Orthopedic Surgeon

<p>How important is having a mechanical engineering background if one wishes to become an orthopedic surgeon? It seems as though the general consensus is that it's too difficult to be a pre-med, majoring in engineering (harder to have a high GPA, etc.). I have been interested in orthopedic surgery for a long time, and it always seemed like mech. e. went hand-in-hand with it. Would it be better to take a more "traditional" pre-med track in college, in order to get into med. school?</p>

<p>Anyone? PSedrishMD?</p>