¿Qué es FAAOS?
When looking for an orthopaedic surgeon, every patient wants to feel confident that they will be receiving the best possible treatment from a highly qualified practitioner.
As the trusted leaders in advancing musculoskeletal health, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is committed to taking the pain out of finding the right doctor.
Only orthopaedic surgeons who successfully meet AAOS' rigorous professional and ethical standards earn the right to use the letters "FAAOS" (Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) after their names. Looking for the FAAOS designation is one way to ensure that you choose a reputable and skilled orthopaedic surgeon.
Why the FAAOS Designation Matters
The FAAOS designation is important because:
- It distinguishes your orthopaedic surgeon as the leader of the musculoskeletal health team.
- It shows that they have an advanced level of skill, training, experience, and professionalism, and it represents a commitment to quality and ongoing learning beyond that of other healthcare professionals.
- Ultimately, it indicates advanced knowledge and experience in diagnosing and treating your musculoskeletal condition.
Watch this video to learn more about the physician-led orthopaedic care team.
Who Can Use the FAAOS Designation
The designation can be used only by AAOS members who are qualified. This includes Active Fellows who have been certified by one of the following:
- The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS)
- The American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (AOBOS)
- The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
Other requirements include:
- Being in exclusive practice of orthopaedic surgery in the U.S. for at least 36 months (not including fellowship training) immediately prior to induction
- Maintaining a full, unrestricted, and unlimited license to practice medicine, or full-time service in the federal government
- Complying with the AAOS Standards of Professionalism
- Completing an Active Fellow Membership Application
- Receiving application approval from the AAOS Membership Committee and Board of Directors
How Do I Know if My Doctor Has the FAAOS Designation?
- Many orthopaedic surgeons use the FAAOS letters after their name (e.g., John Doe, MD, FAAOS).
- Some orthopaedic surgeons include the FAAOS logo or FAAOS badge:
- In their email signature
- On their practice website, social media accounts, business cards, marketing materials, and/or office letterhead.
If you're not sure whether your doctor has the FAAOS designation, feel free to ask them. You can also search for your doctor by name in the exclusive AAOS “Find an Orthopaedist” directory.
Learn more about the specialty of orthopaedic surgery.
Aportado y/o actualizado por
La AAOS no respalda ningún tratamiento, procedimiento, producto ni médico mencionado en el presente documento. Esta información se facilita con fines educativos y no pretende constituir un consejo médico. Cualquier persona que necesite asesoramiento o asistencia ortopédica específica debe consultar a su cirujano ortopédico o buscar uno en su zona a través del programa «Buscar un ortopedista» de la AAOS, disponible en este sitio web.
El contenido de este sitio web puede haber sido traducido del inglés a otros idiomas mediante herramientas de inteligencia artificial. Las traducciones se ofrecen para comodidad de los lectores y es posible que no hayan sido revisadas ni verificadas por profesionales sanitarios. La AAOS no ofrece ninguna garantía respecto a la exactitud, fiabilidad o exhaustividad de la información traducida y declina toda responsabilidad por cualquier problema que pueda derivarse de su uso. Se recomienda encarecidamente a los usuarios que consulten el contenido original en inglés y que acudan a profesionales sanitarios cualificados antes de tomar cualquier decisión médica. Al utilizar el contenido traducido, usted reconoce y acepta estas limitaciones y asume toda la responsabilidad por cualquier uso que haga de la información proporcionada.