Career in Orthopaedics in India: Admission, Eligibility, Course, Jobs, Scope and Salary
Career in Orthopaedics in India: Orthopaedics is a medical discipline that is concerned with the treatment and prevention of deformities related to the skeleton as well as the associated structures or the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system includes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and nerves. Well, this article will help you to understand each and every aspect related to a Career in Orthopaedics in India and help you to decide whether Orthopaedics is a better profession for you or not.
This article will give you a glimpse of what Orthopaedics is and what it is like to be an Orthopaedic Surgeon. Continue reading this article to solve your doubts regarding Orthopedics.
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What is Orthopedics?
Orthopaedics is a branch of medicine that is focused on the study of conditions involving the musculoskeletal system of living organisms. The word Orthopaedics is derived from a book known as ‘Orthopedic – The art of Correcting and preventing deformities in children’. An orthopaedic surgeon is a person who is trained in Orthopedics and is able to perform surgeries and treatments on muscles, tendons, joints, bones, nerves and the spine except for the facial bones.
Anything ranging from injuries to disorders or diseases or even infections associated with the musculoskeletal system falls under the speciality of an Orthopaedic Surgeon. Areas in which an Orthopaedic Surgeon can specialise include hand surgery, foot surgery, orthopaedic trauma, shoulder and elbow surgery, musculoskeletal oncology, spine surgery, arthroplasty etc.
Orthopaedics Courses in India
To work as an Orthopaedic Surgeon or to make a career in Orthopaedics, one may earn a degree in following Orthopaedics courses.
| Course Name | Duration |
| Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Orthopedics | 2 Years |
| Master of Surgery (M.S.) in Orthopedics | 3 Years |
| Diploma in Orthopedics (D.Ortho.) | 2 Years |
| Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Exam in Orthopedics (D.N.B.) | 3 Years |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Orthopedics | 3 Years |
| Certificate Courses in Orthopedics | 6 to 12 months |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopedics | 2 Years |
Admission Procedure
The following is the admission procedure for the orthopaedics course:
- For admission to orthopaedics specialisation, candidates need to have an MBBS degree from any MCI-recognized university.
- Candidates are required to appear in the NEET PG entrance exam.
- After qualifying for the entrance exam, candidates must participate in counselling conducted by MCC, 50% of All India Quota seats while respective state counselling authorities will be conducting counselling for the rest 50% of AIQ seats.
Eligibility Criteria
The following are the eligibility criteria for the orthopaedics course:
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Qualification | MBBS degree from any NMC-recognized university with a six-month internship. |
| Qualifying Entrance exam | NEET PG |
Top Colleges for Career in Orthopaedics
Some of the best colleges in India offering careers in Orthopedics are listed below:
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospitals | Pondicherry |
| Al-Ameen Medical College | Karnataka |
| All India Institutes of Medical Sciences | New Delhi |
| B J Medical College | Gujarat |
| Kasturba Medical College | Manipal |
| Lady Hardinge Medical College | New Delhi |
Job Opportunities for Orthopedics
Since the life of Orthopaedic surgeons are not exposed to life-threatening emergency cases, unlike other physicians they will get enough time to relax and enjoy. There are lots of people who are suffering from musculoskeletal diseases congenitally and hence Orthopaedic Surgeons are in high demand. An Orthopaedic Surgeon can work as a solo practitioner or work in a group of Orthopedic Surgeons or in a multi-speciality group where surgeons in different disciplines work together inside a clinic. Interested Orthopedic Surgeons can apply for a teaching position at colleges and universities pursuing Orthopedics.
Roles of an Orthopaedic Surgeon
Some roles of an Orthopaedic Surgeon are listed below:
- Examine the patients and study their issues thoroughly
- Performs tests such as X-rays to confirm the nature and causes of a disease or disorder
- Determine the sort of treatment that is appropriate for the patient
- Prescribe drugs and medications
- Perform surgeries
- Participate in conferences, group talks, seminars etc to gain knowledge
Skills of an Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Scientific bent of mind
- Hand-eye coordination,
- Manual dexterity
- Attention to detail
- Communication Skills
- Problem-Solving
Average Salary
Orthopaedics is considered one of the highest-paying medical specialisations. Overall, we can draw a conclusion that a Career in Orthopaedics is one of the hottest professions in today’s medical world. Below we have compiled the average salary for a career in orthopaedics. Let’s take a look.
| Particulars | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Starting Salary | INR 4-6 LPA |
| Experienced Salary | INR 20-30 LPA |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Orthopaedic surgery a good career?
Orthopaedic surgery is an excellent career choice, but any career choice in medicine is daunting and a huge sacrifice. For an orthopaedic surgeon, there are four years of medical school, five years of residency and typically one year of fellowship training.
How many hours do orthopaedic surgeons work?
Orthopaedic surgeons work long, irregular hours. About one-third of all full-time physicians work 60 hours or more a week.
How long does it take to study orthopaedic surgery?
Orthopaedic surgeons have to obtain a bachelor’s degree, attend medical school, and complete a residency and fellowship. Altogether, most orthopaedic surgeons complete 13 to 14 years of education and training.
What are some of the best career options for a Science student?
Check out our list of the top 7 highest paying science careers for inspiration to guide your science career journey.
1. Geoscientists
2. Atmospheric Scientists
3. Biochemists and biophysicists
4. Medical Scientists
5. Hydrologist
6. Materials Scientist
7. Chemist
8. Nuclear Technicians
Do orthopaedic surgeons have a life?
The orthopaedic surgeon lifestyle is not easy. Orthopaedic surgeons deal with the entire musculoskeletal system, from birth until our last breath of life. They are the ones that allow us to move, work and be active
