What is Orthopedics? Types of Procedures, and the Best Hospitals for Orthopedics

What is Orthopedics? Types of Procedures, and the Best Hospitals for Orthopedics

If you or a loved one are suffering from bone or joint pain, or a condition related to your bones and muscles, then you’re not alone. Musculoskeletal diseases affect more than one out of every two persons in the United States age 18 and over, and nearly three out of every four age 65 and over. (Bone and Joint Initiative)

What is Orthopedics?

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that deals with the correction and prevention of conditions related to the musculoskeletal system, which includes deformities, disorders or injuries of the muscles and bones, as well as joints, ligaments and tendons. Common orthopedic conditions can be present from birth, while other conditions are simply a result from wear and tear, or an injury.  A doctor who specializes in orthopedics is known as an orthopedist, and there are a wide variety of conditions that they treat. These include: shoulder, neck and back pain; bone fractures; joint pain; carpal tunnel syndrome; sports injuries; and congenital conditions. 

While there are many non-surgical approaches to treatment, some conditions do require surgery. The most common of these orthopedic surgeries is listed below.

Common Orthopedic Surgeries

 
Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure where problems inside a joint are observed, diagnosed, and treated.  The orthopedic surgeon will make a small incision and use an arthroscope, a pencil sized camera, to see the interior of the joint, including the bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. With such a clear view, the doctor can see the extent of damage and determine a diagnosis. Furthermore, the doctor may repair the problem with small surgical tools.The most frequently examined joints are the knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip, and wrist. With advances in fiber optic technology, other joints may be treated on a more frequent basis.

 
Knee Replacement

Knee replacement surgery is for individuals with severe knee damage, and is performed to relieve pain and restore function to the joint.

In total knee replacement (also known as knee arthroplasty), the surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bone, and replaces them with a new, artificial joint called a prosthesis. The prosthesis is made of high-grade metal and plastic parts. In partial knee replacement, in which the damage of the joint is confined to one area, the surgeon only replaces that part of the knee joint.

 
Total Hip Replacement

Hip replacement surgery is for individuals with severe hip damage and is performed to relieve pain and restore function to the joint. The most common cause for this procedure is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic arthritis are the most common arthritis conditions.

In total hip replacement (also known as hip arthroplasty), the surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bone, and replaces them with a new, artificial joint called a prosthesis. The prosthesis is made of high-grade metal and plastic parts. 

 
Spinal Fusion

The spine is made up of a series of bones, called vertebrae. Spinal fusion is surgery to permanently join together two or more vertebrae so that there is no more movement between them. The vertebrae are fused together in a similar way that a broken bone heals. During spinal fusion, the surgeon places a bone graft in between the spaces of the vertebrae so that it heals as one bone. A bone graft is a transplant of bone tissue from another part of your body, from a donated bone, or from a synthetic substance.  Metal plates, screws and/or rods may be used to prohibit movement during the recovery and to allow the bones to heal together as one. 

 
The Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery in the US

Undergoing any surgical procedure is a serious decision and it’s critical to understand what the procedures involve, the health benefits and risks associated with the procedures, and what is required before, during and after treatment to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Be sure to eliminate as much risk as possible by starting your search with the hospitals that have earned the Women’s Choice Award, which indicates that they meet high industry standards, were assessed for their patient safety rating, and have above average patient recommendation ratings. (The full methodology can be found here.)

Below are featured hospitals that have earned the Women’s Choice Award while also taking steps to support the empowerment of women.

To view the full list of hospitals across the US, that have made the Women’s Choice Award, Best Hospitals for Orthopedics list, and to search by city, please visit https://womenschoiceaward.com/best-hospitals-orthopedics

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, FL

AdventHealth Zephyrhills
Zephyrhills, FL

Baylor Orthopedic and Spine Hospital at Arlington
Arlington, TX

Baylor Surgical Hospital at Fort Worth
Fort Worth, TX 

Carteret Healthcare
Morehead City, NC

Catawba Valley Medical Center
Hickory, NC

Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca
Ithaca, NY

Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services
Gibson City, IL

Inspira Medical Center Elmer
Elmer, NJ

Memorial Hospital
Gulfport, MS

Monongahela Valley Hospital
Monongahela, PA

Morristown Medical Center
Morristown, NJ

Peterson Regional Medical Center
Kerrville, TX

Saint Luke’s Hospital
Chesterfield, MO

Saint Tammany Health System
Covington, LA

St. John’s Health
Jackson, WY

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southlake 
Southlake, TX

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