You’ll find that the things you enjoy the most result in tangible results. Maybe you love scoring goals on the soccer pitch. Perhaps you are drawn to the feeling of accomplishment when you put your skills to work building a model. These hobbies can help you get a job.
This article will teach you
- A day in the life
- What skills do you need to become a successful orthopaedic surgeon
- How do you become an orthopaedic surgeon
- How much do orthopedic surgeons earn
What does an Orthopedic Surgeon do? Take a look at this surgical specialty.
Patients seeking medical care in the US for orthopedic issues are the number one reason they visit. It is no surprise that orthopedic surgeons are highly sought after. This could be the right medical specialty for you if you are a meticulous person who values accuracy and tangible results.
What does an orthopaedic surgeon do? What are the steps to becoming an orthopedic surgeon? These are just some of the questions we asked practising orthopedic surgeons.
What does an orthopedic surgeon do every day?
Orthopedic surgeons often split their time between operating in the OR and outpatient clinic work. . He explains that he treats bone and joint conditions requiring conservative treatment (such as bracing, casting and physical therapy) or surgery.
A lot of his work as a surgeon in sports medicine involves performing arthroscopic procedures. These small incisions allow tiny cameras and instruments to be inserted into the joints. His most frequent procedures treat hip, rotator, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
However, orthopedic surgeons from a different subspecialties might perform completely different procedures. For example, this subspecialty focuses on the arthroscopic elbow, shoulder surgery, and complete shoulder replacement.
He explains that some of his time is spent on operating reports and patient notes. “In addition, sometimes I am on call and cover acute patients in hospitals or any traumas that may be brought in.”
Your daily responsibilities as an orthopedic surgeon will depend on the area you specialize in. The following are some of the most common problems orthopedic surgeons will treat:
- Broken bones
- Painful joints
- Sports injuries
- Bone tumours
- Carpal tunnel
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
- Hip dysplasia
What skills are required for orthopedic surgeons?
The precision and accuracy of orthopedic surgeons are what make them so popular. Many of these procedures require using very small instruments and fibre-optic cameras. This type of work requires strong fine motor skills.
Regardless of their specialization, all doctors must keep up-to-date with the most recent techniques in medicine. Orthopedic surgeons are no exception. This medical specialty has seen rapid changes in the past few decades.
One example is arthroscopic surgery, but there are many others. He says he has seen many advances in visualization techniques and 3D printing for patient-specific treatments during his time in this field.
A surgeon also spends a lot of time with patients. Therefore, empathy and interpersonal skills are essential. The best orthopedic surgeons are humble. Many subspecialties can make it difficult to be the best surgeon for a particular patient. States that you need to recognize when referring a patient to another surgeon will ensure they receive the best care.
How can you become an orthopedist?
Like all specializations in surgery, being an orthopedic surgeon requires extensive education and training. After earning your bachelor’s degree, you must complete a four-year medical school and pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination. Then, you will be eligible for a residency.
Postgraduate programs in orthopedic surgery are highly competitive, so you will need to put forth a lot of effort to get strong USMLE scores.
It is important to make an effort to increase your knowledge of orthopedic medicine before you reach residency. Students interested in this field should try to obtain elective clinical rotations as orthopedics physicians during their third year. When you are still in medical school, it is a good idea to shadow a doctor in the field.
Says that orthopedic surgery has been difficult to match. Knowing that this is the field you want to enter early gives you more time to prepare .” to maximize your chances.
Although they are not required to, many orthopedic surgeons will continue their training after their residency. Subspecialization can be achieved by completing a fellowship accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
These orthopedic surgeon specialties include:
- Adult reconstructive surgery
- Foot and Ankle Surgery
- Hand surgery
- Musculoskeletal oncology
- Orthopedic sports medicine
- Orthopedic spine surgery
- Orthopedic trauma
- Pediatric orthopedic surgery
This list includes elbow and shoulder surgery. It is either accredited under orthopedic sports medicine or adult reconstructive.
What is the average salary of an orthopedic surgeon?
Specialists can generally expect to make a higher income than primary care doctors. This is especially true for orthopedic surgeons. According to Medscape, they are among the highest-earning physicians, with an average annual salary in 2021 of $511,000
As with other doctors, orthopedic surgeons can also expect many employment opportunities shortly. Although the primary care area is the most in need of doctors, there are also shortages of surgeons throughout the US. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there will be a shortage of between 14,300 and 23,400 surgeons by 2032. The future of orthopedic surgeons will have plenty of job opportunities.