While some orthopaedic surgeons provide general care, many focus on specific areas like the foot and ankle, hand, shoulder, spine, hip, or knee. Others concentrate on specific populations or subspecialties, such as paediatric orthopaedics, trauma care, sports medicine, oncology, or managing conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, or work-related injuries. Some also engage in medicolegal consulting and occupational health assessments.
Orthopaedic surgery often involves working in multidisciplinary teams, collaborating with various healthcare professionals and specialists. The field offers a diverse and adaptable career, with opportunities to practice in both public and private healthcare settings, tailored to individual preferences. A career in orthopaedics can also enable travel to remote and rural places as well as overseas to provide humanitarian aid.
A good orthopaedic surgeon generally exhibits a mix of technical, intellectual, and personal skills, including:
A strong interest in human anatomy and biomechanics: Orthopaedic surgeons work with the body's framework, including bones, muscles, and joints. A deep fascination with the human body, particularly its movement and structure, is essential. If you’re drawn to understanding how the musculoskeletal system functions and how injuries impact it, orthopaedics might resonate with you.
A commitment to extensive training and lifelong learning: Medicine is constantly evolving, and orthopaedics is no exception. A good surgeon is committed to ongoing learning, keeping up with new techniques, technologies, and advancements in the field. If you enjoy continuous education and adapting to innovations, this aspect of the career could suit you.
Hands-on work that demands precision and focus: Orthopaedic surgeons perform intricate procedures on bones, joints, and muscles, often requiring meticulous attention to detail and fine motor skills. If you enjoy working with your hands and have a steady, careful approach, this could be a good sign. Orthopaedic surgeons come in a range of sizes and shapes. Technique and dexterity and often more important the brute strength!
Motivation to helping others regain mobility and quality of life: While technical ability is important, so is building rapport with patients. You’ll need to explain complicated procedures and diagnoses in a way that patients can understand, offer reassurance, and show compassion, especially when working with people in pain or facing long recovery times.
If you find yourself excited by these aspects and traits, orthopaedic surgery might be a great fit for you! However, it's always a good idea to speak with professionals in the field and gain firsthand experience, like shadowing a surgeon, to get a real sense of what the day-to-day work is like.
For students in Australia, the path to becoming an orthopaedic surgeon begins with earning a medical degree from a university. After graduating, doctors must complete at least three years of postgraduate clinical work, which should include some exposure to orthopaedic surgery but also general, vascular, plastic surgery and intensive care placements are recommended.
By the third postgraduate year many doctors become eligible to apply for the AOA 21 Training Program, which offers specialised orthopaedic training. The selection process is constantly evolving to ensure refined selection but includes three main components; CV points, references and interview.
Once all the requirements of the AOA 21 Training Program are fulfilled, graduates can apply for Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and the Australian Orthopaedic Association (FAOrthA), qualifying them as specialist orthopaedic surgeons. Some opt to immediately begin practicing in Australia, while others pursue advanced fellowships abroad or take on research-focused roles.
Orthopedic surgeons in Western Australia benefit from favourable career opportunities due to several factors: an aging population, high demand for musculoskeletal care, and a shortage of specialists in both urban and rural regions. As the state's population grows, especially outside of Perth, the need for orthopaedic services to address conditions like sports injuries, trauma, and degenerative diseases increases. Moreover, Western Australia offers unique prospects for surgeons interested in serving rural and remote communities, which often face a scarcity of medical professionals. Surgeons can engage in a blend of public and private practices, pursue specialised fellowships, or contribute to academia through research and teaching at local universities. The state's expanding healthcare infrastructure and initiatives to attract and retain medical specialists make it an appealing destination for a career in orthopaedic surgery.
