Orthopaedic Surgery

**Chris_Wincup** · 17-04-2005, 05:50 AM

Hi,

I was just wondering what people's views are on a career in Orthopaedic Surgery. It interested me before I came to med school and now having studied the locomotor system in detail I am hooked by it.

I was just wondering if any one could tell me what the post-grad training is like? In addition to rotations in Orthopaedics, what other specialities can be beneficial? Just really looking for a flavour of what may be ahead of me

Take Care,

Chris.

**jeffrey_leow** · 17-04-2005, 07:33 AM

check out the book by chris ward" so u want to be a brain surgeon?"

**whiskers** · 17-04-2005, 01:23 PM

Chris,

I'm not even a med student yet, but I did work experience in Orthopaedic Sutgery last year, and absolutely loved it! I was a bit sceptical at first, but it turned out to be sooo great! Anyway, you asked which other specialities would be beneficial? ALL of the doctors said that ENT and General Surgery are looked favourably upon, and almost all of the SHOs were doing rotations in ENT and General Surgery before moving on to Orthopaedics. Hope I've helped a bit...! Good luck!

Whiskers

x

**Sipadan** · 17-04-2005, 02:23 PM

I've seen about half a dozen orthopaedic operations. Once the novelty wore off, it all got a bit dull, far too much like carpentry for my liking, but each to their own. It's competitive. In the West Midlands Deanery, the applications ratio for specialist training is currently 14:1, but has been as high as 75:1 !

**whiskers** · 17-04-2005, 03:00 PM

All the orthopaedic surgeons told me that they dont like it if the applicant in interested in ophthalmology?!?!

**Chris_Wincup** · 17-04-2005, 09:40 PM

Thanks for all of your help so far. I did work experience in ENT and enjoyed it, I have always thought it is something I wouldn't mind doing.

Cheers again.

Chris

**smiley.b** · 18-04-2005, 02:52 AM

Im only a 1st year at the mo but ive always been interested in surgery.......im much more of a practical and hands on kind of person than a theorectical one! I spent quite a while working in theatres and saw orthopaedics which i absolutely loved! However, when i mention this to people they tend to be quite sceptical about me becoming an orthopod as im female............!!!! I always knew that females are not very well represented in surgical careers but i never thought there was such negativity surrounding this issue........?? Maybe it was just the people that i encountered but i was wondering if there were any other girls out there who were thinking of doing orthopaedics???!!!

**Sipadan** · 18-04-2005, 03:30 AM

There are only 25(ish) female consultant orthopaedic surgeons in the entire country.

**whiskers** · 18-04-2005, 10:48 AM

Yes, I remember there was a conference for Orthopaedic SHOs, which i attended during work experience, and there was ONE female SHO and they were all making a big deal...and I remember when she was talking to another consultant, she said she wants to specialise in Orthopaedic surgery, and he asked her why she doesnt want a life and to choose a speciality in which she will be treated equaly...and why she doesnt want children?!?! And most of the other doctors are very rude about orthopaedic surgeons, calling them carpenters and saying that it's cause they wouldnt be able to handle anything too cerebral! And all the orthopaedic surgeons were generally despised by the rest of the hospital, because they're the most arrogant ones...it's true, though!
Anyhow, let's not put you off Orthopaedics-it's great!

**whiskers** · 18-04-2005, 10:49 AM

Ooh all the doctors were also saying that Orthopaedic surgeons have too much bone in their head, as opposed to brain...haha. I don't know WHY so many people underestimate the value of the profession...!