Orthopedic:
Modern surgery has developed to such an extent that the body of knowledge and technical skills required have led to surgeons specialising in particular areas, usually an anatomical area of the body or occasionally in a particular technique or type of patient.
There are ten surgical specialties and this briefing covers orthopaedic surgery.
What does orthopaedic surgery cover?
Orthopaedic surgery is a specialty dealing with acute injuries, congenital and acquired disorders and chronic arthritic or overuse conditions of the bones, joints and their associated soft tissues, including ligaments, nerves and muscles.
Most consultants work alongside general surgeons in emergency trauma dealing with bony and soft tissue injuries admitted through their local A & E Departments. The vast majority also have a specialist interest in a particular orthopaedic condition including the following:
- Joint reconstruction
- Particular anatomical region (eg arm)
- Spine (alongside neurosurgeons)
- Bone tumour surgery
- Rheumatoid surgery
- Sport surgery
- Complex trauma surgery
Paediatric orthopaedics require different fracture treatment due to growing bones and corrective treatment for childhood deformities.