Specialized Area Of Orthopedic Care example essay topic

Overview of Orthopedics / The Orthopedic Team What is orthopedics? The word orthopedic comes from two Greek words: . or tho meaning straight. pe dia meaning children Orthopedics is the branch of medicine concerned with diseases, injuries, and conditions of the musculo skeletal system - relating to the body's muscles and skeleton, and including the joints, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. The proper title of this medical specialty is orthopedic surgery, although orthopedics is a generally accepted term. Who treats orthopedic conditions? Orthopedic conditions may be treated by your physician and / or other medical specialists and healthcare providers. Several physicians from different medical specialties may be involved in the treatment at the same time.

This multidisciplinary team approach is particularly important in managing the symptoms of an orthopedic condition, especially as many symptoms are chronic and change in severity over time. Some of the more common medical professionals involved in the treatment of orthopedic conditions may include the following: . Primary Care Physician primary care physician is one who has specialized education and training in general internal medicine, family practice, or another first-level-of-care area. Primary care physicians are those who provide patients with any / all of the following: o routine health care (including annual physical examinations and immunizations) o treatment for acute medical conditions o initial care for conditions that may become more serious or chronic in nature While your primary care physician may treat and / or diagnose your disease, he / she may refer you to a specialist for more specialized treatment of certain aspects of a disease... Orthopedic Surgeon The physician who specializes in orthopedic surgery is called an orthopedic surgeon, or sometimes, simply, an orthopedist. Orthopedists are educated in the workings of the musculo skeletal system, which includes (but is not limited to) diagnosing a condition or disorder, identifying and treating an injury, providing rehabilitation to an affected area or function, and establishing prevention protocol to inhibit further damage to a diseased area or component of the musculo skeletal system.

The orthopedist may have completed up to 14 years of formal education. After becoming licensed to practice medicine, the orthopedic surgeon may become board-certified by passing both oral and written examinations given by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Many orthopedic surgeons choose to practice general orthopedics, while others specialize in certain areas of the body (i. e., foot, hand, shoulder, spine, hip, or knee), or in a specialized area of orthopedic care (i. e., sports medicine, trauma medicine). Some orthopedists may specialize in several areas and may collaborate with other specialists, such as neurosurgeons or, in caring for patients... Rheumatologist A is a physician who specializes in the treatment of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases that may affect joints, muscles, bones, skin, and other tissues. Most have a background in internal medicine or pediatrics and have received additional training in the field of.

Rheumatologists are specially trained to identify many types of rheumatic diseases in their earliest stages, including arthritis, many types of autoimmune diseases, musculo skeletal pain, disorders of the musculo skeletal system, and osteoporosis. In addition to four years of medical school and three years of specialized training in internal medicine or pediatrics, a has had an additional two or three years of specialized training in the field of. A may also be board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine... Physical Therapist Physical therapy is the health profession that focuses on the neuromuscular, musculo skeletal, and cardiopulmonary systems of the human body, as these systems relate to human motion and function. Physical therapists, or PTs, are very important members of the healthcare team. They evaluate and provide treatment for persons with health problems resulting from injury, disease, or overuse of muscles or tendons.

Physical therapists have an undergraduate degree in physical therapy, and many have a Master's degree. In order to practice, all graduates must be licensed by their state by passing a national certification examination. There are more than 90,000 physical therapists practicing in the US today in a variety of settings, including the following: . hospitals. rehabilitation centers. home health agencies. schools. sports facilities. community health centers. private practice As related to orthopedic conditions, physical therapists provide comprehensive training that includes, but is not limited to, the following: . functional mobility. balance and gait retraining. soft-tissue mobilization. body mechanics education. casting and splinting. wheelchair safety and management. neuromuscular re-education. exercise programming. family education and training. assistance with pain relief and management. instruction in safe ambulation. Occupational Therapist Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that uses 'occupation,' or purposeful activity, to help persons with physical, developmental, or emotional disabilities lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives.

An occupational therapist often coordinates the following in the care for the individual with a debilitating condition, such as an orthopedic condition: o evaluating children and adults with developmental, neuromuscular problems in order to plan treatment activities that will help them grow mentally, socially, and physically o assisting children and adults in learning how to carry out daily task so conducting group or individual treatment to help children and adults in a mental health center learn to cope with daily activities o recommending changes in layout and design of the home or school to allow children and adults with injuries or disabilities greater access and mobility Occupational therapists work in a variety of different settings, including the following: . hospitals. rehabilitation centers. schools. home care agencies. private practice. government agencies. Podiatrist A podiatrist specializes in foot care and is licensed to prescribe medication and perform surgery... Nurses Nurses specialized in the care of orthopedic conditions may assist your physician in providing care. In addition, these nurses will help you to understand your treatment plan and can answer many of your questions..