ENGLISH
REFERENCE

orthopedic

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˌɔɹθəˈpidɪk// UK //ˌɔːθəʊpˈiːdɪk// or·tho·pe·dic

adj. relating to the medical treatment of bones and muscles. You often see this word on shoes or mattresses designed to support your body and reduce pain.

adj. relating to the branch of medicine concerned with the correction or prevention of deformities, disorders, or injuries of the skeleton and associated structures.


SIMPLE

He needs orthopedic surgery on his knee.

CONTEXTUAL

After the accident, she spent several months working with an orthopedic specialist to regain full movement in her hip.

COMPLEX

The hospital recently invested in a specialized orthopedic wing to accommodate the rising number of patients requiring complex spinal reconstructions and joint replacements.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from French orthopédique.

Usage

Commonly used to describe medical specialists, surgical procedures, or consumer products designed for postural support.

Pitfall

an orthopedics surgeonan orthopedic surgeonWhen used as a modifier before a noun, the singular adjective form 'orthopedic' is required rather than the plural noun 'orthopedics'.

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