Orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors with training in surgery related to the musculoskeletal system ie bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves. A spinal surgeon has specialised in the spine.

Many people with physical disabilities are likely to have at least been assessed, if not had multiple surgeries during childhood. When you transition out of the paediatric health system, ask your orthopaedic surgeon for a handover to your GP and ask whether ongoing monitoring is required. If it is, ask for a referral to an adult orthopaedic specialist.

In most cases related to the spine, it is important to have ongoing monitoring into adulthood even when you are considered stable. Changes happen quickly but may not be noticeable to you straight away.

Adults with physical disabilities often come in contact with orthopaedic surgeons if they experience pain in their hips that cannot be managed with equipment, positioning and therapeutic exercise or experience major changes in their spine like spinal stenosis (thinning of spinal column) or spinal impingement or unstable spine.