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Orthopedic Surgery Career Path: Education, Training & Certification
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Written by Mumtaj Khan
Mar 18, 2026

Orthopedic Surgery Career Path: Education, Training & Certification

Orthopaedist, or more simply put, Orthopaedic Surgeon, is a medical practitioner who deals with the diagnosis and the treatment of the skeleton and muscular issues of the human body whether it is the fractures, dislocations, torn ligaments, bursitis and sprain among any other. Other than these general diseases, Orthopaedist is also suitable and specialized in curing diseases like degenerative joint diseases, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spinal problems and bone tumours among others. Another area of specialty of the Orthopaedist is the abnormal growth as well as congenital problems.

Orthopaedic Surgeons can repair broken and fractured bones as well as other sports injuries of athletes with both surgical and non-surgical interventions that involve repair, and allow them to play in the field again. They are also able to substitute the worn out joints which have been used in hard work over a lifetime.

They render medical services in terms of conducting physical examinations, developing the treatment and therapy schedules, and monitoring patients with regard to any subsequent action that may be necessary to accelerate the healing process. The other area of their jurisdiction is performing back and spinal surgeries, and joint replacement surgery.

Eligibility of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Potential Orthopaedic Surgeon has to have 51/2 years degree in MBBS plus 2-3 years MS(Orthopaedics).

Orthopaedic Surgeon Skills required

Orthopaedic Surgeons ought to be healthy and psychologically endowed to spend long and arduous days in operation rooms.

  • They also need to have great decision making skills and familiarity with the new trends in the field of medicine, have a perfect eye and precision to work at his job and most importantly he/she should have a caring and genuine interest in all his patients.
  • They should have the capacity to comprehend the contemporary medical technologies, medical ethics, pharmacology and physiology.
  • They should also be able to work long hours and make sound decisions when pressurized.

What is the way of becoming an Orthopaedic Surgeon?

Prospective candidates must undergo the following procedures in order to become an Orthopaedic Surgeon-

Step 1 : To the students of science (with Medical Stream) who have or are about to take +2 (with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as major subjects), admission has to be taken in an Medical Entrance Tests, in which PMT is taken by the Punjab Government and CBSE-PMT (Pre Medical Test) is taken by the Central board to enroll students in different medical institutions under it.

Some of most rated medical institutions such as AIIMS, PGI, GMCH, AFMC Pune etc. do the separate test. These exams are mostly in the month of May-June.

Step 2 : Once this four and half years of MBBS degree course and one year and six months of mandatory training is complete a person must attend to MS (Ortho) - a specialization - must work as an Orthopaedic Surgeon.

  • An aspiring doctor in MBBS is required to take Post Graduate Medical Entrance Tests such as All India Post Graduate Medical/Dental Entrance Exam and Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam.
  • Nevertheless, there are also institutes where the admission is offered based on the marks that the dreamer has got in the MBBS course, as well as the work experience that the dreamer has.

Step 3 : Once the two-three year MS (Ortho) course is completed and the appropriate registration obtained at the Medical Council of India, the young Orthopaedist has an opportunity of securing employment in well reputed Government Hospitals such as AIIMS and PGI, Corporate Hospitals such as Fortis, Apollo. Orthopaedist is also able to establish their own Clinic and offer services to the patients.

Job description Orthopaedic Surgeon

The job description of the Orthopaedic Surgeon involves detection of musculoskeletal issue in the body and devising a strategy to live with it and strive to get rid of injuries and illnesses. Most of the muscle and skeletal issues such as arthritis, congenital deformities or even a trauma injury are treated by orthopaedic Surgeons.

Career Prospects- Orthopaedic Surgeon

The employment opportunities are also numerous since they could take employment in the surgery centres of the large hospitals such as the AIIMS, FORTIS and PGI. The expansion of professionalism in sports has also expanded the areas of the Orthopaedic Surgeon since they have the opportunity to acquire good employment opportunities with different sports authorities to take care of players attached to these authorities. They may as well secure employment in rehabilitation centres that are created by sports and defence organizations. Other Orthopaedic Surgeons can also choose to have their own Ortho Clinic which is more enterprising. Other surgeons can also join various medical schools and colleges and instruct their students on the rudimentary techniques and treatments.

Orthopaedic Surgeon Salary

Pay of Orthopaedic Surgeon grossly relies on the reputation and standard of the Hospital he is employed in particularly at the low level. Nevertheless, senior level employees can earn a salary package of approximately 15 lakhs to 20 lakhs annually. Orthopaedic Surgeon working in Government Hospitals have a salary that is not much less, but fairly compensated by providing accommodation, allowances and perks. Speaking of the salary of Orthopaedic Surgeon working independently, we can state that there is no limit of their payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

An Orthopedic Surgeon diagnoses and treats musculoskeletal problems, performs surgeries on bones, joints, and ligaments, and manages injuries, deformities, and degenerative conditions.
Medical school (MBBS, MD, or DO) followed by a 5-year orthopedic surgery residency is required.
Typically 13–15 years: 5–6 years of medical school, plus 5 years of orthopedic surgery residency, with optional fellowships for sub-specialization taking 1–2 additional years.
Surgical precision, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, analytical thinking, physical stamina, and patient care skills.
Salaries vary by country. In the US, orthopedic surgeons typically earn $400,000–$700,000 per year, depending on experience and sub-specialty.
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