OrthoStud
OSRR Fellow
Posts: 108
(2/16/02 5:10:50 pm)
Reply Question for Orthodoc
I know it's still way to early to decide on what field to go into and all that, but I was just curious as to what type of fellowships there are out there. I was told some time ago that there are a handful of fellowships for joints (knee) AND shoulder. Are all fellowships strictly for one specific area, like sports, spine, foot/ankle, etc.. or are there any that combine them? Like maybe do sports AND knee replacements, or some other combination. I was told this is possible in some cases. Any thoughts?
OrthoDoc
Orthopedic Surgeon
Posts: 87
(2/16/02 5:27:52 pm)
Reply
Community Supporter
Types of Fellowships
Your basic options include but are not limited to:
Adult Reconstruction
Sports Medicine
Foot and Ankle
Trauma
Tumor
Spine
Hand
Peds
The above are the basics but there are others like:
Upper Extremity(shoulder to hand)
Shoulder and Elbow
Plastic Surgery
Hip and Knee Reconstruction
Knee Reconstruction and Arthroscopy
Rehab
Research
What you actually do in your fellowship depends on what the staff does. So in a sports fellowship it is common to do total knees and shoulders. Some fellowships do mix and match quite a bit, but they still need to be classified somehow so they are thrown into the above categories. In some sports fellowships, you may even do a fair amount of sports trauma like tibial nails, plateaus and wrists (typically skiing injuries).
For detailed information I refer you to the green book atwww3.aaos.org/product/prt...code=02544
Edited by: OrthoDoc at: 2/16/02 5:28:26 pm
OrthoStud
OSRR Fellow
Posts: 109
(2/16/02 5:42:47 pm)
Reply Thanks a lot!
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IamNikolas
OSRR Fellow
Posts: 156
(2/16/02 11:23:45 pm)
Reply fellowships
Orthodoc,
I noticed the research option you listed as a fellowship. Is it better to do a year of research in the lab as a resident or as a fellow, or does it not make a difference?
OrthoDoc
Orthopedic Surgeon
Posts: 88
(2/16/02 11:33:00 pm)
Reply
Community Supporter
Research Fellowship
I'm not sure why you would do a year of research unless you're are heading into academics. If so, it probably doesn't matter, although it may be easier to get into a really good fellowship if you take a "2 year" fellowship which consists of a year of research and a year in a subspecialty. However, if you end up at a particularly malignant program, a year off after the PG2 year may be helpful for your soul.
IamNikolas
OSRR Fellow
Posts: 157
(2/17/02 12:35:16 am)
Reply research year
I am interested in going into academics, hence my interest in the research year. Is it beneficial to do as a resident, or does it just become a "year off" and a waste of a year?
OrthoDoc
Orthopedic Surgeon
Posts: 89
(2/17/02 2:39:29 pm)
Reply
Community Supporter
Re: research year
I'm not the one to ask, but I did know a few guys who did a research year in the middle of another specialty. Mostly it was a year to recover from a brutal PG2 year and to waste time and slack off. I really don't think it is important since the vast majority of academic ortho docs have not done an extra year of research.
If you are interested in academics, start up a good project your PG1 or PG2 year that is quality work and get something completed early in the PG4 year to publish. Don't wait until your PG4 and 5 year like most of us do.
There will be plenty of academic ortho jobs out there when you are done.
str8back
OSRR Newbie
Posts: 2
(2/19/02 2:17:56 pm)
Reply Question for OrthoDoc: UW-Madison vs. Mayo vs. Iowa
I was fortunate enough to interview at UW-Madison, Mayo and Iowa. I liked all three programs and I am having a hard time deciding how to rank these three (my top three) programs. As a graduate of the UW program and a person who lives in Iowa City (with perhaps some knowledge of the Mayo program) I am interested on your opinion of these three programs and what you see as the pros and cons of each program.
Thanks,
Str8back
OrthoDoc
Orthopedic Surgeon
Posts: 92
(2/19/02 9:46:15 pm)
Reply
Community Supporter
UW-Madison vs. Mayo vs. Iowa
Undergrad/Med School at Iowa - 10 weeks Ortho
vs.
Residency at Wisconsin - 4 yrs 3 months Ortho
I'm a little biased towards Wisconsin, but here are some quick thoughts without getting myself into trouble with the locals.
Iowa = academic powerhouse. If you know you want to go into academics, this is the place for you. They take the cream of the crop from across the US, so the residents tend to be very diverse (especially personalities). I have had good friends go through this program and we have compared notes along the way. They have less OR time as junior residents, but do better as they get into their 4 and 5 years. You work with nationally known docs who are on multiple boards, journal editors, etc... That creates a lot of "down" time on certain services when various staff are out giving lectures across the country. Just remember that nearly everyone who tries to apply to "top ten" programs will apply at Iowa, despite their lack of interest in living in the state. Iowa City is awesome if you like small University towns, so if you come from a metropolis, it will be a little culture shock.
Wisconsin is not an academic powerhouse (which means no one is forcing research down your throat), but has a long tradition of excellent orthopedic training. With the addition of several new staff since I have left (peds, trauma, adult recon), it has covered the few weaknesses that it has (this includes a new hand guy on the way and rumor suggests a new sports and spine guy as well). The academic qualities are improving with the new staff, as they are more research oriented than the outgoing staff. Looking at all the Midwest programs, I don't think you'll get a better combination of lifestyle and quality training anywhere else. This has made the program extremely competitive every year. The two three month private rotations are technical skills labs where you'll be doing lots of surgery as a PG2 and PG3, many times as the primary surgeon. The residents have traditionally been a group of laid back guys (and a few gals) who like to get the work done and enjoy themselves. You will have a hard time beating the call schedule of q8 at any other university in the Midwest. You'll come out of this program comfortable in all aspects of orthopedics and can do whatever you want. About half of the graduates go on to do fellowships and the other half go immediately into practice. Wisconsin also produces a variety of academicians as well, so you don't have to go to a powerhouse to become one. Madison is a big Iowa City. With the lakes in town, it was perfect for my water skiing obsession. Many an afternoon was spent on the lakes after finishing surgery.
Mayo - can't say I know much about it. Back in the days that I was interviewing for residency, the residents were not having a great operating experience and I could see this at different cadaver courses that I attended with them. However, looking over this board for the last several years, it sounds like this has become less of a problem and may be a non-issue. Rochester is plain, but you are close to Minneapolis.
