What Is an Orthopedic Surgeon?

Orthopedics (also called orthopedic surgery) is the medical specialty that focuses on injuries and diseases of your body's musculoskeletal system. This complex system, which includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves, allows you to move, work, and be active.
Once devoted to the care of children with spine and limb deformities, orthopedists now care for patients of all ages, from newborns with clubfeet to young athletes requiring arthroscopic surgery to older people with arthritis. And anybody can break a bone at any age.

What Does an Orthopedic Surgeon Do?

Orthopedic surgeons treat problems of the musculoskeletal system. 

This involves:

Diagnosis of your injury or disorder
Treatment with medication, injections, casting, bracing, surgery, or other options
Rehabilitation by recommending exercises or physical therapy to restore movement, strength, and function
Prevention with information and treatment plans to prevent injury or slow the progression of disease

Orthopedic Subspecialties

While orthopedic surgeons are familiar with all aspects of the musculoskeletal system, many orthopedists specialize in certain areas, such as:
Foot and ankle
Hand and wrist
Hip replacement and reconstruction
Knee replacement and reconstruction
Orthopedic oncology (bone tumors)
Orthopedic trauma
Pediatric orthopedic surgery
Shoulder and elbow
Spine
Sports medicine

Some orthopedic surgeons may specialize in multiple areas, and several different types of specialists may treat the same conditions. For instance, sports medicine surgeons, shoulder and elbow surgeons, and hand and wrist surgeons all perform surgery on the elbow.