Orthopedic surgery deals with problems of the spine and the extremities. An orthopedic surgeon diagnoses and treats patients whose musculoskeletal problems include arthritis, trauma and congenital deformities. He or she also works with patients who have traumatic and overuse injuries. Using both surgical and non-surgical means, the orthopedic surgeon will treat injuries and degenerative problems of the spine and extremities, such as hands, feet, knees, shoulders and elbows.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are Spinal Infection, Spinal Discectomy, Spinal Injury, Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Stenosis, Herniated Disc, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Scoliosis, Spinal Deformity, Spinal Cord Tumors, arthritis, Trigger finger, Tennis elbow, Wrist fractures, Ganglion cysts, Orthopaedic trauma, Brachial plexus injuries, and congenital deformities.

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including Disc Disease / Surgery, Hand surgery, Hip Replacement, Back / Spine Surgery , Invasive Disc Surgery, Joint Surgery, Kyphosis Surgery, Shoulder arthroscopy and débridement, Repair of ankle fracture (bimalleolar type), Repair fracture of radius (bone)/ulna, Knee replacement, Laminectomy, Total joint reconstruction (arthroplasty), Spine surgery, Foot and ankle surgery, Lumbar spinal fusion, Carpal tunnel release, Repair of femoral shaft fracture, Repair of rotator cuff tendon, and Repair of ankle fracture (fibula).

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including Cat Scan, MRI arthrogram, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Axial Tomography (CT or CAT Scan), x-ray, PET scan, Bone Scans, Hip Ultrasound, Gallium Scan, Medical Photography, and Spine Ultrasound.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Arkansas has 164 practicing orthopedic surgeons. Broken out by city, orthopedic surgery doctor density in Arkadelphia is 1, in Batesville is 3, in Benton is 4, in Bentonville is 2, in Berryville is 2, in Bryant is 1, in Camden is 1, in Clarksville is 1, in Clinton is 1, in Conway is 7, in El Dorado is 4, in Eureka Springs is 1, in Fayetteville is 20, in Fordyce is 1, in Fort Smith is 16, in Harrison is 4, in Hartford is 1, in Heber Springs is 3, in Holiday Island is 1, in Hope is 3, in Hot Springs is 8, in Hot Springs National Park is 5, in Hot Springs Village is 1, in Jacksonville is 2, in Jonesboro is 11, in Little Rock is 47, in Magnolia is 2, in Malvern is 2, in Maumelle is 1, in Monticello is 1, in Morrilton is 1, in Mountain Home is 5, in Nashville is 3, in Newport is 1, in North Little Rock is 6, in Paragould is 2, in Pine Bluff is 5, in Rogers is 8, in Russellville is 7, in Searcy is 3, in Sherwood is 9, in Siloam Springs is 2, in Springdale is 6, in Stuttgart is 4, in Van Buren is 2, and in West Memphis is 1.

Arkansas is home to many lakes and rivers for those interested in fishing and water sports. Cruise up the Arkansas River, fish in the White River of the Ozark Mountains, or drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi River Delta. Tour Arkansas wine country in the Altus area, step inside a log cabin from the 1800s in southern Arkansas, or hike nature trails in Hot Springs National Park. Arkansas’ population is 2,779,154. Little Rock is Arkansas’ capital city, and has numerous restaurants, museums, golfing, and an extensive park system. Visit the monument that marks the initial point for surveys of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Arkansas has a population of 2,779,154. Of this population, 662,920 are under the age of 18 and 381,547 are at or above the age of 65.