Exactly What Is An Orthopaedic Surgeon?
Sep 26, 2012
If you’ve ever been referred to an orthopaedic surgeon and wondered exactly what that means, you’re not alone. With so many medical specialties treating the same general area of the body, it’s easy to lose track of who does what. Here’s a clear explanation of what an orthopaedic surgeon is, how they train, and when it’s worth seeing one.
What Does an Orthopaedic Surgeon Do?
An orthopaedic surgeon is a medical doctor who specialises in diagnosing, treating and rehabilitating conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system — the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves that allow the body to move. They treat patients of every age, from children with congenital conditions through to older adults with age-related joint wear, and manage everything from sports injuries and fractures to arthritis and complex reconstructive surgery.
Importantly, orthopaedic surgeons don’t only operate. A large part of the job involves conservative, non-surgical care — rest, activity modification, physiotherapy, medication or injections — with surgery reserved for cases where these measures aren’t enough. Seeing an orthopaedic surgeon does not automatically mean you’ll need an operation.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Orthopaedic Surgeon in Australia?
Becoming an orthopaedic surgeon in Australia is one of the longest and most competitive training pathways in medicine. After a university medical degree (four to six years), doctors complete a minimum of three years of hospital-based prevocational training before they can even apply for specialist training. Selection into the Australian Orthopaedic Association’s training program is highly competitive, and successful applicants then undertake around five more years of accredited surgical training across hospitals in their region, including rural and regional rotations.
Only once this is complete can a surgeon apply for Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Orthopaedics (FRACS), the qualification required to practise as a specialist orthopaedic surgeon in Australia. All up, it typically takes 12 to 15+ years of study and training from the start of medical school — and many surgeons, including our own team at Southern Orthopaedics, go on to complete further subspecialty fellowships overseas before entering independent practice.
Orthopaedic Subspecialties
Once qualified, most orthopaedic surgeons focus on one or two areas of the body rather than treating everything. Common subspecialties include:
- Joint replacement (hip and knee)
- Sports medicine and arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery
- Shoulder and elbow surgery
- Hand and upper limb surgery
- Foot and ankle surgery
- Spine surgery
- Paediatric orthopaedics
- Trauma surgery
At Southern Orthopaedics, our surgeons dedicate their practice specifically to the shoulder, allowing our team — led by Associate Professor Mark Haber — to bring a depth of experience to shoulder conditions that a general orthopaedic practice can’t match.
Orthopaedic Surgeon vs Physiotherapist, Chiropractor and GP
It’s a common source of confusion. Your GP is usually your first point of call and can manage many musculoskeletal issues directly, referring you to a specialist when needed. Physiotherapists and chiropractors are allied health professionals who provide valuable non-surgical, hands-on treatment and rehabilitation, but they aren’t medical doctors and can’t perform surgery, order certain imaging, or issue a Medicare-eligible specialist referral. An orthopaedic surgeon is a fully qualified medical specialist who can offer both non-surgical management and, when necessary, surgical treatment.
When Should You See an Orthopaedic Surgeon?
It’s worth asking your GP for a referral if you’re experiencing:
- Joint or bone pain that hasn’t improved with rest or initial treatment
- A suspected fracture or significant injury
- Joint instability, locking or giving way
- Reduced mobility that’s affecting daily life
- Arthritis that’s no longer well managed by your GP
- A sports injury that needs specialist diagnosis or imaging review
Do You Need a Referral?
In Australia, you can technically see an orthopaedic surgeon without a referral, but you’ll need one from your GP to claim a Medicare rebate — without it, you’ll pay significantly more out of pocket. A GP referral is generally valid for 12 months (longer for ongoing conditions), while a referral from one specialist to another is valid for three months. Your GP can advise on the right referral for your situation.
Book a Consultation
If you’re dealing with shoulder pain, instability or an injury and aren’t sure what’s causing it, our specialist shoulder surgeons can help. Find out more about the conditions we treat, check what to bring to your first appointment, or book a consultation at one of our Sydney CBD, Macquarie University, Wollongong or Campbelltown clinics.
