Changing your mind in medical school is common! 

You really have to experience ortho to know it’s the right fit - this can be through a combination of experiences including shadowing and your clinical rotation. Don’t be afraid to reach out and get as much exposure as possible, even in the preclinical years!

Ortho is a changing, varied field and you will not be bored. There is always space for a challenge and always room to grow or shift gears.

You help people MOVE! There is an immense amount of satisfaction in restoring quality of life to patients and making a difference that may be lifelong.

Have an open mind! Even if you are interested in orthopedics from the start, don’t discount other specialties.

Be a good medical student first! There is something critical to learn from each and every class/rotation throughout medical school no matter what field you go into. 

Anatomy is key. You need to love anatomy and know it cold early in your career. 

“There is no work-life balance, there is something called harmonious tension” - Dr. Aiyer. In orthopedic surgery, there are several subspecialties to choose from, and your work-life balance varies by subspecialty. Some subspecialties are more clinic-based and predictable than others, which may provide more work-life balance. At the end of the day, you need to prioritize the things that matter most to you. Reach out to as many people as you can to discuss how they achieve work life balance and find what works best for you.

Don’t let misconceptions or stereotypes about the field deter you from pursuing orthopedic surgery. Emphasizing technique over strength and having a comprehensive knowledge of all bodily systems can take you a long way. 

Don’t be afraid to reach out to people, even if it’s a cold call. 

Keep a good attitude throughout your training and stay humble to keep learning throughout your career. 

You can find mentors in any field, not only orthopedics, who can help you along your journey.

Considerations to keep in mind:

1. Novel/unique/exciting cases aside, are you interested in the bread and butter? Figure out what is the most common condition/pathology in the specialty and make sure you would be ok with treating that condition very often.

2. If you want to live in a city or work for a big academic institution, you may need to become more subspecialized in your practice. 
   Most orthopedic surgeons work over 50 hours per week, which is something to really consider when deciding on your specialty.