Orthopaedics

What is Orthopaedics

Orthopaedics is one pivotal and specific medical branch that primarily deals with an individual's musculoskeletal system. The human musculoskeletal system allows support and stability to body movements. This compounded network consists of bones, ligaments, muscles and skeletal joints, tendons, etc. 

All these collectively regulate the body's activity. Initially, students of orthopaedics used to serve and cater to the needs, problems of children suffering from spinal deformities. However, their scope of work has broadened. Orthopaedic complications are now found in people of all ages.

There is no age-barrier for arthritis. Students, like you, who want to specialize in the medical branch called Orthopedics, must study the diagnosis of the spinal or limb injury followed by surgical or medical treatment, then rehabilitation by a particular form of physiotherapy. 

It must be noted that all students who are pursuing orthopaedics are accustomed and habituated to the entire human musculoskeletal system. Despite being familiar with the entire system, certain orthopaedic surgeons choose another sub-branch like - foot, ankle, spine, hip knee, etc. 

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Orthopaedics

Eligibility Criteria for Orthopedics 

For taking the first step and applying for a foundation degree in medical science, that is, MBBS, the eligibility factors are listed below -

• The prospective candidate should have cleared his 10+2 exams with a minimum of 50& marks in science stream from any recognized board of education.

• Minimum age limit is seventeen.

• The candidate must have passed the entrance test (be it national level or institute level) within the set cut-off. The reserved category students need to obtain a minimum of 40%.

• Medical Council of India’s additional rules and regulations for the eligibility of any candidate must be fulfilled at any cost.

Eligibility Criteria for post-graduate exams conducted at national/institute level

• Students must have completed their MBBS degree with a minimum of 55% or its equivalent CGPA score from an institution that is recognized by the Medical Council of India.

• Must have completed the mandatory internship post MBBS degree.

• The candidate must have a permanent registration number under the State Medical Council or Medical Council of India.

Orthopaedics Entrance Exams 

Firstly, you have to apply for MBBS entrance exam to get into a decent medical school. After you graduate from there, then you can specialize in a particular field of medical science like orthopaedics. Popular entrance exams for getting a degree in medical science are as follows -

• NEET - This is one of the most esteemed entrance tests that medical aspirants aim to crack in their first attempt. Around fifteen lakh students appear for this test every year and the competition is growing so fast that students can’t even begin to imagine.

Secondly, after you have finished your MBBS degree, then you can proceed ahead and appear for MD/MS/DNB to choose a branch and specialize in it. Few national level, as well as institute level entrance exams for post-graduation in any medical field, are mentioned below -

• DNB CET which is a national level super-speciality entrance exam conducted by NBE twice every year, that is, once in January and secondly in June or July. Medical students who are interested in pursuing the special medical branch called orthopaedics surgery can give this exam.

• JIPMER PG - Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research conducts this entrance exam twice a year - once in January and secondly in July. By giving this entrance test, you can become a student of MD/MS in different branches of the medical field like orthopaedics.

• AIIMS - conducts a yearly examination for students who are likely to do higher studies, that is, post-graduation in fields like orthopaedics. 

• NEET PG - This national level entrance exam is held every year for medical students who want to do MD/MS and Diploma courses in one particular medical field like orthopaedics.

• PGIMER - Post-graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research conducts its separate entrance test for aspirants of MD and MS degrees in fields like orthopaedics.

Required Skillset for Orthopaedics

Required Skillset for Orthopaedics Expert

• You need to have mental stability, physical fitness and agility to stand for a few hours at a stretch in operation theatres.

• You have to be decisive because the patient's life depends on your meticulous and impeccable surgery work. Be confident in your decisions. Regretting, later on, is not an option in this field.

• Stay updated with the latest medical discoveries and technologies being launched for better care of patients.

•  You have to be professionally kind. We aren't advising you to trust your heart over your head but some amount of care for patients is good.

• The utmost important skill is a student’s interest in learning. There should be a constant inclination towards staying updated with all the recent information on the field he/she is associated with.