SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS

Dr. Richard Iorio, an orthopedic surgeon at the Lahey Clinic in Massachusetts, says that in 2005, 285,000 total hip replacements and 523,000 total knee replacements were performed in the United States. But by 2030, these two procedures are expected to jump to 572,000 and 3.4 million, respectively, as "boomeritis" -- joint and bone ailments -- explodes.

"The demand for these procedures will grow rapidly, and the orthopedic workforce will not be able to keep up", Iorio says in a statement. "The supply of orthopedic surgeons will only increase 2 percent during 2000 and 2020 -- there will be a need for services that overwhelms the supply of physicians who will be able to fill that demand."

A 2005 survey of 23,000 orthopedic surgeons revealed 7 percent identified themselves as primary surgical specialists for the adult hip and knee, 30 percent identified themselves as general orthopedic surgeons, 13 percent identified themselves as specialists in sports medicine and 10 percent identified themselves as hand surgeons.

The findings are being discussed at the 75th annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in San Francisco.

 BREAKING STORIES

Group tries to quell doctors' bad behavior

Newfoundland loses doctors

Doctors often don't know patients are gay

Doctors may have subconscious racial bias

District of Columbia tops in Medicaid

Doctors eye vitamin D link to autism

Doctors' Gifts Cut: Drug Industry Lobby Asks Companies to Stop Some Handouts to Physicians

AMA Apologizes for Past Racism: Group Reviews How Black Doctors Were Denied Membership and Support and Says Effects 'Are Still With Us Today'

Bullying doctors no longer tolerated

Doctors done in by stillbirths, deaths

Doctors: Some CT scans may not be needed

Doctors say insurance firms pre-empt them

Doctors often don't reinforce instructions

Race plays role in diabetes treatment

Two doctors accused of killing patients

Doctors quiet about Kennedy's operation

Doctor: Obama's health excellent

Doctors say walking barefoot is dangerous

Doctors: Kennedy has brain tumor

Doctors await Kennedy test results