Many people think of orthopaedics as the treatment of bones, but it's far more than that. An orthopaedist is an expert in the human skeletal system, but also treats associated muscles, nerves, cartilage and other soft tissue organs. The goal is to relieve pain and improve movement.

Visit the Shands Rehab Centers page to learn more about the Orthopaedic Rehabilitation services at Shands at UF.

Depending on the problem, the key focus may be on diagnosis, treatment, or a variety of therapies that aid rehabilitation from an injury, disease or surgery. Given a person's physical activities or the hereditary aspects of some orthopaedic problems, the doctor's focus may be prevention. That may range from advice on shoes or special exercise to regular screenings and check-ups.

Orthopaedists may work with other health specialists such as physical and occupational therapists, rehabilitation specialists, nutritionists, endocrinologists, oncologists, neurologists and other surgeons.

There are many types of treatment for orthopaedic problems, so it's important an accurate diagnosis is made and most appropriate treatment chosen.

The new Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute opened in September 2004. The institute provides patient care, surgical and non-surgical rehabilitation, motion and gait analysis, and musculoskeletal conditioning.