Orthopedics and Joint Replacement

Orthopedics is the domain of medical science that deals with correction of conditions arising in the musculoskeletal system. An orthopedic specialist employs both surgical and nonsurgical means towards the same. These can include diagnosis of injury/disorder and treatment with exercise, medication, surgery, implants, and rehabilitation etc.

The areas of concern include

• Spine and other joint diseases
• Sports/ exercise injuries
• Infections
• Degenerative diseases

• Musculoskeletal trauma
• Tumors, and
• Congenital disorders

The most common procedures involved in the orthopedic domain include

Arthroplasty – The surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint.

• Knee replacement- Total or partial replacement of damaged knee tissue/bone or both
• Shoulder replacement- Total or partial replacement of damaged shoulder tissue/bone or both
• Hip replacement- Total or partial replacement of damaged hip tissue/bone or both
• Ankle replacement- Total or partial replacement of damaged ankle tissue/bone or both

Bone grafting – Transplanting bone tissue, to fix bones that are damaged by trauma, or illness. It also provides support for an implanted device,

Spinal fusion – Spinal fusion is most commonly performed to relieve the pain and pressure on the spinal cord that results when a disc (cartilage between two vertebrae) wears out

The role of an accurate diagnosis is very crucial in identification and treatment of the same, it includes –