EC Orthopaedics

There is no question that subspecialization has increased the quality of care in many areas of orthopedic surgery. Many surgical procedures done by subspecialists are done more efficiently or superiorly by those with specific expertise.
However, a major flaw exists among many orthopedic subspecialists in that many have forgotten how to diagnose other conditions. There are practices where a person who sustains an auto accident with injuries to several areas needs to see several doctors for basic diagnoses and care. Why should this be needed when all of us made these very same diagnoses when we were first year residents? If you are a sports specialist, have you forgotten how to examine a spine? Do you not know how to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome? If you are a spine specialist, do you not know how to examine a knee? These are only a few examples of things I have been seeing in recent years.