​Orthdopedic surgeons work with patients with a wide variety of problems including fractured bones, dislocated joints, ruptured discs, compressed spinal cords, and torn ligaments and tendons. Patients are generally referred to orthodpedic surgeons by their family practitioners. When a new patient comes in, the surgeon will go over what the condition is, and then get them started with a treatment. In many cases, the treatment involves surgery. Orthopedic Suregons, however, also treat patients using non-surgical methods, such as the use of excersise therapy, medicines or even casts and splints. If surgery is the only treatment, the othopedic surgeon will explain the procedure to the patient, and answer any questions he/she has. The work performed by orthopedic surgeons may involve using screws, wires, and pins to set bones into the proper alignment, or replacing joints with prosthetic devices. Many orthopedic surgeons work as generalists, others specialize in a particular area of orthopedics. For instance, some orthopedic surgeons focus on working with a specific part of the musculosketetal system, such as the spine, hand, foot or and ancle. Other areas of subspecialty include sports medicine, orthodpedic trauma, and pediatric orthopedics.