整形外科

• Reading: せいけいげか
• Romaji: seikei geka
• Kanji breakdown: 整 (sei) — arrange, correct; 形 (kei) — form, shape; 外 (ge) — outside; 科 (ka) — department
• Pronunciation: /seː.keː.ɡe.ka/

Meaning

Orthopaedic surgery; orthopaedics. The medical specialty dealing with bones, joints, and muscles.

A noun for the orthopaedic department, treating conditions of the musculoskeletal system — fractures, joint pain, back problems, and sports injuries. Important to distinguish from 美容整形 (biyou seikei, cosmetic surgery), which is a completely different field despite sharing the 整形 characters. One of the most commonly visited hospital departments in Japan.

Examples

1. 腰が痛いので、整形外科を受診した。 My lower back was hurting, so I went to see an orthopedic specialist.
2. 整形外科の先生にリハビリのメニューを作ってもらった。 The orthopedic doctor put together a rehabilitation plan for me.
3. スポーツで膝を怪我して、整形外科に通っている。 I hurt my knee playing sports, and now I'm going to an orthopedic clinic.

Usage Guide

Context: hospitals, injuries, health

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 整形 (seikei, correcting form/shape) + 外科 (geka, surgery). Originally meant 'surgery to correct bodily form' — the musculoskeletal focus emerged as the specialty developed.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal