Is Orthopaedics Still a Smart Career Choice? NEETPG | Scope | Saturation | Trends w/ Dr Ketan Naik

Orthopaedics is one of the most competitive postgraduate branches after NEET PG—but with increasing MS seats, fellowships, and corporate hospital setups, one question dominates every aspirant’s mind: Is orthopaedics saturated in 2025?In this episode of Keep It Real with Dr Pradip Misal, I sit down with Dr. Ketan Mahesh Naik, a highly trained and fellowship-qualified orthopaedic surgeon, to discuss the real-world scope, workload, and future of orthopaedics in India.🎙️ Guest IntroductionDr. Ketan Mahesh NaikM.B.B.S | M.S. Orthopaedics | MRCS (Glasgow), Fellow in Joint Replacement Surgery, Fellow in Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine, Goa, IndiaWith extensive experience in trauma, arthroplasty, arthroscopy, and sports injuries, Dr. Naik shares honest insights from his clinical journey, fellowships, and real-life practice.This episode is highly relevant for:✔ NEET PG aspirants✔ MBBS students exploring surgical branches✔ Orthopaedic residents and early-career surgeons📌 Follow for more honest discussions on PG branches, medical careers, and life in medicine.📌 Share this episode with anyone considering Orthopaedics for PG.Follow Dr Ketan Naik on Instagram for more Orthopaedic Contenthttps://www.instagram.com/drketan_ortho_goa/?__pwa=1follow me for updates onhttps://www.instagram.com/dragonsla_yer_/?__pwa=1Thank you Dr Neha Ajay Dani for her valuable contributions in managing as well as designs and timestamps.you can follow her Page here https://www.instagram.com/dneha.7/?__pwa=100:00 Introduction 01:49 Why MBBS First choice, career options 02:39 MBBS Journey Personal experience / clinical or academic context 07:30 Why Orthopedics Liking, decision making 09:39 PG journey Preparation, coaching, choosing seat 13:58 – Why Nair Hospital Thought process, rationale in choosing 16:32 PG JourneyHow the training actually was, duties during residency, typical day 25:48 Toxicity? Navigating and dealing with dark days, relationships with peers 29:53 Work-life balance? Can it be found in residency? Does it exist in this branch? 31:23 Who should choose OrthoCriteria for selecting, mindset, inclination, coping ability 34:24 Private vs Govt seat / DNB?Addressing doubts viewers commonly have, how to choose, prospects 40:26 Saturated Branch?Has Orthopedics lost its glam 42:17 Trends & Current ScenarioHow things are changing in PG and seat selection, and in real world 49:16 Physically demanding? Strength, endurance, should females avoid Orthopedics? 51:27 Senior residencyDifference between JR and SRship, duty load 53:27 Salary expectations?Starting salary, job prospects, tenure 57:14 Corporate vs private practice Pros and cons of each, reality of work and growth 59:40 Setting up own practice vs clinic Cost, requirements, collaboration, practicality 01:02:50 Fellowships National and International, Pathways, Experience, Necessity? 01:07:11 Sports Medicine Sports injuries, management, rehabilitation 01:13:07 Working in Italy Experience, language barrier, set up, patient expectations, surgery load 01:17:16 MRCS Rationale, Passing, Experience, Utility, Necessity 01:20:19 Memorable case The most memorable and formative case impacting clinical practice 01:20:19 Memorable case The most memorable and formative case impacting clinical practice 01:25:55 Presentations & Publications Research, National and International, Evidence Based Medicine, Necessity 01:33:42 Trends in cases, AIChanging trends and techniques in India, Patient awareness, Regenerative Medicine 01:38:39 Personal life? Does it exist? How to manage work-life and avoid burnout 01:38:39 Personal life? Does it exist? How to manage work-life and avoid burnout? 01:42:08 Final Advice Takeaways and advice for NEET PG aspirants and MBBS students 01:44:18 Contact Sir Where to find Sir? How to connect with Dr. Ketan Naik (consultations)01:45:41 Closing Thoughts, Summary & perspective#neetpg #orthopedics #podcast #medicalpodcast #neetpgcounselling