An orthopedic surgeon is trained to diagnose and treat all types of injuries to the musculoskeletal system, including the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. After arriving at a specific diagnosis, An Orthopedist generally resorts to surgery when all other treatment methods have been exhausted or ruled out. Patients may require the care of an orthopedic surgeon for sports injuries, fractures, torn ligaments, sprains, work injuries, and more.
Some Orthopedic surgeons go on to do additional years of training in the specialty of Sports medicine. Orthopedic Sports Medicine physicians specializes in the complete health care of athletes. Orthopedic Surgeons specialize in the operative treatment of injuries although approximately 90% of all sports injuries are non-surgical.
Do Sports Medicine Physicians only treat competitive athletes?
No, Sports Medicine Physicians are ideally suited to provide comprehensive medical care for the non-athlete as well, and are excellent resources for the individual who wishes to become active or begin an exercise program. For the “weekend warrior” or “industrial athlete” who experiences an injury, the same expertise used for the competitive athlete can be applied to return the individual as quickly as possible to full function. (Source: AMSSM)
“I did everything I could to not go into orthopedic surgery,” laughed Matthew Wert. M.D., director of sports medicine at New York Methodist Hospital. “Yet here I am in the Guinness Book of World Records for performing surgery on the oldest person to have a hip fracture repair. My father is an orthopedic surgeon, and I grew up working in his offices; I wanted to grow in my own direction. But the more I studied medicine, the more I kept being drawn to the beauty of the musculoskeletal system. How the body moves, how form impacts function—it is beautiful to me.”
Common Conditions:
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Achilles tendon repair and surgery
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ACL tear
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Dislocated shoulder
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Elbow arthroscopy
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Hip labral and torn hip labrum repair
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Knee ligament repair
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Labral repair
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Meniscectomy
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Meniscus tear
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Patella stabilization
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Rotator cuff repair
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Rotator cuff tear
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Shin splints
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Shoulder arthroscopy
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Shoulder impingement
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Shoulder replacement surgery
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Sprained ankle
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Stress fractures
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Tennis elbow