Orthopedist Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How many years does it take to become an orthopedist including basic medicine and pre-U? I'm interested in the field and wondering how long it takes. If anyone could tell me if its a good career, that would be nice as well.

Answer: it takes a long time..... after 2yr PU start from MBBS....now you are a doctor. next step can be MS, D.ORTHO or DNB... ....now you can call yourself an orthopaedic surgeon. till here will take 10-12 yrs (it depends). But while working as a surgeon you can also do the super-speciality courses like FRCS etc.so the road will never end.the more courses you do the more respect, salary you get.with each course you do your knowledge will increase. It's a highly respected profession. good luck. :-)

Question: Is an orthopedist the same thing as an orthopedic surgeon? Can you specialize in orthopedics without being a surgeon? Or is that the only way to specialize in orthopedics?

Answer: well the orthopedic knows alot but the surgeon also does and is involved in surgery

Question: How can I get my orthopedist to give me a cast? I went to the ER on Sunday for a possible broken wrist, and they said that they didn't see any fracture on the film. They have me in a brace right now, but every time I slightly bump it or jostle it, it sends a shooting pain up my arm. I really think putting a cast on for a week or so would def. help, even if there isn't a broken bone, and it's only a sprain. How should I go about convincing my ortho of this?

Answer: Not much chance....casts come with potential problems. Doctors can't just do things that are not medically justified since they are held highly accountable for the treatments they prescribe. I doubt you can even talk him/her into a splint, but you can try. Just give a call and see what he/she says.

Question: What could cause a bone not to fuse back together. I just visited my orthopedist who did an xray that revealed that my bone is still broken and so is the plate. How does that happen?

Answer: Poor health, overuse, smoking, lack of calcium in the diet, infection, misalignment, breastfeeding, many things. I don't know how the plate could break though. Look after yourself

Question: Can you be an orthopedist if you dont want to do surgery? i am very interested in the bone branch or medicine, but I am not a big fan of surgery. is there any way i can get around that? im 16 and i've been thinking about what im going to do. I have the grades and I plan on going to school, but I have to know what im doing before senior year comes rolling in!

Answer: The orthopods I know LOVE to do surgery. That's the bulk of their training. Five or more years of grueling surgical training (after med school). If you don't want to do surgery, then don't pick a surgical specialty. Orthopedics is pretty competitive to get into. The gunners who love to spend all day and night in the OR will have your spot. At 16 you cannot have any idea of whether or not you want to do surgery. Worry about it if/when you're in med school.

Question: I have recently ripped ligaments in my left ankle. I saw an orthopedist and their is talk about needing ? surgery. I believe the surgery is an ankle fusion where they put a screw in your ankle so that the ligaments can heal properly. Is there any chance of me getting in the Navy as an Officer at the age of 27 (by the time I have healed as best as I can) with a medical waiver?

Answer: i snapped my ankle in half, broke it in 3 places and had to have the biggest metal plate they make and 14 large screws put into it to hold it all back together, and i got a waiver for it. so i think your situation is fine as long as by the time you enlist you can do the activities you need again. and if i can, i think you can. no worries bro. you should be squared away. good luck!

Question: What are the "steps" to becoming an Orthopedist? Well, I'm 16 and beginning to think about possible careers. One idea on the top of the list is an Orthopedist. I know that becoming a doctor involves LOTS of work, but I'm not exactly sure what it involves. How long would it take, and what kind of classes would I need? Would I need a residency? All answers are appreciated!! Thanks :D

Answer: 1) Challenge yourself in high school with science courses, AP if you can. 2) In college, you'll need to take certain prerequisite courses before you apply to medical school. An academic adviser can help you with this. These courses will involve mathematics and science. For a college major, you can really major in whatever you want. For example, you could be a business major, and go into business if medicine doesn't work out. In fact, medical school admissions committees are impressed by well rounded applicants who have interests outside the sciences. Keep in mind that regardless of your major, you will have to take those prerequisite science courses anyway. 3) To apply for medical school, you'll need to achieve good grades in college. It helps to have extra-curricular interests like sports or music. You'll have to perform well on an examination called the MCAT -- it's basically the SAT for medical school. 4) In medical school, you'll have 4 years of general medical science and clinical training. After graduating from medical school, you'll have earned your MD (or DO) degree. 5) After medical school, you'll enter residency -- a training period lasting between 3-6 years depending on your chosen specialty. You'll earn a modest salary during residency. To choose your medical specialty (orthopedic surgery is one example), there is yet another round of applications. Orthopedics is among the more competitive specialties, so you'll have to keep achieving even in medical school. Once you finish your orthopedic surgery residency, you will be licensed to practice. At that point, you'll be making a much higher salary. That's the road map. For a 16 year old, the best advice is to take school seriously, be honest with yourself about what you enjoy and excel at, and don't stress too much about the far future.

Question: Can anyone tell me about what it would cost to see an orthopedist about a dislocated shoulder? I have dislocated more than once, but i have never been able to go to the doctor because i cant affford medical insurance.

