Trauma and orthopaedic surgery
Trauma and orthopaedic (T&O) surgeons diagnose and treat conditions of the musculoskeletal system including bones and joints and structures that enable movement such as ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.
You’ll work with patients of all ages, often in a district general hospital or possibly in specialist centres or orthopaedic hospitals.
Life as a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon
You’ll spend around 40% of your time in surgery and the rest in outpatient clinics, the emergency department and assessing/monitoring patients before and after surgery. This is a rewarding specialty where your work can bring rapid relief from pain and discomfort for patients.
You’ll work on trauma to the musculoskeletal system, such as broken, fractured or dislocated bones and soft tissue injuries. These could be caused by anything from a low energy fracture in an older patient to multiple injuries caused by a road traffic accident.
Your orthopaedic work will include the replacement of whole joints such as knees and hips following damage due to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. You’ll also treat congenital and degenerative conditions of the musculoskeletal system, often in babies and children, as well as infections and tumours.
Your surgical work is specialised and varied. Some operations are very quick, for example a spinal injection, whereas other operations, to stabilise someone’s neck or straighten a spine, may take several hours. You could work as part of a trauma team alongside emergency department doctors, anaesthetists, general surgeons and specialist nurses. You’ll also work independently.
You will use the latest technologies such as minimally invasive techniques for diagnosis and surgery and computer-aided navigation during surgery which enables 3D mapping of a joint. This is exciting for you and highly beneficial for your patients with reduced scarring and recovery time.
You can expect to be on-call for trauma emergencies and to sometimes work out-of-hours on long surgical procedures, more so than in some other surgical specialties.
How much can I earn?
You’ll first earn a salary when you start your foundation training after medical school. Find out details of current salary ranges for foundation and specialty training, SAS doctors and consultants on the 'Pay for doctors' page.
How about the benefits?
- make a difference
- flexible and part-time working
- high income early in your career
- work anywhere in the world
- excellent pension scheme
- good holiday entitlement
- NHS discounts in shops and restaurants
Must-have skills
- excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, and patients and their families
- emotional resilience, a calm temperament and the ability to work well under pressure
- teamwork and the capacity to lead multidisciplinary teams
- problem-solving and diagnostic skills
- outstanding organisational ability and effective decision-making skills
- first-class time and resource management for the benefit of patients
- a high degree of manual dexterity
- superb hand-eye co-ordination, excellent vision, and visuospatial awareness
- physical stamina to cope with the demands of surgery
Entry requirements
Your first step is medical school. Typically, you’ll need excellent GCSEs and three A or A* passes at A level including chemistry for a five-year undergraduate degree in medicine. Many medical schools also ask for biology and others may require maths or physics.
If you already have a degree, you could study for a four-year postgraduate degree in medicine.
You’ll need to pass an interview and admissions test. You’ll be asked to show how you demonstrate the NHS values such as compassion and respect.
Some medical schools look to recruit a mix of students from different backgrounds and geographical areas, so your educational and economic background and family circumstances could be considered as part of your application.
"It was a placement in a children’s hospital towards the end of my specialist training that made me decide on paediatric T&O as my sub-specialty. I immediately loved the warm and welcoming atmosphere in the hospital, and working with children."
Read Emily's story.
What are my chances of starting a career in trauma and orthopaedics?
In 2020 there were 715 applications for 125 specialty training places, (a competition ratio of 5.72). There are currently 2,654 trauma and orthopaedic surgeons working in the NHS in England.
How to become a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon
After medical school, you’ll join the paid two-year foundation programme where you’ll work in six placements in different settings.
After your foundation programme, you can apply for paid specialty training to become a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, which will take a minimum of eight years.
You may be able to train part time, for example for health reasons or if you have family or caring responsibilities.
