How to get into Orthopaedic training in the UK

Stepping into ST3 Trauma & Orthopaedics in the UK is an exciting, yet challenging, prospect. I'm excited to share my personal experience and offer you some practical advice on navigating the application process. I was incredibly lucky to secure my top-choice rotation at the Royal London Hospital right after CT2. Reflecting on that journey, I can tell you it took significant time, unwavering commitment, and the invaluable support of a dedicated study buddy for effective consolidation. Let's dive into how you can prepare."

The Curriculum I wish someone told me about:

Clinical: 

ATLS, Major haemorrhage protocol, Polytrauma, Paeds, NAI Concerns, Supracondylar, Lateral condyle #, Forearm fractures, Paeds Limping child, MSK infection, DDH, SUFE, Perthes, Triplane injury, Hand and Wrist, Distal radius #, Scaphoid #, Perilunate/Lunate dislocation, Carpal tunnel Sx, Dupuytren’s, Flexor tendon injury, Shoulder & Elbow & Clavicle, Clavicle #, Shoulder D/L, Proximal Humerus, Distal humerus, Olecranon #, Elbow Dislocation, Radial head #, Adhesive capsulitis, Rotator cuff, ACJ, Pelvis, Open book fracture, Acetabular fracture, Hip, Old NOF, Young NOF, Hip dislocation, THA dislocation, Peri-prosthetic, Femoral Shaft, Distal femoral, Knee & Lower leg, Tibial plateau, Tibial shaft fracture, Open fracture, Compartment Sx, Red hot knee, PJI in a knee replacement, Meniscal tear, Knee dislocation, ACL, First time patella dislocation, Patella instability/dislocation, Ankle fracture, Pilon/Tibial plafond, Talus + Subtalar D/L, Calcaneal, LisFranc injuries, Diabetic foot infection, Charcot, Spine, CES, Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal clearance, Spinal abscess, Post op cervical surgery, Fractures, BOAST Traumatic Spinal cord Injury guidelines, BOAST c-spine clearance in trauma patient, C1 fracture, Odontoid peg (C2), Chance, Thoracolumbar Misc, DCM, Miscellaneous

Approaches: 

Hand and wrist, FCR Approach (Modified Henry’s approach), Henry’s Approach (Volar to radius), Carpal tunnel decompression, Volar approach to Ulna, Forearm and Hand Compartment Sx, Shoulder and Elbow, Deltopectoral approach, Posterior approach to humerus, Anterolateral approach to the humerus; Posterior elbow approach, Kaplan – lateral approach to the elbow, Kocher – posterolateral, Knee & leg, Medial parapatellar approach to the knee, Anterolateral approach to the knee, Posteromedial approach to the knee, HIP Approaches, Lateral Approach (Hardinge/Modified Hardinge), Smith-Petersen (paeds septic arthritis washout), Antero-lateral approach (Watson-Jones), Posterior Approach – Moore, Southern, Foot and Ankle, Anterior ankle, Medial Ankle, Lateral Ankle, Approach to the talus, Posterolateral, SPINE, Spine, ACDF, Posterior spine decompression, CES – lumbosacral decompression, ACDF

Operations: 

TENS nailing, FTS washout, TBW Displaced Transverse Olecranon Fracture, IM nail Femur, DHS

Principles of Orthopaedics: 

Principles of orthopaedics, Absolute vs Relative stability, Principles of fracture fixation, Factors Affecting Fracture Healing, Four Stages of Secondary (Indirect) Healing, Bone Structure & Function, Perren’s Strain Theory, Drill Guides, Load-Bearing vs. Load-Sharing Plates, Intramedullary Nails & Risks of Reaming, External Fixation: Types & Indications, Bone Cement (PMMA), Wolff’s Law, Anatomy of a screw, Screw Mechanics & Structure, Parts of a Screw;, Screw Strength:, Locking Screws & Plates, Insertion of a lag screw, Compression plating, Tension Band Wiring, Biomechanical Principles of Intramedullary (IM) Nail Fixation, Hemiarthroplasty, Leg Fasciotomy, Debridement, Spanning Ex-Fix, Ex-fix ankle, Ankle ORIF, Foot decompressive surgery