It is a branch of the medical system that deals with the care of the musculoskeletal system. This system is made up of muscles and bones, ligaments, joints and tendons. The person who specializes in orthopedics is called an orthopedist. They use both surgical and nonsurgical approaches to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal issues, such as sports injuries, back problems, joint pain etc.

Orthopedists Conditions
Orthopedists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions which are present by birth or may have occurred during injury or age-related wear and tear. Here are some of the most common conditions of orthopedics:
- Joint pain from arthritis
- Bone fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain and problems, such as bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Overuse and sports injuries
- Congenital conditions clubfoot
Diagnostic tests
- An MRI scan
- A CT scan
- A bone scan
- An ultrasound
- Nerve conduction studies
- Blood tests
Orthopedic Treatment
For chronic musculoskeletal disorders like back pain or arthritis, the orthopedist may recommend the following treatments:
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Home exercise programs
- Injections
- Acupuncture
- Mobility aids
- Surgery, though this is a last resort
Different types of orthopedic practices
An orthopedic specialist specializes in a particular branch of orthopedic medicine. Given below are some of the subdisciplines of orthopedic.
- Hand and upper extremity
- Foot and ankle
- Musculoskeletal oncology
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Sports medicine
- Spine surgery
- Trauma surgery
- Joint replacement surgery
When to visit an Orthopedic Doctor ?
Normal human being contains more than 300 bones along with joints in our body. If one of them starts dysfunctioning then it can lead to a great problem.
- Facing difficulty in doing everyday activity – If you are struggling in doing a normal everyday task then it’s time to consult a doctor.
- Suffering from chronic pain- It is a pain lasting over more than 12 weeks. If you are experiencing this then seek a professional.
- Range of motion is becoming limited- Limited range of motion can be a joint disease. Consult an orthopedic before the situation gets worden.
- Facing problems while walking- Feeling shaky while walking or you are not able to walk properly. Then it’s high time to consult an orthopedician.
- Injury of soft tissue not improving in 48 hours- If in case there is no improvement in the tissue after 48 hours of injury. Talk to the doctor as soon as possible.
How to keep your bones strong?
1.Eat calcium rich food such as:
2.Intake vitamin D for strong bones
- Soya and rice beverages
- Fish like salmon
- Egg yolks
- Margarine
- Orange juice
3.Eat nutritious food
Potassium, vitamin K and magnesium helps in keeping your body absorb and use calcium. Intake these important nutrients by eating a variety of healthy foods such as vegetables and fruit, legumes (beans, peas, lentils), nuts, seeds, whole grains and fish. Protein helps to build muscle that helps keep bones strong and healthy. Choose protein-rich foods such as fish, shellfish, meat, poultry,legumes, nuts and seeds.
4.Stay active
Be active for a minimum 150 minutes each week. DO exercises like Weight-bearing exercises like running, walking, dancing, tennis hiking, low impact aerobics and golf.
Stretching exercises such as yoga will help to improve balance and coordination, which will lower your risk of falling and breaking bones.
5. Limit caffeine
Consuming too much caffeine may decrease the amount of calcium you absorb.
6. Limit alcohol
Excess drinking alcohol can contribute to the bone loss.
7.Don’t smoke
If you smoke you will face faster bone loss and a higher risk of bone fractures.