Dr. Milind Merchant

An orthopedic doctor, also known as an orthopedist, is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. Orthopedic medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on the musculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves.

Orthopedic doctors typically complete a four-year undergraduate degree, four years of medical school, and a five-year orthopedic surgery residency program. After completing their training, they are board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or equivalent in other countries.

Some of the main responsibilities of an orthopedic doctor include:

• Examining and diagnosing patients with musculoskeletal conditions and injuries
• Prescribing and managing treatment plans, which may include medication, physical therapy, and surgery
• Performing surgical procedures to treat musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, such as joint replacements, spinal surgeries, and fracture repairs
• Managing and monitoring patients' recovery and rehabilitation
• Collaborating with other healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists and primary care physicians, to provide comprehensive care for patients.

Overall, an orthopedic doctor is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. They use their expertise, knowledge and skills to help patients recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and improve the quality of life for people with musculoskeletal disorders.

There are many different types of orthopedic problems, but some of the most common include:

• Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease that results in the wearing down of the cartilage that cushions the joints. It most commonly affects the hips, knees, and hands.
• Low back pain: a common condition that affects the muscles and bones of the back. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, injury, and overuse.
• Tendinitis: inflammation of a tendon, which is the tissue that connects muscle to bone. Tendinitis commonly affects the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, and knees.
• Fractures: breaks in the bone caused by trauma or overuse. Fractures can occur anywhere in the body but are most common in the arms, legs, and spine.
• Bursitis: inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones, tendons, and muscles. Bursitis commonly affects the shoulders, hips, and knees.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: a condition in which the median nerve, which runs through the wrist, becomes compressed. It causes numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and wrist.
• Tennis elbow: is a form of tendinitis that affects the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle, a bony bump on the outside of the elbow.
• Rotator cuff injuries: a tear or strain of the tendons or muscles in the shoulder that are responsible for lifting and rotating the arm.

These are some of the most common orthopedic problems, but there are many other conditions that can affect the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic doctors are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of orthopedics.