Each medical specialist has a certain profile of specialization. This allows the doctor to get the most in-depth knowledge in a particular field of science. Many people do not know exactly which specialist to turn to for help when certain problems arise. Next, it will be considered what the traumatologist treats, what kind of doctor he is.
General information
What does an orthopedic traumatologist treat? This medical specialist is engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of various injuries of the body that are caused by mechanical influences. Also within the competence of this specialist are deformities, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Traumatologist-orthopedist diagnoses and treats such ailments using therapeutic and surgical methods. In our country, both traumatologists and orthopedists practice. There are many specialists whose profession is called "orthopedist-traumatologist" or "trauma surgeon". It denotes a narrow area of competencespecialist.
This direction in medical science includes three separate speci alties. They study diseases, injuries and treatments for injuries in the area of the musculoskeletal system.
Orthopedist, traumatologist, surgeon
It is worth noting that traumatology is a medical discipline that studies damage to the joints, bones and tendons. It can be sprains, sprains, fractures and other similar injuries. This area of medical science develops methods for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that studies acquired and congenital ailments, pathologies. These may be deformities, disorders in the musculoskeletal system.
In other words, we can say that traumatology takes urgent measures when injuries occur, and orthopedics involves planned treatment. However, both of these disciplines are engaged in a common cause - ensuring the he alth of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, in the process of preparing a young specialist at the university, both of these disciplines are passed.
It is worth noting that there is such a profession as a trauma surgeon. What does this specialist treat? His area of expertise will be the same as that of a traumatologist. But the methods of diagnosis and treatment in this case are specific. They perform operations that allow you to restore the functions of joints, bones, and other tissues of the system.
Doctor for children and adults
Today's professionTraumatologist-orthopedist is extremely in demand in modern society. These medical professionals practice medicine in public and private clinics. In municipal hospitals, queues line up in front of the office of an orthopedic traumatologist. In a private medical institution, you can make an appointment at a certain time. The cost of the initial examination is on average 700-1000 rubles. The price depends on the policy of the clinic.
In our country, the reception is conducted by doctors who diagnose and treat such diseases in children and adults. At the same time, specialists take into account the features of the musculoskeletal system of an adult and a child. Accordingly, certain techniques are applied.
What does a pediatric orthopedic traumatologist treat? The area of competence of this specialist remains almost the same as that of a doctor for adults. Therefore, many specialists treat patients of different ages. However, it is worth considering that in children the musculoskeletal system is constantly developing, is in the process of becoming. Therefore, various effects on it are carried out carefully and directed. Overcoming certain ailments in children is much easier than in adults.
In middle-aged and elderly people, a number of specific diseases are determined, which practically do not affect children. However, due to certain adverse environmental influences, in rare cases, a child may develop the same diseases as people of age. Therefore, considering what a traumatologist-orthopedist treats in children, we can callmany non-specific ailments. If a medical officer has a medical practice, seeing people of different ages, this is quite normal.
Relevance of the profession
Studying what a traumatologist treats in adults and children, an extensive list of ailments should be noted. Some of them are quite common, others are specific. The relevance of this profession is increasing every year. The realities of life of a modern person require him to make a lot of efforts to maintain the he alth of the musculoskeletal system.
Demand for an orthopedic doctor is increasing every year. Injuries, congenital and acquired disorders appear in people more and more often. Children and young people began to get sick much more often. The reason for this is the wrong way of life. People are accustomed to eating unhe althy foods that contain a lot of s alts, fats and sugars. This affects metabolic processes. A sedentary lifestyle today is not only people whose profession is related to computer or other equipment. Children began to play sports less. Just like adults, they love to sit in front of the computer for hours.
As a result, the bones become brittle, the tissues of the joints are less elastic. With minor loads, various injuries can occur. Children often have spinal deformities.
Considering what an orthopedic traumatologist treats in adults, it is worth noting one more direction. Many people in today's society have become fanatical about strength training. It only addswork of an orthopedist-traumatologist. Such training is often conducted without observing the correct technique. As a result, injuries, torn ligaments, bruises and dislocations occur. Strength training can gradually lead to various disorders in the body. At a young age, this is not felt. But now, a decade later, a person is faced with diseases of the joints and spine.
People themselves are largely to blame for their he alth problems. It is better to do gymnastics, swimming, than to lift weights. All unfavorable factors add work to the orthopedic traumatologist.
Main activities
In the modern world, the work of a traumatologist is becoming more and more relevant. What does this doctor treat? There are several main directions in its activity. Diagnosis and therapy is carried out for the following diseases and pathologies:
- Fractures. This pathology is characterized by a violation of the integrity of the bone tissue. The human skeleton protects the internal organs from mechanical influences, and also allows us to move, to have a clear body shape. Especially dangerous are fractures in the skull and spine. Such injuries can cause disability or death of the patient.
- Sprain. This is a common injury that is less dangerous to the body than a fracture. Sprains are often experienced by people involved in sports or, conversely, who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
- Dislocations. Such injuries cause both mechanical extraneous influences andchronic diseases (for example, arthritis or arthrosis). Observed in the joints and bones.
- Rupture of ligaments in the joint. This is a common injury. It can occur due to a blow, a fall and a sudden movement of a person.
