Orthopaedic surgeons can do operations on tendons to repair them or to improve the muscle balance around a joint. Ligaments can be repaired or reconstructed. Bones, muscles, and other connective tissues occasionally develop tumours, some of which can be cancerous. These are treated by orthopaedic surgeons. After surgery there is always a period of recovery and there is often splintage for a time. Physiotherapists are used to assist you recover function after an operation.