Is it possible to be an Orthopaedic Doctor without being a Surgeon?

While pursuing 2 years’ postgraduate programme in Orthopaedics, the candidates are taught about general orthopaedics, trauma, the function of the musculoskeletal system, nerve injuries, nature of bone tumours, arthritis, osteoporosis and congenital diseases.

Orthopaedics and Orthopaedist

Orthopaedics, as a branch of medical sciences, focuses on the treatment of the ailment of the musculoskeletal system. An orthopaedist is a specialised doctor, who handles patients suffering from pain and joint problems, dislocation of bones, fractures, tendon injuries, pulled muscles, arthritis and osteoporosis, Bone tumours, club foot and unequal leg lengths, Disorders of joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and skin and Spinal injuries etc. Besides, he also offers treatment for degenerative joint disease, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy. A skilled and efficient Orthopaedist perform both the surgical and non-surgical procedures of treatment.

MS in Orthopaedics

MS in Orthopaedics is a specialised professional course, designed to offer treatment of the ailments of the musculoskeletal system. A candidate can pursue this postgraduate programme of 2 years after finishing MBBS with an internship. While pursuing the course, the candidates receive in-depth knowledge of the subject and hands-on training to perform surgeries. So, the orthopaedist carries out surgeries wherever it is needed.

Eligibility Criteria to Pursue MS in Orthopaedics

After graduating with MBBS with an internship of 1 and ½ years, a candidate can pursue MS in Orthopaedics. But to be eligible to study Orthopaedics, the aspirants would require to sit for the postgraduate entrance tests like NEET PG, AIIMS PG, and JIPMER PG etc. The admission to the selected courses is done on the basis of the merit.

MS Orthopaedics Course Content  

While pursuing 2 years’ postgraduate programme in Orthopaedics, the candidates are taught about general orthopaedics, trauma, the function of the musculoskeletal system, nerve injuries, nature of bone tumours, arthritis, osteoporosis and congenital diseases etc. They also receive training to perform general surgeries, arthroscopy, amputation and other surgical procedures.

Skills required to be a Successful Orthopaedist

The foremost skill required to be a successful Orthopaedist is to have immense patience and perseverance to spend long hours in the operation theatre. He must possess an analytical mind to diagnose a case and decide the treatment accordingly. Besides, he must be acquainted with the modern approach of treatment and have sufficient skill to use modern surgical tools.

Career Prospect of an Orthopaedist

An Orthopaedist always has a lucrative career. When a patient comes to him for treatment, he checks the patient carefully and with his clinical eyes, he tries to find out the cause of the patient’s trouble. His knowledge prompts him to decide the mode of treatment. He often seeks the help of Imaging (X-Ray, and MRI). Often it is found that the patients complaining of pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, and Spondylosis etc. do not need surgery. Rather, they need proper medication and exercise to come round Here, the Orthopaedist’s role is that of a rehabilitator. But, patients with trauma, severe sports injury, bone tumours and congenital anomalies etc need surgical treatment.  The Orthopaedist, with his expertise, performs the surgery upon such patients and help them to get well.

 So to conclude, we may say that an Orthopaedist offers surgical as well as non-surgical treatments. Hence, it is improbable to be an Orthopaedist without being a surgeon.