orthopedics

/ˈɔrθəˌpidɪks/

/ɔθəˈpidɪks/

Use the noun orthopedics when you're talking about the medical specialty that treats the spine and joints.

The name of the branch of medicine concerned with deformities of the spine and joints may be puzzling for Greek-root fans, who will notice the presence of elements that mean "straight," "right," "true," and "child." The name is the work of one of the branch's pioneers, Nicolas Andry de Bois-Regard, who wrote a 1741 work called "Orthopaedia: or the Art of Correcting and Preventing Deformities in Children."

Definitions of orthopedics

1. noun

   the branch of medical science concerned with disorders or deformities of the spine and joints
   synonyms: orthopaedics

   type of:

   medical science

   the science of dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention and treatment of disease