Answer: At least a couple of hundred dollars.

Question: what doctor is best for a herniated disk a chiropractor or a physician or a orthopedist? I have done an MRI and shown to have a herniated disk. sciatic nerve, pains shoot to the right leg beneath the knee. pain increases when i stand up or sit. Anybody who had the same symptoms or any advice is really appreciated. I don't know who or which doctor I should see. My MRI was taken at ER and after they let me go they didn't recommend me to any doctor. Thank you for your time

Answer: From years, many years(over 14 years) of experience with back pain, disc herniations(multiple levels), both of my cervical and lumbar spine, I would suggest that you get a referrel to either a Neurosurgeon or a Orthopedic Spine surgeon. This is not to say you will need surgery. I recommend these types of docs because of their vast knowledge of your condition. The above mentioned docs are also sometimes called "spine specialist". Your other option would be to be referred to a "pain management center". If its a center, the above mentioned docs are there plus others and they will decided or offer what would be in your best interest. Oh yeah....your 3rd option would be to wait. Herniated discs do get re-obsolved by the body, usually around the 6th - 8th week. I DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT, recommend going to a chiro at this time. Being manipulated with a herniated disc in your back can be dangerous. The manipulation can cause a piece of the disc to break off and change positions causing even more pain and/or permenant damage...but it is your decision. There are a handful of folks in this world that would highly recommend a chiro, I'm not one of them. I have been to a chiro, but not for a herniated disc. As a matter of fact, while being manipulated for another problem, the disc at L3-L4 herniated!! So, have I talked to much...sorry. Good luck and take care.

Question: Should I go to a Podiatrists or a Orthopedist? My ankle has been bothering me and I think it has to do with the fact that I have really no arch in my foot, but I am not sure.

Answer: I've got foot problems and I've been to both. I think overall, I was happier with the ortho - he really took time to determine what was causing my problem instead of trying to sell me on some standard Podiatrist solution - orthotics or surgery. You may very well end up with orthotics, but I think the ortho can do that as well as a Podiatrist.

Question: Going to orthopedist tomorrow for the first time. What should I expect? I am going for lower back problems and pains. I was referred by my dr. and don't have a clue what to expect.

Answer: They will probably start with an x-ray. Then depending on whether they feel it is soft tissue or bone will decide from there. MRI is often used to see soft tissue problems. Otherwise it isn't that different than a regular doctor visit. Be sure to describe where all the pain is and how it feels. Give as detailed a history as you can.

Question: How often does an orthopedist surgeon have to recertify?

Answer: Every three years. In the meantime they still have tests to take.

Question: I have a bone fragment under my ankle bone, do I see orthopedist or podiatrist? I had a recent xray and my orthopedist magified the film. He found a bone fragment under my ankle bone from an old injury was causing me pain. If this gets to the point where it needs to be removed, do I go to an orthopedist or a podatrist to have it removed? It is effecting my walking and working. Thank you for your oppinion.

Answer: I think it would be an orthopedic surgeon. A podiatrist generally works on feet only, not the ankle. Ask the person who did the film-they would know.

Question: I meet a lot of tennis players at my orthopedist's office. Is the cause 1) needing lessons? 2) gotta be in better shape? 3) slow one's game down? 4) other Substitute 'solution' for 'cause'

Answer: I am assuming that most people you see have arm related issues. The common injuries for tennis are arm/elbow shoulder, and knee. Arm/elbow issues are entirely related to poor technique. The problem could be related to using too much arm, hitting a ball late thus forcing the arm in an awkward position, to using the wrong grip on a one handed backhand, or one handed backhand volley(big cause of tennis elbow) The shoulder, and knee problems would be more related to overuse. Knees dont do well with constant pounding on the courts. Shoulder problems(*rotator cuff) relates to overuse of serve. Good stretching, and weight training absolutely help when it comes to prevention. I know there is nothing more frustrating than being sidelined with an injury. AMMENDMANT RELATED TO SOLUTION RATHER THAN CAUSE I have spoken to so many people over the years, so I hae seen what works and what doesnt. I would have to know specifically what injury you were talking about. Unfortunately no matter what the injury, REST is the best medicine, which kills people because they want to play. Diagnose the cause of the problem and correct with proper technique. Some problems are obvious, but some are not. There are knee,arm elbow aparatus that do help. Building muscle does help. There are many technical things someone can be doing, so lessons from a good pro may help.

Question: What is the level of education for a orthopedist?

Answer: 4 yrs high school, 4 yrs college, 4 - 5 yrs medical school (MD or DO), 4 yrs orthopedics residency and if you sub specialize in spine or hand add another 1-2 yrs.

Question: I have a report from an orthopedist that I need translated. Would someone qualified do it for me.? The report is confusing to me. On one hand it sounds like everything is ok then in the summary it sounds terrible. If you are qualified I would really appreciate the help. I can email the report to you.

Answer: you can email it to me at lmhurd@yahoo.com and I'll see if I can help you. I'm a nurse.......