General Orthopedics

All orthopedic surgeons are originally general orthopedists.  Following medical school all orthopedists train during their five year residency.  During the fourth year, residents make a choice of going into practice or to pursue a fellowship.  Fellowships are an additional year of training in a more focused area of the field of orthopedics.  After successful completion of residency, residents are eligible to sit for step one of the board exam.  Those who pass are board eligible until they complete step two, the oral exam.  The American Board of Orthopedic Surgery determines eligibility for board certification.

A board certified orthopedist has demonstrated mastery of the field through both written examinations and a thorough review of their practice and patient outcomes.  Re-certification is required every 10 years to maintain board certification.  Re-certification involves a written examination and review of current practice patterns and patient outcomes.

Orthopedics has two sub-specialty certifications, hand and sports medicine.

All general orthopedists have training in those fields but some develop advanced knowledge, experience and skills that allow them to become board certified in that sub-specialty.  There are many general orthopedic questions on the sub-specialty certification exam as well as hand or sports specific questions.

A true general orthopedist is rare today.  It is near impossible to remain current in all aspects of orthopedic conditions and treatments.  Whether the surgeon has done a fellowship or not, almost all evolve their practice toward one of the sub-specialties.  Most general orthopedists do hip and knee replacements as well as many sports medicine procedures like knee and shoulder arthroscopies.  Many also do minor hand and wrist procedures and fracture care.