What Does an Orthopedic Doctor Do? | Joint Replacement | Sports Injuries

An orthopedic doctor is a medical professional needed when you have a musculoskeletal injury of some kind.  This happens often with sports injuries, as they can cause a bone fracture or the need for a joint replacement. Dr. Horn is an orthopedic doctor and surgeon and has studied the mechanics of human bones, muscles, and joints for decades.

Let’s say an adolescent suffers a bone fracture during a basketball game.  Sports injures are one of the most common specialties an orthopedic surgeon sees.  Dr. Horn would initially determine the extent and type of fracture a patient has through an x-ray. Depending on the result, he will treat the fracture accordingly. 

Bone fractures can manifest in a variety of ways.  They can be displaced, non-displaced, burst, stress, transverse, oblique, comminuted, and more.  After the type and extent of fracture is determined, Dr. Horn’s ultimate goal is to set the fractured bones in the best anatomical position. Next, the area will be immobilized, in order to allow healing and recovery time.  When healed sufficiently, Dr. Horn may order a course of physical therapy to restore full range of motion and function of the injured area.

At the opposite spectrum of life, older individuals will not see an orthopedic doctor for sports injuries.  They will most likely seek out an orthopedic surgeon for a consult regarding their painful knee, shoulder, elbow, or other joints. 

After decades of wear and tear on the knee, the result may be severe and painful osteoarthritis in the joint, and the knee may need to be replaced, at some point.  A joint replacement is a very common procedure that Dr. Horn performs.  A knee joint replacement, in particular, is a very common procedure.  It is performed by replacing the bottom of the femur (thigh bone) and the top of the tibia (shin bone), where it meets the femur at the knee, with artificial pieces. 

Many patients can be apprehensive about this procedure. However, after the surgery and physical therapy have been completed, they are usually very happy with the results. Knee joint replacement often decreases pain dramatically.

You do not need to live your life in pain.  If you have a sports injury or a joint causing you pain for days or years, you need a consultation with Dr. Horn. Book your appointment by Visiting https://hornortho.com/contact/ or Calling (281) 837-8550 today.