Orthopedic surgeon salary results are mainly based on surveys and his/her web publicity. There are also locum positions for surgeons, when the pay scale is pegged to the average income. The salary is adjusted by the difference in local standards of living.

What Is The Current Orthopedic Surgeon Salary?

The task of an orthopaedic surgeon is to perform surgery on the musculoskeletal system of a patient after examination and diagnoses. There can be used various methods of treatment: both surgical and not. These methods are primarily used in dealing with broken bones and fractures, various injuries and diseases, infections and traumas.

So how much does an orthopaedic surgeon get for his job? Orthopedic surgeon salary varies between $ 171,470 and $ 374,020. Popular industries that hire surgeons are mostly different healthcare institutes, where a professional gets $ 150,000 – $298,480.

Hospital salaries do not differ greatly – $149,730 – $298,770. Various medical salaries pay up to $300,200, while for orthopedic units the highest salary is $ 305,900 and the lowest – $159,40.

If an orthopaedic surgeon works at special surgery centers, his salary is higher and ranges from $160,800 to 314,780. The US Federal Government pays from $ 103,400 to $264,000. The lowest salaries are got by those orthopedic surgeons, who work for local or state governments – from $33,000 to $ 250,000. Orthopedic surgeon salary in private firms and practices can range from $202,270 up to $400,000.

Speaking about hourly wages, it is to be pointed out that they usually range from $26,00 to $204,50. In this case much depends on years of experience and the size of the industry.

Orthopedic surgeon salary is based on the medical degree:

• Degree in medicine – $ 155,485 – $351,650;
• Board certified surgeon -$ $252,000 – $493,550.

The years of experience:

• Less than one year – $66,150 – $312,300;
• From 1 to 4 years – $109,980 – $305,630;
• From 5 to 9 years – $197,150 – $356,700;
• From 10 to 1 years – $191,230 – $386,850;
• From 20 years – $ 213, 660 – $419,200.

An orthopaedic surgeon, who has been employed as:

• a resident worker earns from $ 43,900 to $54,380;
• a doctor or physician – $81, 230 – $183,450;
• internal medicine – $112, 900 – $173,680.

According to the geographical location, orthopedic surgeon salary varies:

• New York: $175,000 – $295,000;
• Los Angeles: $150,000 – $460,000;
• Chicago: $198,670 – $355,000;
• Boston: $78,600 – $355,500;
• Houston: $152,400 – $407,980;
• Atlanta: $167,000 – $395,000;
• Pittsburg: $213,500 – $562,800.

Orthopedic Job Description

An OS treats skeletal and muscle problems including congenital deformities, arthritis, traumas and injuries.

They usually perform spinal and back surgeries, repair bones fractures and replace joints. A surgeon is, as a rule, in charge of the whole orthopedic department (nurses, assistants and technicians). They assign staff to duties and various surgeries, making sure that everyone is taking his/her part in helping to operate smoothly.

An OS should be able to conduct a surgery independently. As this profession is very stressful, it requires rather high responsibility and self control, quick reaction and the ability to keep everything under control. A person is to possess dexterity to concentrate on each specific task being done.

Welcome to Orthopedics

Orthopedics is a medical field that deals with diagnosis and treatment of dysfunction, injury and other conditions of skeletal system, as well as muscles, joints and ligaments associated with it. Health care professionals who specialize in this field are called orthopedists, orthopedic surgeons or orthopedic specialists.

Orthopedic Surgeon Brief Job Description

Orthopedists treat a variety of conditions including arthritis, sport traumas, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome to name a few. Common surgical operations performed by these specialists include repair and relocation of compressed and damaged nerves, joint replacement etc. Some of the orthopedic surgeons specialize in a particular type of injury or age group. Pediatric orthopedists exclusively treat children, for instance.

Orthopedic Surgeon Education Requirements

It goes without saying that medical career is rewarding both in terms of salary and visible results of the job (healthy patients, children’s smiles etc). However, it takes time and effort to obtain proper education and practice to become a good specialist. On average, an orthopedist career path requires 8-9 years of diligent education and dedicated practice (saying nothing about the exams and licensure). Let’s figure out what it takes to become an orthopedist in the US. So, the aspirant needs to complete:

• four-year bachelor’s degree program in biology or related field (chemistry, physics, pre-medicine etc.);
• four to five-year Medical School program (the first two are classroom based, and the final two or three are hospital based);
• one to two-year fellowship (for those who wish to specialize in subspecialties).

