Orthopedic Surgery

The physicians who specialize in treating injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system are called orthopaedic surgeons or orthopaedists.

Although orthopaedists may perform surgery to restore function lost as a result of injury or disease of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or skin, they are involved in all aspects of health care pertaining to the musculoskeletal system. They employ medical, physical and rehabilitative methods as well as surgical methods. Typically, as much as 50 percent of the orthopaedist's practice is devoted to non-surgical or medical management of injuries or disease and 50 percent to surgical management.