Health Sciences

Master of Medicine in Orthopaedic Surgery

The Master of Medicine in Orthopaedic Surgery is a postgraduate medical specialty programme that trains medical doctors to become specialist orthopaedic surgeons. The programme prepares graduates to diagnose and surgically manage musculoskeletal conditions, including fractures, joint diseases, bone tumours, and spinal disorders, in Kenya and the East African region.

Core areas of study include orthopaedic anatomy, orthopaedic pathology, fracture management, joint replacement surgery, spine surgery, paediatric orthopaedics, sports medicine, hand surgery, orthopaedic trauma, bone tumour surgery, and research methods. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and extensive clinical and surgical practice.

The programme is offered by numerous universities across Kenya, with Moi University as a college. University of Nairobi and Moi University are the only two institutions approved to offer specialist training in orthopaedics in Kenya. UoN offers a five-year programme through its Department of Surgery, while Moi University offers a four-year programme.

Students develop competencies in orthopaedic assessment, fracture management, joint replacement, spine surgery, paediatric orthopaedics, sports injury management, hand surgery, orthopaedic trauma management, and orthopaedic research. The programme includes coursework, clinical rotations, surgical skills training, examinations, and a research thesis.

The programme is delivered over five years at University of Nairobi with full-time residency mode, with training at Kenyatta National Hospital. The programme is divided into two parts: Part I covers basic sciences and basic surgery, and Part II is largely clinical with rotations in orthopaedic subspecialties and thesis writing. Admission is done once yearly in August or September.

Graduates pursue careers as consultant orthopaedic surgeons, joint replacement surgeons, spine surgeons, paediatric orthopaedic surgeons, sports medicine surgeons, and academic orthopaedic surgeons in hospitals, medical schools, and health ministries.

Skills Required

Orthopaedic Assessment and Diagnosis
Fracture Management and Fixation
Joint Replacement Surgery
Spine Surgery and Stabilisation
Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery
Sports Injury Management and Surgery
Hand and Upper Limb Surgery
Orthopaedic Trauma Management
Bone Tumour Diagnosis and Surgery
Orthopaedic Research and Scholarship

Key Subjects

Orthopaedic Anatomy and Pathology
Fracture Management and Fixation
Joint Replacement Surgery
Spine Surgery
Paediatric Orthopaedics
Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy
Hand Surgery
Orthopaedic Trauma
Bone Tumour Surgery
Orthopaedic Research Methods

Certifications

KMPDC Specialist Registration in Orthopaedic Surgery
COSECSA Fellowship in Orthopaedic Surgery

Specializations

Joint Replacement Surgery

Focuses on arthroplasty, hip and knee replacement surgery, managing degenerative joint disease, revision arthroplasty, and joint replacement in orthopaedic practice.

Spine Surgery

Examines spinal surgery, managing spinal deformities, degenerative spine disease, spinal trauma, disc herniation, and performing spinal stabilisation and fusion procedures.

Paediatric Orthopaedics

Covers paediatric orthopaedics, managing congenital musculoskeletal disorders, developmental dysplasia of the hip, clubfoot, and paediatric fractures.

Sports Medicine

Focuses on sports injury management, arthroscopic surgery, ligament reconstruction, managing athletic injuries, and sports rehabilitation.

Hand Surgery

Examines hand and upper limb surgery, managing hand fractures, tendon injuries, nerve compression, and performing hand reconstructive procedures.

Orthopaedic Trauma

Covers orthopaedic trauma management, managing complex fractures, polytrauma, open fractures, and performing emergency orthopaedic surgical procedures.

Duration: 5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 348,000
Job market: Very high

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 8 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Orthopaedic Anatomy and Pathology
Fracture Management and Fixation
Joint Replacement Surgery
Spine Surgery
Paediatric Orthopaedics
Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy
Hand Surgery
Orthopaedic Trauma
Bone Tumour Surgery
Orthopaedic Research Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

