Orthopaedic medicine is a specialty focusing on the diagnosis, correction, prevention and treatment of injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic doctors address conditions related to the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons in the body.

Osteoarthritis is inflammation of the joints where two or more bones are connected. Cartilage, the connective tissue in our joints, protects the joints by absorbing pressure and shock when we move. Arthritis can occur when cartilage erodes, causing weak, stiff or painful joints. There are over 100 different types of arthritis; the two most common types are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Orthopedic doctors can help relieve pain related to osteoarthritis.

Shoulder pain is another common orthopaedic condition. The source of pain is often a torn rotator cuff. The two leading causes of rotator cuff tears are degeneration and injury. Continued use after a tear can cause further damage to your rotator cuff. Patients experiencing chronic shoulder or arm pain should see an orthopaedic shoulder specialist. An orthopaedic doctor typically starts with a non-surgical treatment to address shoulder pain. Steroid injections and/or physical therapy can often ease the pain and improve function in the shoulder, often eliminating the need for surgery.

Knee pain is one of the most common orthopaedic issues affecting people of all ages. Knee pain is typically the result of injury or inflammation. The knee is one of the joints most prone to injury, which may result in acute pain. Osteoarthritis and other inflammatory diseases may cause chronic knee pain. A board-certified orthopaedic knee specialist may recommend steroid injections, a knee brace or physical therapy, which can often relieve symptoms of knee pain. Some cases may require more aggressive treatment, such as surgery to correct a mechanical breakdown of the knee.