Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery Today

The field of sports medicine is closely related to that of orthopedic surgery; in fact, surgical sports medicine is one of several specializations in which orthopedic surgeons can train.

The field of orthopedics is concerned with more than just surgery. Referring to both surgical and nonsurgical treatment of problems connected to the musculoskeletal system, this branch of the medical field involves many types of corrective procedures. The term orthopedics can also be spelled "orthopaedics," coming from the a combination of the Greek words for "correct" and "child" when it was coined in the 1700s to describe corrective procedures to prevent childhood deformities. While pediatric orthopedics are still practiced broadly, other applications of the specialization abound in this increasingly competitive corner of the medical field.

According to some estimates, approximately 3-4% of practicing physicians in the U.S. are orthopedic surgeons, for a total of 20,400. Each of those medical professionals undergo a rigorous litany of training:

• 4 years of undergraduate college courses

• 4 years of medical school training

• 1 year of general surgery residency

• 4 years of orthopedic surgery residency

After the required extensive training it takes to become an orthopedic surgeon, many opt to pursue further specialization through fellowships for an additional one to two years. Some popular niche specializations include these:

• Total joint reconstruction (also known as Arthroplasty)

• Musculoskeletal oncology

• Spine surgery

• Orthopedic trauma

• Hand surgery

While there is clearly overlap between orthopedics and other branches of medical field, such as neurosurgeons or plastic surgeons. The specialized knowledge that an orthopedic surgeon has regarding bones and muscles prove invaluable. By working together with a standard oncologist, one of these surgeons can bring the kind of expert surgical abilities to the operating table, giving the patient the best prognosis possible.

The specialization of surgical sports medicine basically gives a sports medicine professional the added ability to be able to perform surgery, allowing him to care for the athletes under his care more thoroughly than the typical medical professional could do. This kind of thorough care can be comforting to athletes and coaches, since they have already established a relationship of trust with this member of the medical community. By having the same person involved in players' preventive care as in therapy-based treatments and any needed surgeries, a person is most likely to have the kind all-around health advocate that best serves their need.

As the demand for sports medicine professionals increases, the gap between that aspect of medicine and that of orthopedic surgery will likely be more often bridged.

When it comes to sports medicine Houston medical professionals are in it to win it, working hard and dedicating themselves to their field just like the athletes they practice on. Learn more at http://warnockmd.com/.

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