Department of Orthopaedic Surgery | Education

Program Information

Orthopaedic Surgery involves the study of diseases, disorders, and injuries to the musculoskeletal system. Comprehensive knowledge of anatomy, biology, mechanics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology and their application to the musculoskeletal system are all integral to the study of orthopaedic surgery.

Resident Training Program

The primary objective of Northwestern University's Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program is to broaden residents' foundation in the basic sciences while providing exposure to clinical problems. Providing our residents with the experience essential to the diagnosis and treatment of adult and pediatric musculoskeletal disorders allows them to develop into knowledgeable, compassionate, and ethical orthopaedic surgeons.

Residents participate in courses offered by the University of Chicago and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons as well as continuing education in fracture management.

We offer training rich in clinical variety, flexiblity, responsibility. Residents receive training in a variety of subspecialties including adult trauma and reconstructive orthopaedic surgery and pediatric orthopaedic surgery in addition to a balanced clinical experience in:

sports medicine


total joints


hand


foot and ankle


spine

Incoming residents spend the first year in a core program that includes rotations such as trauma, emergency medicine, general surgery, neurological surgery, and plastic surgery.

Special clinical and research opportunities are also available. Areas of research include disease of the spinal column, peripheral blood flow problems, musculoskeletal pathology, biomechanical and bioelectric aspects of fractures and their repair, prosthetic-orthotic myoelectric control systems, rehabilitaiton engineering, and the development of improved total joint implants and biological adhesives. Please contact our Residency Coordinator, Joan Broholm, for additional information about our program.

Senior Clerkships

Our Senior Clerkship Program is open to fourth year medical students and is designed to enhance students' understanding of the surgical principles involved in the treatment of orthopaedic conditions. Students can complete the four week program at either Northwestern Memorial Hospital or Children's Memorial Hospital. Clerks make rounds with the attending staff, attend conferences, and participate in inpatient surgery responsibilities including diagnostic work-ups using routine and diagnostic examinations as well as operative and non-operative treatment regimes. The program enables students to diagnose and treat common musculoskeletal complaints, arthritic conditions, lower back and cervical spine diseases, manage the treatment of fractures, their reductions, and follow up care and dianose and formulate treatment plans for common pediatric conditions. External applicants are welcome; please visit the Application Process page for information on how to apply for a senior clerkship.