What You'll Do

  • Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.
  • Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes related to musculoskeletal injuries and diseases.
  • Diagnose bodily disorders and orthopedic conditions, and provide treatments, such as medicines and surgeries, in clinics, hospital wards, or operating rooms.
  • Diagnose or treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
  • Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
  • Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
  • Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
  • Manage surgery services, including planning, scheduling and coordination, determination of procedures, or procurement of supplies and equipment.
  • Operate on patient's musculoskeletal system to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, or improve or restore patient's functions.

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.

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Technologies & Tools

Computer imaging software Electronic medical record EMR software Epic Systems Human resources management system HRMS Image-guided surgery software Integra Radionics NeuroSight Arc Medical laser control software MEDITECH software Microsoft Windows Practice management software PMS Robotic surgery software Three-dimensional 3D virtual surgery software

How to Become One

This career requires extensive preparation, typically including a graduate degree (Master's or Doctoral) and several years of experience. Most professionals in this field have invested significant time in education and training.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Doctor Foot and Ankle Surgeon General Orthopedic Surgeon General Surgeon Hand Surgeon Medical Doctor (MD) Orthopaedic Surgeon Orthopedic Hand Surgeon Orthopedic Physician Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Orthopedic Surgeon Orthopedic Surgery Physician Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon Physician Physician Surgeon Podiatric Foot and Ankle Specialist Spinal Surgeon Surgeon Surgical Endoscopist Total Joint Orthopedic Surgeon Transverse Abdominal Muscle Surgeon (TRAM Surgeon) Trauma Doctor Trauma Surgeon Upper Extremity Surgeon