Similarly to other health care providers, orthopedic surgeons have to pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination in order to be able to start their practice legally. Then, in order to show proficiency in orthopedics, aspirants need to pass a test by American Board of Orthopedic Surgery which is a division of the American Board of Medical Specialties. It is important to note that regular recertification is also required (every 7-10 years).

Once the education is complete it is essential to continue self-education in order to keep in pace with revolutionary technologies and stay abreast of new developments in treatment and surgery approaches. It is important to attend conferences and subscribe magazines on pharmacology, physiology and medical ethics. An orthopedics surgery career is not for everyone, as it often requires long hours of work and making crucial decisions under pressure.

Career Perspectives

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, there will be a demand growth for physicians and surgeons (2008-2018), especially in rural areas of the U.S. In terms of income, orthopedic surgeons earn between $99,897 and $511,811 every year.

How to Become One of the Orthopedic Surgeons in Atlanta?

Educational requirements are pretty much the same throughout the USA, however, slight changes and differences are also possible. It would be wrong to state that it is never too late to think of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Serious profession requires serious and early consideration.

The basic requirements include undergraduate education in chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics. This knowledge is really essential for applying to medical school. In fact, many potential students also take courses in order to get prepared and enroll in a pre-medical program, which offers assistance scheduling courses.

If you consider applying to any of the medical schools in Atlanta, get ready to face a few obstacles, as applying is pretty much competitive. Along with undergraduate work one will have to score well on the admission test and have a few recommendation letters from professors.

The medical school includes a 4-year program, which is, by the way, traditional. Get ready that during the first 2 years you will pass clinical courses that, generally, include studies in genetics, anatomy, microbiology, pathology, neurology and pharmacology.

During the 3^rd year your studying is going to be focused on clinical rotations (surgery, pediatrics, as well as internal medicine). And, finally, the 4^th year will let you know more about specific electives that can include orthopedics.

Orthopedic Surgery in Atlanta: What Does the Salary Depend on?

The salaries of orthopedic surgeons vary throughout Atlanta. What do they depend on and how much can one get during the very first year of hard work?

As a rule, the amounts are primarily based on a number of factors that are involved to determine the rate. The years of schooling, as well as the delicate nature of repairing nerves and muscles influences the salary. Years of experience and extensive training will make the salary higher, compared to less experienced doctors. However, it should be pointed out that the average salary in Atlanta is comparatively higher than in the majority of states.

What’s the Average Salary?

The average salary for the job of an orthopedic surgery in Atlanta is $350,000. The sum depends on one’s benefits, experience, industry and the location.

The highest salaries are up to $ 450,000. When comparing the national average salary that equals $ 475,000, the one of an orthopedic surgeon is around 90% of the norm, which is not that bad. This average was calculated using the amounts of average salaries of all the jobs with the term ‘orthopedic’.

Atlanta orthopedic surgeons can quite easily enjoy the income of $450,000 per year. AND (!) aside from the basic income, they all have additional benefits like insurance coverage for dental, medical and vision related illnesses. There are also different bonuses, which presence or absence depends on the size of the healthcare facility and the experience.

Being one of orthopedic surgeons Atlanta means being a professional and earning enough to ensure proper life and further career development.

The procedure covers knee replacement surgery, partial knee replacement, arthroscopy, revision total joint surgery, hemiarthroplasty, minimally invasive joint surgery, etc. Any of these surgeries requires an in-hospital stay, during which a patient should start the course of physical therapy exercises.

Who Are the Candidates for Orthopedic Knee Surgeries?

As a rule, the most common age for knee replacement is between 60 and 80 years old. Why do people require surgeries of this type? The thing is during one’s life knees are usually severely damaged by injuries and diseases and need special treatment.

Osteoarthritis is the most common condition that results in the need for surgery. It is referred to as degenerative problem that affects older or middle-aged adults. The disease is accompanied by the breakdown of joint cartilage and the adjacent bone in the knee.

