What is orthopedic care?

Orthopedic care focuses on injuries and conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system — your bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and other tissues that help your body move. Orthopedic specialists diagnose and treat problems ranging from sports injuries and arthritis to fractures, spine conditions and foot and ankle problems.

What does an orthopedic doctor treat?

Orthopedic and sports medicine specialists can help relieve pain and improve movement whether you have an acute injury, such as a torn knee ligament or rotator cuff, or a joint damaged by arthritis.

Orthopedic doctors do more than treat broken bones and replace damaged joints. They also diagnose and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and can help you prevent future injuries.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, musculoskeletal pain is the No. 1 reason people visit their doctors. Orthopedic and sports medicine doctors treat numerous conditions, including: 

• Concussions
• Neck pain
• Broken collarbones
• Dislocated shoulders
• Torn or injured rotator cuffs
• Tennis or golfer’s elbow
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Back pain caused by spinal stenosis, scoliosis, herniated disks and other conditions
• Hip fractures, hip dysplasia and arthritis that may require joint replacement
• Limb-length differences that may require lengthening procedures
• Knee injuries, including meniscus, ACL and MCL tears and kneecap dislocations
• Achilles tendon injuries

Some orthopedic doctors treat a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions, while others specialize in specific areas of the body, such as the hip, knee, foot and ankle, shoulder, wrist, hand or spine. 

When should I see an orthopedic specialist?

Orthopedic specialists care for people of all ages and activity levels. One doctor might treat a high school soccer player with a torn ACL, while another specializes in hip and knee replacements or spine conditions.

Some musculoskeletal injuries are obvious. You might break your arm in a fall or sprain your ankle stepping off a curb. Depending on the severity, you may go to urgent care or the emergency room and then be referred to an orthopedic specialist.

Other problems can develop gradually. Consider talking with your doctor if you have symptoms such as:

• Persistent bone, joint or muscle pain
• Pain or swelling that doesn’t improve with rest, ice or over-the-counter medication
• Limited range of motion
• Numbness or tingling
• Difficulty with everyday movements, such as climbing stairs or reaching overhead
• A joint that feels unstable, catches or locks
• Symptoms that interfere with your usual activities 

Orthopedic and sports medicine specialist can diagnose the problem, talk with you about your goals and recommend a treatment plan based on your condition and overall health. Depending on your needs, treatment may include medication, injections, physical therapy or surgery.

How orthopedic and sports medicine treatment can help

When appropriate, orthopedic and sports medicine specialists at Sutter start with nonsurgical treatment options. Depending on your condition, these may include a brace or other support, physical therapy, medication or injections such as corticosteroids or platelet-rich plasma.

If surgery is recommended, an orthopedic surgeon may repair damaged tissue, stabilize an injury or replace a damaged joint. Your treatment plan will depend on your diagnosis, overall health and recovery goals.

The goal is to help relieve pain, restore function and get you back to the activities that matter to you.