ORTHOPEDIC Degree Without Exam
ORTHOPEDIC Degree Without Exam . What is an orthopedic surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon is a physician and surgeon who has the necessary licenses to diagnose, treat and prevent conditions affecting bones and muscles. They have a vast knowledge of the diseases and injuries that affect the musculoskeletal system, which includes muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilages and nerves. Orthopedic surgeons treat congenital conditions, injuries or degenerative diseases, such as scoliosis, broken hips and osteoporosis, respectively.
Orthopedic surgeons focus on improving their patients’ lives through therapies and treatments. They address the root causes of pain or determine why a patient lacks mobility. They then form a treatment plan to restore the patient’s quality of life. Orthopedic surgeons may correct bone deformities through surgery or prescribe nonsurgical treatments with medication or rehabilitative physical therapy.
ORTHOPEDIC Degree Without Exam
What does an orthopedic surgeon do?
An orthopedic surgeon performs surgeries or treatments to improve a patient’s physical condition, relieve their pain or suppress bone degeneration. For example, they may perform a hip replacement to lessen pain from arthritis, restore mobility and stop bone loss. The musculoskeletal system is a complex network of bones and muscles, and orthopedic surgeons are adept at the mechanical aspects of surgery to treat the entire structural system of the body. Although orthopedic surgeons spend most of their time in surgery, they also:
Interview patients
Conduct detailed examinations to assess patients’ physical condition and identify osteopathic problems
Educate patients on their condition
Order and interpret diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or magnetic resonance images
Perform surgical procedures and treatments, such as arthroscopy, to diagnose joint conditions or treat fractures
Prescribe medication or post-surgery rehabilitation
Treat bacterial or viral infections
Address genetic conditions
Complete patient charts accurately and maintain records
Collaborate with other health care staff as part of a multidisciplinary medical team
Be on call to respond to emergencies, such as car accidents or trauma
Read more: Learn About Being an Orthopedic Surgeon
Why become an orthopedic surgeon?
Becoming an orthopedic surgeon enables you to help patients return to their normal lifestyles through surgery or therapy. An improvement in patients’ conditions can lead to increased job satisfaction and fulfillment. Orthopedic surgeons regularly work with advanced technologies, such as robotics or implants, so you may get to experience the latest trends in the field.
Some orthopedic surgeons choose to become specialists in their field, such as in sports medicine, by treating sports injuries and working with professional teams. Others may choose to practice orthopedic oncology to remove tumors from the musculoskeletal system, potentially saving lives. Orthopedic surgeons typically work:
As a solo practitioner
For a private practice group
In academia
In teaching hospitals
For government agencies
In the military
Related: What Is Orthopedic Specialization and 13 Specialties
How to become an orthopedic surgeon
Orthopedic surgeons often invest a lot of time and energy into education and training before entering this industry. They spend many years studying the musculoskeletal system and advance to practice a subspecialty or specialize in specific areas of the body, such as the spine, ankle or hand. Here are seven steps you can follow to become an orthopedic surgeon:
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
First, consider earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. During your degree path, try to complete coursework in:
General chemistry
Organic chemistry
Biology
Physics
Mathematics
English
You can also consider taking pre-med classes or apply for an internship and choose science-based electives. On average, it takes about four years to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Read more: Bachelor’s Degree: Definition, Benefits and How To Earn One
2. Pass the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
Next, you appear and pass a seven-hour MCAT test to demonstrate your eligibility for medical school. The MCAT comprises individually scored sections, and the overall score can be between 472 and 528. Potential orthopedic surgeons typically obtain high scores on the MCAT, which focuses on the following sections:
Chemical and physical foundations of biological systems
Critical analysis and reasoning skills
Biological and biochemical foundations of living systems
Psychological, social and biological foundations of behavior
Related: Entry Requirements for Medical School
3. Attend medical school
Once you pass the MCAT, consider applying to medical school. Aspiring orthopedic surgeons typically earn their medical degree to become a doctor of medicine or osteopathic doctor. During the four years of medical school, you commonly study the following courses:
Anatomy
Biochemistry
Physiology
Genetics
Pharmacology
Pathology
You also participate in clinical rotations in standard medical specialties, such as surgery, medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, radiology, psychiatry and neurology.
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