Non-Surgical Care for Joint, Muscle, and Tendon Pain
What Is Orthopedic Medicine?
“Orthopedic Medicine” has historically referred to the non-surgical diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, which are problems involving joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and sports-related injuries.
How the Field Has Been Described
The field has been described from multiple perspectives over time:
- AAOMThe American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine (AAOM)(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab) defines orthopedic medicine as the non-surgical diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunction, emphasizing restoration of function and comprehensive treatment approaches, including image-guided and interventional procedures.
- CyriaxJames Cyriax, MD (often considered one of the pioneers of orthopedic medicine) emphasized precise musculoskeletal diagnosis through careful examination and targeted non-operative treatment strategies in his work Textbook of Orthopaedic Medicine.
- UK & EuropeHistorically, particularly in the United Kingdom and Europe, orthopedic medicine referred to physicians specializing in non-surgical musculoskeletal care, distinct from orthopedic surgeons.
- TodayModern musculoskeletal medicine increasingly emphasizes comprehensive, non-operative treatment approaches that overlap with sports medicine, musculoskeletal medicine, image-guided interventions, rehabilitation medicine, regenerative medicine, and restorative orthopedic procedures.
Orthopedic Medicine vs. Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgeons
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in surgical treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
Orthopedic medicine physicians
Orthopedic medicine physicians focus on comprehensive non-surgical musculoskeletal care, like diagnosis, rehabilitation strategies, image-guided procedures, regenerative medicine approaches, bracing, activity modification, and working collaboratively with orthopedic surgeons when surgery becomes necessary.
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