Orthopedics - Overview of Medical Specialty and Available Careers in Orthopedics

Orthopedics is the medical specialty focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and repair of bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. This includes broken bones, torn ligaments, some spinal injuries, for example.

Orthopedics is primarily a surgical specialty, although there are a few physicians and medical professionals who practice non-surgical orthopedics such as sports medicine, or physical medicine.

Other than surgery, orthopedic surgeons may prescribe medications, physical therapy, or steroid injections to treat a variety of injuries or conditions such as arthritis of the joints, pulled muscles, and other orthopedic issues.

Some careers available in orthopedics and orthopedic surgery:

• Orthopedic Surgeon
• Sports Medicine Physician (A subspecialty of Family medicine)
• Orthopedic nurse
• Physical Therapist