What is an orthopedic surgeon?

An orthopedic surgeon is a doctor and surgeon with the training and credentials needed to identify, treat, and prevent diseases of the bones and muscles. The musculoskeletal system, which consists of muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilages, and nerves, is affected by a wide range of illnesses and accidents. Orthopedic surgeons address degenerative disorders including osteoporosis, shattered hips, and congenital abnormalities like scoliosis.

Orthopedic surgeons concentrate on enhancing the quality of life for their patients through therapies and treatments. They identify the underlying causes of discomfort or figure out why a patient is immobile. A treatment strategy is then developed to improve the patient's quality of life. Orthopedic doctors either perform surgery to fix bone deformities or recommend nonsurgical therapies such as medication or therapeutic physical therapy.

What does an orthopedic surgeon do?

An orthopedic surgeon conducts operations or administers therapies to enhance a patient's physical state, lessen their discomfort, or stop bone deterioration. For instance, they might replace a hip to stop bone loss, restore mobility, and minimize arthritic pain. Orthopedic surgeons are skilled in the mechanical parts of surgery and can treat the complete structural system of the body, including the musculoskeletal system, which is a complicated network of bones and muscles. Despite spending the majority of their time performing surgery, orthopedic surgeons also:

• educate patients about their condition

• order and interpret diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or magnetic resonance images

• perform surgical procedures and treatments, such as arthroscopy, to diagnose joint conditions or treat fractures

• prescribe medication or post-surgery rehabilitation

• treat bacterial or viral infections

• address gene-related issues

• interview patients

• conduct thorough examinations to assess patients' physical conditions

• maintain records and carefully fill up patient charts 

• work together with other medical professionals as a multidisciplinary medical team

• are available to react to crises like vehicle accidents or trauma

As an orthopedic surgeon, you can perform surgery or provide rehabilitation to assist patients in getting back to their regular lives. Increased job satisfaction and fulfillment can result from better patient outcomes. You might experience the most recent developments in the industry because orthopedic doctors frequently use cutting-edge technologies like robotics or implants.

Some orthopedic surgeons decide to treat sports injuries and work with professional teams in order to become experts in their discipline, such as sports medicine. For the purpose of removing cancers from the musculoskeletal system and perhaps saving lives, some people might decide to practice orthopedic oncology. Typical jobs for orthopedic surgeons include: being a sole practitioner, working for a private practice group, teaching hospitals, working for government organizations, and even serving in the military.

Educational path

1. Obtain a bachelor's degree

   Obtaining a bachelor's degree from an approved university should be your first choice. Try to finish coursework in these areas while pursuing your degree: Basic chemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, English. You can also think about enrolling in pre-med courses, applying for an internship, and selecting electives with a scientific focus. A bachelor's degree can be obtained in roughly four years on average.

2. Pass the test for admission to medical school (MCAT)

   The MCAT test, which takes seven hours to complete, is the next step in proving your eligibility for medical school. The MCAT consists of portions that are each individually scored, and the total score ranges from 472 to 528.

3. Enroll in a medical school

   Take into account applying to medical school once you pass the MCAT. A doctor of medicine or osteopathic degree is frequently obtained by future orthopedic surgeons.

4. Complete your residency

   After that, during your residency, you might spend roughly five years receiving on-the-job training. The first two or more years of study are spent in general surgery, and the final few years are spent on orthopedics. Students acquire confidence in their talents and abilities while working with attending physicians and learning to establish relationships with patients during this period.

5. Complete the fellowship

   The majority of orthopedic surgeons then complete a fellowship that entails a thorough investigation of a particular body area or specialization. Typically, a fellowship lasts one to two years to complete.

6. Obtain a license.