When a person has an injury to a joint, the services of an orthopedic surgeon may be required. Orthopedic surgeons treat conditions involving the musculoskelatal system. Sports injuries, congenital defects, tumors, degenerative diseases, and trauma are all problems an orthopedic surgeon may treat.Training to become an orthopedic surgeon is intensive and competitive. Typically, an opthopedic surgeon completes four years of undergraduate studies, four years of medical school, and a five year residency program. Candidates for these residency programs usually graduate at the top of their medical school classes.Some orthopedic surgeons continue their education with a one or two year fellowship program. These fellowships allow the surgeon to specialize in such areas as hand surgery, total joint