Medical Specialties Field in Medicine

Medical Specialties

Field in medicine is vast and its professionals have a choice of specializing in myriad options available. Some of the important specialties in the field of medicine are as:

Cardiology cardiologist is concerned with the heart and its action and diseases and specializes in related matters.

Dermatology dermatologist studies in detail matters related to skin, its structure, function and diseases.

Neurology

Treatment of diseases and disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral and sympathetic nervous system are the concerns of a neurologist who specializes in neurology.

Gynecology

Gynecology is the vast field related to birth and diseases & hygiene of women and so gynecologists keep their focus women specific problems.

Ophthalmology

An ophthalmologist specializes in ophthalmology in which the structure, functions and diseases of the eye are studied in detail.

Pediatric

Pediatric is the special branch of medicine that deals with the development, care and diseases of children.

7. Rheumatology

Inflammation and pain in muscles and joints are the characteristics of rheumatic diseases and so field of rheumatology has been created for this purpose only.

8. Orthopedics

Acute, chronic, traumatic and recurrent injuries and other disorders of the locomotor system, its muscular and bone parts are dealt by a special branch of surgery known as orthopedics.

Orthopedics

Introduction

Disorders of the musculoskeletal system that includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves are covered in this special branch of surgery called orthopedics. An orthopedic specialist may diagnose and cure the problem, with or without surgery. However, surgery is where the orthopedics excels while the surgical procedure could be minor or major.

Orthopedic surgery has gained popularity over the years because of the use of metallurgy and plastics. Earlier orthopedics used braces to straighten the bones but now with advancements in the technology have helped develop artificial limbs and joints and other materials for bones and connective tissues. Procedures like arthroscopy have also helped the field tremendously. Due to different development orthopedic surgeon now are able to treat problems related to joints and even disorders of the spine. "The use of arthroscopic tools has been particularly important for injured patients. Arthroscopy was pioneered by Dr. Watanabe of Japan to perform minimally invasive cartilage surgery and re-constructions of torn ligaments. Arthroscopy helped patients recover from the surgery in a matter of days, rather than the weeks to months required by conventional, 'open' surgery. Knee arthroscopy is one of the most common operations performed by orthopedic surgeons today and is often combined with meniscectomy or chondroplasty -- both of which are removal of a torn cartilage" (Wikipedia Encyclopedia).

Conditions

Arthritic & Rheumatic Disease: Orthopedic surgeons also deal with the complexities arising out of arthritic and rheumatic diseases. "Although the term literally means joint inflammation, arthritis really refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Certain conditions may affect other parts of the body -- such as the muscles, bones, and some internal organs -- and can result in debilitating, and sometimes life-threatening, complications. If left undiagnosed and untreated, arthritis can cause irreversible damage to the joints. The two most common forms of the disease, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, have the greatest public health implications, according to the Arthritis Foundation" (Lewis 27).

Arthritic and rheumatic diseases are initially treated with medicines to relieve pain but sometimes pain exceed too much and cause damage to the joints then orthopedic surgeons operate the joints involved. For many patients surgical procedures like knee replacement treatments have proven to be ideal options. The success rates of these orthopedic operations have proven successful.

Children's Problem: Orthopedics is also involved in pediatrics. The problems occur because children are generally active in sports and different playful activities and due to their immature skeletal structures may succumb to fractures and injuries. The cases oif children are different from adults because they are still gowing through a growth phase so any surgical treatment may require extra care. Specialists make sure that the future growth of bones and joints does not get hindered reulting in problems and complications at a later stage in life.

Trauma and Congenital Deformities: Emergency rooms and trauma centers are the places where injured come and these are the places where orthopedics serve. Prompt treatments by these surgeons have helped many around the world from disabilities by losing their body parts. Due to developments in the field people are now not only consult orthopedic surgeons for complexities created because of diseases or trauma but also for congenital deformities.

Training

Generally four years of medical school and one year of internship, residency or fellowship gives a person the title of MD but specialization requires extra training. After attaining the license as a medical doctor, residency is usually done in a specialty orthopedics which is generally of five years. During this five years first year is spent on general surgery while rest of the four years focus on orthopedics. In the United States, the American Board of Medical Specialties gives the certificate of the doctor in orthopedics after the residency. Further specializations are available in different areas as hand surgery, back surgery, sports medicine etc. For further specialization in subspecialties surgeons spend one more year in fellowship training.

Allied Professionals

Physical therapists or occupational therapists support orthopedic specialist in the care and treatment of people with orthopedic problems. In order to improve the range of motion and restore function to all affected body parts physical therapists help patients with the help of different exercises and physical activities. Joint replacement implants, metal rods, screws and plates, and other types of orthopedic implants are used in the surgical procedures for which orthopedics requires help from supply companies that manufacture orthopedic implants and prosthesis. Anesthesiologist and surgical nurses are of key importance to an orthopedic surgeon. Developments in the anesthesiology and the professionals have helped orthopedics achieve miracles today.