Orthopedics

1. Orthopedics

2. What is it? • Orthopedics is the medical specialty focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and repair of bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. This includes broken bones, torn ligaments, some spinal injuries.

3. Job Options? • Orthopedic surgeon • Sports medicine physician • Orthopedic nurse • Physical therapist

4. Average income • Can make anywhere between 222,000-717,000 • Median is 406,000

5. Education • After obtaining a bachelor's degree in biology, pre-medicine or a related field, aspiring Orthopedic Surgeons must enroll in four years of medical school, followed by a five-year Orthopedic Surgery residency in a hospital. The first year of residency usually covers general surgery, with the next four years devoted to orthopedic-specific training. Surgeons wishing to specialize further such as orthopedic sports medicine or pediatric orthopedics must then complete a year-long fellowship to finish. After completing the residency, Orthopedic Surgeons must pass an exam to be certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

6. Colleges • Walden University-Minnesota • Argosy University-Arizona • Capella University-Minnesota • University of Phoenix • Kaplan University-Iowa • Strayer University-Virginia • Keiser University-(online) • Grand canyon University-Arizona • Ashford University-Iowa • Saint Leo University-Florida

7. Demand • Orthopedics is an important specialty that will continue to have high demand, with employment opportunities expected to grow faster than average between now and 2014. As the US population continues to age of the US and our need for health care will also grow. There will be a particular increase in demand for Orthopedics as it deals with the very musculoskeletal conditions that occur with aging. As our population ages. Several factors are impacting the future demands in both directions, the shrinking economy, the aging population and finally the impending health care "reform".

8. A day in the life… • The day begins early, probably waking up around five in the morning and heading off to one of the many hospitals where you operate. You spend about an hour checking on the patients that recently had surgery or the patients with surgery to come. Then, on to actual surgery. You might have three surgeries in the morning, one replacing an elderly woman’s hip, another setting a young boy’s broken fibula, and another repairing a mother’s patella. Most days you train an intern or resident throughout the day, they assist in operations or perform the under the surgeon’s watchful eye. Then you have a quick lunch and then to the office where you will see around thirty patients, all with different pains and aliments. Some are returnees, some are children, some want a second opinion, and others simply have no idea what is wrong with them. Around six o’ clock you attend a dinner meeting, where orthopedists gather and discuss new medical breakthroughs and different surgery techniques. Overall it is a busy day!

10. References • http://ezinearticles.com/?Orthopedic-Job-Demand&id=3540065 • http://education-portal.com/articles/Orthopedic_Surgeons_Career_Information_and_Requirements_for_Becoming_an_Orthopedic_Surgeon.html • http://ericawriting140.blogspot.com/2007/09/day-in-life-of-orthopedic-surgeon_14.html