What is Orthopaedic Surgery?
The word Orthopaedic is derived from the Greek words orthos, meaning “straight” and paidos, meaning “child”. Quite literally, the early use of the word applied to the practice of fixing deformity in children including scoliosis, club feet, torticollis and post-traumatic limb deformity. Therefore, early orthopaedists exclusively treated children.
Orthopaedics today has a much broader application. Orthopaedics (or Orthopaedics Surgery) focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system including those of bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons and nerves. We employ medical, physical rehabilitation and surgery to restore normal function. Our patients are not exclusively treated surgically as up to half of an Orthopaedic Surgeon’s practice may be dedicated to non-operative management.
Our surgeons are experts in treating all types of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. From chronic conditions such as arthritis or acute injuries, such as fractures (broken bones) and torn ligaments, our surgeons will help you get on the road to recovery. Treatment options from an Orthopaedic surgeon can include both non-operative options and surgery – depending entirely on what the condition is and how we think we can help you best.
Services offered include consultations and diagnostic expertise, non-operative treatment, injections, surgery and rehabilitation. Our surgeons have a diverse range of specialty interests.
Some of the typical diseases and conditions treated by Orthopaedic Surgeons include:
- fractures and dislocations
- torn ligaments, sprains and strains
- tendon injuries, injured muscles and bursitis
- arthritis in the knee or hip requiring joint replacement
- arthritis and injuries in the shoulder and elbow
- bunions, hammer toes, flat feet and arthritis in the ankle
- bone and soft tissue tumours
