Career Development: Medical Specialties: Orthopedic Surgery

An orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine, and associated structures by medical, surgical, and physical means. An orthopaedic surgeon is involved with the care of patients whose musculoskeletal problems include congenital deformities, trauma, infections, tumors, metabolic disturbances of the musculoskeletal system, deformities, injuries, and degenerative diseases of the spine, hands, feet, knee, hip, shoulder, and elbow in children and adults. An orthopaedic surgeon is also concerned with primary and secondary muscular problems and the effects of central or peripheral nervous system lesions of the musculoskeletal system.
 

Residency training information:

• Duration of training (number of years): 5 years
• Number of programs nationally: 152
• Number of entering residency positions per year: 601
• Types of fellowships or subspecialties:
• Type of Match: NRMP
• Overall competitiveness:

Fellowships: Sports, Hand, Pediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Trauma, Joint Replacement, Foot and Ankle

Primary faculty contact person for M1 and M2 students:

• Dr. Clifford Craig, clcraig@umich.edu
  Phone: 734.936.5715

Medical Student Club or Interest Group:

• Interest group: meets monthly;
  email address: ossig2006@umich.edu
  M2 Contact Person:  Drew Flum   drewflum@umich.edu,
  Joe Godin  jgodin@umich.edu

Shadowing or mentoring experiences available to M1 or M2 students:

• Dr. Clifford Craig, clcraig@umich.edu
  Phone: 734.936.5715

Resources:

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, www. AAOS.org

Suggested journals, books, or other information for interested students:

• Journal of Bone and JointSurgery
• Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, (published by AAOS)
• www.osrr.org - gateway to Orthopaedic residency websites
  
• Other useful websites:
  www.wheelessonline.com - Orthopaedic textbook on line