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Orthopedics: Care for Bones, Joints, and Muscles

Aptiva Health Editorial Team

2 min readLast reviewed June 11, 2026

Orthopedics treats injuries and conditions of the musculoskeletal system — your bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Care usually starts simple and only moves to surgery when it is truly needed.

Written by Aptiva Health Editorial TeamMedically reviewed by Thomas Huhn, MD and Robert Williams, MDEditorial & review standardsHow we research

What is orthopedics?

OrthopedicsThe branch of medicine focused on bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons — including injuries, arthritis, and surgery such as joint replacement. (say “or-tho-PEE-dics”) is the branch of medicine that cares for your musculoskeletal system — the bones, joints, ligaments (bands that connect bone to bone), tendons (bands that connect muscle to bone), and muscles that let you move. An orthopedic providerAnyone licensed to give you medical care — a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Clinics use "provider" as a catch-all for whoever is caring for you. can be a surgeon, but most orthopedic care does not involve surgery at all.

Common conditions

  • Shoulder problems such as rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder, and arthritis
  • Knee pain, including meniscus tears, ligament tears (like the ACL), and osteoarthritis (joint “wear and tear”)
  • Hip pain, labral tears, and bursitis (swelling of a small fluid-filled cushion in a joint)
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome (pinched nerve in the wrist)
  • Tendonitis (an irritated, inflamed tendon)

The typical treatment pathway

Good orthopedic care usually moves in steps, from least invasive to most:

  1. Conservative care first. Rest, ice, activity changes, over-the-counter pain relief, bracing, and physical therapy. Many problems improve at this stage.
  2. In-office procedures. If pain continues, a provider may suggest an injection (such as a steroid or other medicine placed in or near a joint) to calm inflammation.
  3. Advanced and surgical options. When other steps have not worked, or the injury is severe, surgery may be discussed — for example, arthroscopy (a “keyhole” surgery using a tiny camera) or a joint replacement.

What to expect at a visit

The provider will ask about your symptoms, examine the area, and may order imaging such as an X-rayA quick imaging test that uses a small amount of radiation to show bones and check for fractures or alignment problems. or MRIMagnetic Resonance Imaging — an imaging test that uses strong magnets and radio waves (no X-ray radiation) to make detailed pictures of soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, and spinal discs.. Together you will review what the images show and talk through options. You can ask for the cost of any test or procedure before you agree to it.

When to seek care

Consider seeing a provider if pain lasts more than a week or two, keeps you from normal activities, or comes with swelling, instability, or numbness. For a deformed limb, inability to bear weight, severe bleeding, or signs of a serious injury, seek emergency care or call 911.

Smart questions to ask

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • What non-surgical options should we try first?
  • What are the benefits, risks, and costs of each option?
  • What happens if I wait and watch?

Sources