Orthopedics is the special medical branch that have expertise resolving problems of the moving parts of the body such as the bones, muscles, joints and other supporting tissues and structures. It deals with genetic conditions, injuries, trauma, infections and diseases.
There are a number of members of an orthopedic staff. The most important, of course, is the physician himself. There are those that practice orthopedic medicine, and there are orthopedic surgeons. But there are also therapists, technologists and other support staff.
In order to become a orthopedic physician, four years of undergraduate study and then at least four more years of medical school are required. Residency lasts five years, one year being spent in regular surgery or medicine, and the next four are spent in orthopedics.
Once the education and residency are complete, there is the option to specialize in an orthopedic subspecialty. Some of these include hip replacement, foot and ankle, hand, spinal disorders and many others. A fellowship is taken, which lasts one, or sometimes two years. During the fellowship the doctor gets hands on experience in working in the subspecialty area. There is also a research element in a fellowship, meaning that the person gets a well balanced education on that area of orthopedics.
As with any doctor, these orthopedic physicians need staff that can support and assist them in their work. A typical nursing staff might not be able to perform these functions. An orthopedic tech is a person who is trained to help the orthopedic doctor perform his functions.
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