Orthopaedic and orthopedic both refer to the exact same specialty, with just slightly different spelling variations. Orthopaedics is the original British form of the word and Orthopedics is the more commonly used, Americanized version.

Which is correct orthopedic or Orthopaedic?

“Orthopaedics” is commonly regarded as the British and academic spelling of the term while “orthopedics” can be considered its Americanized version; however, you may see these spellings used interchangeably.

Why is orthopedic sometimes spelled Orthopaedic?

A Brief History of Orthopedics

Andry invented the word orthopaedics by combining the Greek words orthos (straight) and paidion (child), because the specialty was originally meant to focus on correcting musculoskeletal issues like polio and scoliosis in children.