How To Become an Orthopaedic Surgeon in 6 Steps

Orthopaedic surgeons are medical specialist who diagnoses and treat patients with diseases, injuries, and deformities of the musculoskeletal system. An orthopaedist also has a thorough knowledge of diagnostic imaging such as X-ray, ultrasonography, MRI, PET scan, DSA, Arthrography, etc. They can gain expertise in a variety of sub-specialties, such as foot and ankle surgery, joint replacement, orthopaedic oncology, pediatric orthopaedic surgery, spine surgery, sports medicine, etc.

Listing the 6 steps to become an Orthopaedic surgeon:

Step 1: Complete Senior secondary education

An aspirant must complete the senior secondary education with a minimum 50% aggregate and Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as the major subjects from a recognized board.

Step 2: Prepare & Crack NEET UG exam

Next, you must prepare for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test- Undergraduate (NEET-UG). NEET-UG is a single window entrance examination for admission to MBBS/BDS/BAMS/BSMS/BUMS/BHMS and other undergraduate medical courses in approved/recognized Medical/Dental /AYUSH and other Colleges/ Deemed Universities /Institutes (AIIMS & JIPMER) in India.  

You must crack the NEET-UG exam to get admission into a medical college for an MBBS course, which is a prime requirement to become an orthopaedic surgeon. If a medical student finds an interest in the Orthopaedics for UnderGrads subject, then they can go for PG in Orthopaedics.

Step 3: Complete MBBS degree and Internship

After getting admission into the medical college, complete the undergraduate MBBS degree with a minimum aggregate of 60%. You must compulsorily complete your one-year of rotational internship in your MBBS curriculum. You must attend the practical sessions, ward postings, seminars, conferences, etc. attentively during your graduation as they form a strong foundation over the subjects.

Step 4: Prepare & Crack NEET PG or INI-CET exam

After completing your MBBS degree, you need to crack the NEET PG or INI-CET examination for admission to medical postgraduate courses. NEET-PG is a national-level entrance examination for admission to the MS/MD/PG Diploma courses at various government and private colleges whereas INI-CET is a national-level exam for admission to MS/MD at the INI Institutes, which includes, AIIMS, JIPMER, etc.

Depending on the marks scored in the entrance exam, an aspirant chooses the postgraduate specialty and the college during the counselling procedure.

Step 5: Complete MS orthopaedic degree

After getting admission into a medical college recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Complete your 3-year Master of Surgery in orthopedics along with the submission of the PG dissertation. A PG curriculum includes conferences, symposiums, Workshops, audits, clinical postings, clinical meetings, etc.

Step 6: Complete the residency program and become board certified

After completing MS orthopaedics, complete your residency program and get licensed to practice as Orthopaedic Surgeon and become certified.

Scope for an Orthopaedic Surgeon

After successfully becoming an orthopaedic surgeon, you will land one of the most lucrative and stable medical careers. MS orthopaedics courses can lead to employment, such as Ortho surgeons in government hospitals or private hospitals or centres, Professors at universities, Clinical researchers at various government departments, Sports medicine physicians, and more.

Resources to enhance your medical journey

To amplify the learnings of your college lectures, a medical student can enroll in the online Orthopaedics for UnderGrads course. The orthopaedics course online provides you access to highly illustrative video lectures including clinical, radiological, and gross images, notes, self-assessment questions, and case studies with demonstrations.

In addition to college classes, a medico can also get benefitted from the other available resources, such as free medical lectures on youtube, webinars, etc.