Break a bone? Tear a tendon? Have pain from arthritis or an injury to your joints or spine? An orthopedic physician can help. These providers treat people with issues involving their bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. Training typically includes five years of residency, as well as one or more years of advanced training in a specialty.

What they treat

These are some problems and areas of body that an ortho can treat.

Hands and wrists: They can treat carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, infections, and nerve and tendon injuries.

Elbows: Orthopedic physicians can address elbow problems such as biceps tears, dislocations and fractures, and tennis or golf elbow.

Spine: They offer both surgical and nonsurgical treatments for degenerative disk disease, spine fractures, herniated disks, infections, tumors and nerve problems.

Hips, knees and shoulders: Orthopedic physicians treat issues in these areas, including joint replacements.

Sports-related injuries: They can provide nonoperative treatment—for pros and amateurs alike—for the 90% of sports injuries that don’t require surgery.

When to see an orthopedic physician

If you break a bone or have intense pain, visit the emergency department. For ongoing, nonemergency symptoms, your primary care provider may recommend that you see an orthopedic physician.

Your Orthopedic physician will likely try nonsurgical approaches first, like pain medication and rehabilitation. If these don’t work, they have the expertise to perform surgery to repair an injury or correct a condition.

Make an appointment

To make an appointment with one of our orthopedic physicians, click HERE.