Orthopedics Orthopedic Surgery An Overview of Orthopedic Surgery By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD LinkedIn Twitter Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 24, 2020 Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD on January 14, 2020 LinkedIn Stuart Hershman, MD, is a board-certified spine surgeon. He specializes in spinal deformity and complex spinal reconstruction. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Subspecialties Common Surgeries Risks Recovery Orthopedic surgery is the medical specialty dedicated to the surgical treatment of issues related to the musculoskeletal system (i.e., the bones and connective tissues, such as ligaments and tendons). This involves a wide variety of procedures, from ACL and meniscus repair to hip replacement to spinal fusion and more. Orthopedic surgery may be done to treat condition-, age-, or accident-related concerns, and therefore may be carefully planned or entirely unexpected. Dana Neely / Getty Images Surgeries of this type can also vary greatly in terms of how invasive they are, the risks they carry, and what it takes to recover from them. While some use the terms orthopedist and orthopedic surgeon interchangeably, some make a clearer distinction, as those who perform such surgical procedures undergo additional specialized training. What an Orthopedic Surgeon Does Subspecialties Over the years, the field of orthopedic surgery has expanded to encompass many subspecialties and the treatment of many musculoskeletal disorders in patients of all ages. Some of the common orthopedic surgery subspecialties include: Foot and ankle surgery Hand surgery Hip and knee reconstruction Pediatric orthopedics Spine disorders Sports medicine Trauma surgery These and others often overlap with other medical specialties, including neurosurgery, plastic surgery, rheumatology, and podiatry. Orthopedic surgeons often have to work closely with other physicians in order to manage complex problems. In addition, orthopedic surgeons work directly with primary care doctors, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, emergency room physicians, as well as non-physician clinicians such as physician assistants, athletic trainers, orthopedic technologists, nurse practitioners, and others. Common Types of Surgery Most orthopedic surgical procedures involve bones or joints. Some surgeries can be performed arthroscopically (by looking inside a joint with a camera), others through minimal incisions, and still others require larger, more invasive incisions. Some of the more commonly performed orthopedic surgical procedures include: ACL reconstruction Meniscus repair Knee or hip replacement Shoulder arthroscopy and debridement Repair of fractures Rotator cuff repair Carpel tunnel release Intervertebral disk surgery Spinal fusion Removal of support implant It's important to reinforce the fact that the vast majority of people who consult with an orthopedic surgeon never actually go to an operating room for treatment. Orthopedic surgeons ensure that non-surgical options, if potentially useful, are explored before recommending surgery. While many have the perception that an orthopedic problem needs to be treated with surgery in order for treatment to be successful, that is not always the case. Risks of Orthopedic Surgery There are risks associated with any surgery. While most often these can be controlled, and most procedures are very safe, there are possible complications that should be understood by patients before undergoing orthopedic surgery. Anesthesia-Related There is a broad spectrum of options for anesthesia for orthopedic procedures. General anesthesia—where you are unconscious for the procedure—carries the greatest risk of complications, compared to regional and local anesthesia. These can range from mild and temporary (e.g., nausea, chills) to serious (e.g., breathing problems, cognitive dysfunction). It is also possible to be allergic to/have an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Not every type of anesthesia will work for every surgery. And for some people (e.g., those with high blood pressure or obesity), a specific type of anesthesia may be considered safer. Infection Infection is probably the most common concern people have about their upcoming orthopedic surgery. Infections after surgery can sometimes be simple to manage; other times, they may require additional surgical procedures and prolonged treatment. There are steps that can be taken to help reduce the chance of having an infection. Blood Clots A blood clot can form in the veins after orthopedic surgery, a problem called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Sometimes DVTs can migrate from the veins and travel to the lungs where they can cause a pulmonary embolism (PE). Often, a surgeon will recommend treatment such as compression, mobilization, or blood thinners to prevent blood clots from forming. Understanding the Risks of Having Surgery Recovery Recovery after orthopedic surgery depends on the specific procedure a surgeon has performed, as well as factors such as your age and adherence to your doctor's recommendations. Most procedures involve some type of post-surgical therapy to regain joint mobility and restore strength to the extremity. In addition, many orthopedic conditions are preceded by poor mechanics or functioning of an extremity. For example, many people with a rotator cuff tear in their shoulder have been compensating for months or longer. In order to restore normal shoulder mechanics, not only does the tear need to be surgically addressed, but the other muscles and joints around the shoulder may require treatment. How Orthopedic Physical Therapy Can Help You Recover Pain is common after an orthopedic surgical procedure, but there are more and better options for managing post-surgical pain today than there have ever been in the past. More orthopedic surgeons are using long-acting local anesthetics, regional nerve blocks, and other techniques to control pain and limit the need for narcotic medications. In general, surgeons try to limit the use of narcotic medications after surgery. These medications have potentially serious side effects and can become addictive, so they only used sparingly after orthopedic surgery. A Word From Verywell Make sure you know what your orthopedic surgery procedure entails and that you are prepared for it by asking good questions of your doctor. Ensuring you have the equipment, medications, and any other necessities you'll need after surgery taken care of ahead of time will help get your recovery started right, so be sure to ask what's recommended. Most of all, take instructions related to re-starting activities seriously. Healing and Recovering After Your Surgery Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Click below and just hit send! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Swarup I, O'donnell JF. An Overview of the History of Orthopedic Surgery. Am J Orthop. 2016;45(7):E434-E438. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Orthopaedics. American Society of Anesthesiologists. Anesthesia 101: Anesthesia Risks. Motohashi M, Adachi A, Takigami K, et al. Deep vein thrombosis in orthopedic surgery of the lower extremities. Ann Vasc Dis. 2012;5(3):328-33. doi:10.3400/avd.oa.12.00049 Halawi MJ, Grant SA, Bolognesi MP. Multimodal Analgesia for Total Joint Arthroplasty. Orthopedics. 2015 Jul 1;38(7):e616-25. doi:10.3928/01477447-20150701-61 Additional Reading American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Patient Guide to Safe Surgery. American Society of Anesthesiologists. Anesthesia 101: Anesthesia Risks.