Orthopedic vs. Orthopaedic – How to Use Each Correctly

/ September 25, 2017/ Usage

What’s the Difference Between Orthopedic and Orthopaedic?

Orthopedic and orthopaedic are alternate spellings of the same word. Both words are the adjective form of orthopedics (or orthopaedics), which means the branch of medicine dealing with the skeleton and joints.

One spelling is preferred in American English; the other spelling is preferred in British English.

Orthopedic is the preferred American English spelling.

• The athlete has a recurring pain in his joints, so his general doctor recommended he see a specialist, an orthopedic surgeon.

Orthopaedic is the standard British English spelling.

• The orthopaedic wing of the hospital has its own surgery.

Let’s look at a few of the differences in usage between these words so that you can properly use them in your sentences.

Using Orthopedic in a Sentence

When to use orthopedic: Orthopedic is an adjective that describes a noun related to the medical field of dealing with bones and joints. This spelling is more common in American English.

For example:

• There are many orthopedic surgeons in California.
• Orthopedic surgery is sometimes necessary when a bone has a tumor. Luckily, New York has many good hospitals for this type of procedure.

Although the orthopedic spelling is more common in American English, this doesn’t mean it is the exclusive spelling. Many professional medical organizations and surgeons’ practices in America choose to use the spelling with an a, orthopaedic.

A couple examples of these include the American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.

Oftentimes, these groups explain that they are using the traditional Greek spelling as a way to show a commitment to the roots and history of orthopedics.

Using Orthopaedic in a Sentence

When to use orthopaedic: Orthopaedic has the exact same meaning as orthopedic. The only difference is that this is the standard spelling in British English.

For example:

• Orthopaedic medicine has a long history that probably goes back to the very first broken bone.
• Since his child has fragile bone disease, he must see an orthopaedic doctor frequently.

Because orthopaedics is a specialized field in medicine, both orthopedic and orthopaedic appear almost exclusively in the context of medicine, and the most common collocates are surgeon and surgery.

Remembering Orthopedic vs. Orthopaedic

Although both words are correct, and have the same meaning, it is still important to use the preferred or standard spelling for your country or your audience.

Therefore, you can remember that orthopaedic uses the spelling that is more similar to the original Greek spelling. Just as England is the older country, British English uses the older spelling.

On the other hand, America is a newer country and uses the newer spelling. Many American versions of British spellings have fewer letters in order to simplify the language.

Outside Examples

• Protect Our Care also intends to target Mr. Price, a former member of Congress and an orthopedic physician who has become the chief health care spokesman for Mr. Trump’s administration. –New York Times
• She had surgery on her left shoulder at the beginning of January, then on her right one a month later after MRIs revealed bursitis in both. Orthopedic surgeon Laura Timmerman performed the surgeries in Walnut Creek, Calif., not far from Berkeley, where Franklin attends the University of California. –Denver Post
• The knee is the largest joint in the human body, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in their online guide “Common Knee Injuries.” –Houston Chronicle
• “I’m seeing these overuse injuries in younger and younger people,” says Michael A. Kelly, MD, chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center. –New York Post

Quiz: Orthopaedic vs. Orthopedic

Instructions: Fill in the blank with the correct word, either orthopaedic or orthopedic, in the correct form.

• Unfortunately, you waited too long after breaking your bone to have it put in a cast. Now it has healed improperly and you’ll need to see an ________________ surgeon in London.
• There is no qualified ________________ medical center in our town in rural Iowa. You’ll have to drive over to Omaha, Nebraska to get the care you need.
• _____________________ medicine deals with skeletons and joints, which I’ve always been interested in. That’s why I decided to attend medical school here in Alabama.

See answers below.

Article Summary

Should I use orthopedic or orthopaedic? These words are both correct, despite having different spellings. One is more common in American English while the other is more common in British English.

• Orthopedic is more common in American English as an adjective to refer to medicine dealing with bones and joints.
• Orthopaedic has the same meaning but is the preferred spelling in British English.

Remember that although orthopedic is preferred in American English, professional medical organizations often choose to use orthopaedic in the spelling of the proper name of their organization.

Answers from Quiz

• orthopaedic
• orthopedic
• Orthopedic