Which operations can orthopedic surgeons perform? 

The sections below examine some surgical procedures that an orthopedist may perform as part of their work.

Total joint replacement (TJR)

TJR surgery is one of the most common elective surgeries in the United States.

During a TJR, or arthroplasty, the doctor will remove the worn-out surfaces of a damaged joint and use a prosthesis as a replacement to replicate the functions of a typical healthy joint.

Many people can perform daily activities more quickly after a total joint replacement.

Arthroscopic surgery

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses an arthroscope to diagnose joint problems.

An arthroscope is a long, thin camera — about the size of a buttonhole — that an orthopedic surgeon will insert into a person’s joint, most commonly the knee or shoulder. The camera connects to a video monitor that allows them to see the inside of the joint.

The surgeon can then use several small, thin instruments to fix various problems by making minor additional incisions.

Arthroscopic surgery of the knee is the most common type of orthopedic surgery that takes place in the U.S. An orthopedist may perform arthroscopic surgery to repair common joint injuries, such as meniscus tears, ACL tears, and rotator cuff tears.

It can take 1 week to several months for a person to recover fully from an arthroscopy.

Fracture repair surgery

An orthopedic surgeon may recommend fracture repair surgery to restore the normal anatomy of a more severely broken bone. To stabilize the bone, they can use different types of implants. These include rods, plates, screws, and wires.

Following a fracture repair surgery, it is common for a person to lose muscle strength and range of motion in the injured area. However, the doctor will recommend specific exercises to restore normal muscle strength, joint motion, and flexibility.

Bone grafting surgery

Orthopedic surgeons may perform bone grafting to augment bone regeneration when a person’s body cannot produce enough new bone.

In bone grafting surgery, an orthopedic surgeon uses bone from a person’s body or a donor to repair and strengthen diseased or damaged bones. They may also use a synthetic bone substitute and biological factors when natural bone grafts are unavailable.

Spinal fusion

During a spinal fusion surgery, the doctor will fuse two or more vertebrae to correct problems with the spine. This procedure allows the vertebrae to heal into a single, solid mass of bone.

An orthopedic spine surgeon may perform a spinal fusion for some back and neck problems, including scoliosis and injuries to the vertebrae or intervertebral disks.