Orthopedics is the study of the musculoskeletal system

Musculoskeletal system

A musculoskeletal system is an organ system that gives animals the ability to move using the muscular and skeletal systems...

. The Greek word 'ortho' means straight or correct and 'pedics' comes from the Greek 'pais' meaning children. For many centuries, orthopedists have been involved in the treatment of crippled children. Orthopedic doctors (also called Orthopedists or Orthopeds) specialize in diagnosis and treatment of problems of the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system includes: bone

Bone

Bones are rigid organs that constitute part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue...

s, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. It is a main branch of surgery.

There are a number of professions that offer non-surgical treatment options for many orthopedic problems, such as: physiotherapy, chiropractic

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. It is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine...

, occupational therapy

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy is a discipline that aims to promote health by enabling people to perform meaningful and purposeful activities. Occupational therapists work with individuals who suffer from a mentally, physically, developmentally, and/or emotionally disabling condition by utilizing treatments...

, podiatry

Podiatry

Podiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. The term podiatry came into use first in the early 20th century United States, where it now denotes a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine , a specialist who is qualified by their...

, and kinesiology

Kinesiology

Kinesiology, also known as human kinetics is the scientific study of human movement. Kinesiology addresses physiological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms. Applications of kinesiology to human health include: biomechanics and orthopedics, rehabilitation, such as physical and occupational...

Conditions requiring medication or surgical intervention are managed by orthopedic surgeons.

See also

• Osteopathic Medicine
  Osteopathic medicine
  Osteopathic medicine is a branch of the medical profession in the United States. Osteopathic physicians, known as DOs, are licensed to practice medicine and surgery in all 50 states and are recognized in forty-seven other countries, including most Canadian provinces.Frontier physician Andrew Taylor...
  
  
• Orthopedic surgery
  Orthopedic surgery
  Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system...
  
  
• Physical Therapy
  Physical therapy
  Physical therapy , often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession. Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment/intervention,and rehabilitation...
  
  
• Buddy wrapping
  Buddy wrapping
  Buddy wrapping or buddy taping is the act of bandaging a damaged finger or toe together with a healthy one. The bandage is usually stiff, not allowing the digits to move; the healthy digit acts as a splint, keeping the damaged one in a natural position for healing...
  
  

Massage therapy