Negatives in Ortho

[Dr.CCM]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I know everyone thinks there own speciality is the best. That notwithstanding, I'd like to know from the ortho guys what particularly they do NOT enjoy in their field of medicine--hours, patients, cases, lifestyle, whatever. Just a basic question to hear the current negatives in the field. Thanks in advance.

 

[skiz knot]

I know everyone thinks there own speciality is the best. That notwithstanding, I'd like to know from the ortho guys what particularly they do NOT enjoy in their field of medicine--hours, patients, cases, lifestyle, whatever. Just a basic question to hear the current negatives in the field. Thanks in advance.

I guess, for me, the biggest negatives are the unrealistic expectations of some of your "dirtbag" trauma patients. It is not my fault you decided to get drunk/high and (insert stupid activity here). Spine/chronic pain patients can be miserable too. Every field of medicine has similar patient populations, so I don't think this is anything specific to ortho. All in all, a great field with a lot of variety with reasonably good hours.

 

[DHT]

One of the best things about ortho is the relatively small amount of bulls**t compared to other fields. Typically you have a problem, you fix it, you move on. Chronic medical problems and placement will usually be someone else's problem. At my institution, we are not consulted unless there is radiographic evidence of injury, possible septic joint, or injury that clearly damages nerves or tendons.

The worst parts of ortho to me are:
1. Diabetic Feet/Foot Pus - disgusting
2. Spine Patients - Surprisingly high rate of mental illness and malingering.
3. Infection of Total Joint Arthroplasties - Rare but a real pain in the ass.

1 and 2 are avoidable. You can get around foot pus if you are in a practice or area served by a podiatrist or F/A surgeon. 2, you don't have to do spine. 3 is pretty rare (0.5%-1.5% of TKA/THA patients)

Residency can be very busy but orthos typically have pretty good control over their lives afterwards. You WILL want a busy residency once you are out on your own. It sucks at the time but I think most people are happy they worked so hard during residency once they are done.

As far as clinical specialties go, I would say Ortho has to have one of the lowest amounts of BS.

 

[ddmo]

The two things that stand out in my mind are infections and the hours.

 

[naus]

Is declining physical strength in ortho a problem when one gets older (into the 60s)?