Orthopaedic Surgery ACGME case minimums
Residents in Orthopaedic Surgery have a published ACGME minimum in all 27 case categories, and the largest single minimum is 300. Each row below cites the ACGME requirement it was read from; the minimums are effective July 1, 2025.
By Chris, CA-1, anesthesiology
Orthopaedic Surgery minimums by category
| Category | Any role |
|---|---|
| Operative management of pertrochanteric, intertrochanteric, or femoral neck fracture | 60 |
| Knee arthroscopy including ligament reconstruction and meniscal pathology | 60 |
| Shoulder arthroscopy including rotator cuff management | 50 |
| Primary total knee arthroplasty | 50 |
| Primary total hip arthroplasty | 50 |
| Intramedullary fixation in long weightbearing bones | 50 |
| Operative management of rotational ankle fracture | 30 |
| Operative management of fractures of the radius and/or ulna | 30 |
| Decompression of the carpal tunnel | 20 |
| Operative management of pediatric distal humerus fracture | 15 |
| Repair of traumatic tear of weight bearing tendon in lower extremity | 10 |
| Prophylactic fixation of pathologic fracture | 5 |
| Emergent amputation | 5 |
| Emergent fasciotomy | 5 |
| Femur/Knee | 300 |
| Pelvis/Hip | 285 |
| Forearm/Wrist/Hand/Fingers | 200 |
| Leg/Ankle/Foot/Toes | 155 |
| Shoulder | 150 |
| Humerus/Elbow | 65 |
| Spine | 50 |
| Oncology | 25 |
| Operative care of the pediatric patient* | 150 |
| Closed Reductions with manipulation* | 150 |
| Irrigation and debridement including fractures, joint sepsis, and arthroplasty sepsis.* | 50 |
| Removal of deep implant* | 25 |
| Application of an external fixator* | 15 |
Orthopaedic Surgery · ACGME specialty 260 · minimums effective July 1, 2025.
Capnolog counts these live for anesthesiology and neurological surgery; other specialties are reference only.
What counts toward a minimum?
- Residents log each case against its CPT procedure codes, and the ACGME sorts those codes into the categories below.
- Every number is a count in one column, “Any role”.
- The Review Committee for Orthopaedic Surgery sets these requirements.
Where do these numbers come from?
- Case Log categories and minimum numbers, July 1, 2025
- Program Requirements, July 1, 2026
- Review Committee FAQ, December 2024
Capnolog is independent of the ACGME. Where a number here and the ACGME's own document disagree, the document is right.
Related specialties
- Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedics case minimums
- Foot and Ankle Orthopaedics case minimums
- Hand Surgery (Orthopaedic Surgery) case minimums
- Pediatric Orthopaedics case minimums
- Orthopaedic Surgery of the Spine case minimums
- Orthopaedic Sports Medicine case minimums
- Orthopaedic Trauma case minimums
- Musculoskeletal Oncology case minimums