Orthopedics is a surgical specialty focused on the diagnosis and treatment of injuries, conditions, and disorders in the bones, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. The doctors who work in this field are known as orthopedic surgeons.

Orthopedic doctors are surgeons by training. They are medical doctors or doctors of osteopathy trained in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of the musculoskeletal system.

Orthopedic surgeons who are board-certified have received at least thirteen years of formal education. This includes time at an undergraduate university, medical school, and residency in a health care institution. Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons have received an extra year of education at an accredited fellowship program. Dr. Bishai is fellowship trained in shoulder and sports medicine. These professionals also get new training every year to stay current on new findings and treatments.

When a doctor has completed their residency, the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery provides a written test for them to become board-certified. Once this test has been passed, the surgeon can take the oral portion of the exam after two years. After that, the surgeon will have the title of Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery. This process is meant to show patients that their chosen orthopedic professional has the knowledge, experience, and skills to take care of them. Dr. Bishai has a secondary board certification after receiving a certificate of added qualification (CAQ) for sports medicine.

A primary care sports doctor focuses on nonoperative and nonsurgical treatments of sports-related conditions and injuries. Sports medicine surgeons (or orthopedic surgeons that specialize in sports medicine) focus on nonoperative, nonsurgical, AND surgical treatments.

Although orthopedic surgeons are trained and experienced in providing surgery, they do not always prescribe this treatment. Non-surgical options like R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation), casting, physical therapy, and injections can be sufficient in many situations. Surgical treatment options will vary depending upon your needs and may be used as a last resort. Arthroscopy, joint replacement, ligament reconstruction, fracture repair, and hand surgery are just some of the most common orthopedic surgeries.

This surgery is a non-invasive diagnostic and treatment option that is especially popular in sports medicine. The surgeon will make a small incision with thin needles and use special tools to conduct the procedure. You can have this surgery in a hospital or outpatient facility and it usually doesn’t require more than a day.

Orthopedic injections aren’t like numbing shots from the dentist or a flu shot. These can be used for relief from pain, stiffness, and inflammation. These are usual cortisone steroid injections but can also be platelet rich plasma (PRP) or bone marrow aspirate concentrate. Some common conditions they treat include arthritis, nerve pain, and tendonitis. Orthopedic injections can even be used to help diagnose health issues.

Joint replacement is a surgical procedure, so it is not for those who could benefit more from non-invasive treatments. During this procedure, the orthopedic surgeon will replace the damaged joint with a prosthesis. These are plastic and metal. Doctors typically recommend joint replacement surgery in cases of debilitating joint pain and damage where lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and injections don’t work.