The history of Orthopaedics Department at Assam Medical College began in the year 1957 with the appointment of Dr. A. Z. Ahmed as Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics. Later on he became the First Professor of Orthopaedics and continued till he retired on 28.2.1981(1957-1981).

Dr. Siva Nath Baruah, Assistant Professor, became In-charge of the Orthopaedic Unit after the retirement of Prof. Ahmed. He became Associate Professor on 01.09.1981 and Professor on 06.06.1987. He breathed his last on 14.02.89 while in service.

Dr. S. Lahkar took over the charge of the Unit as Associate Professor on 14.02.1989 and became Professor on 12.05.1992. He remained HOD till he was transferred to the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of GMC in May 2007.

Dr. Ranjit Kr. Baruah, Associate Professor, took over the Charge of the Department after Dr. Lahkar and was subsequently promoted to Professor of Orthopaedics on 14.08.2007 retired on 28.02.2019

Dr. Munin Borgohain, Professor took over the Charge as Head  of the Department on 01.03.2019 after Dr. Ranjit Kr Baruah was retired as Professor & Head of Orthopaedics

The Orthopaedic Unit was made full fledged Department after separating it from General Surgery on 3rd August, 1992. However PG course (MS-Orthopaedics) was started from 16.05.1989.Till now a total number of 71 Post Graduates (MS Orthopaedics) have passed out from the department. From 2010, number of PG intake has been raised from 2 to 3 per year The department is well equipped with all modern  operation facilities Like C-Arm, Power Drills like Pnumatic and Electrical  drill, Pneumatic Tourniquet, Arthroscopy, Interlocking Nail, Spinal Instrumentation, pelvic Surgery set, Distractors, Locking Compression Plating, etc. Some of the surgeries that are being performed on regular basis are Locked Compression Plating, Interlocking nailing, Arthroscopy and Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with Bio screws, Ilizarov for various conditions, Total Joint replacement, Spinal instrumentation like Hartshil, Pedicle screw rod system, Anterior cervical surgery for trauma and PIVD of cervical spine etc.

There are four units in the department with total of more than 120 beds. There are 8 consultants and 3 registrars in the department. A new 5 storied building for the Department has been constructed to house the entire department including Operation Theatres, Physiotherapy; Conference cum library etc. but the building is being used for COVID-19 Patients at present. The Department runs 7X24 Emergency services with all days OPD and OTs (except Sundays).

There is a Physiotherapy with Yoga Therapy unit in the Department with both Physical and Electrical equipments to offer various physical therapies.

There is a Diploma Course in Physiotherapy under the Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Assam Medical College & Hospital, and Dibrugarh.

A Regional Rehabilitation Centre (RRC) is attached to the Department where Dr. Naba Pallab Chetia, Assistant Professor (PMRT) is the Nodal Officer.

The Centre organizes Disability Assessment Camps in collaboration with District welfare Department to issue Disability Certificates.

The Department organized few conferences like Annual Conference of Association of Spine Surgeons of India in 1995, Annual Conference of North East Regional Orthopaedic Surgeons Association (NEOSCON) in 1996, 2003.