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. Maine has 143 practicing orthopedic surgeons. Broken out by city, orthopedic surgery doctor density in Auburn is 14, in Augusta is 10, in Bangor is 19, in Bar Harbor is 2, in Bath is 1, in Belfast is 2, in Biddeford is 3, in Blue Hill is 1, in Bridgton is 2, in Brunswick is 7, in Calais is 1, in Caribou is 1, in Damariscotta is 3, in Dover Foxcroft is 3, in Ellsworth is 4, in Falmouth is 4, in Farmington is 13, in Fort Kent is 1, in Houlton is 1, in Machias is 3, in Millinocket is 2, in Norway is 2, in Oakland is 1, in Pemaquid is 1, in Pittsfield is 2, in Portland is 19, in Presque Isle is 5, in Randolph is 1, in Rockport is 5, in Sanford is 2, in Scarborough is 5, in Skowhegan is 3, in South Portland is 5, in South Thomaston is 1, in Waterville is 6, in Wells is 1, in Windham is 3, in Wiscasset is 1, in Yarmouth is 3, and in York is 8.

When you think of Maine, you probably think of seafood. Maine’s 228 miles of coastline offer residents and tourists breathtaking coastal scenery and numerous summer water sports, though most tourists visit Maine in the warmer months. Ninety percent of the land in Maine is forested, and the Appalachian Trail begins in this state. The capital city is Augusta, and the population is 1,321, 505. Famous Maine citizens include author Stephen King, artist Andrew Wyeth, and poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Maine has a population of 1,321,505. Of this population, 272,217 are under the age of 18 and 192,024 are at or above the age of 65.