• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Virtual Clinic
  • Patient Portal
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Surgery Center
  • Self-Pay Pricing
Watauga Orthopaedics
Watauga Orthopaedics
  • Phone: (423) 282-9011
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet the Team
    • Meet Our Doctors
      • Alan Aiken, DO
      • Marc Aiken, MD
      • D. Christopher Carver, MD
      • Robert J. DeTroye, MD
      • Richard W. Duncan, MD
      • Tyler M. Duncan, DO
      • Jason A. Fogleman, MD
      • Jeffrey J. France, MD
      • Joseph R. Hurst, DO
      • Thomas W. Gill, Jr., MD
      • Timothy D. Jenkins, MD
      • Kent J. Lord, MD
      • Scott R. MacDonald, DO
      • Mark T. McQuain, MD
      • Karen J. McRae, MD
      • Eric D. Parks, MD
      • Dustin M. Price, MD
      • Gregory L. Stewart, MD
      • J. Michael Wells, MD
    • Meet Our Mid-Level Providers
    • Meet Our Therapists
  • Specialties
    • Spine/Neck/Back
    • Shoulder & Elbow
    • Hand & Wrist
    • Hip & Knee
    • Foot & Ankle
  • Treatments & Services
    • General Orthopaedics
    • Orthopedic Surgery
    • Sports Medicine
    • Trauma & Fractures
    • Joint Replacement
    • Walk-In Clinic
    • Imaging
    • Physical Therapy
    • DME/Orthotics
    • Work-Related Injuries
    • Non-Surgical Treatments
    • Pediatric Orthopedics
    • Robotic Surgery
  • In The Community
  • Blog
  • Locations
    • Johnson City
    • Kingsport
    • Bristol
    • Center for Advanced Bone and Joint Surgery
  • Contact Us

Surprising Things an Orthopedic Surgeon Can Treat

October 19, 2018

The specialty of orthopedics covers all things musculoskeletal, which includes bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and tendons – so an orthopedic surgeon treats myriad conditions. Following an orthopedic injury, an orthopedic surgeon will diagnose conditions, perform surgery if necessary, and assist with rehabilitation.

Orthopedic surgeons are now specializing further, devoting their practice to specific areas of the body or to particular or multi-specialty fields of study. For instance, some may specialize in sports medicine, pediatric orthopedics (treating children), or care for elderly patients’ needs as a geriatric orthopedic specialist.

There are 206 bones in the adult human body, so there are infinite opportunities for injury or for a bone issue to occur, which can be ideally addressed by a skilled orthopedic surgeon.

Below are some of the most frequent types of treatments orthopedic surgeons perform for their patients.

Soft Tissue Repair

Overuse of muscles, tendons, and ligaments – or a trauma to one or all three – can result in a soft tissue injury and should be treated by an orthopedic surgeon.

Some of the most common soft tissue injuries are sprains, strains, and bruising (contusions).

A sprain is a tear or a stretch of a ligament, which is the strong connective tissue between bones. Your orthopedic surgeon will diagnose your sprain, and determine whether it is mild, moderate or severe. Swelling, discoloration, and pain are common, as well as internal inflammation.

A strain is a tear or stretch of a muscle or tendon. A strain is painful and can cause cramping, spasms, and swelling.

Knees, ankles, and wrists are more susceptible to sprains, whereas the feet, legs, and back are more susceptible to strains. Depending on the severity of the sprain or strain, surgery may be required.

Sports Injury Surgery

There are 3.5 million sports-related injuries each year in the United States, according to The Johns Hopkins University. Sprains and strains often occur while engaging in sports.

Injuries to the shoulder – the most common being rotator cuff injuries – are common, as well as dislocated joints and broken bones. An orthopedic urgent care clinic like ours is incredibly beneficial if you experience a sports injury.

Internal Fixation for Fractures

This is the process by which an orthopedic surgeon stabilizes a broken bone via plates, wires, screws, and nails. This procedure is surprisingly more effective and ensures more proper healing than the use of splints or casts, which immobilize a broken bone from the outside. Rather, internal fixation fixes the bone from the inside.

Joint Dislocation Repair

Joints can be easily dislocated while a person is playing sports, or even just from a sudden twist or turn. A dislocated joint occurs when a bone slips from its proper position and out of the socket, and it is usually very painful.

Joints that are most often affected by a dislocation are the knee, ankle, shoulder, and hip. If the doctor is unable to manipulate the bone back into place, then surgery may be required. If the doctor is able to return the bone to the proper position, but dislocation is a recurring problem, then they may also perform corrective surgery to repair the dislocated joint.

Limb Length Inequality

Limb length inequality is when the legs or arms are unequal in length. This can occur due to a birth defect, previous fracture, previous infection, or trauma to a growth plate. Orthopedic intervention is dependent upon the severity of the measurable difference.

In severe cases of limb length inequality – where the difference between the two limbs is greater than 1.5 inches – surgery may be performed to shorten the longer limb or lengthen the shorter limb so they match. For younger patients who are still growing, surgery can stop or slow down the growth of the longer bone. The surgeries can involve the insertion of growth plates, staples, or screws.

