Orthopaedic Surgeon Quick Facts
Excerpted figures below are from the 2012 Orthopaedic Surgeon Census. AAOS members can access the full report with their member login. Non-members can purchase a downloadable copy in the AAOS store.
NUMBER OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS IN THE U.S.
There were 27,773 total orthopaedic surgeons on record with the AAOS at the time of the census.
Active AAOS fellow |
17,795 |
Emeritus |
4,819 |
Non-member practitioner |
2,569 |
Candidate member practitioner (CMP) |
2,353 |
CMP applied for AAOS fellowship |
231 |
Applicant for AAOS fellowship |
6 |
TOTAL |
27,773 |
DENSITY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS IN THE U.S.
The national density of orthopaedic surgeons is 8.72 per 100,000 people.
Highest Density |
Lowest Density |
1. Wyoming – 14.96 |
1. Mississippi – 6.55 |
2. District of Columbia – 14.73 |
2. West Virginia – 6.58 |
3. Montana – 14.63 |
3. Texas – 6.83 |
4. New Hampshire – 13.58 |
4. Arkansas – 6.91 |
5. Vermont – 13.25 |
5. Nevada – 7.01 |
SPECIALTY AREAS
Respondents were asked to identify all areas of orthopaedic surgery they considered their primary or specialty area(s). The most frequently cited area is arthroscopy.
Arthroscopy |
38% |
Adult knee |
37% |
Sports medicine |
36% |
Adult hip |
28% |
Total joint |
17% |
PRACTICE SETTING
Respondents were asked to identify the setting that best describes their current practice. The most common setting was private practice.
Private Practice – orthopaedic group |
44% |
Private Practice – solo practitioner |
18% |
Private Practice – multi-specialty group |
9% |
Academic Practice – salary from academic institution |
9% |
Hospital/Medical Center – salary from hospital/medical center |
9% |
Academic Practice – salary from private practice |
3% |
Military Practice – salary from military |
2% |
Pre-paid plan/HMO – salary from HMO |
2% |
Other |
2% |
Public Institution – salary from non-military government entity |
1% |
Locum Tenens |
1% |
Quality Tools
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Facts and Figures
- Musculoskeletal Diseases/Disorders
- Orthopaedic Practice in the U.S
- Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States
- Musculoskeletal Procedures: Rates Per Year
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