An orthopedic doctor who specializes in hip and knee is a doctor who has the ability special to diagnose and treat disorders of the bones, muscles, joints, or ligaments of the hip and knee. These disorders can occur due to injury or certain diseases.
To become an orthopedic doctor specializing in hip and knee, a general practitioner must first become an orthopedic specialist, then take and complete a subspecialty program that specifically treats the hip and knee.
The goal of treatment performed by an orthopedic doctor who specializes in hip and knee is to allow patients to move more freely, so that they can return to their normal activities.
Conditions TreatedHip and Knee Specialist Orthopedic Doctor
The following are various disorders that can be treated by a hip and knee orthopedist:
- Repeated knee dislocation
- Anterior knee ligament injury
- Meniscus injury
- Inflammation of the knee and hip joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
- Hip fracture
- Lower limb deformities in adults, such as X- and O .-shaped feet
- Chondromalacia or cartilage damage to the kneecap
- Trauma that causes joint damage
- Joint and bone disorders that occur in the knee or hip due to genetic disorders or birth defects
Action takenHip and Knee Specialist Orthopedic Doctor
An orthopedic doctor who specializes in hip and knee can diagnose hip and knee disorders, as well as measure their severity.
In addition to performing a physical examination, this subspecialist doctor can perform supporting examinations if necessary, such as blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.
Depending on the detected disorder, a hip and knee orthopedist can perform actions, such as:
- Knee joint replacement (total knee replacement)
- Hip joint replacement (total hip replacement)
- Insertion of a pen on a hip fracture
- Knee arthroscopy, to see and correct problems in the knee joint cavity directly
- Knee ligament repair (knee ligament repair)
After the procedure, patients usually have to undergo physiotherapy and use a walker first. Patients can return to work or normal activities in about 1-3 months. This depends on their health and progress during the recovery process.
The Right Time to Check in withHip and Knee Specialist Orthopedic Doctor
You are advised to consult an orthopedic doctor who specializes in hip and knee after receiving a referral from a general practitioner or orthopedic doctor. However, you can also immediately consult this subspecialist doctor if you experience complaints, such as:
- Joint pain and muscle stiffness in the knees and hips
- Pain that gets worse with activities, such as long standing or exercising
- Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, getting up from a chair, or doing other activities that have been going on for a long time
- Physical injury that causes severe pain in the knee or hip
- Like there is friction or cracks when bending or stretching the knee
- Swelling in the knee joint that doesn't go away after a few days
- Knee shape looks not straight since childhood
Preparation Before going toHip and Knee Specialist Orthopedic Doctor
To make it easier for an orthopedic doctor who specializes in hip and knee in determining diagnosis and treatment, there are several things that you should prepare before meeting him, namely:
- Notes on complaints experienced
- Records regarding the history of injuries and treatments that have been carried out, such as drugs or surgery, including traditional massage or massage
- Records regarding history of drug allergies, including anesthetics, if any
- The document contains a medical evaluation from a previous doctor, including the results of the examination (medical record) and treatment, if any
Those are the things you should prepare before seeing an orthopedic doctor who specializes in hip and knee. Apart from medical documents, your own notes will prevent you from forgetting to share important information with your doctor.
To determine which hip and knee orthopedic doctor you want to visit, you can ask relatives or family who have had experience with this subspecialty doctor. However, if you are still in doubt, you can seek advice from an orthopedic or general practitioner.