# orthopedic

/ˌɔɹθəˈpidɪk/ (US) · /ˌɔːθəʊpˈiːdɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/orthopedic
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

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.

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

## Examples

- He needs orthopedic surgery on his knee.
- After the accident, she spent several months working with an orthopedic specialist to regain full movement in her hip.
- The hospital recently invested in a specialized orthopedic wing to accommodate the rising number of patients requiring complex spinal reconstructions and joint replacements.

## Pitfalls

- Not "an orthopedics surgeon" but "an orthopedic surgeon" — When used as a modifier before a noun, the singular adjective form 'orthopedic' is required rather than the plural noun 'orthopedics'.

## Usage notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.