or·​tho·​pe·​dics | \ ˌȯr-thə-ˈpē-diks How to pronounce orthopedics (audio) \
variants: or less commonly orthopaedics

Definition of orthopedics

: a branch of medicine concerned with the correction or prevention of deformities, disorders, or injuries of the skeleton and associated structures (such as tendons and ligaments)

Did You Know?

Just as an orthodontist corrects crookedness in the teeth, an orthopedist corrects crookedness in the skeleton. Orthopedics is formed in part from the Greek word for "child", and many orthopedic patients are in fact children. But adults also often have need of orthopedic therapy, as when suffering from a joint disease like arthritis or when recovering from a broken arm or leg.

First Known Use of orthopedics

circa 1853, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for orthopedics

orthopedics

noun

English Language Learners Definition of orthopedics

medical : a branch of medicine that tries to prevent and correct problems that affect bones and muscles
or·​tho·​pe·​dics
variants: or chiefly British orthopaedics \ -​ˈpēd-​iks How to pronounce orthopaedics (audio) \

Medical Definition of orthopedics

: a branch of medicine concerned with the correction or prevention of deformities, disorders, or injuries of the skeleton and associated structures (as tendons and ligaments)

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