Is there such thing as a Prosthetic Surgeon?

<p>Is there such thing as a Prosthetic Surgeon? A surgeon that deals mainly with all forms of prosthesis?</p>

<p>Prosthetic surgeon...not specifically. </p>

<p>The closest thing I can find on the AAMC Careers in Medicine page (which you have to be in med school to access) is Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine. Physiatrists will have expertise limb prostheses most likely.</p>

<p>Depending on how broadly you want to define prosthesis, many surgical specialties deal with prosthesis placement. ENT's put in cochlear implants and various types of auditory nerve stimulators. Orthopedic surgeons replace joints all the time. Reconstructive plastic surgeons use forms and tissue to recover form and function. I'm guessing though that you're thinking of prosthesis in terms of legs, arms and hands. Most of those devices are not surgically attached, though I'm sure they're headed that way. </p>

<p>The surgical specialty (at least in my mind) most likely to deal with prosthetic devices is Orthopedic surgery. You could then specialize in foot/ankle or hand surgery and likely be very specialized to doing those types of surgeries. </p>

<p>If you are really interested in prosthetics consider majoring in biomedical mechanics/engineering in undergrad. That's a path to working and designing prosthetic devices that doesnt' require medical school. If you are sure that you want to be a physician, then don't worry too much about what specialty you want because you're a long ways off from having to make that decison (almost a decade if you are still in HS). Many medical students change their minds multiple times when it comes to deciding what type of residency they are going to go into. Keep your options open, and put first things first - get into medical school then worry about specialty.</p>

<p>"If you are really interested in prosthetics consider majoring in biomedical mechanics/engineering in undergrad. That's a path to working and designing prosthetic devices that doesnt' require medical school."</p>

<p>So I should take Bioengineering B.S. undergrad for working and designing prosthetic devices, correct?</p>

<p>Well...and I'm no expert on the subject...I think that "bio" engineering and biomedical engineering and biomechanical engineering are all slightly different facets of the same general idea. But they're not the same. </p>

<p>Again that's just my opinion/understanding of it. Bioengineering to me sounds more like using biological molecules and tissues to achieve a desired goal. Think about bioengineered food - using genetics to create food easier to grow or more nutritious or whatever. Biomedical engineering to me suggests the design of devices and tools for use by the medical community. Biomechanical seems more prosthesis and brace design using knowledge of how the body moves to design these replacement parts.</p>

<p>Obviously there is going to be a lot of overlap, and I may be making bigger differentiations between the fields than actually exist, but I do think there are concrete differences between the majors that you need to explore.</p>

<p>There are a few dedicated surgeons in the world who have dilligently acquired the knowledge of biomechanics and are actively involved in the rehabilitation of the amputees. As their availability is at premium they are obviously very much in demand. Certified orthotics and certified prosthotics can not fill the void of want of remodelling an amputed stump or lack in the knowledge of bilological functions as is known to the surgeon. Hence there is a resurgence of want of prosthetic surgeons. Many countries including India has prosthetic surgeons.</p>

<p>Click on the link to find out more… [Prosthetic</a> Surgery](<a href=“http://prostheticsurgery.blogspot.in/]Prosthetic”>http://prostheticsurgery.blogspot.in/)</p>

<p>NO. NOT in the US</p>

<p>prosthetic “installers” are usually technians who work at a prosthetic business either private or part of a hospital. It is an allied health field and there are several schools which are certified. Biomechanics is not part of the training of any that I know (except those who physically make new prosthetics to be fitted)</p>

<p>cf <a href=“Membership - American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists”>Membership - American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists;

<p>That being said, there are “rehab” doctors who deal in rehab which includes limbs as well as neural, etc</p>