About

This online orthopaedic teaching session is aimed at Foundation Year Doctors and Core Surgical Trainees (and those of an equivalent level) preparing for the MRCS OSCE. The session will be delivered live via Zoom from 1830 to 2100 hours on Monday 5^th January 2026.

The teaching complements the face-to-face Cardiff MRCS OSCE Preparation Programme and is intended to consolidate core orthopaedic knowledge tested in OSCE stations. It is particularly suitable for trainees with limited prior experience in Trauma and Orthopaedics, as well as those seeking structured revision before the examination. The session is convened by faculty who regularly teach in the Cardiff MRCS OSCE Courses, and it is delivered by experienced orthopaedic registrars. The teaching will focus on practical principles and clear clinical reasoning. Topics include fracture healing, applied anatomy, and physiology of bony injury. Closed reduction techniques, including Charnley’s principles, will be covered, alongside commonly used orthopaedic metalwork and fixation techniques.

Trauma management will include ATLS principles, polytrauma, mangled extremities, trauma scoring systems, major haemorrhage management, vascular injuries, and amputations. Core lower-limb and upper-limb fractures will be discussed, together with pelvic trauma, hand and foot injuries, and peripheral nerve injuries. Additional sessions address overnight orthopaedic emergencies, paediatric trauma and sports injuries, elective and arthroscopic surgery, musculoskeletal infection, oncology, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, and microbiological principles relevant to orthopaedics.

Aims

• To support MRCS OSCE preparation through structured orthopaedic teaching.
• To build confidence in trainees with limited exposure to Trauma and Orthopaedics.
• To reinforce principles of trauma assessment and emergency management.
• To link applied anatomy with fracture management and fixation techniques.
• To complement face-to-face MRCS OSCE teaching.

Learning Outcomes

• describe fracture healing and the anatomy and physiology of bony injury.
• apply ATLS principles to the initial assessment of orthopaedic trauma.
• outline management of polytrauma, mangled extremities, and major haemorrhage.
• recognise indications for TXA, trauma scoring systems, and vascular assessment.
• explain principles of closed reduction and commonly used fixation methods.
• describe management of common lower limb fractures, including hip, femur, tibia, and ankle.
• outline assessment and management of upper limb fractures and pelvic trauma.
• identify and prioritise common overnight orthopaedic emergencies.
• discuss paediatric fractures, growth plate injuries, and sports-related pathology.
• apply principles of infection management, musculoskeletal oncology, and VTE prophylaxis.