Orthopaedic Surgery
An orthopaedic surgeon is educated in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated structures by medical, surgical and physical means. This specialist is involved with the care of patients whose musculoskeletal problems include congenital deformities, trauma, infections, tumors, metabolic disturbances of the musculoskeletal system, deformities, injuries and degenerative diseases of the spine, hands, feet, knee, hip, shoulder and elbow in children and adults. An orthopaedic surgeon is also concerned with primary and secondary muscular problems and the effects of central or peripheral nervous system lesions of the musculoskeletal system.
IMG Profile
Average Stats for a Matched US IMG in 2022:
- USMLE Step 1 score: 245
- USMLE Step 2 CK score: 255
- Research: 16.7
- Abstracts/Presentations/etc: 29.5
- Work: 7.0
- Volunteer: 8.3
Average Stats for a Matched Non-US IMG in 2022:
- USMLE Step 1 score: 238
- USMLE Step 2 CK score: 249
- Research: 9.3
- Abstracts/Presentations/etc: 97.6
- Work: 5.8
- Volunteer: 5.6
Specialty Factors
Every specialty has unique factors they want each candidate to have in their residency application. NRMP conducts regular Program Director surveys to identify which parts of the residency application are most important in differing specialties. Among the information gathered, Program Directors were asked to cite factors they used to select candidates for interviews. They were also asked to rate each factor on a scale from 1 (least important) to 5 (most important).
The Top 5 Most Important Orthopaedic Surgery Application Factors
Percentage of Programs Citing Each Factor
- USMLE Step 1 score (94.4%)
- Grades in required clerkships (86.1%)
- USMLE Step 2 CK score(77.8%)
- MSPE (69.4%)
- AOA membership (69.4%)
Average Importance Rating for Each Factor (scale of 1 to 5)
- Applicant was flagged with Match violation by the NRMP (4.8)
- Audition elective/rotation in PD's dept (4.5)
- Letters of recommendation in specialty (4.4)
- Professionalism and ethics (4.4)
- Personal prior knowledge of applicant, Ability to work legally w/o visa (4.4)
Fast Facts
| Total Training | 5 years |
| Average Residency Salary | $57,446.22 |
| Average Physician Salary | $557,000 |
| Average Work Week | 57 Hours |
| Peak Interview Months | December, February |
| Key Organizations and Societies: | American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Diversity in Orthopaedics American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics Clinical Orthopaedic Society Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society Orthopaedic Research and Education |
- Orthopaedic surgery is one of the least IMG-friendly specialties.
Match Statistics
Main Residency Match and Post-Match Stats
IMGs Matched
875
Number of Programs/Positions
Post-Match SOAP Unfilled Positions
Main Residency Match
PGY-1
Loading...
Post-Match SOAP
| Program Track | PGY-1 |
| Participating Programs | 0 |
| Filled Programs | 0 |
| Positions Available | 0 |
| Filled Positions | 0 |
Subspecialties
- Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedics
- Hand surgery
- Shoulder and elbow surgery
- Total joint reconstruction (arthroplasty)
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Foot and ankle surgery
- Spine surgery
- Musculoskeletal oncology
- Surgical sports medicine
Additional Info
- Select Orthopaedic Surgery programs may participate in the supplemental ERAS application. Please visit the supplemental ERAS application webpage for information, guidance, timelines, and resources.
- For letters of recommendation to orthopaedic surgery residency applications, the American Orthopaedic Association's (AOA) Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors (CORD) requests an Electronic Standardized Letter of Recommendation (eSLOR) as a replacement for a traditional narrative letter of recommendation. A separate written letter of recommendation is not necessary if utilizing the eSLOR. After sending the ERAS request form to your author(s), visit the eSLOR Applicant page on the AOA website. You must first sign an agreement and enter your ERAS AAMC ID before letter author(s) can begin an eSLOR.
- Visit the AOA/CORD Orthopaedic Residency Information NetworkTM (ORIN) to view detailed information about participating orthopaedic surgery residency programs. For further information about AOA/CORD recommended guidelines including Universal Interview Offer Day, visit the AOA website.
-
© Match A Resident 2023
All Rights Reserved -
