The difference between “orthopedic surgery” and “plastic surgery”
Orthopedic surgery improves motor function; plastic surgery improves morphology (appearance). And orthopedic surgeons overseas are “operation-centered,” while in Japan they perform “both surgery and conservative treatment.”
Is plastic surgery cosmetic surgery?
Some people think of “cosmetic surgery” when they say plastic surgery, but cosmetic surgery is (part of) plastic surgery.
The Japanese Orthopedic Surgery website defines orthopedic surgery as “surgery that treats with an emphasis on functional improvement of the locomotory system, which consists of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems.”
On the other hand, the website of the Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery describes plastic surgery as “making tissue abnormalities, deformations, defects, and dissatisfaction with aesthetics not only functional but also morphologically more normal and beautiful.” It has been with.
It’s hard to say the difference in one word, but roughly speaking
Orthopedic surgery: improving motor function
Plastic surgery: Improving form (appearance)
(There are other elements, but in a nutshell, it’s like this).
Orthopedic disease
Even if you say that, I don’t think you understand well, so let’s list the typical symptoms and diseases of orthopedic surgery.
・Back pain
・Knee pain
・Fracture
・Shoulder pain
and so on.
Differences between overseas and Japanese plastic surgery
However, the diseases treated by orthopedic surgery are slightly different overseas.
Overseas orthopedic surgeons perform “ almost only surgery ”.
Orthopedic surgery means “ surgery “.
Therefore, it is rare for an orthopedic surgeon to suddenly examine low back pain overseas.
Overseas, there are many countries where the system of “family doctor” and “home doctor” is widespread, and the first thing to do is to have your family doctor examine your back pain.
If surgery is deemed necessary, the family doctor will write a letter of introduction to the orthopedic surgeon, and the orthopedic surgeon at the hospital will examine the patient and schedule the surgery.
On the other hand, in Japan, people suddenly see an orthopedic surgeon at a hospital even for back pain.
Then, after a medical examination and an X-ray examination, first of all, we will do low back pain exercises and a prescription for a chip, and then we will have you see a doctor again after a month.
In other words, a major feature of Japanese orthopedic surgeons is that they perform surgery as well as conservative treatment (= treatment other than surgery).
Therefore, I think that the advantage of Japanese orthopedic surgeons is that they are better at choosing conservative treatment or surgical treatment than overseas orthopedic surgeons. (There are more things to wear for that amount…)
Many orthopedic surgeons overseas are used to surgery, but they are not so used to conservative treatment.
In terms of division of roles, the overseas system is better, so it is hard to say which system is better, Japan or overseas.
However, I believe that we can provide better care to our patients.
I try to provide patients with a variety of treatment options, including costs.
