The branch of medicine that deals with injuries or disorders of the skeletal system and associated muscles, joints, and ligaments. Closely related to rheumatology. The difference is that orthopods (a euphemism for orthopedic surgeons) concentrate on bones whilst the rheumatologists are more interested in joints and muscles..

Fractures are the bread and butter of this speciality.

Spelt as orthopaedics outside the American-english english speaking world.

The derivation of the word "orthopaedic" --- 'orthopedic' in the US --- is from classical greek :- orthos, straight, and -paed ... (to do with) children.

The overall meaning of the word, therefore, is "straight children" --- possibly because, originally, this branch of medicine dealt in the main with the straightening of broken or deformed limbs in young people.