However, arthritis and its rheumatoid form are not the only two problems that lead to the damage of the knee joint. To other possible problems belong:

• fractures
• torn ligaments
• torn cartilage

What about Alternative Treatment?

To avoid surgical procedures, many people are looking for other treatment options that are effective enough to get rid of the medical condition without operative intervention. Though the options are multiple, not all of them are appropriate for every patient.

The surgery is regarded to be the final stage and is reserved for those, who’ve tried all other options. If you are worried about occasional pain, think of the following alternative treatments:

• weight loss
• joint supplements
• activity modifications
• cortisone injections
• anti-inflammatory medications
• hyaluronic acid injections

What to Expect from an Ordinary Orthopedic Knee Surgery?

All types of this surgery require a pre-operative health assessment of blood tests, electrocardiogram and chest x-ray. The surgeon reviews the injury or any other cause and defines the best type of the surgery.

During an operative intervention the surgeon makes small cuts around the knee, cleans them and inserts a camera, which is considered to be an essential tool in observing the injury and treating it with the help of tiny instruments.

The whole knee or its parts are substituted with plastic and metallic modules that are shaped to allow the knee joint to function in a proper way.

Typically, a surgery lasts for about 1 hour and after that a patient is placed in a recovery area. Medications help him to reduce the pain during first few days. Nevertheless, he is also to follow wound care instructions that prevent infections and promote the healing process.

Risks vs. Benefits

The aim of the procedure is to reduce pain and immobility that are mainly caused by traumatic injuries (cartilage or ligaments, the detachment of the meniscus or tearing), anatomic defects and degenerative arthritic conditions (osteoarthritis, inflammatory or infectious arthritis, avascular necrosis).

However, the procedure itself is also accompanied by various risks that every patient should be informed about:

• blood clots in veins
• blood loss
• fractures of the leg bones
• infections (early postoperative infection, acute hematogenous infection, late chronic infection, periprosthetic infection)
• instability of the kneecap
• stiffness of the knee replacement
• nerve damage
• loosening of the implanted components

The cost of an orthopedic knee surgery depends on various factors, and the type of the used implant is the main one. In any case, the surgery is usually covered by the majority of insurance plans.

For caring parents it is necessary to monitor the health of a child since the birth. Harmonious development of musculoskeletal system is the key to a child’s health for the whole lifetime.

That is why you should visit pediatric orthopedic surgeon in 3, 6, 9 months and in a year. Scheduled visits check the normal development and correct the violation of the support – motor apparatus in time. Treatment is appointed in accordance with the analysis, causes and severity of the disease. It could be massage, physiotherapy, acupuncture, manual therapy, exercises at the gym, the use of individual orthopedic insoles.

Many pediatric orthopedists work with newborns, because childbirth can injure babies.

When pediatric orthopedic surgeon cures newborns

1. Skin and hypodermic tissue damages during a birth (bruises, scratches, bleeding, etc.) They are usually not dangerous and require only local treatment to prevent infection. They usually disappear after 5 – 7 days.

2. Muscle damage. The most common birth defects are the damage of sternoclavicular muscle, hemorrhage or rupture. Damaged area ​​is determined by a small, moderately dense and cramped tumor, slightly painful during the palpation. Sometimes it is detected only at the end of the 1st week of life when torticollis starts to develop: the baby’s head is tilted toward the damaged muscle, and the chin is turned in the opposite direction.

3. Birth trauma of a skeletal system. The reasons mostly are false obstetric actions. Fractures of clavicle, humerus and femur are the most widespread in these cases. All types of fracture diagnosis should be first confirmed radiographically.

Important tips for children 1-5 years old

More elder age is characterized by the disturbance of locomotive system and flat-footedness. In order to avoid such problems, pediatric orthopedists share the following pieces of advice.

• Children’s shoes should have a hard heel.
• The sole should be flexible in the toe area and a rigid between the heel and toe.
• The toe should slightly go up.
• The heel is not needed at all. It is permissible in kid’s shoes to have no more than 8 mm heel
• It is not necessary to put insoles for preventing flat feet. If they are in the shoes, they should be cut and thrown away.

Take into account that regularly visiting pediatric orthopedist you provide your child with comfortable and happy life.

