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Medical Specialty

Find Best Orthopedic Surgeons Near Me

Search for qualified orthopedic surgeons in your area. Compare board-certified orthopedic surgeons specializing in joint replacement, sports injuries, spine surgery, fractures, and arthritis.

At a Glance

Session lengthA first visit runs about 20 to 40 minutes; follow-up appointments are often shorter.
FormatIn-person exams, with some follow-ups and second opinions offered by telehealth.
Typical courseOne visit for a minor injury; weeks to months of therapy or surgical recovery for bigger problems.
InsuranceMost accept Medicare, Medicaid, and major commercial plans; many specialists need a referral first.
Typical self-payAn office consult often runs $150 to $400 without insurance; imaging and procedures cost more.

Overview

An orthopedic surgeon is a doctor who treats problems with your bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. People often call them bone and joint doctors. They handle injuries like fractures and torn ligaments, plus long-term conditions like arthritis, back pain, and worn-out hips and knees. Many also have a focus area, such as sports medicine, hand surgery, spine, foot and ankle, or joint replacement. Surgery is one tool they use, but it is not the first step for most patients. A good orthopedic surgeon starts with the least invasive option that fits your problem. That can mean rest, bracing, physical therapy, injections, or medication. Surgery comes up when those steps do not bring enough relief or when an injury needs structural repair. You may need a referral from your primary care doctor to book an appointment, or you may be able to schedule directly, depending on your insurance plan. Orthopedic surgeons differ from rheumatologists, who treat joint disease mostly with medication and rarely operate, and from physical therapists, who guide movement and recovery without performing surgery. On this page you can search 34,538 orthopedic surgeons across the United States, filter by location and insurance, and read about common bone and joint conditions. Start with the basics here, then move to the deeper guides when you are ready to compare options or prepare for a visit.

How to get started

Booking your first visit is simpler than most people expect. Start by writing down when your pain or injury began, what makes it better or worse, and which daily tasks it limits. Bring a list of your medications, any prior imaging like X-rays or MRIs, and your insurance card. If your plan needs a referral, ask your primary care doctor for one before you call. At the visit, the surgeon will examine the area, may order imaging, and will explain what is going on in plain terms. Ask how many treatment paths exist and what each one involves. You do not have to decide on surgery that day, and a second opinion is always reasonable if you want one. When you are ready to prepare in detail, read our guide on what to bring to your first appointment. Use the search above to find a surgeon who takes your insurance.

When surgery is and is not the answer

Surgery sounds daunting, and the good news is that many bone and joint problems improve without it. For arthritis, tendon strains, and many back issues, the first plan is usually rest, bracing, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, or a joint injection. These steps resolve or ease a large share of cases. Surgery becomes the right choice when a structure is torn or broken in a way that will not heal on its own, or when months of other care have not given you enough relief. A trustworthy surgeon will tell you honestly where your case falls and will not push an operation you do not need. Ask what happens if you wait, what recovery looks like, and how well the procedure tends to work for someone like you. To understand the choices before you walk in, read our overview of nonsurgical treatment options. That way the conversation starts from a place of knowledge, not fear.

Working with your care team

An orthopedic surgeon is rarely the only person involved in your recovery. Your primary care doctor often spots the problem first and handles your overall health. Physical therapists rebuild strength and range of motion before or after a procedure, and they are the reason many people avoid the operating room entirely. For certain conditions you may also work with a pain specialist, a rheumatologist, or a sports trainer. The surgeon ties this team together for the bone, joint, or soft-tissue part of your care. When you choose one, ask how they coordinate with therapy and who to call with questions during recovery. Good communication between providers shortens healing time and lowers your risk of setbacks. If your issue is more about long-term joint disease than a single injury, our guide on working with physical therapy and your care team walks through who does what. Build the team first, and the treatment plan gets easier to follow.

