Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Orthopedic Surgeon
What orthopedic surgeons actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an orthopedic surgeon?
Perform a total knee replacement. From there, the day usually includes diagnose musculoskeletal problems, repair fractures, and replace joints. Long days with surgery and clinic, plus trauma call.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an orthopedic surgeon working full time.
- Perform a total knee replacement.
- Repair an ACL tear arthroscopically.
- See clinic patients with joint pain.
- Give a joint injection.
- Review X-rays of a fracture.
- See post-op patients.
- Take trauma call.
Where orthopedic surgeons work
Orthopedic surgeons work in hospitals, surgery centers and clinics.
Hours and schedule
Long days with surgery and clinic, plus trauma call.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Diagnose musculoskeletal problems
- Repair fractures
- Replace joints
- Reconstruct ligaments and tendons
- Treat arthritis and sports injuries
- Order and read imaging
- Guide rehabilitation
Tools you’ll use every day
- Surgical power tools
- Arthroscopes
- Implants and hardware
- Fluoroscopy
- Casting supplies
- Robotic surgery systems
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Among the highest-paid physicians
- Visible results
- Many subspecialties
- Strong demand
What’s hard
- Very long training
- Physically demanding surgery
- Trauma call
- High stress
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love surgery
- I’m interested in sports and movement
- I have physical stamina
- I want top earnings
- I can commit to long training
- I like mechanical problem solving
Not sure? Take the free Orthopedic Surgeon fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use sterile technique and time-outs
- Prevent blood clots after surgery
- Follow radiation safety with fluoroscopy
- Watch for compartment syndrome