To become an orthopedist you should get to know the essentials of this field of medicine. There are various training courses and special programs offered by orthopedic schools. In such schools you can receive a bachelor’s degree in orthopedic technology and surgery.

Before And After Orthopedic Surgeon Schools

What should one do to get a degree in orthopedic surgery and become a good specialist? To become an orthopedic surgeon you must go through the following steps in education:

• college (undergraduate degree, four years);
• medical school (medical degree, four years);
• accredited medical education (five years).

Having graduated from a medical school a future orthopedic surgeon should complete a medical residency training program. Most of orthopedic residency programs commonly last for five years. The first year is usually devoted to general surgery or other broad-based residency. Such a practice would teach you how to work in team, how to communicate with patients, and how to use special terminology. The following four years are assigned for training in orthopedic surgery and clinical orthopaedic studies. A residency program in orthopedic surgery is usually taken under the direction of a qualified orthotist.

In some programs, offered by orthopedic surgeon schools, you are required to complete two years of general surgery or internship and then have three years of clinical studies in orthopedics.

After that you can also have extra year or two in a fellowship program. This will allow you to get specialized training in one of subspecialties.

What is ABOS? How to Get Certified?

ABOS stands for the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. The Board establishes educational standards for orthopedic surgeons and evaluates them through examinations and practice qualification. The organization was set to serve for the public good and support medical profession.

So, to get certified by the Board a candidate is to complete the following stages:

• orthopedic residency;
• orthopedic surgery practice (two years);
• passing written and oral exams carried out by the Board.

Being certified as orthopedic surgeon by the ABOS means that the doctor has met all the requirements of examinations and completed specified education. When you become a professional it will greatly increase orthopedic surgeon salary you get.

Further Orthopedic Surgeon Schooling: Choosing a Subspecialty

There are different branches in this medical area, so you can either be a general orthopedic surgeon, or select a subspecialty that fits you best. You can specialize on a particular type of trauma, for example, sports injuries.

Here is the list of orthopedic surgery subspecialties:

• Pediatric orthopedics
• Hand surgery
• Shoulder, arm and elbow surgery
• Arthroplasty and arthroscopy
• Foot and ankle surgery
• Spinal surgery
• Musculoskeletal oncology
• Orthopedic trauma and fractures
• Sports trauma

So, a beginner willing to become an orthopedic surgeon should gain strong theoretical basis and develop excellent practical skills.

Specification, Skills and Duties of Orthopedic Technicians (OT)

Orthopedic technicians and orthopedic technologists deal with:

• Feet deformations (arch-like feet construction, feet swelling,  the “cold feet”, varicosis)
• Defects in the posture (scoliosis, slouch, lordosis)
• Muscle spasms
• Fractures and other musculoskeletal injures
• Prosthetics and implantation

Orthotics is the main specification of an orthopedic technologist. A good specialist should be an expert in application of artificial or mechanical medical aids, which prevent or assist movement of injured joints or muscles. The duties of an OT include: pre- and post-operation care for patients, adjustment of auxiliary medical equipment, such as crutches, walkers, canes, applying and removing braces, casts and splints, changing postoperative wound bandages.

An OT should also have good practical skills in the following issues:

• accurate identification of skeleton fragments;
• diagnosis of bones or articulations injuries;
• analyzing X-ray photographs;
• applying orthopedic devices;
• inserting sutures, stapling;
• preparing patients for surgery, assistance during surgery;
• communication with patients, especially in stressed situations.

Correct Your Posture and Wear Smart Shoes!

An orthopedic technologist will teach you how to use your orthopedic corset or will design a unique pair of shoes for your feet.  An expert in technology of orthotics manufacturing is the one who designs and helps you adjusting and using special equipment or wear.  Usually people turn to orthopedic technologists when they need to correct their posture, choose footwear for flat-footedness treatment or purchase an orthopedic pillow or a mattress for a child.

Where do Orthopedic Technicians work?

As a rule, an OT works in the following establishments: emergency departments, hospitals (departments of surgery), acute and clinic settings, such as sports clinics, orthopedic offices, and some other settings.  There are also cases, when medical establishments search for paramedics with orthopedic experience. An orthopedic technician working in the field of plastic surgery is also a common case nowadays.