Where a career in trauma and orthopaedics can take you
You could:
- specialise or conduct research in areas such a particular part of the body for example shoulder/elbow, joint reconstruction such as hip or knee, paediatric surgery, sports injury or complex trauma surgery
- teach medical students or postgraduate students in training
- get involved in research at universities, the NHS or private sector
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Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Hand and Wrist
Wythenshawe, M23 9LT
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialist Physiotherapist - Trauma and Orthopaedics
West Bromwich, B71 4HJ
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
-
Consultant in Trauma and Orthopaedics
St Helier , JE1 3QS
- Salary :
- £114667.80 to £170947.54
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Health and Community Services
-
Medical Secretary - Trauma and Orthopaedics
Colchester, CO4 5JL
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Trauma and Orthopaedics - Hand and Wrist Surgeon
Rotherham, S60 2UD
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Trauma and Orthopaedics
Newport, NP20 2UB
- Salary :
- £62117.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
-
Theatre Speciality Lead - Trauma and Orthopaedics
Wirral, CH49 5PE
- Salary :
- £46148.00 to £52809.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Specialist Physiotherapist Trauma and Orthopaedics and Vascular
London, W2 1NY
- Salary :
- £44806.00 to £53134.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Senior Locally Employed Doctor in Trauma and Orthopaedics
Manchester, M239LT
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Trauma and Orthopaedic Consultant Hand,Wrist,Trauma Surgery
Birmingham, B9 5SS
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Trauma and Orthopaedics with interest in Hands
Newport, NP20 2UB
- Salary :
- £110240.00 to £160951.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
-
Senior Clinical Fellow in Trauma and Orthopaedics (Shoulder Surgery)
Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
- Salary :
- £75849.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
CONSULTANT IN ORTHOPAEDIC TRAUMA SURGERY PELVIC AND ACETABULAR SURGERY
Oxford, OX3 9DU
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Surgeon - Orthopaedics & Trauma
Braddan, IM4 4RJ
- Salary :
- £107208.00 to £185166.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manx Care
-
Consultant in Orthopaedics
Sheffield, S5 7AU
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Theatre Practitioner - Orthopaedic Trauma Theatres
Poole, BH15 2JB
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Occupational Therapist - Trauma & Orthopaedics
Margate, CT9 4AN
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Trauma & Orthopaedic Specialty Doctor
York, YO31 8HE
- Salary :
- £59175.00 to £95400.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Trauma & Orthopaedics
Llantrisant, CF72 8XR
- Salary :
- £110240.00 to £160951.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
-
Research Physiotherapist – Trauma & Orthopaedics
Nuneaton, CV10 7DJ
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
-
Service Manager- Trauma & Orthopaedics
York, YO31 8HE
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Clinical Pharmacist - Trauma & Orthopaedics
Cramlington, NE23 6NZ
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Assistant Research Physiotherapist - Trauma & Orthopaedics
Nuneaton, CV10 7DJ
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
-
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Shepton Mallet, BA4 4LP
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Locum Consultant in Trauma & Orthopaedics (Hip & Knee Arthroplasty)
Telford, TF1 6TF
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
-
Consultant in Trauma & Orthopaedics with interest Hand Surgery
Chester, CH2 1UL
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon
Birmingham, B152QD
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon – Upper Limb or Shoulder & Elbow
Shepton Mallet, BA4 4LP
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Major Trauma Practitioner
Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Orthopaedic Practitioner
317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary, NE1 4LP
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Major Trauma Rehabilitation Coordinator
Derby, DE22 3NE
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
-
Orthopaedic Knee Fellow
Basingstoke, RG24 9NA
- Salary :
- £61825.00 to £70425.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Technical Instructor - Orthopaedics
Wrexham, LL14 7TD
- Salary :
- £27898.00 to £30615.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
-
Orthopaedic Theatre Practitioner
Wakefield, WF1 4DG
- Salary :
- £31041.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust
-
Clinical Lead – Complexed Trauma Services
Staffordshire, B77 1AA
- Salary :
- £70000.00 to £70000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Cambian Group
-
Clinical Health Psychologist (Major Trauma)
Plymouth,, PL6 8DH
- Salary :
- £53755.00 to £60504.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
-
Child and Family Trauma Therapist
Bradford , BD1 4QU
- Salary :
- £34511.00 to £38000.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Family Action
-
Senior Orthopaedic Plaster Technician
Warwick, CV34 5BW
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Paediatric Orthopaedic/Rheumatology Physiotherapist
Truro, TR1 3LJ
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust
-
Orthopaedic Team Leader - Theatres
Bristol, BS6 6UT
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Spire Healthcare Ltd
-
Theatre Practitioner - Orthopaedic Scrub
Caterham, CR3 6DP
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Ramsay Health Care UK Operations Limited
-
Nursing Assistant A5 Orthopaedics
Manchester, M23 9LT
- Salary :
- £24465.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner Orthopaedics
Frimley, GU167UJ
- Salary :
- £17316.00 to £19002.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant T&O – Pelvic and Acetabular Trauma
Brighton and Hove, BN2 5BE
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
-
Physiotherapy Practitioner – Neuro-Orthopaedics Cerebral Palsy
Liverpool, L12 2HP
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
-
Team Lead Physiotherapist Orthopaedics and Surgery
Croydon, Surrey, CR7 7YE
- Salary :
- £53751.00 to £60651.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
-
Band 7 Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - Orthopaedics
Gorleston, NR31 6LA
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Hampshire Orthopaedic Centre Theatre Porter/ General Assistant
Winchester, SO22 5DG
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Deputy Team Leader - Orthopaedics Scrub, Theatres Ashford
Ashford, TW15 3AA
- Salary :
- £40617.00 to £48778.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Deputy Sister/Senior Operating Department Practitioner – Orthopaedics
Dorchester, DT1 2JY
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Clinical Support Worker – Higher Level Benson and Egerton Trauma Unit
St Leonards, TN37 7RD
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
-
OMFS Consultant Surgeon
Plymouth, PL6 8DH
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
-
Consultant ENT Surgeon
Luton, LU4 0DZ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Urological Surgeon
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Hand Surgeon
Doncaster, DN40TG
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- HealthHarmonie
-
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Coventry, CV2 2DX
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
-
Consultant Colorectal Surgeon
Plymouth, PL6 8DH
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
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These organisations have further information about being a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, particularly as your career progresses. Take a look.
British Orthopaedic Association
British Orthopaedic Trainees Association
Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations
The Royal College of Surgeons of England
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
And hear from people working as a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon:
Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon - Council member Royal College of Surgeons
A career in trauma and orthopaedics - Alexander F Young, Benjamin C Caesar, Lee A David