Analysis of Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Match Results: 2016 to 2022

Background: Objective data examining match trends and applicant characteristics are in high demand given the stakes involved with the orthopaedic surgery match. Our study sought to analyse the trends among matched orthopaedic surgery applicants to clarify how medical students can best prepare for and assess their chances of a successful orthopaedic residency match. Methods: We used the publicly available National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) Interactive Charting Outcomes in the Match tool to gather characteristics for matched and unmatched orthopaedic surgery applicants from 2016 to 2022 and compare the probability of matching for all applicants versus each subgroup of reported applicant characteristics using risk difference (RD) and two-tailed p-values. Results: Step 1 score >250 (p <0.001), being a US MD applicant (p <0.001), ranking ≥11 contiguous programs (p<0.001), Step 2 score >250 (p <0.001), five to 10 research experiences (p <0.001), five to 15 publications (p <0.002), five to 25 volunteer experiences (p<0.03), and Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society membership (p<0.001) were associated with increased chance of matching while having a non-PhD graduate degree decreased probability of matching (RD -8.3%, p<0.001) and a PhD degree had no associated change in match probability. Conclusions: These results show that applicants who possess higher Step 1 and 2 scores, are AOA members, US MD applicants, and have a rank ≥11 in orthopaedic programs are more likely to successfully match. A continuing significant increase in the probability of matching was noted until more than 25 programs were ranked.