We hope this article will be useful for those people, who are going to visit a doctor, or those who start their practice as an OT.

Orthopedics is a domain of medicine which deals with diagnosis, care, and treatment of patients with broken, dislocated or damaged bones, tendons, skin, muscles, ligaments, joints, nerves, etc. Those doctors dedicated to this field are called orthopedic surgeons. They work closely with other physicians and often serve as consultants to other doctors. They work as a team aimed at saving someone’s life. This profession touches all aspects of health care belonging to the musculoskeletal system.

Orthopedics Is an Extremely Achievement-oriented Field

Orthopedic surgeon jobs have their own peculiar career courses which differ from other fields of medicine.  As a specialist performs orthopedic surgeries of different types and medical conditions, a young orthopedic surgeon should have a good command of diagnosis, treatment and modern surgical methods of spinal column trauma therapy, dislocations, tumors, infections, congenital disorders, degenerative diseases and sports injuries. Besides common surgery, an orthopedic surgeon also takes responsibility of prescribing all kinds of medicine, curing arthritis and administering steroid injections for injuries.

Some orthopedic surgeons practice in specific areas of the supporting-motor apparatus, such as spine, hips, feet, or hands. Many generalists are just interested in a certain area, but still treat most damages and ailments of the musculoskeletal system.

Prospects of Orthopedic Surgeon Jobs

The outlook for orthopedic surgeon jobs is thought to be encouraging and optimistic because the average age of specialists is moving higher. According to the prognoses, orthopedic surgeon jobs should grow more rapidly than the average growth until 2014.

Likewise, orthopedic surgeon jobs have thrown open a great many of subspecialties which allow young orthopedic surgeons to develop in their careers.  Dozens of medical websites supply them with necessary information on the available vacancies and market trends for orthopedic surgeons who register and contact with them. Young specialists of the new generation prefer working in large hospitals in regular hours to practicing privately. Most medical students prefer this branch of medicine to others because the average annual salary of orthopedic surgeons is more than that of general surgeons.

Current Trends in Orthopedic Surgeon Jobs

Health care reforms have brought changes to orthopedic surgeon jobs:

1. The increasing trend of unification and rallying in the health care industry will touch those orthopedic surgeons which lead the private practice. This trend might help to increase competitiveness of these jobs and quantity of attendant’s places on the market.
2. Value of accomplishment of EMR applications might not match the cost and produce unsatisfactory return on investment outlay for orthopedic surgeons who will be retired or leave this field in the near future.
3. The orthopedic subspecialty certification in spine surgery might affect neurosurgeons because most of neurosurgical treatments are done through spine surgery. It might be rather threatening for the field of neurosurgeons, so there is no exact information or exact details for the future of this subspecialty of orthopedics.

The Career Path of Orthopedics

If you are going to become an orthopedic surgeon, you need a medical calling, a high degree of no mean abilities, and excellent three-dimensional visualization skills.

To become a specialist in orthopedics you need to spend more than 10 years on studying and practicing only.

The commonly known definition of orthopedic surgery suggests this branch of medicine deals with surgery of bones and musculoskeletal system. This field of surgery implies not only surgical handling, but also nonsurgical treatment of various traumas, infections, muscle disorders, sport injuries, etc.

How to become an orthopedic surgeon?

This medical speciality requires several years of education and practice. Statistics shows that approximately fourteen years are needed to become a skilled surgeon. Let’s have a closer look what this dramatic figure conceals:

• Four years of undergraduate education at a college with compulsory biology, physics and chemistry courses. After college you have to pass a specified test (usually referred to as MCAT – Medical College Admission Test). After passing the test you become eligible for submission of medical school application. Remember that prospective applicants have to go through two rounds and a personal interview. Only about 10-15% of applicants are admitted to medical schools. As you can see, the entrance rate is rather low, so only bright and promising students get admission.
• Four years of studying at medical school. Half of time is spent at school; the other half is devoted to practical classes at local hospitals. While studying at school you are obliged to take national board exams twice – during the second and third years of studying. Education ends with graduation as M.D. or D.O and allocation for residences (in accordance with residential applications).
• Five years of residency, including one year of internship (i.e. general surgery training). Residency actually means getting practical experience of orthopedic surgery at different hospitals and medical institutions.
• One-two years (optional) of fellowship. Fellowship enables an orthopedic surgeon to become familiar with one of sub-specialities. Among the most widely chosen sub-specialities are pediatric orthopedics, spine surgery, sports medicine, musculoskeletal oncology, orthopedic traumas, total joint reconstruction and others. Fellowship training sometimes involves certain research work on any surgery-related aspect.
• Certification by the Board of Orthopedic Surgery. An orthopedic surgeon has to pass standardized written and oral exams to prove that he matches educational, examination and evaluation requirements.
• Surgeons specializing in sports medicine should pass additional examinations and obtain Certificate of Added Qualifications.

