What kind of training does an orthopedic surgeon have?

An orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions concerning the musculoskeletal system. They are required to undergo at least 14-15 years of formal education accompanied by extensive learning and training as follows:

• 4 years of undergraduate education in college or university to get their Bachelor’s degree, followed by the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which is necessary for their admission to medical school.
• 4 years of medical school to obtain their Medical Degree. The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) ensues, which involves a 3-step assessment of their medical knowledge, health care skills and ability to work in an ambulatory setting.
• 5 years of residency training in Orthopedic Surgery in a major medical center, which consists in 4 years of orthopedic surgery training and one year of training in general surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics etc.
• One optional year of education in an orthopedic subspecialty, such as foot and ankle, hip, knee, spine, hand, shoulder and arm, pediatrics or sports medicine. This training often includes a research specialization as well.

After the orthopedic residency training, the candidates need to undergo 2 years of practice in the field before sustaining their final exam in order to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, which is part of the American Board of Medical Specialties. After successfully going through this 2-step examination (written and oral), they will receive the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. This certification needs to be renewed every 7-10 years by sustaining a written and oral exam which will re-assess the surgeon’s proficiency in orthopedics.

Orthopedic surgeons who specialize in sports medicine and hand surgery can get an additional qualification if they pass a standardized examination. This Certificate of Added Qualifications is not available for other orthopedic subspecialties.