Orthopedics is a branch of surgery that focuses on conditions that involve the musculoskeletal system. An orthopedic surgeon employs nonsurgical and surgical means to provide treatment to patients who are suffering from sports injuries, tumors, congenital disorders, and degenerative diseases. The journey of becoming a Maryland orthopedic surgeon begins with education. It is a must for a person who aspires to become an orthopedist to complete a four year undergraduate program plus another four year education program in medical school.
After graduating from medical school, there is another five years that needs to be done in residency training. In these five years, one is for general surgery and the rest are for practice in orthopedic surgery. An orthopedist may also consider doing fellowships after getting done with residency training. Fellowship training takes a year or two in orthopedics. Some of the subspecialties in orthopedics are pediatric orthopedics, elbow and shoulder surgery, musculoskeletal oncology, arthroplasty, hand surgery and spine surgery among others.
Some of these subspecialties also fall in other surgical medical categories. Hand surgery for example is not only carried out by orthopedists but also by plastic surgeons. Spine, ankle and foot surgeries are also good examples of surgeries that can be carried out by multiple physicians. Licensed Doctors of Podiatric Medicine can do foot and ankle surgeries while spine injuries surgeries can be done by neurosurgeons. To fully be acknowledged as an orthopedic surgeon, it is necessary to be certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties or American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists.
It is necessary to sit for exams created by these boards. Usually, the boards set oral and written exams which are meant for testing the surgical and clinical performance of an orthopedist over a period of six months. The boards specify that it is a must for anyone who is aspiring to become an orthopedic surgeon to excel in these tests due to the reasoning that errors are not allowed when treating patients.
Arthroscopy is a technique that many orthopedists like to use when applying treatment to patients. The method is believed to speed up the process of recovery as compared to an open surgery that may force a patient to recover in months. The most common example of arthroscopy is knee arthroscopy which may sometimes be used together with chondroplasty or meniscectomy to quicken the healing process.
Another method of surgery mostly used in orthopedics is arthroplasty. There are materials which are used in this method to replace joints such as metals and high density polythene. You may be forced to settle for this method when you need a hip joint replacement. It also works well for replacement of spinal joint, wrist and elbow joints.
If you are considering orthopedic surgery as your career choice, first engage yourself in an extensive research on the different specialties that exist in this profession. You may then have to consider the budget needed to cover for the course. Most medical courses however are expensive to study.
The high amounts of fees should not discourage you if this is your top choice career. Look for education loans from various education organizations around your area of residence or sponsorship deals. It is important however that you should obtain high grades in high school especially in science subjects if you aspire to become a Maryland orthopedic surgeon.
After graduating from medical school, there is another five years that needs to be done in residency training. In these five years, one is for general surgery and the rest are for practice in orthopedic surgery. An orthopedist may also consider doing fellowships after getting done with residency training. Fellowship training takes a year or two in orthopedics. Some of the subspecialties in orthopedics are pediatric orthopedics, elbow and shoulder surgery, musculoskeletal oncology, arthroplasty, hand surgery and spine surgery among others.
Some of these subspecialties also fall in other surgical medical categories. Hand surgery for example is not only carried out by orthopedists but also by plastic surgeons. Spine, ankle and foot surgeries are also good examples of surgeries that can be carried out by multiple physicians. Licensed Doctors of Podiatric Medicine can do foot and ankle surgeries while spine injuries surgeries can be done by neurosurgeons. To fully be acknowledged as an orthopedic surgeon, it is necessary to be certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties or American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists.
It is necessary to sit for exams created by these boards. Usually, the boards set oral and written exams which are meant for testing the surgical and clinical performance of an orthopedist over a period of six months. The boards specify that it is a must for anyone who is aspiring to become an orthopedic surgeon to excel in these tests due to the reasoning that errors are not allowed when treating patients.
Arthroscopy is a technique that many orthopedists like to use when applying treatment to patients. The method is believed to speed up the process of recovery as compared to an open surgery that may force a patient to recover in months. The most common example of arthroscopy is knee arthroscopy which may sometimes be used together with chondroplasty or meniscectomy to quicken the healing process.
Another method of surgery mostly used in orthopedics is arthroplasty. There are materials which are used in this method to replace joints such as metals and high density polythene. You may be forced to settle for this method when you need a hip joint replacement. It also works well for replacement of spinal joint, wrist and elbow joints.
If you are considering orthopedic surgery as your career choice, first engage yourself in an extensive research on the different specialties that exist in this profession. You may then have to consider the budget needed to cover for the course. Most medical courses however are expensive to study.
The high amounts of fees should not discourage you if this is your top choice career. Look for education loans from various education organizations around your area of residence or sponsorship deals. It is important however that you should obtain high grades in high school especially in science subjects if you aspire to become a Maryland orthopedic surgeon.
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