An orthopedic surgical team is a group of people who work together to provide orthopedic surgery. The orthopedic surgeon typically leads the orthopedic surgical team, but there are many other positions on the team that help with specific tasks. Orthopedists are doctors who specialize in treating conditions and injuries related to bones or muscles around joints. They use orthopedic surgery instruments to repair bone fractures, treat arthritis, realign broken bones and correct deformities.
Scrub Nurse
The first position on an orthopedist surgical team is the scrub nurse. Scrub nurses prepare for surgeries by washing their hands with antibacterial soap and sanitizing any equipment that will be used during the procedure. The Scrub nurse typically works in a sterile field, wearing an orthopedic surgery cap and mask. The orthopedic surgeon will ask the scrub nurse to hand them specific instruments that they need during the operation.
Scrub nurses also help with closing incisions after orthopedic surgeries are completed by handing the doctor sutures or disinfecting tools as needed.
Circulating Nurse
The orthopedic surgical team also consists of the circulating nurse. Circulating nurses are responsible for making sure that there is a steady supply of clean towels and gowns in the operating room, as well as keeping track of medical records during surgery. The orthopedic surgeon can ask the circulatory nurse to bring certain items like glasses or a mobile phone to them during orthopedic surgery.
Surgical Assistant
The orthopedist surgeon has a surgical assistant who helps prep the patient for orthopedic procedures and assists with positioning equipment, including orthopedic surgery instruments, in the operating room. After orthopedic surgeries are completed, an x-ray technician will take pictures of patients bones so that orthopedists can see if orthopedic surgery went smoothly and as planned.
Post Surgery
After orthopedic surgeries, orthopedic surgeons will provide patients with instructions about how to care for themselves. This usually consists of writing out a prescription and giving them information sheets on their condition and further treatment options. Some other treatment options might include physical therapy. Within three days of orthopedic procedures, orthopedists typically assign follow-up appointments to patients so that they can check on their orthopedic diseases or injuries.
The orthopedist surgeon is the head of the orthopedic surgical team and typically makes decisions about how orthopedic surgeries are performed during operations, but other members of the orthopedic surgical team also have important roles in patient care.