Orthopedic vs. Bone Pathology

[PathDr]

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On the residency interview trail this year, one of the PD's said that given my interests, I should look into orthopedic pathology as a possible fellowship. Since I was applying to that program for residency, I didn't want to sound ignorant, so I didn't ask what the difference between Bone fellowship/attending and Orthopedic fellowship/attending was. Could someone please explain? Thanks so much.

 

[caffeinegirl]

Orthopedic Pathology and Bone Pathology are synonymous terms for basically pathology of bone specimens.

Fun specimens: Amputations for osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma, sacrectomy for chordoma

Not so fun specimens: Teeny weeny core biopsies of osteofibrous dysplasia vs. osteosarcoma

Run of the mill specimens: Menisci, Degenerated discs, tendons, osteophytes, hips and knees for osteoarthritis

Not so common specimens: metabolic bone disorders

As a bone pathologist, you'll have benign stuff, but the cool stuff are the oncological specimens. A caveat is that being proficient in bone pathology depends on your institution, and your orthopedic oncology surgeons. We get lots of bone tumors here, whereas most other places don't.

Bullough's "orthopedic pathology" textbook is a good start...