PG Diploma in Orthopaedics: Admissions, Fee, Medical Colleges, Eligibility criteria, Syllabus all details here

Post-Graduate Diploma (PG Diploma) in Orthopaedics also known as Diploma in Orthopaedics is a Postgraduate level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their MBBS. The duration of this postgraduate course is 2 years, and it focuses on the study of various concepts related to the field of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of patients with skeletal deformities.

The course is a full-time course pursued in various recognized medical colleges across the country. The medical colleges offering this course include Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry, LLRM Medical College, Meerut and more.

Admission to this course is done through the NEET PG Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counseling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities.

The fee for pursuing Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics varies from college to college and may range from Rs. 54,000 to Rs 18,00,000 per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or pursue higher degree courses like master's degrees and research degree courses recognized by NMC, where Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics is a feeder qualification. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Junior Consultants, Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 14,00,000 to Rs. 15,90,000 per anum.

What is Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics?

Post-Graduate Diploma (PG Diploma) in Orthopaedics also known as Diploma in Orthopaedics is a two-year postgraduate programme that candidates can pursue after completing MBBS.

Orthopaedics is the branch of medical science dealing with the study of care of the musculoskeletal system. It deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of patients with skeletal deformities.

National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex medical regulator, has released a Guidelines for Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme for Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics.

The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics.

PG education intends to create specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in science through research and training.

The required training done by a postgraduate specialist in the field of Orthopaedics would help the specialist to recognize the health needs of the community. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their speciality.

The candidate should be a highly competent specialist in Orthopaedics possessing a broad range of skills that will enable her/him to practice Orthopaedics independently. The PG candidate should also acquire the basic skills in teaching of medical/para-medical students.

The candidate is also expected to know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops and CMEs to upgrade her/ his knowledge.

Course Highlights

Here are some of the course highlights of Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics:

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet in order to be eligible for admission, which include:

• Candidates must be in possession of an undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

• Candidates should have done a compulsory rotating internship of one year in a teaching institution or other institution which is recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

• The candidate must have obtained permanent registration of any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.

• The medical college's recognition cut-off dates for the MBBS Degree courses and compulsory rotatory Internship shall be as prescribed by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).

Admission Process

The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order by the candidates for admission to Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics. Candidates can view the complete admission process for Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics mentioned below:

• The NEET PG or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Post Graduates is a national-level master's level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to MD/MS/PG Diploma Courses.
• The requirement of eligibility criteria for participation in counselling towards PG seat allotment conducted by the concerned counselling authority shall be in lieu of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (as per the latest amendment) notified by the MCI (now NMC) with prior approval of MoHFW.

Fees Structure

The fee structure for Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics is around Rs. 54,000 to Rs 18,00,000 per year.

Colleges offering Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics

There are various medical colleges across India that offer courses for pursuing Post Graduate Diploma In Orthopaedics.

As per National Medical Commission (NMC) website, the following medical colleges are offering Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics courses for the academic year 2022-23.

Syllabus

A Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics is a two years specialization course that provides training in the stream of Orthopaedics.

The course content for Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics is given in the Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme released by National Medical Commission, which can be assessed through the link mentioned below:

Course contents:

1. Basic Sciences

- Anatomy and function of joints

- Bone structure and function

- Growth factors and facture healing

- Cartilage structure and function

- Structure and function of muscles and tendons

- Tendon structure and function

- Metallurgy in Orthopaedics

- Stem Cells in Orthopaedic Surgery

- Gene Therapy in Orthopaedics

2. Diagnostic Imaging in Orthopaedics

(Should know the interpretation and clinical correlation of the following: -

- Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA)

- MRI and CT in Orthopaedics

- Musculoskeletal USG

- PET Scan

- Radio-isotope bone scan

3. Metabolic Bone Diseases

- Rickets and Osteomalacia

- Osteoporosis

- Scurvy

- Mucopolysaccharoidoses

- Fluorosis

- Osteopetrosis

4. Endocrine Disorders

- Hyperparathyroidism

- Gigantism, Acromegaly

5. Bone and Joint Infections

- Pyogenic Haematogenous Osteomyelitis - Acute and Chronic

- Septic arthritis

- Fungal infections

- Miscellaneous infections

- Gonococcal arthritis

- Bone and joint brucellosis

- AIDS and the Orthopaedic Surgeon (universal precautions)

- Musculoskeletal Manifestations of AIDS

- Pott's spine

- Tubercular synovitis and arthritis of all major joints

6. Poliomyelitis

- General considerations

- Polio Lower limb and spine

- Management of Post Polio Residual Palsy (PPRP)

