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Orthopedic Surgery Residency Match Trends in 2024: Step Scores and Research on the Rise
Matthew J Weintraub1, Roshan V Patel1, Rohan Singh1
1Department of Orthopaedics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey.
Journal of Surgical Education
|August 24, 2025
Summary
Orthopedic residency remains competitive despite program growth. Increased emphasis on United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores and research productivity is evident, while traditional metrics remain stable.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Specialties
- Residency Training
Background:
- Orthopedic surgery is a highly competitive medical specialty in the US.
- Recent shifts in selection criteria, including USMLE Step 1 pass/fail scoring, have increased focus on alternative metrics.
- This includes Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores and research output.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in orthopedic residency match competitiveness between 2016 and 2024.
- To examine changes in program growth, applicant characteristics, and key selection metrics.
- To understand the evolving landscape of orthopedic residency admissions.
Main Methods:
- Data sourced from the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) and Charting Outcomes in the Match reports (2016-2024).
- Analysis included applicant-to-position ratios, match rates, Step 2 CK scores, research productivity, Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) membership, and top NIH-funded medical school representation.
- Statistical methods included linear regression for growth rates and t-tests for group differences.
Main Results:
- Orthopedic residency programs and positions increased from 2016 to 2024, but applicant-to-position ratios remained constant.
- Matched applicants showed higher average Step 2 CK scores and significantly more research items.
- Alpha Omega Alpha membership and top medical school representation were stable; MD/PhD applicants were disproportionately unmatched.
Conclusions:
- The orthopedic residency match has evolved, with growing importance of Step 2 CK scores and research.
- Despite program expansion, competition remains high, underscoring the specialty's selectivity.
- Traditional metrics like AOA membership and institutional prestige are stable but secondary to newer metrics.
