How to Become an Orthopedic Surgeon in 2025: A Step-by-Step Career Guide

Orthopedic surgeons are experts in the musculoskeletal system—treating everything from fractures and torn ligaments to degenerative diseases like arthritis. As both physicians and surgeons, they play a vital role in restoring patients’ mobility and quality of life. Becoming an orthopedic surgeon requires years of focused education, hands-on experience, and dedication to lifelong learning.

If you're a pre-med, medical, or physician assistant (PA) student interested in orthopedic surgery, this comprehensive guide outlines every stage of the journey—from undergraduate preparation to residency and board certification.

What Does an Orthopedic Surgeon Do?

Orthopedic surgeons diagnose, treat, and prevent conditions involving bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Their work may involve setting broken bones, performing reconstructive surgeries, prescribing medication, or recommending physical therapy.

This specialty blends clinical assessment, surgical expertise, and patient-centered care. Orthopedic surgeons frequently collaborate with physiotherapists, radiologists, and pain management specialists to ensure comprehensive treatment plans.

Orthopedic Surgeon vs. Chiropractor: Key Differences

While both professions treat musculoskeletal issues, orthopedic surgeons are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) trained in surgery and pharmacology. Chiropractors, on the other hand, are not physicians and primarily focus on spinal alignment and manual therapy. Their training typically includes a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, not a medical degree.

Orthopedic surgery also addresses infectious, genetic, or trauma-induced conditions through evidence-based techniques, including surgical intervention—something chiropractic care does not offer.

How Long Does It Take to Become an Orthopedic Surgeon?

Becoming a board-certified orthopedic surgeon takes approximately 13 to 15 years, broken down into several stages:

• Bachelor’s degree (4 years)
• Medical school (4 years)
• Orthopedic surgery residency (5 years)
• Optional fellowship (1–2 years for sub-specialization)
  
  

Undergraduate Preparation and Pre-Med Experiences

Your journey begins with a bachelor’s degree in a science-heavy field such as biology, biochemistry, or physiology. During this time, it’s essential to engage in:

• Clinical shadowing programs
• Volunteer work in healthcare settings
• Research or lab experience
• Medical internships abroad (like Go Elective’s internships in Kenya and Tanzania)

These activities not only enhance your medical school application but also prepare you for the clinical responsibilities ahead.

Medical School: Building the Clinical Foundation

Medical school spans four years:

• Years 1–2: Focus on anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, and physiology.
• Years 3–4: Clinical rotations in fields like surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and orthopedics.

You’ll learn how to conduct physical exams, interpret imaging results, and perform minor procedures under supervision. This phase also helps you decide whether orthopedics is the right specialty for you.

Residency: Specializing in Orthopedic Surgery

After earning your medical degree, you'll enter a 5-year residency program in orthopedic surgery. This immersive training focuses on:

• Trauma surgery and fracture care
• Joint reconstruction and replacement
• Spine surgery and sports medicine
• Pediatric orthopedics
• Tumor and oncology-related orthopedic care

Residents take patient histories, assist in surgery, and manage pre- and post-operative care under the guidance of experienced surgeons.

Fellowship Options for Subspecialization

Fellowships offer one to two years of additional training in subspecialties such as:

• Hand surgery
• Sports medicine
• Spine surgery
• Pediatric orthopedics
• Orthopedic oncology

These focused programs prepare surgeons to treat complex cases and stay on the cutting edge of surgical techniques.

Certification and Licensure Requirements

To practice, you must:

• Pass the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) or COMLEX for DOs.
• Complete your residency and optional fellowship.
• Apply for board certification through the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS), which includes:
• A written exam with over 300 multiple-choice questions
• An oral exam evaluating real surgical cases

While board certification isn’t legally required to practice, it builds credibility, improves employability, and boosts patient confidence.

Where Do Orthopedic Surgeons Work?

Orthopedic surgeons can be found in diverse settings, including:

• Private practice groups
• Academic medical centers
• Military healthcare systems
• Sports medicine clinics
• Government hospitals

Some also pursue international outreach or global health experiences, offering care in underserved regions—a valuable path for those interested in cross-cultural medical practice.

If you're looking for early exposure, consider Go Elective's global internship programs, which place students in high-volume hospitals like Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya.

What Do Orthopedic Surgeons Earn?

Orthopedic surgery is among the highest-paid medical specialties. According to Medscape’s 2024 Compensation Report, the average salary for orthopedic surgeons exceeds $500,000 annually in the U.S.

Earnings vary based on experience, subspecialty, and work setting, but the career offers long-term financial stability.

Future Outlook: Demand and Innovation in Orthopedics

The demand for orthopedic surgeons is projected to grow steadily due to:

• Aging populations
• Sports-related injuries
• Advancements in surgical robotics and personalized implants

Orthopedic professionals are also exploring medical entrepreneurship—developing implants, tools, and telehealth solutions that are reshaping the field.

Global Opportunities and Cultural Competency

For students pursuing orthopedics, cultural awareness is critical. Working in East Africa through programs like Go Elective’s medical internships provides hands-on clinical exposure while promoting global health equity.

Interns often shadow surgeons treating trauma, fractures, and congenital deformities with limited resources—gaining unique insights and deepening their adaptability and empathy.

Launch Your Orthopedic Journey with Go Elective

Explore orthopedic surgery in action. Go Elective offers immersive pre-med and PA internships in Kenya and Tanzania, where you can shadow skilled orthopedic surgeons in teaching hospitals, assist in ward rounds, and participate in community health outreach.

Apply now and begin building your career through a transformative global health experience.

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 15, 2025