Unit 1412: Orthopaedic Surgery Fundamentals

1. Introduction to Orthopaedic Surgery

• Definition and scope of orthopaedic surgery
• Historical milestones and evolution of the field
• Importance in managing musculoskeletal conditions
• Overview of orthopaedic subspecialties

2. Common Orthopaedic Conditions

• Fractures
  • Types (closed, open, displaced, non-displaced)
  • Causes: trauma, osteoporosis
  • Symptoms and clinical signs
• Arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis vs rheumatoid arthritis
  • Pathophysiology and symptoms
• Tendonitis
  • Causes and common sites
  • Clinical features
• Ligament Injuries
  • Common ligament injuries (e.g., ACL, MCL)
  • Mechanism of injury and symptoms

3. Preoperative Evaluation and Planning

• Patient history taking
  • Past medical and surgical history
  • Medication and allergy review
• Physical examination
  • Assessing range of motion, deformities, neurovascular status
• Diagnostic tests
  • Imaging modalities (X-ray, MRI, CT, Ultrasound)
  • Laboratory investigations
• Surgical planning
  • Indications and contraindications
  • Selection of surgical technique
  • Risk assessment and patient counseling

4. Orthopaedic Surgical Techniques

• Arthroscopy
  • Principles and instrumentation
  • Common arthroscopic procedures
• Joint Replacement
  • Types (hip, knee, shoulder)
  • Implant selection and fixation methods
• Fracture Fixation
  • Internal fixation (plates, screws, nails)
  • External fixation techniques
• Soft Tissue Repair
  • Tendon repair techniques
  • Ligament reconstruction

5. Postoperative Care and Rehabilitation

• Pain management strategies
• Wound care and infection prevention
• Monitoring for postoperative complications
• Rehabilitation principles
  • Physical therapy modalities
  • Mobilization timelines
  • Functional recovery goals

6. Complications in Orthopaedic Surgery

• Intraoperative complications
  • Bleeding, nerve injury, anesthesia risks
• Postoperative complications
  • Infection, thromboembolism, implant failure
• Strategies for prevention and management
• Importance of early recognition and intervention

7. Emerging Technologies in Orthopaedic Surgery

• Robotic-assisted surgery
  • Advantages and limitations
• 3D Printing
  • Custom implants and surgical guides
• Minimally invasive techniques
  • Benefits for patient recovery
• Future trends and research directions

8. Special Considerations in Orthopaedic Surgery

• Pediatric Orthopaedics
  • Growth plate injuries and management
• Geriatric Orthopaedics
  • Osteoporosis and fracture risk
• Sports Injuries
  • Common athletic injuries and treatment approaches
• Orthopaedic Oncology
  • Bone tumors and surgical management

9. Ethical and Legal Issues in Orthopaedic Surgery

• Informed consent process
• Patient autonomy and shared decision making
• Confidentiality and privacy concerns
• Legal responsibilities and malpractice considerations

10. Global Perspectives in Orthopaedic Surgery

• Variations in orthopaedic practices worldwide
• Challenges in low-resource settings
• Impact of socioeconomic factors on access and outcomes
• International collaboration and capacity building