An orthopedic surgeon is a highly trained medical specialist who diagnoses and treats conditions and disorders related to bones, muscles, and nerves. Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) is a multi-specialty medical practice that treats patients in northern New Jersey with a range of brain, spine, and nerve conditions. CNSO has a comprehensive medical staff with orthopedic spine surgeons, neurosurgeons, and other specialists who work together to provide the most appropriate treatments. Learn more about the training required to become an orthopedic surgeon, including orthopedic surgery residency and other key steps.
What Is an Orthopedic Surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon, sometimes called an orthopedist, is a doctor who diagnoses, prevents, and treats orthopedic injuries and conditions. Orthopedic conditions affect the musculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.
Orthopedic surgeons can treat a wide range of conditions and injuries, such as:
- Back pain
- Spinal stenosis
- Neck pain
- Fractures
- Sprains and strains
- Sciatica
- Tendon injuries
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Osteoporosis
- Sports injuries
- Bone and spinal tumors
- Orthopedic trauma
- Other bone and joint diseases
Although orthopedic surgeons are trained in surgical techniques, they can offer patients both surgical and non-surgical treatments. Surgical procedures include the removal of disc herniations, laminectomies, spinal fusions, joint replacements, arthroscopies, sacroiliac joint fusions, and more. Non-surgical treatments often include pain management, physical therapy, bracing, and more. They perform surgical operations to provide patients with pain relief and help them live with less restriction.
Orthopedic Surgeon Training: Orthopedic Surgery Residency, Fellowship, for Board-Certification
Extensive training is required to become an orthopedic surgeon. In the U.S., completing orthopedic surgery training takes at least 14 years. The formal education and training needed to become an orthopedic surgeon generally includes:
- Obtaining a bachelor’s degree: Earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a major like chemistry, biology, or engineering is the first step toward becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
- Performing well on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT): Performing well on the MCAT, a seven-hour exam, is required for aspiring orthopedic surgeons to demonstrate their eligibility for medical school.
- Attending medical school: After being admitted to medical school, attending a four-year medical school is the next step, along with clinical rotations in standard medical specialties.
- Completing orthopedic residency: After medical school, the next step is undergoing an orthopedic surgery residency program, which is on-the-job training that lasts five years.
- Performing a fellowship: Most orthopedic surgeons complete a fellowship after their residency, which consists of extensive training in a specialty such as spine surgery, joint replacement surgery, hand surgery, sports medicine, shoulder surgery, or pediatric orthopedics.
- Becoming licensed: Orthopedic surgeons must pass all three portions of the United States Medical Licensing Examination to become licensed to practice.
- Become board-certified: Once licensed, orthopedic surgeons can opt to become board-certified by taking both a written exam and passing an in-person oral examination that deems them knowledgeable in orthopedic surgery.
These are the main training requirements for becoming an orthopedic surgeon, but they can vary from state to state. One of the most important parts of orthopedic surgeon training is orthopedic residency. It gives surgeons thorough experience in all areas of orthopedic surgery, patient contact, and essential career skills. Most orthopedic surgeons choose to sub-specialize in a specific field of orthopedics like spine surgery after completing their 5-year residency. During their fellowship, orthopedic surgeons spend all their time training extensively in their sub-specialty.
Orthopedic Surgery at CNSO
Patients with orthopedic conditions needing diagnosis or treatment can trust the orthopedic spine surgeons at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics. The CNSO orthopedic spine surgeons are board-certified, award-winning specialists who have been educated at some of the top institutions in the country. They collaborate with other members of the CNSO medical staff, including neurosurgeons, interventional pain management physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, and certified physical therapists to ensure compassionate and comprehensive care.
CNSO takes a conservative approach to treatment, which means offering non-surgical treatment options like pain management and physical therapy first to provide relief. If these measures do not provide relief from pain and other symptoms, surgical measures will be considered. The orthopedic spine surgeons at CNSO offer minimally invasive surgical options such as microdiscectomy or minimally invasive fusions utilizing robotics. The CNSO team understands that spine surgery can be the best treatment option in many cases.
Contact an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at CNSO Today
Patients in northern New Jersey with orthopedic conditions can access high-quality care at the most comprehensive brain and spine center in the state — Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics. With convenient locations around New Jersey and a multi-specialty team of specialists, CNSO is accessible and reliable for compassionate care.
The orthopedic spine surgeons at CNSO are experienced with extensive experience, including dedicated spine surgery fellowship training, and provide patients with customized care from diagnosis to treatment. To make an appointment with an orthopedic spine surgeon at a nearby location, contact CNSO today.
