When to see a physiatrist vs. when to see an orthopedist?

Both orthopedics and physical medicine deal with diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system, but their therapeutic approaches are different. While a physiatrist is primarily focused on non-surgical, i.e. conservative treatment and functional recovery using various physical therapy methods and individually tailored rehabilitation programs, an orthopedist is primarily concerned with the surgical treatment of problems or injuries of the locomotor system, i.e. operations on the musculoskeletal system.

In modern medicine, these two specialties complement each other. In a large number of cases, an examination by a physiatrist and adequately conducted physical therapy represent the first therapeutic step, while surgical treatment by an orthopedist is considered when conservative methods do not lead to satisfactory functional improvement.