- Burn. This injury is also within the competence of the traumatologist. Often it is the trauma surgeon who deals with such pathologies. The burn is often observed on superficial tissues, but can also affect internal organs. The burn occurs when exposed to high temperatures, chemicals or current.
- Frostbite. It is also tissue damage that occurs when exposed to low temperatures.
Considering what diseases an orthopedic traumatologist treats, a number of other ailments should be noted. The listed pathologies are injuries. However, there is a whole list of ailments that require the consultation of this specialist.
Other diseases
What diseases does a traumatologist treat? This list is extensive. However, the most common ailments should be considered in detail. In addition to injuries, this medical specialist deals with the diagnosis and treatment of such pathologies:
- Osteoporosis. A disease that causes a person's bone density to decrease. It becomes fragile, vulnerable to minor mechanical stress.
- Osteomyelitis. An inflammatory disease that develops in the structure of the bones. It is often caused by bacteria (staph, streptococcus).
- Arthritis. Inflammatory process in the joints. It develops andflows slowly. If no action is taken, the disease leads to disability.
- Spondylitis. Inflammation of the joints in the spinal column.
- Intervertebral hernia. The disc between the vertebrae protrudes into the lumen of the spine.
- Arthrosis. Gradual destruction of the bone tissue of the joint. Their function is gradually impaired.
- Bone tumor. There are benign and malignant tumors. The first category includes osteoma, osteochondroma, cyst, etc. Malignant neoplasms are myeloma, Ewing's sarcoma, etc.
- Gout. Uric acid s alts are deposited in the joints. The pain in this case is severe, paroxysmal. The joint becomes inflamed and deformed.
Considering what an orthopedic traumatologist treats in adults and children, we can name a lot of ailments. However, the main ones, the most common pathologies, were presented above. Depending on the disease, different manifestations can be observed. Some diseases are asymptomatic, while others bring significant discomfort.
When to see a traumatologist?
Many people do not know exactly what a traumatologist treats, what symptoms to contact this specialist with. Patients often visit a traumatologist when there is no other way out. This may be an injury, the presence of severe pain. Also, people go to this doctor when mobility is impaired or completely lost in some joint.
However, it is worth knowing that damages that require consultation of thisspecialist, are not always obvious. Sometimes even a minor injury can lead to serious consequences in the future. There is a list of symptoms for which you should immediately make an appointment with a traumatologist.
If a person is injured, even a minor one, they should go to the hospital. Especially if, after receiving the injury, pain appeared, mobility was impaired, swelling appeared.
With various pain sensations in the area of the musculoskeletal system, even without a previous injury, you need to contact a traumatologist. If after a workout there is discomfort, stiffness of movements, you should also immediately seek the advice of a specialist.
If you have an extensive wound, you need to visit this doctor. Sometimes a consultation with a trauma surgeon is required. This is also true when a person receives burns or frostbite.
If redness, pain or stiffness of movements, a noticeable deformity appear in the joint area, it is worth undergoing a thorough examination. For pain in the chest when inhaling, consultation with this specialist is also required. Sometimes this symptom indicates a broken rib.
When to see a pediatric traumatologist?
When considering what a pediatric traumatologist treats, it is worth paying attention to the symptoms that require the consultation of this specialist. For a growing organism, even a slight disturbance in the musculoskeletal system can lead to significant pathology in the future. Moreover, children are injured more often than adults. You should always remember this.
Parents should immediately bring their child to the hospital if the baby has fallen and is injured. This may be a deformity of the limb, swelling of the tissues, discoloration of the skin and pain. Sometimes discomfort appears some time after the injury. In a bruised place, the joint loses mobility, a hematoma, swelling or redness appears.
You also need to consult a traumatologist if the child feels nausea, dizziness after an injury. He may lose coordination. In some cases, vomiting may open or the child loses consciousness. You need to call an ambulance and explain that a similar condition occurs after a fall or injury.
Knowing what an orthopedic traumatologist treats, it is worth noting that if a child has an open wound, this specialist should also be visited.
Diagnostic Methods
Knowing what a traumatologist treats, it is worth saying a few words about the diagnostic methods of this doctor. To determine the type of disease, he can refer the patient to a general blood and urine test, a biochemical blood test. Densitometry (determination of bone density), X-ray, CT or MRI may also be required. Sometimes you need to consult with other medical specialists at the same time (endocrinologist, cardiologist, etc.).
Treatment methods
When considering what a traumatologist treats, attention should also be paid to therapy. It can be conservative or radical. In the first case, the doctor during the treatment uses bandages, other methods for fixation, immobilization of the joint orlimbs. The doctor prescribes appropriate medications (for internal or topical use).
If conservative treatment does not give the desired result, other methods may be used. They belong to the field of radical treatment. This area includes endoprosthesis replacement, metal osteosynthesis, bone tissue transplantation. Modern techniques allow you to overcome many ailments that were previously beyond the control of medicine.
Having considered what a traumatologist treats, you can understand in what cases to contact this medical specialist. The sooner a person sees a doctor in the presence of certain symptoms, the easier and faster the recovery process will be. The relevance of such a profession as a traumatologist is constantly increasing today.
