Officer Subspecialty
ORTHO
Orthopedic Surgery
An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.
Description
Orthopaedic surgeons are physicians who specialize in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopaedic surgeons often specialize in certain areas of the body, such as the hip and knee, foot and ankle, shoulder and elbow, hand, and spine, or have a particular focus in areas such as pediatrics and oncology. Common procedures performed by Orthopaedic surgeons include ACL reconstructions, rotator cuff repairs, joint replacements, and fracture fixation.
Core Skills
- musculoskeletal diagnosis
- orthopedic imaging interpretation
- fracture management
- joint replacement surgery
- ligament reconstruction
- arthroscopic surgery
- trauma resuscitation
- postoperative care
- rehabilitation planning
Common Certifications
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Board Certification
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification
- American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Maintenance of Certification
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Registration
- State Medical License
Civilian Career Paths
- SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY
- CLINICAL TECHNICIAN
- REHABILITATION
- TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
- ACGME Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Career Growth
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Board Certification
- Orthopaedic Fellowship Training
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification
- Medical license maintenance and continuing medical education
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Data sourced from official Navy publications and public military occupational references. Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.