The medical industry has an abundance of doctors who specialize in their particular area of medical expertise. One such medical specialist is an orthopedic doctor.
While orthopedic specialists can treat many different musculoskeletal conditions, there is a deeper layer of specialization that some orthopedic physicians practice: hand conditions. If you have hand pain or a hand or wrist injury, your best option is to see an orthopedic hand specialist.
What Is Orthopedics?
Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions and injuries related to the body’s musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system comprises our muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and the associated connective tissues.
Therefore, health conditions and injuries involving this system are best treated by orthopedic physicians. In particular, injuries and diseases that affect the hands and surrounding organs and tissues should be addressed by orthopedic hand specialists.
What Kinds of Orthopedic Physicians Are There?
Orthopedic physicians have expertise in many different specialties, including the following:
- Orthopedic Hand Specialists
- Orthopedic Pediatric Specialists (treating babies and children)
- Orthopedic Back and Spine Specialists
- Orthopedic Shoulder Specialists
- Orthopedic Elbow Specialists
- Orthopedic Wrist Specialists
- Sports Medicine Specialists
Well-trained orthopedic doctors always treat patients with the least invasive treatment possible first, then progress to minimally invasive procedures such as injection-based therapy. All orthopedic physicians are specially trained to perform surgery as necessary.
Why Choose an Orthopedic Hand Specialist?
If you have a condition or injury in your hand or the surrounding tissue and organs, the best type of orthopedic doctor you should see is an orthopedic hand specialist. This type of physician has the knowledge and experience necessary to adequately examine you, understand your medical history and lifestyle, and evaluate which factors are causing the problem in your hand.
Additionally, a hand specialist will be able to perform the most advanced (and relevant) tests available in the field to diagnose you correctly. An orthopedic hand specialist will use their expertise to recommend the right types of treatments to correct your hand condition or injury.
While other types of orthopedic physicians are also qualified to treat the various kinds of orthopedic conditions throughout the body, a hand specialist has an extra level of expertise. This means that their diagnosis and treatment recommendations are based on a wealth of specialized knowledge surrounding your hand problems or injury.
Hand Surgeons in Maryland
Would you see a cardiologist for your diabetes or a dermatologist for a thyroid issue? No! This is why an orthopedic hand specialist should diagnose and treat your hand condition or injury. It’s essential that you visit the right type of medical specialist so you can recover properly and completely.
If you have a hand injury or chronic condition that affects the mobility and use of your hand, consider scheduling a consultation with our experts at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder. Our team specializes in medical and surgical needs of the musculoskeletal system, including the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder, including pediatric orthopedic medicine.
Call our Maryland hand surgeons today at (410) 296-6232 to request an appointment. You can also fill out our appointment request form online to schedule a consultation at any of our Greater Chesapeake locations. We look forward to serving you.