- Blog
Orthopedics & Personal Injury Cases
Posted on 03-07-2026 in Personal Injury by Dr. Erik Nilssen

Posted on 03-07-2026 in Personal Injury by Dr. Erik Nilssen
What is an orthopedic specialist?
An orthopedic specialist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating injuries and conditions of the musculoskeletal system. Following medical school, they go through an additional five-year residency program to specialize in orthopedic surgery; oftentimes, orthopedic surgeons will cap off their training with a one-year fellowship program to further sub-specialize in one aspect of orthopedic surgery. Orthopedic specialists treat a wide variety of orthopedic conditions, including sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations, and soft-tissue injuries. To treat these conditions, they offer a wide range of treatments, including physical therapy, injections, orthobiologics, and surgery.
What is a personal injury?
Personal injury is a legal term for any injury to the body or mind of an individual, as opposed to damage to property. Personal injury claims result from accidents that are the result of negligence or reckless conduct and are one of the most common legal complaints filed today. If you have been injured in an accident–at work, on the road, or otherwise–you should immediately seek medical treatment, even if you believe you are not injured. Some injuries can take days or weeks to manifest and can cause lifelong pain and suffering if left untreated.
If you are injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, you may need to file a personal injury claim to ensure you can recuperate your damages. There are costs associated with treating your injury, making up for lost income, and accounting for changes to the quality of your life following the accident.
If you need to file a personal injury claim, there are a few things you will need to make sure you have at your disposal:
How an Orthopedic Specialist Can Help With Your Personal Injury Case
From a medical standpoint, an orthopedic specialist is by far the best medical provider to see following an accident. They have years of training aimed at helping them diagnose and treat musculoskeletal injuries and have a number of specialized treatments at their disposal that other providers do not have. Orthopedic specialists have deep experience with similar cases and offer focused care that can help you get on the road to recovery quicker.
From a legal standpoint, orthopedic specialists can provide you with all necessary medical records required for a personal injury claim. Furthermore, what better person to offer reliable medical testimony at your trail than an orthopedic surgeon, whose sole clinical focus is the musculoskeletal system.

If you’ve ever sprained your ankle and thought, “this isn’t a big deal…it’s a minor injury,” you’re not alone. Ankle sprains are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries, especially in active adults and athletes. However, for some patients, what begins as a simple sprain becomes a frustrating cycle in which the ankle feels weak, unstable, and prone to “rolling” again and again. Understanding why this happens is the first step toward breaking the cycle and restoring long-term stability.

February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about cardiovascular health and its far-reaching effects. While most people recognize the importance of heart health for longevity and disease prevention, fewer realize its critical role in musculoskeletal well-being. At North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists, we emphasize a comprehensive approach to orthopaedic care, recognizing that a strong heart supports strong bones and joints.

North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists is honored to share the Hands of Hope Medical Mission feature in the newly released December 2025/January 2026 issue of Emerald Coast Magazine. As part of the Medical Profiles section of this edition, the article highlights how two of our own, Dr. Steven Kronlage and Dr. Chris O'Grady, volunteer their time and talents to bring compassionate orthopaedic care to communities with limited access to medical services.