What duties does an orthopedic surgeon perform?

The list of responsibilities conducted by any surgeon includes the following procedures:

• Patients’ examinations.
• Inspection of medical history sheets and case-records.

• Making diagnoses basing on the results of tests (namely X-ray, Bone Scans, Computed Axial Tomography scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging arthogram, hip and spine ultrasound, medical photography, Positron Emission Tomography, etc.)
• Prescribing tests and treatment options.
• Notifying supporting personnel of surgeries and procedures.
• Monitoring recovery processes.
• Prescribing after-surgery care.
• Handling all necessary hospital documentation.
• Other work activities.

If you are ready to embrace duties and responsibilities of an orthopedic surgeon and are to spend half of your life studying, than this position can become yours. Doctors are can save human lives. This mission is indeed lofty, yet challenging.

Orthopedic spine surgeon education

Any orthopedist should have:

• Undergraduate education (4 years) with slant towards biology, chemistry and physics.
• Higher education at medical school finished with degree of Medical Doctor (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.).
• Surgical residency with specialization on musculoskeletal and spine disorders. Training in general surgery, spine-specific studies, orthopedic non-surgical methods.
• Board certification – a special medical license issued by Board of Orthopedic Surgery after fulfillment of all requirements and passing oral and written examinations.
• Fellowship training (optional but highly recommended).
• Specialized spine fellowship programs (additional trainings for spine orthopedists and neurosurgeons).

Orthopedic spine surgeon specialization

These medical specialists have to deal with all kinds of back diseases from scoliosis to open traumas. They should be aware how to treat spine disorders, such as:

• Traumas;
• Injuries;
• Compression fractures;
• Deformities;
• Congenital conditions;
• Spinal tumors;
• Degenerative disks;
• Sciatica (pain in the lower back, buttocks and legs);
• Scoliosis (forward and backward curvature of spine);
• Kyphosis (abnormal curvature in the upper spine);
• Total joint replacement;
• Lumber disorders;
• Spinal infections;
• Cervical spine surgeries.

Generally saying, surgeons specializing in this sphere have to treat all back-related conditions.

Orthopedic spine surgeon responsibilities

• Examination of patients.
• Arranging of various tests (for example, CAT scans, MRI scans, spine ultrasound, PET, X-Ray and many others depending on the affected part of spine).

• Prescription of non-surgical therapies. Usual non-surgical methods include physical exercise, stretching, massage, ice or heat treatment, using back braces, drug treatment (in particular steroid injections and anti-inflammatory medicine). Sometimes combination of these methods is applied. Most of spine-related problems are cured with the help of non-surgical means.
• Prescription of surgical treatments: spinal fusion (surgical technique used to join several vertebras); disk replacement (substitution of damaged disks with artificial ones); laminectoby (surgical technique used to remove lamina – a part of the vertebral bone); diskectomy and microdiskectomy (surgical removal of a large/small fragment of herniated disk material).
• After-surgery examination and control over recovering.
• Medical records maintenance.

Orthopedic spine surgeon and his patients

The choice of a surgeon plays a vital part in getting the most favorable outcome. The majority of patients want to find out the doctor’s experience before agreeing to undergo a surgical operation. They may inquire how long a surgeon has been performing surgeries, how many operations he has done on this part of spine, what possible complications may emerge afterwards and other crucial questions. If a patient is confident in his surgeon, he will be less strained and is sure to recover soon after the operation. The task of an orthopedic spine surgeon is to support his patients before and after the surgery and give them faith and optimism.