To receive the best care for your orthopedic (musculoskeletal) condition, it is important to choose the right kind of orthopedic practice. These medical practices vary widely, and they each have different strengths and specializations.
From joint replacement to sports medicine to general orthopedic medicine, you can take a look at the options that are available to you in your area based on what you want. Let’s talk about some of the most popular types of orthopedic practices and what each one can offer to you.
General Orthopedics
A practice that provides general orthopedics treats patients with a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions and disorders. A general orthopedist can diagnose and treat everything from sprains and strains to arthritis, bone fractures, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and beyond.
Multispecialty Orthopedic Practice
Orthopedists who serve in a multispecialty medical practice benefit greatly from a collegial atmosphere – and so do their patients. If a patient has an unusual symptom, chances are very good that one or more of the doctors on staff will be familiar with how to approach that symptom. Plus, the doctors share a single chart on each patient, which enables them to provide comprehensive and efficient care and treatment without unnecessary delay.
A multispecialty orthopedic practice might have orthopedic surgeons who specialize in upper extremity or lower extremity surgeries, spine surgeries, and joint replacement surgeries. The practice may have full-time physical therapists on staff as well as sports medicine physicians.
Specialized Practice
Some orthopedic practices specialize in treating specific areas of the body, such as the spine, hip and knee, upper extremities, lower extremities, or the foot and ankle. Specialized orthopedic practices may cultivate knowledge about a specific area of the body, and they have a greater focus on distinct patient populations and how they tend to respond to different treatments.
For example, an orthopedic practice specializing in joint reconstruction can subspecialize further in joint reconstruction of the hip and knee, wrist and hand, and shoulder and elbow. Others subspecialize in treating patients who have certain chronic conditions that can affect the bones and muscles, such as diabetes.
Sports Medicine Practice
Orthopedic surgeons may undergo fellowship training in sports medicine, which gives them greater knowledge and experience in treating orthopedic injuries which were sustained during exercise or while playing sports. Sports medicine physicians have the ability to rapidly diagnose an injury and begin treatment right away.
In sports medicine, there is an emphasis on helping the patient to get back to their pre-injury condition as quickly as possible – but not so soon that there is a high risk of re-injury. For this reason, sports medicine doctors may even travel with professional or collegiate sports teams. Athletes and “weekend warriors” can receive the best injury care from a sports medicine doctor.
Orthopedic Practice in Austin, TX
The medical team at All-Star Orthopedics of Austin is headed by board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeon Dr. Carolyn Hyde. Dr. Hyde is specially trained in sports medicine and knee reconstruction surgery, and she has served the orthopedic needs of this community for more than 20 years.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hyde, call All-Star Orthopedics of Austin today at (512) 346-4933 or request an appointment now by filling out our online form. We look forward to serving you!
