Meet our patients
See how Robert got the personalized orthopedic care he needed
Learn how Robert saw immediate relief for his back pain with the help of his Optum doctor and care team.
[Orthopedic surgeon] Dr. Marshal Peris was the single point of this journey that actually started to make it feel like I was going to get better.
Optum patient since 1999
Robert, age 60
Orthopedic and spine care FAQ
We see patients of all ages with many types of bone and muscle problems. These problems may be noticed at birth, or they may be due to an injury or age-related wear and tear. Examples of some common things we care for include:
- Back and neck pain
- Bone fractures (cracks or breaks)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (caused by pressure on the nerve that passes through the wrist to the hand)
- Clubfoot and scoliosis, which people can be born with
- Joint pain from arthritis
- Overuse and sports injuries, including tendonitis, meniscus tears and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
- Soft tissue (muscle, tendon and ligament) injuries
- Shoulder pain and problems, such as bursitis
We use surgical and nonsurgical methods to care for musculoskeletal issues. These include sports injuries, joint pain and back problems. Examples of common options include:
- Surgery
- Outpatient surgery (when you can go home the same day)
- Repair of complex bone breaks
- Total and partial joint replacement
- Injections (shots)
- ACL, PCL and MCL reconstruction
- Ligament repair and reconstruction
- Casts and braces
- Physical therapy
- Lumbar spine fusions
If you’re facing the prospect of surgery for a sports injury or other issue, we may be able to help you with minimally invasive surgery. It is done with fewer, smaller cuts and special tools to reduce pain and speed up recovery.
It’s a type of outpatient surgery. This means you’ll go home the same day and get better faster.
We work with a wide range of specialists, including:
- Orthopedic surgeons
- Pediatricians
- Physical therapists
- Spine surgeons
- Sports medicine doctors
A physical therapist helps you recover and regain movement through exercises and therapy. An orthopedic surgeon performs operations to fix bone, joint and muscle problems.
You should see an orthopedic specialist if you have ongoing pain, an injury that won’t heal or problems moving your joints and muscles.
Arthroscopic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery where a tiny camera is used to see inside your joint and fix problems like torn ligaments or cartilage.
In hip replacement surgery, your damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial one made of metal and plastic. This helps reduce pain and improve movement.
Lumbar spine surgery is done to fix problems in your lower back, like herniated discs or spinal stenosis. It can help reduce pain and improve your ability to move.
Helpful resources

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*Orthopedic and spine care services vary by location. Check with your doctor’s office or health plan for specific information.
Optum arranges for or provides medical and other clinical services in accordance with laws in each state it operates. Physicians or providers referenced on this website are to those who are either part of independent practices or to those medical practices managed by or owned, where permitted, by Optum. In all circumstances, physicians and other licensed professionals have complete authority for all medical decision-making and patient care. Optum does not determine or set the methods, standards, or conduct of the practice of medicine or health care provided by any of the practices or their physicians or other licensed professionals.