Chances.. again... but differently

Hi. I know there are a lot of topics like this and I’ve red almost alll of them, but I didn’t really find answer to my question, maybe you can help me here I am an IMG, currently doing my residency in orthopaedic surgery in my home country in Europe and my big dream and goal is to actually do it in the US although I know it is highly competetive or nearly impossible. I know that even decent usmles and 3 lors are not enough if you’re non-us IMG and couple of years of clinical research is always needed in this scenario but what about situation, when I will finish my residency in ortho in Europe and become specialist at about 30 yo. Would it be easier to me ( of course with decent usmles and lors) to match into residency and avoid these uncertain years in research ? Thank you in advance for your tips and opinions !

It is very difficult to match into US ortho residencies as a US grad. Being an IMG makes it extremely difficult even if you finish your residency overseas. Most will do some research to get their foot in the door at a program, but still no guarantees.

If you want to ultimately practice in the US, it might be easier to complete residency in your home country and then do 3 fellowships in the US.

You can become licensed to practice medicine in most states with 2 or 3 years of post-graduatel training but you can't become board certified through the ABOS without doing an US residency or Canadian residency unless your qualify for the academic pathway.

Academic Pathway The goal of the ABOS Academic Pathway is to enable truly exceptional academic orthopaedic surgeons who have received their graduate medical education outside of the United States or Canada to have the opportunity to become Board Certified through the ABOS.

There may be some alternative board certifying agencies, but they are not the ABOS.

almost impossible but you can still try. though no point of discouraging you but be ready to spend 3-4 yrs (5-6 yrs if you do research) of your golden years of life which you can spend doing fellowship somewhere in Europe or other east countries where standards of learning are equal to or higher than US (at some really good institutes). I would advice to spend those years to get trained at such places rather than preparing for MLE and doing research because after all these years of hard work it does not guarantee you to get into fellowship. These golden years you can spend to build your career in your home country. Still it is your call...........all the best. Again this my point of view. Everyone has different thinking.