Match failure, now doing Surg prelim

I'm in the same boat as you and so are a bunch of other people from my med school. I think it was a pretty rough year.

Easy guys! Don't lose hope just because you didn't make it the first time around. Ortho is one of the hardest spots to get, and a LOT of people who are currently in ortho did not get in the first time.
Speaking from experience, I chose to do a prelim surgery year at a place that had 6 ortho spots...by some miracle (not by any "unfortunate" accidents to budding ortho residents) a spot opened up and I was able to slip in. (Thank you Sam, wherever you are!)
What worked for me was pushing my GenSurg chiefs to let me rotate in ortho early in the year, working hard (including my surgery rotations, otherwise THEY won't recommend you, as well they shouldn't if you're a bum) and going to ortho grand rounds whenever I could.
Keep trying, and keep your ear to the ground. Opportunities arise...just try to be there when they do.
Good luck.

I am doing the prelim surgery route now too. Hang in there, if you want it bad enough (like I do) nothing will stop you from getting what you want.

I did a gen surg prelim year this year and reapplied to everywhere. I got more interviews than I could possibly attend and matched at my # 1 this year. I completely agree with the other post that stresses determination, early ortho rotations as an intern and working as hard as possible to demonstrate that you can do the job.

Keep trying.