What does an orthopedic surgeon do?
An orthopedic surgeon is a doctor who treats problems with bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles. They treat injuries and wear-and-tear, with or without surgery.
Last updated November 11, 2026
Find orthopedic surgeons near you
When people see one
- A broken bone or a torn ligament
- Knee, hip, or shoulder pain that limits daily life
- Arthritis that needs injections or a joint replacement
- Back pain with an injury or other clear cause
How it differs
Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor: A physical medicine doctor treats muscle, joint, and nerve problems without surgery. An orthopedic surgeon can operate.
Rheumatologist: A rheumatologist treats arthritis caused by the immune system, mainly with medicine. An orthopedic surgeon treats joint damage, including with surgery.
On 2027 Colorado plans
Do you need a referral? On some plans. 37 of the 148 2027 plans need a referral from your primary care provider to see a specialist: Kaiser Permanente's 29 plans (you may self-refer to certain specialists) and Denver Health (Elevate)'s 8 plans (self-referral allowed for OB-GYN and outpatient mental health care). The other 111 don't, according to each plan's 2027 summary of benefits. Confirm in the plan's summary of benefits.
What a visit costs (the plan's filed "Specialist Visit" benefit, in network, before any extra savings on silver plans):
- Bronze: $100 to $140 a visit on 10 of 56 plans; on the other 46, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
- Silver: $50 to $90 a visit on 44 of 58 plans; on the other 14, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
- Gold: $50 to $90 a visit on 26 of 30 plans; on the other 4, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
In-network care costs less. Out-of-network visits on an HMO or EPO usually aren't covered except in an emergency.
In Colorado
Public records list 771 orthopedic surgeons at 301 Colorado locations.
- El Paso County: 37 locations
- Arapahoe County: 33 locations
- Denver County: 30 locations
- Douglas County: 28 locations
- Adams County: 24 locations
- Boulder County: 22 locations
Counties with the fewest: Yuma (1), Prowers (1), Phillips (1), Otero (1), Moffat (1). 24 counties have none.
Questions to ask the office
- Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?
- Which 2027 plans and network names do you take?
- Does the office do X-rays or physical therapy on site?
- Is the office part of a hospital? Hospital-owned clinics can add a facility fee.