I was talking to a friend of mine not long ago, who happened to mention the need for some surgery. He had been to see his doctor, who had diagnosed the need for orthopaedic surgery. So what is orthopaedic surgery?

Othopedic, or otherwise known as othopaedic surgery focuses on skeletal problems and ligament/tendon attachments. It also deals with areas of the nervous system, particularly damage to the spinal area. Problems that are dealt with often occur at birth, or though an injury or simple aging.

Medical doctors trained to deal with such problems are called orthopedic surgeons or orthopedists (the terms are used interchangeably). Two Greek words are the origin for the term ‘othopedic’ ortho, meaning straight and pais, meaning child. Originally orthopedics dealt with bone deformities in children, using braces to straighten the child’s bones. With the improvement in modern surgical techniques, the roles of the othopedist also became more diverse. They now include surgery of the bones and related nerves and connective tissue.

Some orthopedists prefer to specialise in one area such as hand surgery or joint replacement or spinal problems. Others may like trauma medicine, and hang out in trauma centres in hospitals treating these kinds of injuries. The work of orthopedists can overlap with that of plastic surgeons, geriatric specialists, pediatricians, or podiatrists. A new ahd growing area of orthopedics is sporting injury, where sports doctors are more than likely to have a qualification in othopedic medicine as well.

Finding the best othopedist is the most important step in the process of having treatment. Customers seeking qualified surgeons should seek proof that they are recognised by the ‘certification board’ that regulates the industry.

Seek the opinion of your doctor first before talking to anyone else in the medical profession. An appointment should be possible from your doctor with someone in the NHS. If you prefer to attend private hospitals, this is also acceptable.