What is the Job Description of an Orthopedic Doctor?

What is the Job Description of an Orthopedic Doctor? thumbnail
Orthopedic doctors diagnose and treat musculoskeletal problems such as spinal cord injuries.

An orthopedic doctor is a physician who specializes in orthopedics, a branch of medicine that involves the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries. They are also known as orthopedic surgeons.

  1. Musculoskeletal System

    • The musculoskeletal system refers to the combination of the muscular and skeletal systems. Its components include bones, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves.

    Duties

    • Orthopedic doctors rely on physical exams to diagnose musculoskeletal problems, then they treat them using a variety of tools and appliances such as braces, pins, casts and splints. In some cases, such as bone fractures or spinal injuries, orthopedic doctors may perform surgery.

    Workplace

    • Orthopedic doctors primarily work in hospitals, but they can also work in clinics as private practitioners. The typical work week of an orthopedic doctor is 50 hours.

    Education

    • The educational track for orthopedic doctors consists of four years of undergraduate study (preferably in a premed program), another four years of medical school, and around two to four years in a residency program specializing in orthopedics.

    Salary and Job Prospects

    • As of July 2010, Salary.com reports the median annual salary for orthopedic doctors is around $404,000. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 22 percent job growth rate for orthopedic doctors.

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References

  • Photo Credit spine x-ray image by Julianna Olah from Fotolia.com

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