Orthopaedics

The Department of Orthopaedics is a nationally ranked program that educates and inspires tomorrow’s leaders in orthopaedic surgery, excels in research innovation and provides high-caliber health care.

The clinical instructional programs utilize facilities and faculty located at the Buffalo General Hospital, Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, Erie County Medical Center, and the University Orthopaedic clinical offices located on Harlem Road in Amherst. The Orthopaedic Research Laboratory is located in Farber Hall of the UB South Campus.

It is our goal to provide an educational environment that instills the appropriate knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions. Students of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery will become knowledgeable regarding the clinical manifestations, anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the common musculoskeletal conditions. Students will be instructed in the musculoskeletal history and physical examination, be able to identify disease, formulate a diagnosis, and initiate a treatment plan.

We will foster an appreciation of the complex effect that musculoskeletal disease can have on the overall well-being of patients. The medical student will function as an integral part of the care of patients on our service. They will receive direct supervision by the resident staff as well as the attending surgeons.

The orthopaedic service is busy which requires students to be active participants in their own educational experience. Dedication to self-study and reading outside of regular work hours is required to gain the knowledge required to successfully meet the goals of the rotation.

The Department of Orthopaedics administrative offices are based at the Erie County Medical Center.

Educational Mission Statement

It has been estimated that approximately 30 percent of all patients seeking a physician do so because of a complaint related to the musculoskeletal system. With an ever increasing activity level and an aging American population, the prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions will continue to increase over time. There is a growing concern that U.S. medical school trained-physicians are ill-equipped to properly diagnose and manage the more than 100 million patients affected by musculoskeletal problems in each year. It is our goal to provide an educational environment that instills the appropriate knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions. These goals conform with the general educational objectives and competencies of the mission statement of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Students of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery will become knowledgeable regarding the clinical manifestations, anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the common musculoskeletal conditions. Students will be instructed in the musculoskeletal history and physical examination, be able to identify disease, formulate a diagnosis, and initiate a treatment plan. We will foster an appreciation of the complex effect that musculoskeletal disease can have on the overall well-being of patients.

The training of students is a complex interaction of didactic education, clinical responsibilities, and research. While our primary focus is the care of the patient, educating the next generation of doctors and surgeons is a responsibility that we accept seriously. The future of our profession rests on our ability to pass on the knowledge we have gained and to foster new thinking among our future colleagues. Although the practice of medicine is associated with service work that is not deemed truly educational, it is an essential part of taking care of our patients. It is our expectation that the care of patients will not interfere with the learning of our students and that the education of students will not compromise the quality of the care we provide to our patients.

Department Coordinator: Tammy Smith, C-TAGME

Course Descriptions

  • ORS 550 Introduction to Orthopaedic Surgery, 1 credit
    11/1/23
    This preclinical elective is completed over the fall or spring semester and functions to introduce students in their M1 or M2 year to the field Orthopaedic Surgery. Students will complete 12 hours of shadowing with their assigned preceptor. Preceptors will be attending physician faculty members in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Students will write a reflection to be submitted to the course director at the end of their experience.
  • ORS 800 Introduction to Orthopaedics, 4 credits
    4/20/23
    The goal of this 4-week rotation is to advance the students ability to evaluate and treat musculoskeletal conditions. This course will build on the pre-clinical education on musculoskeletal anatomy and pathophysiology from the first year anatomy and second year musculoskeletal modules.
  • ORS 805 Advanced Orthopaedics, 4 credits
    4/20/23
    The course is designed to advance the students’ knowledge and skill in diagnosing and management of common musculoskeletal problems related to participation in sports and activities.
  • ORS 810 Sub-Internship in Subspecialty Orthopaedics, 4 credits
    4/20/23
    The goal of this 4-week sub-internship is to advance the student's ability to evaluate and treat musculoskeletal conditions in subspecialty orthopaedics while acting as a sub-intern for 2 weeks each in 2 of the following divisions: Foot and Ankle; Hand and Upper Extremity; Pediatric Orthopaedics; and Spine.
  • ORS 832 Primary Care – Sports Medicine, 4 credits
    8/17/21
    The course is designed to advance the students’ knowledge and skill in diagnosing and management of outpatient musculoskeletal problems. This elective will build on the students’ previous knowledge gained from ICM and the third-year week in orthopaedic surgery. It will enhance students’ ability to diagnose and treat the ambulatory patient with musculoskeletal complaints. 
  • ORS 890 Course at Other University, 4 credits
    3/10/20
    The course is designed to advance the students’ knowledge and skill in diagnosing and management of common musculoskeletal problems.
  • ORS 950 Research in Orthopaedics, 4 credits
    3/10/20
    During this four week rotation students will have the opportunity to work on a research project.