Upstate Orthopedics

"Info on Ortho"

What does "orthopedics" entail?

Orthopedics is the branch of surgery focused on conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital conditions. This includes knees, ankles, feet, arms, hands, shoulders, spine and all bones and joints in between.

What exactly is a musculoskeletal system?

Basically, the musculoskeletal system gives us the ability to move. It provides form, stability, and protects organs. It is made up of the body's bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissue. The study of orthopedics describes how bones are connected to other bones and muscle fibers via these connective tissue.

The bones provide the stability to a body.

Different bones are connected by joints.

Muscles keep bones in place and also play a role in movement of the bones. They contract and extend to move the bone attached at the joint.

Cartilage prevents the bone ends from rubbing directly on to each other.

At Upstate Orthopedics, each of our surgeons is a specialized expert in a specific area of orthopedics, and together, we have the entire body - head to toes - covered.