What is an Orthopedic Surgeon?

An orthopedic surgeon is a doctor who specializes in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of diseases, disorders, and injuries (including fractures) of the skeletal system: spine, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and peripheral nerves. These conditions include: Soft tissure injuries and diseases Sports injuries and arthroscopic surgery Degenerative joint disease and joint replacement Open and closed treatment of broken bones Torn knee ligaments and cartilage Hand surgery including carpal tunnel syndrome Ruptured disc Arthritic changes causing compresssion of the nerve root and spinal cord Orthopedic surgeons are physicians and have, therefore, graduated from a four-year college program, followed by a four-year medical school program. After earning and being awarded a Doctor of Medicine degree, they then go on to postgraduate medical training in intership and residency programs for five years. Fellowships are usually an additional year of subspecialty training. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons AAOS is the professional society for orthopedic surgeons. American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine AOSSM is a national organization of orthopaedic surgeons specializing in sports medicine to improve the identification, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries