We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Medicine

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Different Kinds of Orthopedic Surgical Instruments?

By L. Baran
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,840
Share

Orthopedic surgery is the area of medicine concerned with the surgical treatment of bones, muscles and joints. It is used to address broken bones, trauma, joint degeneration, tumors, bone growth disorders and more. Due to the wide range of issues addressed in this field, there are numerous types of orthopedic surgical instruments. These tools can be divided into basic groups and include bone instruments, positioning equipment, wires, drills and screwdrivers. Additionally, there are different types of scissors and forceps.

Bone instruments are used to access, open, manipulate and repair bones in the body. An awl is used to create holes in segments of bone, while a bone cutter is used to make accurate cuts. Bone cutters can be manual or electric and are often used in intricate surgeries, such as knee or hip repairs and replacements. In order to shave down areas of bone that may have become sharp or damaged, orthopedic surgical instruments, such as bone files, are used. To gain access to certain areas, particularly in the brain, a bone rongeur may be used to gouge out sections of bone.

Many orthopedic surgical instruments are used to position body parts for surgery. These tools hold and secure anatomical structures to give surgeons access to the area they are working on and to prevent accidental damage to uninvolved tissues. Retractors hold bone, muscle or tissue and keep it in place while the surgeon works. They can be secured by counter weights to prevent shifting or may be held down by medical assistants if they need to be moved frequently during the operation.

To connect pieces of bone, muscle, ligament and other body parts, instruments like wires, screws and pins are used. These pieces of hardware can be temporary or permanent depending on their application and location. Wires are used to bind structures, particularly bones, in mobile joints. Screws and pins are used in places where a stronger hold is necessary, or in areas where a lot of stress is exerted in activities of daily living. Surgical drills and screwdrivers are used to secure hardware and to remove it later, if necessary.

In delicate orthopedic surgery, different types of forceps are used to grasp and manipulate muscles, tissues, ligaments and tendons. Forceps are small, handheld orthopedic surgical instruments that are hinged at one end to allow the surgeon maximum control. Some forceps can be used to clamp blood vessels to prevent excessive bleeding while surgery is being performed. Similarly, surgical scissors can cut small areas of tissue or be used to hold and clamp. Scissors come in numerous shapes and lengths to meet the requirements of many different types of surgery.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-different-kinds-of-orthopedic-surgical-instruments.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.