Career In Orthopedics

What is Orthopedic?

Orthopedic also referred as Orthopaedic is a discipline of surgery concerned with the diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system.

The musculoskeletal system includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves.

The physician who specializes in this field is called as Orthopaedic surgeons. They use both surgical and non-surgical methods to treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

In 1741, Nicholas Andry a French professor coined the term “Orthopaedics” when he published Orthopedie.

The orthopedic surgeons are also worked with other health care professionals and often provide their service as a consultant or physician.

Orthopedic surgeons treat various diseases and condition like:

• Dislocations and Fractures
• Tendon injuries, pulled muscles
• Arthritis and osteoporosis
• Bone tumors, club foot and unequal leg lengths

Scope

The field of orthopedics offers various job prospects for the degree holders. The great variety of career job opportunities and the career growing way for the orthopedic surgeons is very much sharp.

The candidate can join defense services such as army or naval forces. An Orthopedic can start its career in working with high profile hospitals, either in the public or private sector, according to the choice of individuals. There are many other options for orthopedic degree holders, they can open their own Clinic and provide services to the patients. You can also opt to teach at universities and colleges or enter into research as orthopedic doctor.

Orthopedists who have graduated or doctoral degree can get jobs in reputed Government Hospitals like AIIMS and PGIMER, Corporate Hospitals like Fortis, Apollo etc. They can also get jobs in rehabilitation centers established by sports and defense organizations.

Courses & Eligibility

In India, there are ample of courses available in this field from certificate courses to doctoral level course. There are many reputed colleges and universities in India, which offer courses in this field. To become an orthopedic surgeon you should hold MS in Orthopaedics or Diplomate of National Board (DNB-Orth) degree. Here we have mentioned some courses in this field.

Also Check: Medical Courses

Diploma & Certificate Courses:

• Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Exam in Orthopaedics
• Diploma in Orthoptics
• PG Diploma in Orthopaedics – D.Ortho.
• PDCC (Neuro & Ortho Anaesthesiology)

Bachelor Courses:

• MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)

Master Courses:

• Master of Surgery (MS) in Orthopaedics
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Orthopaedics

Doctoral Courses:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Orthopaedics

Basic Eligibility

For admission in MBBS course, students must have passed 12th Science / higher secondary with chemistry, physics and biology subjects. For admission in master courses, students should have a bachelor’s degree (MBBS) from any MCI recognized university or college.

Admission

How to get admission in these courses?

For admissions in medical courses, you can appear in national or state level medical examinations. Most of the colleges or institutions give admission to students on the basis of ranks secured by the students in the entrance test. Some most popular medical entrance tests are mentioned below:

• AIPMT (All India Pre Medical Test)
• AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) Exam
• JIPMER Exam

Top colleges to study Orthopedic in India are:

• Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
• Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune
• Christian Medical College, Vellore
• Darbanga Medical College, Darbhanga

Key Skills Required Becoming Orhopaedic Surgeon:

• You should be physically and mentally fit for standing long times in operation theatres
• You have to confidents about your decisions
• Know the complete knowledge of all machines and instruments related to operations

Career & Jobs

There are a great career opportunities in the field of Orthopedics not in India but also in abroad. The career development path for the orthopedic specialists is very bright. There are lots of job opportunities in government, private and public sector.

Degree holder candidates may appear for Combined Medical Service examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Government of India for entry into central services. The services provided under UPSC are such as railways, ordnance Factories Health Service, Central Health Service and Municipal Corporation of Delhi.  The state, provincial service examination is organized by the state, provincial service commission (SPSC) for admission into state services.

Those candidates have a graduation degree in this field, they can look jobs in the health care sector such as doctors, therapist, surgeon, nurse and so on. The doctoral degree holder can opt teaching career in the colleges and universities or enter into the research field. Those professionals have a some experience, they can also set up their own nursing homes and hospital.

You can appear for the Combined Medical Services Examination to join central services such as an ordnance Factories Health Service, Central Health Service, railways and Municipal Corporation of Delhi. You can also join the armed force and naval force.

After completing your education, you can get jobs in reputed Government Hospitals, for example, AIIMS and PGIMER, Corporate Hospitals such as Apollo, Fortis, etc. You can also work in rehabilitation centers established by sports and defense associations.

Some of the working areas are:

• Researchers
• Orthopedic Surgeon
• Physical Therapist
• Orthopedic Nurse
• Sports Medicine Physician
• Orthopedic distributors for surgery and musculoskeletal Products
• Consultants

Job Profile:

• Orthopedic Surgeon
• Researchers
• Consultants
• Physical Therapist
• Orthopedic Nurse
• Sports Medicine Physician

Salary

Orthopedics is one of the highest paying medical specialties. The salary will be depended on the reputation as well as the place you work. An Orthopaedic Surgeon gets a handsome salary of Rs. 3 Lacs to Rs. 5 Lacs per annum as a starting level. With years of experience, you can earn around Rs.15 Lacs to Rs.20 Lacs per year.

In abroad, an Orthopaedic Surgeon can get the salary package of $123,197 to $541,917 per annum.

Books & Study Materials

Practical Fracture Treatment by Ronald McRae

Low Back Disorders by Stuart McGill

Operative Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery by Wiesel

Review of Orthopaedics by Mark D. Miller

Emergency Surgery of the Hand by Michel Merle

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