Orthopedics: Definition, Scope, Conditions & Specialist Training

Orthopedics (or orthopaedics) — from Greek orthos (straight/correct) + paidos (child) — originally "straightening the child." Now: medical-surgical specialty diagnosing, treating, preventing, and rehabilitating disorders of the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves).

Conditions Treated

Category	Examples
Degenerative	Osteoarthritis (joint), degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis
Trauma	Fractures, dislocations, ligament/tendon ruptures, compartment syndrome
Sports Medicine	ACL tear, meniscus tear, rotator cuff tear, stress fractures, tendinopathy
Spine	Herniated disc, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, kyphosis, radiculopathy, myelopathy
Pediatric	DDH, clubfoot, SCFE, Perthes, cerebral palsy orthopedics
Oncologic	Bone/soft tissue sarcomas, metastatic bone disease
Infection	Osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, prosthetic joint infection
Metabolic	Osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Paget's, renal osteodystrophy
Congenital/Developmental	Limb deficiency, arthrogryposis, skeletal dysplasias
Neuromuscular	Cerebral palsy, CMT, muscular dystrophy (orthopedic management)

Subspecialties (Fellowship-Trained)

• Adult Reconstruction (Arthroplasty)
• Spine Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Hand & Upper Extremity
• Foot & Ankle
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Musculoskeletal Oncology
• Trauma
• Orthopedic Research / Biomechanics

Training Pathway (US)

1. 4 years Medical School (MD/DO)
2. 5 years Orthopedic Surgery Residency (ACGME)
3. 1 year Fellowship (optional, >90% pursue)
4. Board Certification: ABOS Part I (written) + Part II (oral) → Board Certified.
5. Maintenance of Certification (MOC) — longitudinal assessment.

Multidisciplinary Team

• PAs/NPs (ortho-specialized)
• Physical/Occupational Therapists
• Orthotists/Prosthetists
• Sports Medicine Physicians (non-surgical)
• Rheumatologists, Physiatrists, Pain Management, Neurosurgeons (spine)

Orthopedics restores mobility, function, and quality of life across the lifespan.