Lengthening a limb requires the bone to be surgically cut into two sections, and then the surgeon connects the sections to an outer device to manipulate the bone. The surgeon turns a dial on the outside, gradually pulling the bones apart, so a new section of bone will grow in its place.

Orthopedic Specialists in Tennessee

Watauga Orthopaedics is a comprehensive orthopedic facility that includes walk-in, urgent care for orthopedic emergencies, ongoing orthopedic medical care, and physical therapy. We’re here for you following a sudden injury, but also for any of your musculoskeletal concerns.

Contact us today at (423) 282-9011, or walk right into either our Johnson City or Kingsport locations for immediate treatment from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. We look forward to serving you.

Filed Under: Orthopedic Surgeon Tagged With: Joint Dislocation, Limb Length Inequality, Orthopedic Surgeon, Orthopedics, Sports Injury Surgery, Sports medicine

Primary Sidebar

October 2018
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Sep   Nov »

Categories

  • Arthritis
  • Back Pain
  • Bone Health
  • Broken Bone
  • Facet Block
  • Fracture
  • General
  • General Orthopedics
  • Hand Dislocations
  • Hand Therapist
  • Herniated Discs
  • Hip
  • Hip Fractures
  • Hip Pain
  • Knee Pain
  • Lumbar Pain
  • Meniscal Tear
  • Neck Pain
  • Nerve Damage
  • Orthopedic Doctor
  • Orthopedic Injury
  • Orthopedic Surgeon
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Orthopedic Urgent Care
  • Orthopedics
  • Orthopedist
  • Pediatric Orthopedics
  • Physical Therapy
  • Shoulder & Elbow
  • Tendonitis
  • Work Injuries
  • Wrist Pain

Tags

Arthritis back pain bones broken bones children Chronic Pain fracture Fractures Hip Hip Fractures hip pain joint pain Low Back Pain Musculoskeletal Injuries orthopedic orthopedic care orthopedic care near me Orthopedic Doctor Orthopedic doctor Bristol TN Orthopedic doctor near me Orthopedic Injuries orthopedic physical therapy Orthopedics Orthopedic Surgeon Orthopedic Surgeons Kingsport TN Orthopedic Surgeons near me orthopedic surgery orthopedist osteoporosis pain Pediatric Orthopedics pediatric orthopedic surgeon Pediatric Orthopedist Physical therapist near me Physical therapists near me physical therapy Physical Therapy Bristol TN Physical Therapy Johnson City physical therapy Johnson City TN Physical Therapy Kingsport TN Physical therapy near me Physical Therapy Services Tendonitis Watauga Orthopaedics Watauga Orthopedics

Footer

BLOG

Get the latest news and information about research and advancements in orthopedic sports medicine, as well updates about our practice, with our exclusive blog.

Learn More

Patient Stories

As a well-established and respected part of the northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia communities, Watauga Orthopaedics often receives glowing reviews from our patients for the exceptional personalized service we provide. Here are just a few of our favorite testimonials:

View All

Patient Reviews

Want to know what others had to say about their experience with us? Visit your Watauga Orthopaedics provider profile to read the reviews.

Read Our Reviews

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Specialties
  • Treatments & Services
  • In The Community
  • Patient Education
  • Blog
  • Patient Portal
  • Web Portal
  • Locations
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Non-Discrimination Policy
  • Employee Email Login
  • Accessibility Statement
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

JOHNSON CITY ORTHOPAEDICS OFFICE
2410 Susannah Street | Johnson City, TN 37601
Physical Therapy Office: 2412 Susannah Street | Johnson City, TN 37601
Phone: (423) 282-9011
Fax: (423) 282-0035
Appointments: M-F: 8 am – 5 pm
Walk-In Clinic:
M-F: 8 am – 8 pm | Sat: 10 am – 2 pm
Virtual Clinic:
M-F: 8 pm – 11 pm | Sat-Sun: 2 pm – 11 pm

KINGSPORT ORTHOPAEDICS OFFICE
875 Larry Neil Way | Kingsport, TN 37660
Phone: (423) 282-9011
Fax: (423) 282-0035
Appointments: M-F, 8 am – 5 pm
Walk-In Clinic: M-F, 8 am – 8 pm
Virtual Clinic:
M-F: 8 pm – 11 pm | Sat-Sun: 2 pm – 11 pm

BRISTOL ORTHOPAEDICS OFFICE 
340 Steeles Road | Bristol, TN 37620
Phone: (423) 282-9011
Fax: (423) 282-0035
Appointments: M-F, 8 am – 5 pm
Walk-In Clinic: M-F, 8 am – 8 pm
Virtual Clinic:
M-F: 8 pm – 11 pm | Sat-Sun: 2 pm – 11 pm

Copyright © · Watauga Orthopaedics · All Rights Reserved
iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

At Watauga Orthopaedics, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons are experts in treating injuries and conditions of the Spine/Neck/Back, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip & Knee, Joint Replacement, Pediatric Orthopaedics, Shoulder & Elbow, Sports Medicine, Trauma & Fractures, and Work-Related Injuries. We offer multiple treatments and services in Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol, TN.