Ortho vs. Gen Surg

[smallqt]

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So Im towards the end of my third year and I'm trying to decide what to do with my life. I have always loved ortho. My concerns are that I am probably a below average applicant. In addition, since I am under 5 feet tall, I am worried that I would be unable physically to specialize in anything but hand or foot/ankle.

Plus, I really did love my general surgery rotation and I'm wondering if that might be a better fit for me.

Any thoughts? Why did you pick ortho over general?

 

[ddmo]

My concerns are that I am probably a below average applicant.

How much below avg? Ortho may not be an option based on that alone.

As for the height issue, while technique can certainly help overcome lack of strength, there are many things in orthopaedics that certainly require some degree of strength. Most smaller people can make it through residency with the help of their colleagues. However as an attending you may be limited to certain fields like hand, foot/ankle, etc. just out of comfort.

 

[VincentAdultman]

So Im towards the end of my third year and I'm trying to decide what to do with my life. I have always loved ortho. My concerns are that I am probably a below average applicant. In addition, since I am under 5 feet tall, I am worried that I would be unable physically to specialize in anything but hand or foot/ankle.

Plus, I really did love my general surgery rotation and I'm wondering if that might be a better fit for me.

Any thoughts? Why did you pick ortho over general?

Maye I'm an idealist, but if you've always loved ortho. then you should go with it regardless of your numbers. This point in your life isn't the time to "settle" for something because it's less competitive. It's the rest of yor life. Unless of course you want to ask "what if" for the rest of your life.

Think about wat you like aout ortho, and what you like about gen surg. They are actually two very different specialties and those who like one generally aren't too crazy about the other.

The < 5' issue is b.s.

 

[VFib911]

Maye I'm an idealist, but if you've always loved ortho. then you should go with it regardless of your numbers. This point in your life isn't the time to "settle" for something because it's less competitive. It's the rest of yor life. Unless of course you want to ask "what if" for the rest of your life.

Think about wat you like aout ortho, and what you like about gen surg. They are actually two very different specialties and those who like one generally aren't too crazy about the other.

The < 5' issue is b.s.

I agree 100% about going after what you love and not settling...

However...

You cannot ignore the "numbers" or the overall chance of landing that coveted spot. In no way am I shooting down his dreams, but you have to consider where one will be if their specialty of choice does not work out.

I have a friend in the class ahead of me who lived/loved ophtho. Very hard worker, great LOR's, very sociable/likable guy... However, he simply did not have the numbers. While doing aways he heard from many people who told him numbers alone would probably not disqualify him from a spot, but the short of it is he ended up in internal med.

Now if the OP is in a position where he could accept a "back-up" residency spot or take a year off and do some research prior to reapplying next year, I say go for it 100%. Do everything you can to make it happen and if it does not, you know what your "back-up" is...

My situation is different - with a family and being a little older - I do not have that flexibility and one way or another, I will be starting my residency 07/10 regardless. The bottom-line is to make sure you know what possible outcomes of the path you have chosen are - match ortho? match alternative specialty? scramble? don't match and do a year of research??? Lots of options, but just do your homework and know what lies ahead of you.

Good luck with Ortho

 

[VincentAdultman]

I agree 100% about going after what you love and not settling...

However...

You cannot ignore the "numbers" or the overall chance of landing that coveted spot. In no way am I shooting down his dreams, but you have to consider where one will be if their specialty of choice does not work out.

I have a friend in the class ahead of me who lived/loved ophtho. Very hard worker, great LOR's, very sociable/likable guy... However, he simply did not have the numbers. While doing aways he heard from many people who told him numbers alone would probably not disqualify him from a spot, but the short of it is he ended up in internal med.

Now if the OP is in a position where he could accept a "back-up" residency spot or take a year off and do some research prior to reapplying next year, I say go for it 100%. Do everything you can to make it happen and if it does not, you know what your "back-up" is...

My situation is different - with a family and being a little older - I do not have that flexibility and one way or another, I will be starting my residency 07/10 regardless. The bottom-line is to make sure you know what possible outcomes of the path you have chosen are - match ortho? match alternative specialty? scramble? don't match and do a year of research??? Lots of options, but just do your homework and know what lies ahead of you.