Orthopaedic Anatomy and Pathology
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Examines musculoskeletal anatomy, bone biology, orthopaedic pathology, bone tumours, metabolic bone disease, and applied anatomy for orthopaedic surgical practice.
Basic Surgery and Orthopaedic Principles
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers general surgery principles, orthopaedic examination, casting and splinting, traction principles, and basic orthopaedic management techniques.
Fracture Management and Fixation
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Examines fracture management, closed and open reduction, internal fixation, external fixation, plating, intramedullary nailing, and managing complex fractures.
Orthopaedic Trauma
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers orthopaedic trauma management, managing polytrauma, open fractures, pelvic fractures, and performing emergency orthopaedic surgical procedures.
Joint Replacement Surgery
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Examines arthroplasty, hip and knee replacement surgery, managing degenerative joint disease, revision arthroplasty, and joint replacement techniques and complications.
Spine Surgery
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers spinal surgery, managing spinal deformities, degenerative spine disease, spinal trauma, disc herniation, and performing spinal stabilisation and fusion procedures.
Paediatric Orthopaedics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines paediatric orthopaedics, managing congenital musculoskeletal disorders, developmental dysplasia of the hip, clubfoot, cerebral palsy, and paediatric fractures.
Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers sports injury management, arthroscopic surgery, ligament reconstruction, managing athletic injuries, and sports rehabilitation principles.
Hand Surgery and Bone Tumours
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines hand and upper limb surgery, managing hand fractures, tendon injuries, nerve compression, bone tumour diagnosis, and performing bone tumour resection procedures.
Research Methods and Thesis
Year 5Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an orthopaedic surgery topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and orthopaedic knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Joint Replacement Surgery
Focuses on arthroplasty, hip and knee replacement surgery, managing degenerative joint disease, revision arthroplasty, and joint replacement in orthopaedic practice.
Spine Surgery
Examines spinal surgery, managing spinal deformities, degenerative spine disease, spinal trauma, disc herniation, and performing spinal stabilisation and fusion procedures.
Paediatric Orthopaedics
Covers paediatric orthopaedics, managing congenital musculoskeletal disorders, developmental dysplasia of the hip, clubfoot, and paediatric fractures.
Sports Medicine
Focuses on sports injury management, arthroscopic surgery, ligament reconstruction, managing athletic injuries, and sports rehabilitation.
Hand Surgery
Examines hand and upper limb surgery, managing hand fractures, tendon injuries, nerve compression, and performing hand reconstructive procedures.
Orthopaedic Trauma
Covers orthopaedic trauma management, managing complex fractures, polytrauma, open fractures, and performing emergency orthopaedic surgical procedures.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MMed Orthopaedic Surgery residency begins with morning ward rounds where residents assess postoperative orthopaedic patients, review fracture healing, and manage complications. Residents then proceed to operating theatre for orthopaedic procedures including fracture fixation, joint replacement, spine surgery, and arthroscopic procedures under consultant supervision. Academic sessions include lectures on orthopaedic anatomy, pathology, and case discussions linking imaging to surgical planning. Fracture clinic sessions involve assessing new fractures, applying casts, and planning surgical management. Residents rotate through subspecialties including joint replacement, spine, paediatric orthopaedics, sports medicine, hand surgery, and trauma. On-call duties involve managing orthopaedic emergencies, performing emergency fracture fixation, and providing orthopaedic consultation. Journal clubs and mortality and morbidity meetings deepen understanding of evidence-based orthopaedic practice. Research methodology sessions prepare residents for their thesis. The programme at University of Nairobi is based at the Department of Surgery with Kenyatta National Hospital access. The five-year programme culminates in MMed examinations and thesis defence.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya has a severe shortage of orthopaedic surgeons, creating very high demand in hospitals and medical schools, especially with increasing road traffic injuries.
Orthopaedic surgeons earn competitive salaries and are among the highest-paid medical specialists in Kenya.
Programme offers diverse subspecialty paths including joint replacement, spine, paediatric, sports, and hand surgery.
COSECSA pathway provides alternative training route through accredited hospitals including Kijabe and Tenwek.

Against it

Five-year full-time residency requires significant time commitment and may limit income during training years.
Only two universities (UoN and Moi) offer university-based training, making admission extremely competitive.
Orthopaedic surgery involves physically demanding work, long operating hours, and demanding on-call schedules.
No subspecialty training positions available in Kenya; graduates must travel overseas for fellowship training.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public187k to 348k

