What’s an orthopedic consultant’s role?

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An orthopedic consultant is a medical specialist who treats patients with problems with muscles, bones, joints and other related structures. He is an experienced physician and surgeon and is considered an expert in the field of orthopedics. Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that studies disorders associated with the musculoskeletal system. Conditions usually treated by an orthopedic specialist include arthritis, osteoporosis, bone tumors, and broken bones or fractures. As a specialist, he is often asked to confirm a diagnosis, give expert advice and provide second opinions concerning musculoskeletal disorders.

As an orthopedic consultant, he often diagnoses and treats patients with bone and muscle diseases, such as those caused by infections and degenerative diseases. He also performs surgeries that preserve and restore the form and function of the hands, legs, spine, and other structures from damage caused by injuries. Most often, an orthopedic consultant performs surgery on patients with musculoskeletal injuries acquired from sports accidents, vehicle accidents, and falls. Birth defects are also commonly repaired by an orthopedic specialist who specializes in children’s musculoskeletal problems.

A complete physical examination is usually performed by the orthopedic specialist. A patient is carefully observed standing and walking, as posture and gait abnormalities are often helpful in suggesting the diagnosis. A neurological examination is also sometimes done when a neuromuscular disorder is suspected. A series of X-rays of the bones and joints is often needed to clarify or confirm the diagnosis. The application of an arm or leg cast is also within the scope of an orthopedic consultant’s scope of practice.

An orthopedic consultant may also choose to undergo additional subspecialty training. Some of these subspecialties include pediatric orthopedics, which deals primarily with musculoskeletal disorders in children; surgical sports medicine, dealing mainly with trauma acquired in sports activities, mainly in athletes; and musculoskeletal oncology, which focuses on the treatment and care of patients with muscle and bone cancer. Other subspecialties may relate to a specific body part, such as hand surgery, shoulder and elbow surgery, or spine surgery.

The orthopedic consultant usually explains to the patient the nature of the illness or injury, the course of treatment, and what is expected of the patient during the treatment process. He may also refer the patient to other medical departments for rehabilitation and counseling. Regular follow-up visits are often important to monitor the patient through the recovery process.

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