyethylene
• Polyurethane
• Stainless steels
• Titanium alloys

However, artificial disk replacement surgery may not suit anyone with low back pain. You must undergo a thorough diagnostic process to assess whether you are a suitable candidate for this orthopedic procedure.

Arthroscopic Surgery

Arthroscopy is an invasive procedure that allows orthopedic surgeons to inspect the interior of a problematic joint. The surgeon will make a small cut in the patient’s skin and insert small, specialized instruments with lighting and a camera. The captured video of the joint interior will be projected on a monitor, and the surgeon will plan treatments based on the joint’s condition.

Bone Grafting Surgery

In bone grafting surgery, a surgeon will take a bone from other parts of your body to transplant to the diseased or damaged bones.

Fracture Repair Surgery

A fracture (broken bone) may not heal correctly if not treated immediately. A surgeon performs fracture repair surgery to return a damaged bone into its correct anatomical position.

Joint Replacement Surgery

Joint replacement surgery is also known as arthroplasty and is commonly performed on the hip, shoulder and knee. The surgeon uses prostheses to reconstruct and replace damaged joints in this procedure.

Hip Replacement Surgery

With hip replacement surgery or hip arthroplasty, the orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged parts of the hip joint and replaces them with new artificial joints. These new transplants will simulate the function of a typical joint. Hip replacement surgery may be partial or total, depending on joint damage.