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Orthopedic traumatologist
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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An orthopedic traumatologist is a doctor who deals with diagnostics, treatment and prevention of the musculoskeletal system. As well as pathologies, injuries and diseases that arise with this system of the body. Let's consider who an orthopedic traumatologist is, what his duties include and when you need to go to see him.
An orthopedic traumatologist is a profession that combines two medical specialties – the professions of an orthopedist and a traumatologist. An orthopedic traumatologist is a universal specialist who has the knowledge and skills of both specialties. An orthopedic traumatologist is available in every clinic, emergency room and hospital. The doctor’s responsibilities include examining the patient, treating injuries, choosing and prescribing the right treatment, consulting and prevention.
A good orthopedic traumatologist must have high intelligence, responsibility and attentiveness. The doctor must have knowledge in the field of physiology, anatomy and traumatology, know the features of the musculoskeletal system and master the basic methods of diagnosis and treatment.
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Who is an orthopedic traumatologist?
Who is an orthopedic traumatologist? This is a doctor who has practical skills in treating injuries and diseases associated with the musculoskeletal system. The doctor also provides emergency and planned care using modern methods of correcting soft tissue defects of the limbs, fixing fractures and treating joints.
If a patient has a broken leg, the orthopedic traumatologist examines the fracture and immediately takes an X-ray. The X-ray allows you to see all the features of the fracture. After that, the doctor straightens the fracture, gives the broken bones the correct position. After all these procedures, the doctor applies a plaster cast, which fixes the broken bone for faster and correct fusion and healing.
Today, orthopedic traumatologists easily cope with diseases and injuries that until recently seemed hopeless and absolutely incurable. Thus, an orthopedic traumatologist can replace joints that are affected by a disease such as arthrosis. Most professional orthopedic traumatologists are in America, Great Britain and Germany.
When should you see an orthopedic traumatologist?
If you have problems with your posture or problems with the musculoskeletal system due to an old fracture that has not healed properly, then you need medical help. Let's look at when you should contact an orthopedic traumatologist.
- For fractures of any complexity, improper bone fusion and poliomyelitis.
- For muscle and ligament strains, insect and animal bites that cause soft tissue deformation.
- For severe or chronic pain in the joints, spine or limbs.
- For various deformations and pathologies of the spine, chest, limbs, muscular and skeletal systems.
- In case of frostbite of the extremities, vascular system disorders, flat feet.
What tests should you take when visiting an orthopedic traumatologist?
When visiting any doctor, it is necessary to take a number of tests, as this allows you to speed up the process of diagnosing the disease. Let's consider what tests you need to take when visiting an orthopedic traumatologist.
- General urine and blood analysis.
- Blood clotting test.
- Thromboplastin time test.
- Prothrombin time (PT) + fibrinogen.
- Prothrombin time (PT).
The exact list of tests that need to be taken will be prescribed by an orthopedic traumatologist. In some cases, the doctor will take the tests and conduct their examination himself.
What diagnostic methods does an orthopedic traumatologist use?
Each doctor has his own diagnostic methods that allow him to determine the disease and prescribe the correct treatment. Let's consider what diagnostic methods an orthopedic traumatologist uses.
- Visual examination – allows you to determine the disease based on external signs.
- Palpation method - used for deformations and pathologies. This method allows the doctor to determine the complexity of the disease and find the causes.
- The X-ray method is mandatory for fractures, bruises and sprains. It allows the orthopedic traumatologist to visually assess the problem and select the ideal treatment.
- Redressation is a method of closed surgical intervention. When using this method, the doctor manually corrects pathological problems and deformations. It is used for curvatures of the limbs, improperly healing fractures.
What does an orthopedic traumatologist do?
What does an orthopedic traumatologist do? This is a question that interests many patients who visit this doctor for the first time. The tasks of an orthopedic traumatologist include diagnostics and treatment of injuries, ranging from fractures and dislocations to severe injuries that have a negative impact on the musculoskeletal system.
The main task of an orthopedic traumatologist is to diagnose the musculoskeletal system, which includes joints, tendons, muscles, bones, ligaments and nerves. The doctor studies the condition of the body and the processes that occur in it due to injuries, mechanical, radioactive, chemical, electrical and other damage.
What diseases does an orthopedic traumatologist treat?
An orthopedic traumatologist is a universal specialist who deals with the treatment and diagnostics of the musculoskeletal system and skeletal system. Let's consider what diseases an orthopedic traumatologist treats.
An orthopedic traumatologist treats diseases such as:
- Flat feet.
- Problems with posture and spine.
- Malignant and benign bone tumors.
- Fractures (isolated, closed and open fractures)
- Bruises and ruptures of tendons, ligament damage.
- Dislocations and subluxations of joints.
- Anomalies, defects and deformations of bone, cartilage and joint development
Advice from an orthopedic traumatologist
Advice from an orthopedic traumatologist is up-to-date advice aimed at maintaining health. Let's look at some recommendations from an orthopedic traumatologist.
- A healthy lifestyle and physical activity – regular exercise and proper balanced nutrition can improve your health. This advice is relevant for both adults and young patients.
- Spend more time outdoors. Don't forget that the sun is a source of vitamin D. The sun tones the skin, makes it beautiful, tanned, improves immunity and mood.
- Healthy food and sleep are the key to both physical and mental health. Eat right and regularly, get enough sleep, and give up bad habits. These are the main principles and advice of an orthopedic traumatologist.
An orthopedic traumatologist is a multifunctional specialist who treats injuries, bruises, sprains and much more. An orthopedic traumatologist works with the body's musculoskeletal system, helps to cope with bone deformations and pathologies. A timely visit to a doctor allows you to identify problems and solve them before they become pathological.