About

This two-evening virtual teaching series is designed as a complementary addition for delegates enrolled on the 5-day Cardiff MRCS OSCE programme. Delivered shortly before the main course, it reinforces core orthopaedic principles, consolidates prior knowledge, and supports preparation for trauma and orthopaedic stations commonly encountered in the MRCS examination. It is offered as a free session for Cardiff MRCS delegates to strengthen understanding and improve performance ahead of the full programme.

The content is based on established orthopaedic teaching frameworks used in MRCS preparation courses, with a focus on practical principles, applied anatomy, and clear clinical reasoning. The sessions cover trauma assessment, fracture management, and key emergency presentations, alongside important elective topics such as musculoskeletal infection, oncology, and common degenerative conditions. Emphasis is placed on linking basic science with clinical application, including fracture healing, biomechanics, and fixation principles.

Teaching focuses on safe initial assessment using ATLS principles, structured management of trauma, and appropriate escalation. Candidates will develop a clear approach to common scenarios including long bone fractures, neck of femur fractures, open injuries, compartment syndrome, and neurovascular compromise. Core topics also include upper and lower limb injuries, pelvic trauma, and peripheral nerve injuries. In addition, the sessions address commonly tested elective areas such as arthritis, sports injuries, paediatric orthopaedics, and orthopaedic infections.

The sessions maintain a strong exam focus, helping candidates structure answers clearly, justify management decisions, and demonstrate understanding of operative principles such as reduction techniques and fixation methods. The aim is to ensure candidates can approach both emergency and elective orthopaedic scenarios in a safe, logical, and MRCS-ready manner.

Aims

• To reinforce key orthopaedic concepts in preparation for the Cardiff MRCS OSCE programme.
• To consolidate understanding of trauma and orthopaedic emergencies alongside relevant elective conditions at MRCS level.
• To strengthen clinical reasoning in the assessment and management of musculoskeletal presentations..
• To develop understanding of fracture healing, biomechanics, and principles of fixation.
• To improve delivery of structured and concise responses in MRCS OSCE and viva stations.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply a structured approach to trauma assessment using ATLS principles and prioritise management in orthopaedic emergencies.
• Describe fracture healing, biomechanics, and principles underlying reduction and fixation techniques.
• Assess and manage common orthopaedic injuries including upper limb, lower limb, and pelvic trauma.
• Recognise and manage key emergency conditions such as open fractures, compartment syndrome, and neurovascular compromise.
• Communicate clinical reasoning clearly in an MRCS style, integrating anatomy, pathology, and operative principles.

Aimed at:

• Foundation Year 1
• Foundation Year 2
• Core Surgical Trainee 1
• Core Surgical Trainee 2
• Trust Grade
• Junior Research Fellow
• Clinical Research Fellow