A person who specializes in orthopedics is known as an orthopedist. Orthopedists use both surgical and nonsurgical approaches to treat a variety of musculoskeletal issues, such as sports injuries, joint pain, and back problems.

What do orthopedists treat?

Orthopedists treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions. These conditions may be present from birth, or they may occur as a result of injury or age-related wear and tear.

Below are some of the most common conditions that an orthopedist may treat:

• joint pain from arthritis
• bone fractures
• soft tissue (muscle, tendon, and ligament) injuries
• back pain
• neck pain
• shoulder pain and problems, such as bursitis
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• overuse and sports injuries, including tendinitis, meniscus tears, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
• congenital conditions, such as clubfoot and scoliosis

Treatment options

If a person’s orthopedist is not able to offer in-office treatment for a particular condition, they will discuss the various treatment options that are available for the condition.

For chronic musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain or arthritis, the orthopedist may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

• over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
• rehabilitation and physical therapy
• home exercise programs
• injections
• acupuncture
• mobility aids
• surgery, though this is a last resort