187k at Moi University348k at University of Nairobi

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN 1.74M/5yr (kenyaeducationguide). Moi ~187K/yr (worldscholarshipforum). Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. COSECSA offers training grants for orthopaedic trainees in East, Central and Southern Africa. SICOT provides education grants for international orthopaedic education. The programme's critical shortage status attracts health sector funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
COSECSA Training Grants
SICOT Education Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate medical studies at recognised universities.
COSECSA Training Grants
ScholarshipKsh 500,000
COSECSA offers training grants for orthopaedic trainees in East, Central and Southern Africa pursuing orthopaedic specialisation.
SICOT Education Grants
ScholarshipKsh 500,000
SICOT provides education grants for international orthopaedic education and training in developing countries.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is designed for medical doctors seeking to specialise in orthopaedic surgery. Admission is extremely competitive with entry exams and oral interview. UoN programme runs 5 years full-time, Moi University runs 4 years. COSECSA pathway offers alternative hospital-based training at accredited hospitals. Graduates must work under supervision for two years before independent practice.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Clinical Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Ongoing clinical assessment during residency rotations, evaluating surgical skills, fracture management, clinical decision-making, and professional conduct.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering orthopaedic anatomy, pathology, surgical procedures, and clinical scenarios, conducted at end of each academic year in two parts.
OSCE and Practical Examinations
Practical30% of the mark
Objective Structured Clinical Examinations and practical assessments evaluating orthopaedic skills, procedures, clinical reasoning, and emergency management.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an orthopaedic surgery topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and orthopaedic knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). University of Nairobi and Moi University are the only two institutions approved to offer specialist orthopaedic training in Kenya. The programme meets KMPDC standards and aligns with COSECSA regional standards.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi and Moi University are the only two institutions approved to offer specialist orthopaedic training in Kenya.
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC)
Professional accreditationRequired
KMPDC accredits and regulates medical specialty training. Graduates must register with KMPDC as specialist orthopaedic surgeons and work under supervision for two years before independent practice.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Very high demandKsh 400,000 to Ksh 1,500,000
Performs orthopaedic surgical procedures in hospital orthopaedic departments, managing musculoskeletal conditions, and providing orthopaedic consultation.
Joint Replacement Surgeon
High demandKsh 450,000 to Ksh 1,700,000
Specialises in arthroplasty, performing hip and knee replacement surgeries, managing degenerative joint disease, and revision arthroplasty.
Spine Surgeon
High demandKsh 450,000 to Ksh 1,700,000
Specialises in spinal surgery, managing spinal deformities, degenerative spine disease, and performing spinal stabilisation and fusion procedures.
Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon
High demandKsh 400,000 to Ksh 1,400,000
Specialises in paediatric orthopaedics, managing congenital disorders, developmental conditions, and performing paediatric orthopaedic surgery.
Sports Medicine Surgeon
Moderate demandKsh 380,000 to Ksh 1,300,000
Specialises in sports injury management, performing arthroscopic surgery, ligament reconstruction, and managing athletic injuries.
Academic Orthopaedic Surgeon
High demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 900,000
Teaches orthopaedic surgery in medical schools, conducting orthopaedic research, training residents, and providing clinical orthopaedic services.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as consultant orthopaedic surgeons, joint replacement surgeons, spine surgeons, and paediatric orthopaedic surgeons in hospitals and medical schools.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Orthopaedic Power Tools
EquipmentPrimary
Orthopaedic power tools including drills, saws, and reamers for performing orthopaedic surgical procedures including fracture fixation and joint replacement.
C-Arm Fluoroscopy
EquipmentPrimary
C-arm fluoroscopy unit for intraoperative imaging during orthopaedic procedures, enabling real-time fracture reduction and implant positioning.
Arthroscopy System
Equipment
Arthroscopy system for performing minimally invasive joint surgery, including camera, monitor, and arthroscopic instruments.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for orthopaedic research, analysing surgical outcomes data, and conducting clinical research studies.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Orthopaedic surgery is just about fixing broken bones.
Orthopaedic surgery covers the entire musculoskeletal system including joints, spine, hands, sports injuries, bone tumours, and paediatric conditions, far beyond fracture management.
Orthopaedic surgery is physically demanding and only for men.
While some physical strength helps, modern orthopaedic surgery relies on power tools and technology. Increasing numbers of women are pursuing orthopaedic surgery successfully.
Orthopaedic surgery has limited intellectual challenge compared to other specialties.
Orthopaedic surgery requires deep understanding of biomechanics, anatomy, pathology, and surgical decision-making, making it highly intellectually demanding.
The five-year duration is unnecessarily long.
The five-year residency is essential for developing competencies across all orthopaedic subspecialties, managing complex cases, and meeting international standards for orthopaedic training.
Orthopaedic surgery is becoming less relevant with non-surgical treatments.
An aging population and increasing road traffic accidents are driving demand for orthopaedic surgery, particularly joint replacement and trauma management.
Only two universities offer training, making it impossible to get admitted.
While admission is competitive, the COSECSA pathway also provides an alternative route through hospital-based training at accredited hospitals including Kijabe and Tenwek.