There are several types of orthopedic instruments used by trained medical professionals in the course of normal and surgical care of their patients, including different types of knives, forceps, drills, and bone chisels. The specialty of orthopedic medicine focuses on caring for and treating the bones of the body, especially those of the arms and legs, as they are most likely to become injured. Medical doctors and surgeons in this field are trained to treat traumatic injuries of the bones as well as treat common bone diseases such as cancer and avascular necrosis. The tools used in orthopedic surgery and procedures are most often designed to gain access to the area, such as in the case of surgical knives and scalpels, as well as to remove damaged parts of the bone tissue.
One of the most commonly used types of orthopedic instruments is surgical cutters, knives, and scalpels. These sharp instruments are designed to swiftly and cleanly cut tissues of the body to allow greater access to the damaged bone. Skin, adipose, and muscle tissue may be cut to allow the operating physician to reach the bone so he or she can remove damaged tissue or install artificial support, such as pins and prosthetic joints. These types of orthopedic equipment are normally constructed from stainless steel, and are kept very sharp and incredibly clean.
Another common type of orthopedic instrument commonly used are bone drills, which are used for a multitude of purposes including drilling holes in the bone tissue to reach the marrow as well as to remove external damaged tissue from the outer layers of the bone. These surgical instruments are available in a wide assortment of sizes to allow the surgeon to select the correct diameter needed for the procedure. Bone drills are often used to create a hole in the bone to allow the surgeon to install pins or other forms of support as needed.
Bone chisels work in a similar manner to drills, and are commonly used for removing bone tissue. These orthopedic instruments are ideal for extracting small slivers of bone when a deep hole is not necessary. They are available in many sizes and shapes and often feature non-slip handles to provide greater control during the procedure. Chisels may be used in orthopedic surgeries to shape an existing bone into a more natural shape for patients with bone spurs or other deformities, as well as help prepare the bone surface for more invasive procedures.