An orthopedic doctor (aka an orthopedist or an orthopedic surgeon) is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, ligaments and tendons.
To become an orthopedic doctor in the United States, one must first complete a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university. Students will be expected to have competed specific coursework that prepares them for medical school, often known as a "pre-med" track.
Potential orthopedic doctors must complete medical school, which in the United States requires four years of full-time study.
After graduating from medical school, the aspiring orthopedic doctor must complete a five-year residency program in orthopedics and may be required to complete a year-long fellowship in a more narrow specialization.
Even after a orthopedic doctor has been board certified, he must be recertified every 10 years. This requires participation in ongoing continuing education programs.