General Orthopedics Specialist

What is orthopedics?

As a general orthopedic doctor, Dr. Shults addresses a wide variety of disorders affecting your bones, cartilage, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. He is trained in all aspects of the musculoskeletal system, so he’s able to diagnose and treat a myriad of conditions in order to help you achieve and maintain optimal health and movement.

What types of conditions fall under general orthopedic care?

Dr. Shults treats all types of general orthopedic conditions. These include:

• Cartilage, ligament, and tendon tears
• Broken bones (fractures)
• Tendinitis or bursitis
• Arthritis
• Sprains and strains

If you have an issue that is complex or highly specialized, Dr. Shults consults with or refers you to a subspecialized orthopedic surgeon.

What qualifications does an orthopedist have?

Dr. Shults is a board-certified orthopedist who has completed multiple years of formal education to earn his credentials. These include four years of college, four years of medical school, and five years of training as an orthopedic resident.

He is more than qualified to diagnose, treat, and help you prevent orthopedic injuries and pain.

How are general orthopedic conditions treated?

In most cases, orthopedic conditions can be resolved with noninvasive treatment options. Coastal Empire Orthopedics offers physical and occupational therapy, as well as cortisone injections and viscosupplementation. Viscosupplementation involves the injection of a gel-like substance into the joint to create a smoother gliding surface and mimic the effects of natural synovial fluid.

When surgery is the best option, Dr. Shults can help. He offers a number of surgical interventions to reduce your pain and help you resume normal function.

What types of surgeries does an orthopedic surgeon perform?

As an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Shults can perform a variety of surgeries. These include:

• Arthroscopy, which uses tiny cameras and instruments to diagnose and sometimes treat a joint issue
• Soft tissue repair to mend torn tendons and ligaments
• Internal fixation, which holds broken pieces of bone in position with screws or plates to foster healing

Other surgeries, including fusion of bones, joint replacement, and osteotomy to correct bone deformities may also be required to heal your orthopedic issues.

For all your general orthopedic needs, call Coastal Empire Orthopedics or book an appointment online.