The orthopedist has numerous skills: he has an in-depth knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of bones, cartilages, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons; he knows how to recognize and treat pathologies affecting the musculoskeletal system (bone fractures, arthrosis, etc.); he is an expert in the prevention of suffering of the musculoskeletal system; etc.
The modern orthopedist can ultra-specialize in some areas of his field, such as elbow and shoulder orthopedics, hip and knee orthopedics or spinal orthopedics.
Today, the orthopedist has patients of all ages; in the past, however, he devoted himself exclusively to the care of children suffering from deformities of the spine or limbs. term "orthopedics", which bring together the ancient Greek words "orthos" And "pais", which mean, respectively," straight "(or" straighten ") and" child ", and refer to the correction of bone deformities in the youngest.
It should be noted that, in spite of the aforementioned expansion of skills, the orthopedist has kept his original name.
In the past, the orthopedist was the medical figure destined to correct, through conservative or surgical therapies, deformities of the spine or limbs; today, however, he is the surgeon in charge of treating injuries and pathologies affecting the system locomotor in individuals of any age.
