Orthopedist

An orthopedist (orthopedic surgeon) is the doctor for bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. They handle fractures, serious sprains, knee, hip, shoulder and back pain, osteoarthritis, foot deformities, sports injuries and growth problems in children. Many sub-specialise by joint (knee, shoulder, spine, hand, foot); the practitioner's profile states their areas.

Privately, no: you book directly. Through the kupat holim, a referral from your family doctor is usually required and the wait can reach several weeks. For lingering pain or a sports injury, a quick private opinion helps decide whether you need imaging, rehabilitation or an injection, and follow-up can then go back through the fund.

Fees depend on the practitioner, the city and the procedures performed (consultation, injection, ultrasound). On RofeBeClick, the price is shown on the profile before you book, with no service fee. Private surgery is quoted separately and includes the hospital and anaesthesia.

The health funds' supplementary plans (Clalit Mushlam, Maccabi Zahav, Meuhedet Adif, Leumit Zahav) often reimburse part of a private specialist consultation and sometimes cover choosing your surgeon for an operation in certain hospitals. Conditions (approved practitioners, caps, waiting periods) vary: check before the visit and keep invoices.

The orthopedist makes the medical diagnosis and decides whether you need imaging, immobilisation, an injection or surgery. A rheumatologist treats inflammatory joint diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis) and osteoporosis. A physiotherapist rehabilitates; an osteopath relieves with manual therapy. For pain after an injury, swelling, locking or limping, start with the orthopedist.

Spoken languages are listed on every RofeBeClick profile, the orthopedics page is broken down by city and the search can filter by language. The profile also states the practitioner's sub-specialty, so you can choose a knee, shoulder or spine specialist for your problem.

Not necessarily. The orthopedist decides on useful imaging after the clinical examination; an MRI done too early often shows findings unrelated to the pain. If you already have X-rays, a CT or an MRI, bring the images and reports, along with recent test results.

Visible deformity of a limb, inability to bear weight or move a joint, bone through the skin, a numb finger or hand, severe pain with fever, back or neck trauma with numbness: emergency room (miyun) or 101. A moderate sprain, chronic pain or tendonitis can wait for a regular appointment.