Nicholas Andry was the first person to use the word orthopaedics (today spellings vary - some use orthopedics, mainly in the U.S.) which he derived from Greek. In Greek the word orthos means correct or straight and the word paidion means child. He used the term orthopaedics in his published work Orthopaedia: or the Art of Correcting and Preventing Deformities in Children. As birth defects and many childhood diseases gave children deformities affecting the spine and skeleton, orthopedics were first focused on this area of study. With the years, however, this evolved and orthopedics now treats both children and adults with injuries and ailments that affect bones, muscle, tendons and ligaments.

In the U.S. most orthopedics have a four year undergraduate degree, four year of medical school and then five years of in residency training in the field of orthopedic surgery.

Typical reasons for seeing an orthopedic doctor would be a broken bone, spinal injuries, torn ligaments, or diseases affecting the bones, muscles, joints, tendons or ligaments.

There are general orthopedic surgeons who work in hospitals and who deal with whatever emergency is on hand - from setting bones right, to emergency surgery after an accident. Most orthopedic surgeons, however, are specialized within one field or another. For example, some doctors specialize in hand surgery, others in spinal surgery or hip replacements. It’s important to point out as well that although the doctors are surgeons, you don’t necessarily need surgery just because you see an orthopedic surgeon - they help treat any disease affecting bones and muscle, whether it needs surgery, or not.

Orthopedic centers usually have many different doctors, specializing in different fields of orthopedic medicine. They may also offer pain management and have a doctor with a fellowship in pain management. This is because some people seeking an orthopedic doctor suffer from chronic pain, whereas others need to be able to manage their pain during the recovery period after surgery.

Orthopedic centers also often have physiotherapists working there as many patients can help manage their pain with physiotherapy, as well as needing rehabilitation after surgery. Psychologists may also help with the pain management, as psychology has proven an important factor in managing, as well as preventing, pain. It has been theorized that pain and disease sometimes stem from conscious and/or unconscious (emotional) stress. Dr John E. Sarno famously wrote many books about this and helped many patients suffering from chronic pain to totally rid themselves of it. Even when it does not stem from psychology, there are many techniques for how to deal with pain that have, in many cases, proven successful using psychology.

If you suffer from any pain that you suspect comes from your bones, muscles, joints, tendons or ligaments, it’s important you consult a doctor to get a referral to see an orthopedist. You can also contact an orthopedic center directly. It’s important not to give up when there are solutions out there that can help relieve your pain. For Los Angeles based information, please visit - Los Angeles Orthopedic Center.