why Orthopedics?

[PoorMD]

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Seems like everyone I talk to these days is "going for ortho." why?

Personally I think it is a great specialty, awesome way to help people and a good lifestyle eventually. Maybe my perception is off, but according to match statistics there is going to be an oversupply in the next 10 years. That in itself would deter my interest, not to mention the stigma surrounding the profession (i.e. jocks only).

If surgery is the only way for you, then going for general surg (onc, vascular, trauma, thoracic, GI), maxface, urology, ENT, or ob-gyn are all fine alternatives. I am going to select my field based on patient population and organ systems I find most interesting. I find the pathology and the interventional options associated with the musculoskeletal system (bulging disk, turn rotator cuff, etc) a bit dry

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

 

[PoorMD]

 

[MarzMD]

Seems like everyone I talk to these days is "going for ortho." why?

Personally I think it is a great specialty, awesome way to help people and a good lifestyle eventually. Maybe my perception is off, but according to match statistics there is going to be an oversupply in the next 10 years. That in itself would deter my interest, not to mention the stigma surrounding the profession (i.e. jocks only).

If surgery is the only way for you, then going for general surg (onc, vascular, trauma, thoracic, GI), maxface, urology, ENT, or ob-gyn are all fine alternatives. I am going to select my field based on patient population and organ systems I find most interesting. I find the pathology and the interventional options associated with the musculoskeletal system (bulging disk, turn rotator cuff, etc) a bit dry

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=275399&highlight=ortho+saturation

 

[PoorMD]

It's possible my prediction of a surplus was wrong.

 

[Blake]

Bling !

 

[velo]

It's possible my prediction of a surplus was wrong.

with the baby boomers coming through I find it hard to believe there won't be enough knees and hips to replace

 

[doctorlauren]

with the baby boomers coming through I find it hard to believe there won't be enough knees and hips to replace

I can attest to the fact that I have no interest in orthorpaedics whatsoever. I think I'm still traumatized from when I broke my arm as a kid. *shudders*

 

[Ross434]

1. Generally otherwise healthy patient population

2. $$$ The average ortho surgeon makes like 300-400k, and with a subspeciaty, up to 500-600k

3. Reputation as a jock specialty

4. Awesome tools

 

[sscooterguy]

1. Generally otherwise healthy patient population

2. $$$ The average ortho surgeon makes like 300-400k, and with a subspeciaty, up to 500-600k

3. Reputation as a jock specialty

4. Awesome tools

I'm going into ortho myself. I was wondering where these numbers came from. I hear a lot of stuff from students, but hear different from my attendings. Sure you can make a bunch of cash, but the subspecialists at least in my midwestern state don't make this much. Sure private practice makes more, but from my limited experience academics are making closer to 200-230k, and private practice AFTER overhead, taxes, insurance, they make around 270-290k averagev (as specialists), and maybe up to 400K max. In the 80's and 90's I could see orthos making the salaries listed previously though.

I know its regional, so I would ask around to see what people are really making if thats what you are interested in knowing. Also remember info is self reported, especially to certain physician surveys, so it may be skewed.

In any case, even with the above numbers, orthos are not going hungry. My family will be taken care of, and I'll be more than comfortable.

sscooterguy

 

[Callogician]

3. Reputation as a jock specialty

What do you call two orthopedic surgeons looking at an EKG?

A double blinded study!

 

[jennben4]

1. Generally otherwise healthy patient population

2. $$$ The average ortho surgeon makes like 300-400k, and with a subspeciaty, up to 500-600k

3. Reputation as a jock specialty

4. Awesome tools

All of the above, plus an element of physics/biomechanics. Also, being a girl, substitute the jock reputation for the challenge. I get really sick of hearing "...but it's such a boys' club. Your life would be so much easier in another specialty." Yeah, yeah, I get it. And just TRY to tell me I can't/shouldn't do something!

 

[RxnMan]

Seems like everyone I talk to these days is "going for ortho." why?

Personally I think it is a great specialty, awesome way to help people and a good lifestyle eventually. Maybe my perception is off, but according to match statistics there is going to be an oversupply in the next 10 years. That in itself would deter my interest, not to mention the stigma surrounding the profession (i.e. jocks only).

If surgery is the only way for you, then going for general surg (onc, vascular, trauma, thoracic, GI), maxface, urology, ENT, or ob-gyn are all fine alternatives. I am going to select my field based on patient population and organ systems I find most interesting. I find the pathology and the interventional options associated with the musculoskeletal system (bulging disk, turn rotator cuff, etc) a bit dry

I'm a MSI, and my tastes will probably change, but I'll tell that I am interested in ortho because I like working with my hands, I like procedures, I'd like to see direct and immediate changes in my patient as a result of my intervention, and as mentioned earlier, there's great tools involved, an element of physics/mechanics, and you are usually interact with a healthy patient population, yet you can make a big difference in their lives.