You must have seen the people sitting in a wheelchair and not being able to walk on their legs. But have you ever wondered what problems have been facing due to which they are not able to move properly? Well to understand this and treat these problems, there is a specific branch of science which is Orthopedic. As an orthopedic surgeon, you are responsible for checking for these problems and treating them.
Quick Takeaways
- Orthopedics is one of the rapidly growing industries in the US and thus it will give you massive income.
- To become an Orthopaedic surgeon, you will need to give the MCAT exam after completing your undergraduate degree.
- Your MCAT score will help you to get into a good medical school.
- After it, you will need to complete your residency program.
However, you will need to read till the end so that you get a better understanding of the qualifications you need to become an Orthopedic surgeon and why you should become one of them.

Who is an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Orthopedic surgeons are professionals who are trained in treating problems related to the musculoskeletal system. This means that you get specialized in treating the problems related to the disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, etc. You can also go to a physiatrist if you are having any issues related to bones. All of them are compulsory for body movement. As an orthopedic surgeon, you will be treated for specific conditions like fractures, dislocations, arthritis, etc. Below we have discussed how you can become one of them.

How to become an Orthopedic Surgeon?
By following the steps given below, you can become an Orthopedic surgeon-
- You will need to start with having a 4-year bachelor’s degree after high school.
- After completing the undergraduate degree, you will need to get into medical school. But to get into it you will need to take up the MCAT exam.
- After graduating from medical school you will need to take up a 5-year residency program. In this, you will learn all the techniques that are required for treating patients. Also, you will get the required number of hours of experience to get eligible for applying for the license.
- The final stage is to get a license for legal practice. But to get it you need to pass the examination that is accelerated by the American Board of Orthopedic surgery.
What are the job roles and responsibilities of Orthopedic Surgeons
Following are the job responsibilities that you will have to perform as an Orthopedic surgeon-
- You must conduct direct patient care treatment.
- Planning and implementing the treatment plans that are necessary for treating the patient’s healthcare.
- Examining and providing treatment for the problems related to the musculoskeletal system.
- You will need to maintain the historical records of your patients. It includes what symptoms they are facing, what type of medication they are getting, what type of treatment they are getting, etc.
- Giving out consultation services either in hospitals or in private clinics.
- Checking on the disorders, dislocation, and fractures of the patient and taking care of them.
- You will be treating sports injuries, back pain, spinal problems, bone tumors, etc.

Why become an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Here are the following reasons for becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon-
- With the development of technology, you will need to perform minimally invasive techniques during surgery. This means that the procedure of the surgery is performed with the help of small cuts rather than those big cuts making the patients at less risk of losing blood.
- Orthopedics is one of the rapidly growing industries in the US. Thus it will give you massive pay.
- This career gives you a lot of opportunities. There are so many different problems that you will be dealing with related to the bones. This will help you to increase your experience and develop related skills.
- There are a lot of break times that you get within your work. Many other doctors do not get much time like them.
- As an Orthopedic surgeon, you bring in the standard of living. You treat the problems in the spinal cord, joints, etc.
How long does it take to become an Orthopedic surgeon?
Every profession, be it orthodontist or orthopedic, has its own time duration for becoming a professional. Orthopedic surgeons must graduate from college, go to medical school, then finish residency and fellowship programs. Most orthopedic surgeons spend 13 to 14 years in total in school and training. This is divided into 4 years for the Undergraduate program, 4 years for medical school, 5 years for the residency program, and 1 year for the fellowship program.

FAQs
Is it hard to become an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Being an orthopedic surgeon is extremely difficult. As mentioned above there are various stages that you need to clear for becoming an Orthopedic surgeon. You will be spending almost 13-14 years which is not easy.
In addition, another problem that you may face is that many medical students who apply for an orthopedic surgery residency don’t get accepted into it. The path of becoming an orthopedic surgeon is hard but it pays you well with time.
How much can you earn as an Orthopedic surgeon?
The average income for an orthopedic surgeon ranges between $403,660 and $664,210. If we look at the typical median income it is $513,430. Salary ranges can differ greatly based on a number of important factors. It may include schooling, credits, and the length of time you’ve been working in a given field.
Conclusion
Professionals with training in addressing issues with the musculoskeletal system are known as orthopedic surgeons. This implies that you become an expert in treating conditions including disorders of the bones, muscles, joints, etc. One of the US industries that are expanding quickly is orthopedics. You also receive a huge salary. You have a lot of opportunities in this profession. You will face a wide variety of issues concerning the bones. You will gain more experience and improve your relevant abilities as a result.