Find an Orthopedic Surgeon — Independent Specialty Directory

NPI-verified orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists across the United States. No paid placement.

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About

orthopedic.tel is an independent directory of US orthopedic specialists — covering sports medicine, joint replacement, spine, hand, foot and ankle, and pediatric orthopedics. Every listing is verified against the NPPES NPI Registry and reviewed quarterly. We do not accept payment from clinics or hospitals for placement. This site is for information only — please consult a licensed clinician for medical advice.

An independent orthopedic directory

What this directory is — and isn't

We aim to be the cleanest, most honest way to find a verified orthopedic specialist.

Find an orthopedic surgeon near you

Enter your ZIP code to see the closest verified orthopedic providers.

Enter a 5-digit US ZIP code to see the 1500 verified providers closest to you.

Orthopedic surgery — the subspecialty map

Subspecialties at a glance

Most orthopedic surgeons do a one-year fellowship after residency. The fellowship usually defines what they do day-to-day.

  • Sports medicine — knee (ACL, meniscus), shoulder (rotator cuff, labrum), elbow, ankle. Often arthroscopic. Sees both athletes and weekend warriors.
  • Adult reconstruction (joint replacement) — total knee, total hip, partial knee, and revision arthroplasty for arthritis.
  • Spine surgery — disc, stenosis, deformity, fusion. Done by orthopedic spine surgeons or neurosurgeons; both train in spine.
  • Hand surgery — carpal tunnel, trigger finger, fracture fixation, microsurgery. Trained by either orthopedic surgeons or plastic surgeons.
  • Foot and ankle — bunion, plantar fasciitis surgery, ankle replacement, complex reconstruction. Orthopedic foot-and-ankle surgeons vs. podiatric foot surgeons — both exist; ask about training.
  • Orthopedic trauma — complex fractures, often pelvis, hip, and long-bone. Usually hospital-based.
  • Pediatric orthopedics — growth-plate injuries, scoliosis, congenital conditions, cerebral palsy.
  • Musculoskeletal oncology — bone and soft-tissue tumors.

When to see an orthopedic surgeon (vs. primary care, vs. PT)

Most musculoskeletal complaints do not need a surgeon as the first stop. A reasonable decision tree:

  • Start with PT or primary care — gradual onset pain, no trauma, no major weakness. Most knee, back, and shoulder problems improve with structured PT.
  • See an orthopedic surgeon — pain that is not improving after 6 weeks of conservative care, a clear mechanical injury (pop, instability, locking), an MRI showing a structural issue, or any joint that has been replaced before.
  • Go to the ER — open wound, obvious deformity, inability to bear weight after trauma, sudden severe back pain with leg weakness or loss of bowel/bladder control.

Common procedures and rough recovery times

Recovery times vary widely by patient, surgeon, and protocol. Numbers below are typical ranges from AAOS patient education materials; your surgeon's plan takes precedence.

  • Knee arthroscopy / meniscectomy — back to desk work in 1–2 weeks; full activity 4–6 weeks.
  • ACL reconstruction — desk work in 1–2 weeks; running 4–6 months; full return to cutting sport 9–12 months.
  • Rotator cuff repair — sling 4–6 weeks; PT 4–6 months; full strength up to a year.
  • Total knee replacement (CPT 27447) — walking with a walker on day 1; driving 4–6 weeks; back to most activity 3–6 months; full recovery up to a year.
  • Total hip replacement (CPT 27130) — similar to knee; many patients are walking unaided in 2–6 weeks.
  • Carpal tunnel release — light use of the hand in days; full strength 6–8 weeks.
  • Lumbar microdiscectomy — back to desk work in 1–2 weeks; lifting restrictions 6 weeks.

Which orthopedic subspecialist handles this?

Select the body region or problem to see which orthopedic subspecialty typically handles it.

Where is the problem (body region)?

Select the area(s) where you have pain or injury. This is education only — your primary care doctor makes the actual referral.

Select one or more options above to see suggested subspecialty routing.

For information only. This tool does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for evaluation by a licensed clinician.

Insurance — before you book the surgery

Orthopedic surgery has more billing pitfalls than almost any other specialty. Verify these before scheduling.

Before your visit — verify these 6 items

For information only. Verify coverage details directly with your insurer using the member-services number on the back of your card.

Frequently asked

How are providers selected for this directory?

We pull from the federal NPPES NPI Registry under orthopedic surgery and related taxonomies (sports medicine, adult reconstruction, hand, foot and ankle). We do not charge for inclusion.

What's the difference between an orthopedic surgeon and a podiatrist?

Orthopedic surgeons (MD or DO) complete medical school, an orthopedic residency, and often a fellowship. Podiatrists (DPM) complete a podiatric medical school and residency focused on foot and ankle. Both can do foot surgery; the right fit depends on the specific procedure.

Do I need a referral?

PPO and EPO plans usually do not require a referral for orthopedics. HMOs typically do. Check before scheduling.

Are all listed surgeons board-certified?

Listings reflect NPPES-recorded taxonomies. Board certification is tracked separately by ABOS (American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery). You can look up a specific surgeon at abos.org.

Why is my pain so much worse 3 days after surgery than the day after?

A common surprise — nerve blocks wear off after 24–48 hours, and tissue swelling peaks day 2–4. Most surgeons consider this normal; call the office if you have fever, drainage, or unexpected severity.

How do I report a listing that looks wrong?

Use the contact link with the NPI number and the issue. We re-verify against NPPES and update or remove within one cycle.

Start with a verified orthopedic surgeon

Browse the full directory of NPI-verified orthopedic specialists, or use the ZIP code search to find providers near you.

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