4 Medical Specialties Besides Orthopaedic Surgery That Treat Bone Conditions

Bone conditions can have very different causes, so the right specialist depends on what is affecting the bone. An orthopaedic surgeon, commonly described as a bone doctor, treats fractures, injuries, deformities, and other structural problems. However, conditions such as osteoporosis, bone marrow disorders, and cancers involving the bones may require care from other specialists.

In this post, we look at four medical specialties besides orthopaedic surgery that may be involved in treating bone conditions.

What Does an Orthopaedic Surgeon Treat?

An orthopaedic surgeon treats conditions affecting the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and spine. These include:

• Broken or fractured bones
• Dislocated joints
• Sports and road traffic injuries
• Bone and joint infections
• Limb deformities
• Osteoarthritis
• Some spinal conditions

Although they are called surgeons, not every patient needs an operation. Treatment may include medication, a cast, a brace, physiotherapy, injections, exercises, or surgery.

An orthopaedic surgeon is usually the doctor who treats broken bones. For a recent or serious injury, however, you should first go to a hospital emergency department for assessment and stabilisation.

1. Rheumatology

Rheumatologists treat inflammatory, autoimmune, and musculoskeletal diseases. They may also manage conditions affecting bone strength, including osteoporosis, Paget’s disease of bone, and bone loss caused by long-term steroid use.

Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can gradually damage the bones around affected joints. A rheumatologist works to control the inflammation and prevent further damage, usually through medication and other non-surgical treatments.

2. Endocrinology

Endocrinologists treat hormonal and metabolic disorders. Hormones play an important role in maintaining bone strength and controlling calcium and vitamin D levels.

An endocrinologist may treat osteoporosis, osteomalacia, parathyroid disorders, calcium abnormalities, vitamin D disorders, and bone loss related to hormonal conditions.

Osteoporosis weakens the bones and increases the risk of fractures. An endocrinologist can investigate whether a hormonal or metabolic condition is contributing to the bone loss.

3. Haematology

A haematologist treats conditions involving the blood, blood-forming cells, and bone marrow.

Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside certain bones where blood cells are produced. Although it is located within the bones, bone marrow disease is not usually treated by an orthopaedic surgeon.

Haematologists manage conditions such as leukaemia, multiple myeloma, aplastic anaemia, and lymphoma involving the bone marrow. Multiple myeloma can weaken the bones, cause persistent bone pain, and increase the risk of fractures.

If you need a doctor who treats bone marrow disorders, the appropriate specialist is usually a haematologist.

4. Oncology

Oncologists diagnose and treat cancer, including cancers that begin in a bone and cancers that spread to the bones from another part of the body.

Primary bone cancer begins in the bone itself. It is different from cancer that starts in an organ such as the breast, prostate, lung, or kidney and later spreads to the bones.

An oncologist may work with an orthopaedic surgeon, haematologist, radiologist, pathologist, physiotherapist, and other healthcare professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Persistent bone pain does not automatically mean that a person has cancer. However, unexplained pain that worsens, occurs at night, causes swelling, or is accompanied by weight loss should be medically assessed.

Where Does Physiotherapy Fit In?

A physiotherapist is not a medical doctor but may be involved in treatment and rehabilitation. Physiotherapy can help patients regain movement and strength after a fracture, injury, or operation and return to their usual activities.

Tests Used to Investigate Bone Conditions

The tests required depend on the symptoms and suspected condition. A doctor may request an X-ray, CT scan, MRI, bone scan, bone-density scan, blood tests, bone biopsy, or bone marrow biopsy.

You do not necessarily need an expensive scan before seeing a doctor. A medical assessment can help determine which investigation is appropriate.

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