What does an orthopedic traumatologist treat?

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What does an orthopedic traumatologist treat? An orthopedic-traumatologist deals with the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, upper and lower limbs. He tries to give the correct position of individual parts of the body. If someone feels discomfort due to pain in the joints, back, neck, limbs, mobility problems, they should visit an orthopedic clinic and undergo appropriate diagnostics.

Treatment at the orthopedist is important not only to give the external correct forms, but also to ensure the proper functioning of the internal organs. The health of all the organs of the chest and abdominal cavity: heart, stomach, kidneys, lungs depends on the position of the back. Deformation of one leg joint can lead to destructive processes throughout the body, uneven load on the spine and its curvature.

When to see a doctor – orthopedist-traumatologist?

Each disease should be treated after the first disturbing symptoms appear. In advanced cases, surgery is often necessary, while in the first days after the onset of symptoms, the influence of the negative factor can be completely eliminated. Sometimes there are no pronounced deformities and pain, just a person gets tired faster when walking, climbing stairs and feels discomfort. Such symptoms should not be ignored as they may indicate the onset of a serious illness.

Orthopedics and traumatology has an internal division into narrower specialties:

  • The orthopedist treats congenital defects and injuries mainly conservatively. Wearing an orthosis, corset, cast, bandages helps to reduce the load.
  • The rehabilitation therapist restores the function of the joint and muscles after the acute symptoms subside with the help of exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises), massage, physiotherapy, reflexology.
  • A traumatologist specializes in trauma surgery. It can perform bone fragment reposition, dislocation reduction, ligament ends stitching, bleeding stop.
  • The orthopedic surgeon corrects deformities with the help of surgery: lengthens the limb, forms the correct axial load on the spine and legs.

With what joint problems can an orthopedic traumatologist be consulted?

A meniscus injury is the most common knee injury. The meniscus of the knee is a cartilaginous cushion that has a shock-absorbing and stabilizing function. Depending on the causes of the injury, it is possible to damage the outer or medial meniscus of the knee joint. However, treatment depends more on the nature and severity of the meniscus injury than on its location.

What are the symptoms of a meniscus injury?

          • Pain during movement and palpation: with damage to the medial meniscus – from the inside of the knee, with injuries to the lateral meniscus from the outside.
          • Joint lock – inability to move in the knee due to compression of the meniscus or pinching of the joint by a fragment of the meniscus.
          • Restriction of movement (knee flexion, crouching, etc.) due to pain.
          • Excessive mobility and instability of the knee joint is possible due to injury to the meniscus and ligaments.
          • Growth and deformation of the joint due to the accumulation of intra-articular fluid and in the chronic process due to synovial hyperplasia.

Diagnosis of meniscus injuries

          • Palpation and special tests
          • MRI
          • Arthroscopic diagnosis
          • X-ray or CT (assessment of the condition of bone structures).

Treatment of meniscus injuries What does an orthopedic traumatologist treat?

If possible, using non-surgical techniques, the orthopedist removes the blockage in the joint. To relieve pain, he performs a therapeutic joint block – the introduction of anesthetics that block the transmission of the pain impulse. Pharmacotherapy, therapeutic dressings with a cooling effect can be used to relieve inflammation and relieve pain.
If left untreated, a post-traumatic rupture, in particular, without timely knee meniscus arthroscopy , will turn into a degenerative condition. Its consequences are a violation of the motor function of the joint, accompanied by constant pain, disability. Meniscus arthroscopyis a minimally invasive procedure used in diagnostics and surgical treatment (stitching of the meniscus or resection).

In the orthopedic clinic, it is possible to perform arthroscopic resection or suture of the damaged part of the meniscus. When performing manipulations, a miniature video camera is inserted into the joint cavity of the knee joint to examine the joint structures. Based on the information received, the traumatologist decides on the surgical procedure and determines its type. Therapeutic arthroscopy can be performed in parallel with diagnostic arthroscopy.

Other surgical procedures within the knee joint

Knee arthroplasty consists in cutting out the damaged joint surfaces and replacing it with an artificial joint – an endoprosthesis. Such a procedure performed by a traumatologist gives the opportunity to regain full fitness. Arthroplasty should be performed when the articular cartilage wears away and wears out. The indication for this procedure is the destruction of the knee joint due to degenerative disease, injury, rheumatoid arthritis or deformity of the knee joint.

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