Good luck with Ortho

Yeah, but having a backup goes without saying. Even if you are 250, AOA+.

 

[SpineKing]

Wise old saying-"To be an Orthopedic Surgeon, you must be as strong as a horse and twice as smart." Since you are of diminutive size, can you see yourself removing a femoral rod that doesn't want to come out at the end of a long day? There may be more to the equation than what you love. Try to give some consideration to the future. Do you love ortho more than general and vascular? So much that you would let nothing get in your way? If so, go for it! Forget the naysayers. If it isn't a clear cut decision try to see into the future and examine how happy you would be twenty years from now. I know it's never easy to see the future, but it worth the attempt to try.

 

[GAdoc]

Hi, I'm an MS-II getting ready for Step I so I'm writing this knowing my future ambitions and career desires could change over the next year.

Despite not having done any formal 3rd year clerkships, my school makes sure we get lots of early clinical exposure in the first two years. Therefore, I feel fairly confident saying that I can't see myself not spending my days in the OR.

So the question becomes, what type of surgery? Admittedly, I have really only experienced general surgery. But, assuming my scores are good and at the end of next year I'm still undecided, what are some of the reasons you guys choose orthopaedics?

 

[VincentAdultman]

Hi, I'm an MS-II getting ready for Step I so I'm writing this knowing my future ambitions and career desires could change over the next year.

Despite not having done any formal 3rd year clerkships, my school makes sure we get lots of early clinical exposure in the first two years. Therefore, I feel fairly confident saying that I can't see myself not spending my days in the OR.

So the question becomes, what type of surgery? Admittedly, I have really only experienced general surgery. But, assuming my scores are good and at the end of next year I'm still undecided, what are some of the reasons you guys choose orthopaedics?

1. Cool procedures

2. Good outcomes

3. Fun coworkers



























4. Future compensation?

 

[DHT]

1. Good outcomes
2. Fun procedures
3. Cool people
4. Large variety
5. No poop
6. I never felt like I was wasting time

 

[PenguinHead]

1. Good outcomes
2. Fun procedures
3. Cool people
4. Large variety
5. No poop
6. I never felt like I was wasting time

I think you just wrote my personal statement.

 

[DHT]

Yeah I probably should have moved those two to 1 and 2.

 

[Zoom-Zoom]

1. Good outcomes
2. Fun procedures
3. Cool people
4. Large variety
5. No poop
6. I never felt like I was wasting time

Couldn't have said it better myself. I have a zero poop policy.

 

[docmartin252]

So Im towards the end of my third year and I'm trying to decide what to do with my life. I have always loved ortho. My concerns are that I am probably a below average applicant. In addition, since I am under 5 feet tall, I am worried that I would be unable physically to specialize in anything but hand or foot/ankle.

Plus, I really did love my general surgery rotation and I'm wondering if that might be a better fit for me.

Any thoughts? Why did you pick ortho over general?

Before you give up on any of your dreams and think you can't do it because you're too short or whatever, just consider this surgeon when you feel you can't do it: http://www.jhu.edu/~jhumag/0499web/ortho.html

 

[Green Grass]

Before you give up on any of your dreams and think you can't do it because you're too short or whatever, just consider this surgeon when you feel you can't do it: http://www.jhu.edu/~jhumag/0499web/ortho.html

Good story. I had never heard it before.

 

[docmartin252]

Good story. I had never heard it before.

I came across this doctor's story a while back and never forgot it. Not only did he overcome size to get where he is now, but he landed a job at one of the most prestigeous medical institutions in the world. Considering the amazing surgeons that have passed through Hopkins like Drs. Ben Carson, Albert Blalock, Marion Wright, et. al., I think his story is right up there with theirs.

 

[radslooking]

Before you give up on any of your dreams and think you can't do it because you're too short or whatever, just consider this surgeon when you feel you can't do it: http://www.jhu.edu/~jhumag/0499web/ortho.html

i love a good short story

 

[SOUNDMAN]

i love a good short story

nice! good story

 

[docmartin252]

i love a good short story

haha I couldn't tell if that was a punn or if you were being serious

 

[Zoom-Zoom]

haha I couldn't tell if that was a punn or if you were being serious

I thought it was a good pun