Becoming an orthopedic surgeon is no easy feat, but it is a rewarding career for those passionate about helping people regain their mobility and live pain-free.
Orthopedic surgeons are medical experts who specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal problems, which include bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments.
If you are interested in joining this field, it will take years of education, hands-on training, and dedication to make your way to the operating table. Let’s take a closer look at the steps involved in becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
What is Orthopedic Surgery?
Orthopedic surgery focuses on treating injuries and diseases related to the musculoskeletal system. Surgeons in this field work on bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments, often performing surgeries to fix fractures, torn ligaments, or conditions such as arthritis.
It’s a field that blends creativity and technical skills, offering professionals a chance to make a big difference in people’s lives.
Step 1: Obtain a Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree
The first step towards becoming an orthopedic surgeon is earning a bachelor’s degree, typically in a science-related field like biology or chemistry. Most students choose to take pre-med courses to prepare for medical school.
This usually takes about four years of study, and students will need to maintain high grades to ensure they’re competitive applicants for medical school.
Step 2: Prepare and Apply for Medical School
Once you’ve completed your undergraduate degree, the next step is applying to medical school. To do this, you will need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), a standardized exam that tests your knowledge in science and problem-solving.
Many students choose to take a gap year after college to prepare for the MCAT and gain experience in healthcare settings, which can help strengthen their applications.
Step 3: Complete Medical School (4-5 Years)
Medical school typically takes four years to complete. The first two years mainly focus on classroom learning in subjects like anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
The last two years are spent in clinical rotations, where students work directly with patients in different medical specialties, including surgery, pediatrics, and internal medicine.
Many students also choose to take a research year, particularly for competitive fields like orthopedics, to improve their chances of getting into a residency program.
Step 4: Complete a Residency Program (5 Years)
After medical school, aspiring orthopedic surgeons must complete a residency program, which typically lasts five years. During residency, surgeons-in-training get hands-on experience, working closely with patients and performing surgeries under the supervision of experienced surgeons.
The residency includes one year of general surgery training, followed by four years focused on orthopedic surgery. The competition for residency spots is fierce, so students must excel academically and demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills.
Step 5: Obtain a Medical License
Before practicing as an orthopedic surgeon, you must obtain a state medical license. This requires passing the licensing exams that demonstrate your medical knowledge and ability to provide safe patient care.
Most orthopedic surgeons also pursue board certification through the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, although this is optional.
Step 6: Consider Fellowship Training
After completing a residency, many orthopedic surgeons choose to further specialize in areas like sports medicine, spine surgery, or pediatric orthopedics by pursuing fellowship training.
While fellowship is optional, it can offer surgeons a competitive edge when applying for positions in the job market.
Fellowship training usually takes an additional 1-2 years and allows surgeons to focus on a particular subspecialty of orthopedic surgery.
Step 7: Build Your Career
After finishing all of your training, you’re ready to start your career as an orthopedic surgeon. Surgeons can work in hospitals, private practices, or academic settings. Many orthopedic surgeons also take on teaching roles and mentor younger doctors.
The field offers a strong job outlook, and surgeons are often in demand, particularly in underserved areas.
Orthopedic surgery is a challenging career that requires dedication, hard work, and a deep passion for helping others. While the road to becoming an orthopedic surgeon is long, the rewards, both personally and financially, can be significant.
Becoming an orthopedic surgeon is a long and demanding journey, but for those who are willing to put in the time and effort, it is a career filled with opportunities to make a significant impact.
From medical school to residency, and potentially fellowship training, the steps to becoming an orthopedic surgeon require both academic excellence and practical skills.
However, the end result is a fulfilling career where you can help patients regain their mobility and improve their quality of life.