Common Orthopedic Surgeons Procedures

What each one involves, what it costs, and how to find a doctor near me

ACL ReconstructionWhat ACL reconstruction is, what it costs, how long recovery takes, and how to find the right knee surgeon near you.ArthroscopyA plain-language guide to keyhole joint surgery. What it is, what it costs, how recovery works, and when a surgeon really recommends it.Bone GraftsA plain answer to what a bone graft is, when you need one, what it costs in real dollars, and how to find a surgeon who does them.BunionectomyClear answers on bunion surgery: what it fixes, the types, real recovery times, what it costs, and how to find a foot surgeon near you.Carpal Tunnel ReleaseWhat carpal tunnel release surgery is, when you actually need it, what it costs, and how long recovery takes.Chest Wall SurgeryThis page explains what chest wall surgery treats, how surgeons do it, what recovery looks like, and what it actually costs in US dollars.Hand SurgeryWhat hand surgery treats, how the operation works, what recovery looks like, and what you will pay with or without insurance.Hip ReplacementWhat a hip replacement does, when you actually need one, what it costs with insurance or cash, and how to find a surgeon near you.Joint AspirationWhat a joint tap is, how it feels, what it costs, and how to find the right doctor for it.Joint InjectionWhat a joint injection is, what it costs, how it feels, how long relief lasts, and when it is the right call for your knee, hip, shoulder, or other joint.Joint ReplacementWhat joint replacement is, when you actually need it, what it costs with and without insurance, and how to find a surgeon who does many of them.Knee ReplacementThis page explains what a knee replacement is, what it costs, how long recovery takes, and how to know when you actually need one.LaminectomyWhat a laminectomy is, when it makes sense, what it costs, and how to find a surgeon you trust. Plain answers, real dollar ranges, no sales pitch.MeniscectomyThis page explains what a meniscectomy is, when you need one, what it costs in real dollars, and how long recovery takes.Meniscus RepairWhat meniscus repair is, whether a tear can heal on its own, what it costs, and how long recovery really takes.MicrodiscectomyWhat microdiscectomy is, what it costs, how long recovery takes, and the warning signs that mean you should not wait.PRP InjectionA plain answer to what a PRP injection is, what it costs, what it can treat, and when it is worth trying for joint and tendon pain.Rotator Cuff RepairWhat rotator cuff repair surgery involves, how long recovery takes, what can go wrong, and what you will actually pay.Rotator Cuff SurgeryWhat rotator cuff surgery actually fixes, what it costs, how long recovery takes, and how to tell if you need it yet.Spinal FusionWhat spinal fusion is, who actually needs it, what it costs in real dollars, and how to find a qualified spine surgeon near you.TMJ SurgeryTMJ surgery treats jaw joint pain and locking when other care has failed. This page explains the types, what happens, recovery, real costs, and when surgery is truly needed.Tommy John SurgeryWhat Tommy John surgery fixes, what it costs in real dollars, and how long it takes to throw again. Plain answers, no clinic sales pitch.Trigger Finger ReleaseWhat trigger finger surgery costs, how it works, the anesthesia, recovery time, and how to find a hand surgeon near you.VertebroplastyA plain-language guide to vertebroplasty: what it fixes, how the bone cement injection works, what it costs, and when a spine fracture actually needs it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about orthopedic surgeons

What does an orthopedic surgeon do?

They diagnose and treat problems with the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Their work ranges from setting fractures and repairing torn ligaments to replacing worn hips and knees. Not every patient ends up needing surgery.

Do I need a referral to see one?

It depends on your insurance plan. Many HMO and Medicare Advantage plans require a referral from your primary care doctor, while PPO plans often let you book directly. Call your insurer or check the search filters above to be sure.

What is the difference between an orthopedic surgeon and an orthopedist?

The two terms usually mean the same kind of doctor. An orthopedist who performs surgery is an orthopedic surgeon, and most use the titles interchangeably. Both treat bone and joint problems with surgical and nonsurgical care.

Will I need surgery?

Often no. Many bone and joint issues respond to rest, physical therapy, injections, or medication, and surgery is reserved for injuries that will not heal on their own or pain that other care has not relieved. A good surgeon will explain when an operation is truly needed.

Does insurance cover orthopedic care?

Most orthopedic visits, imaging, and surgeries are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and major commercial plans, though you may owe a copay or deductible. Coverage rules vary, so confirm with your plan before scheduling a procedure.

How do I find an orthopedic surgeon near me?

Use the search on this page to browse 34,538 orthopedic surgeons by location and insurance. You can compare nearby specialists, check which plans they accept, and read about the conditions they treat before you book.

Medical disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about a medical condition. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Our editorial standards