7. Orthopaedic Neurology

- Cerebral Palsy

- Myopathies

8. Peripheral Nerve Injuries

- Traumatic

- Entrapment Neuropathies

9. Diseases of Joints

- Osteoarthrosis

- Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate (CPPD), Gout

- Collagen diseases

10. Systemic Complications in Orthopaedics

- Shock

- Crush syndrome

- Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

11. Bone Tumors

- Benign bone tumors

- Malignant bone tumors

- Tumor like conditions

- Metastatic bone Tumors

12. Miscellaneous Diseases

- Diseases of muscles

- Fibrous Dysplasia

- Unclassified diseases of bone

- Paget's disease

- Peripheral vascular disease

- Orthopaedic manifestations of bleeding disorders

13. Regional Orthopaedic Conditions of Adults and Children

- The spine

- The shoulder

- The elbow

- The hand

- The wrist

- The hip

- The knee

- The foot and ankle

- The pelvis

14. Biomaterials

- Orthopaedic metallurgy

- Bio-degradable implants in Orthopaedics

- Bone substitutes

- Bone Banking

15. Fracture and Fracture-Dislocations

1. General considerations

2. Definitions, types, grades, patterns and complications

3. Pathology of fractures and fracture healing

4. Clinical and Radiological features of fractures and dislocations

5. General principles of fracture treatment

6. Recent advances in internal fixation of fractures

7. Locking plate osteosyntheses

8. Less Invasive Stabilisation System (LISS)

9. Ilizarov technique

10. Bone grafting and bone graft substitutes

11. Open fractures and soft tissue coverage in the lower extremity

12. Compartment syndrome

13. Fractures of the upper extremity and shoulder girdle

14. Fractures of the lower extremity

15. Fractures of the hip and pelvis

16. Malunited fractures

17. Delayed union and non union of fractures

18. Fractures/dislocations and fracture - dislocations of spine

16. Dislocations and Subluxations

- Acute dislocations

- Old unreduced dislocations

- Recurrent dislocations

17. Traumatic Disorders of Joints (Sports Injuries)

- Ankle injuries

- Knee injuries

- Shoulder and elbow injuries

- Wrist and hand injuries

18. Arthrodesis

- Arthrodesis of lower extremity and hip

- Arthrodesis of upper extremity

- Arthrodesis of spine

19. Arthroplasty

- Biomechanics of joints and replacement of the following joints.

- Knee

- Ankle

- Shoulder

- Elbow

20. Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) Arthroscopy

- General principles of Arthroscopy

- Arthroscopy of knee and ankle

- Arthroscopy of shoulder and elbow

21. Amputations and Disarticulations

- Amputations and disarticulations in the lower limb

- Amputations and disarticulations in the upper limb

22. Rehabilitation - Prosthetics and Orthotics

23. Pediatric orthopaedics:

- Fractures and dislocations in children

- Perthes' disease

- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis

- Congenital Dislocation of Hip (CDH)

- Neuromuscular disorders

24. Spine

a) Spinal trauma: diagnosis and management including various types of fixations

i. Rehabilitation of paraplegics/quadriplegics

ii. Management of a paralyzed bladder

iii. Prevention of bed sores and management of established bed sores

iv. Exercise programme and Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

v. Psychosexual counseling

b) Degenerative disorders of the spine

i. Prolapsed Inter Vertebral Disc (PIVD)

ii. Lumbar Canal Stenosis (LCS)

iii. Spondylolysis/Spondylolisthesis

iv. Lumbar Spondylosis

v. Ankylosing Spondylitis

vi. Spinal fusion: various types and their indications.

25. Triage, Disaster Management, BTLS and ATLS

26. Recent advances in orthopaedics

- Autologous chondrocyte implantation

- Mosaicplasty

- Video assisted Thoracoscopy (VATS)

- Endoscopic spine surgery

- Metal on metal arthroplasty of hip

- Surface replacements of joints

- Microsurgical techniques in Orthopaedics

- Designing a modern orthopaedic operation theatre

- Sterilization

- Theatre Discipline

- Laminar air flow

- Modular OTs

Note: The emphasis during the training for diploma should be more on clinical diagnosis and basic management rather than advanced surgical skills.

Career Options

After completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor etc.

While in the Private sector the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant (Orthopaedics), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Orthopaedics), Consultant Orthopaedics Specialist etc.

Courses After Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics Course

Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics is a specialization course that can be pursued after finishing MBBS. After pursuing a specialization in Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics, a candidate could also pursue higher degree courses like a master's degree and research degree courses recognized by NMC, where Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics is a feeder qualification.

Candidates possessing postgraduate diploma qualifications can also appear in the DNB PDCET examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations for admission to Post Diploma DNB Broad specialty Courses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – PG Diploma in Orthopaedics Course

Question: What is a Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics?

Answer: Post-Graduate Diploma (PG Diploma) in Orthopaedics also known as Diploma in Orthopaedics is a Postgraduate level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their MBBS.

Question: What is the duration of a Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics?

Answer: Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics is a postgraduate programme of two years.

Question: What is the eligibility of a Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics?

Answer: Candidates must be in possession of an undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India.

Question: What is the scope of a Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics ?

Answer: Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary for a Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics postgraduate candidate?

Answer: The Post Graduate Diploma in Orthopaedics candidate's average salary is Rs. 14,00,000 to Rs. 15,90,000 per anum depending on the experience.

Question: How can I do orthopedic after the 12th?

Answer: To become an orthopedic surgeon you should hold MS in Orthopaedics or a Diplomate of National Board (DNB-Orth) degree. Here we have mentioned some courses in this field. Diploma & Certificate Courses: Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Exam in Orthopaedics.

Question: Is D Ortho a surgeon?

Answer: No. The program aims to prepare specialists who have achieved competence in dealing with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system and are proficient in surgical and non-surgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

Question: Which is better D ortho or MS Ortho?

Answer: The D. Ortho course is of 2 years duration. Whereas MS Orthopaedics or Master in Surgery of Orthopaedics is a post graduate degree course with 3 years of duration.