When bones or joints start to hurt, even the smallest task can feel like a big challenge. Whether it’s a broken bone, stiff joint, or torn tendon, these issues can stop you from living your life fully. Many people ignore the pain, hoping it’ll go away on its own, but that often makes things worse.
The truth is, musculoskeletal problems are more common than we think, and they don’t always heal without help. That’s where an orthopedic surgeon steps in. With the right treatment and care, you can regain movement, reduce pain, and get back to your routine. Below are the common procedures performed by an orthopedic surgeon that help people recover and move with ease again.
1. Bone Fracture Care
Bones sometimes break, like in your collarbone, arm, or wrist. Usually, a cast helps the broken pieces line up so they can heal correctly. But sometimes, an orthopedic surgeon needs to do surgery. They might use rods, screws, or plates to fix it – it’s called “open reduction internal fixation” or “closed reduction external fixation.” Bones take months to heal fully, so seeing your bone doctor regularly is really important until you’re all recovered.
2. Cartilage Repair And Surgeries
Cartilage is a soft, flexible tissue that cushions the space where your bones meet at the joints. That’s cartilage. It helps your bones move smoothly and protects them. Sometimes, if you get hurt, it can tear. Also, things like arthritis can wear it down.
The thing about cartilage is, it doesn’t have its own blood supply, so it can’t really heal on its own. When it tears, doctors who work with bones often do a surgery called arthroscopy. They make small cuts and use tiny tools to fix it. It’s a way to fix the damage without doing too much.
3. Ligament And Tendon Repairs
Ligaments join one bone to another, while tendons attach muscles to bones. Injuries can happen to both. For example, you can get tendonitis or hurt tendons in your hand, wrist, or shoulder. Ligament problems, like wrist issues, can occur with breaks, dislocations, or arthritis.
If the pain continues despite basic treatments, surgery may be necessary. In cases of a torn tendon, surgical repair can restore function. Orthopedic Surgeons can even do tendon transfers. This means moving a healthy tendon to replace a damaged one. This surgery can help people use their hands again after nerve or muscle injuries.
4. Joint Surgeries
Joints help us move, so it’s no surprise they get hurt easily. We use them daily, whether walking, lifting, or playing sports. Injuries can happen from accidents or just from wear over time. The bright side is that modern surgical methods have greatly improved. Doctors can now fix joint issues with smaller cuts and quicker healing.
One technique is arthroscopy, which uses a small camera to look inside the joint and repair the damage. Another is arthroplasty, where the damaged joint is replaced with a new one made from strong materials. These surgeries help reduce pain and bring back movement. With the help of an experienced orthopedic surgeon, patients can get back to their normal lives faster.