AO Trauma Masters Course—Lower Extremity Trauma

The curriculum provides a modular framework for teaching the current management of patient problems related to trauma of the lower limb, discussed in a highly interactive setting. It covers fractures and soft-tissue injuries from the femoral head and neck to the ankle as well as joint injuries and dislocations (the acute trauma phase and the posttraumatic sequelae such as malunion, nonunion, infection, etc).

The high level of interactivity is built-in to the module structures in all of the defined educational events. A combination of evidence-based lectures, small-group case discussions, and dissection and fixation procedures on anatomical specimens will be used to deliver the content to improve knowledge and skills in the key surgical techniques and in related care for a truly hands-on experiential learning experience.

Participants should also have completed the AO Trauma Course—Advanced Principles of Fracture Management.

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Why you should choose this course

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Course content

Course modules
Module 1: Femoral head and neck

Module 2: Trochanter

Module 3: Femoral Shaft

Module 4: Distal Femur

Module 5: Knee

Module 6: Proximal Tibia

Module 7: Tibial Shaft

Module 8: Distal Tibia and Pilon

Module 9: Ankle
Small group discussions
Femoral head and neck

Pipkin 4B fracture with an acetabular

Vertical line neck fracture, with ipsilateral shaft fracture

Comminuted femoral neck (calcar region)

Secondary displacement (nonunion)

Trochanter

Subtrochanteric fracture (failed case)

Combination of trochanteric and femoral shaft fracture

Cutout case (discussion on blade plate)

Periprosthetic fracture

Femoral Shaft

Distal femoral fracture with an ipsilateral shaft fracture

Comminuted bilateral femoral fractures

Malrotation case/nonunion

Periprosthetic fracture

Distal Femur

Comminuted distal femur with Hoffa fracture

Periprosthetic fracture

Metaphyseal nonunion

Open intraarticular fracture with bone loss

Knee

Comminuted patellar fracture

Ipsilateral shaft fracture with knee, or ipsilateral femur fracture with a distal femoral fracture

Floating knee

Medial tibial plateau fracture (Schatzker IV)(tibial plateau)

Optional: ACL/PCL disruption

Proximal Tibia

Tibial plateau fracture compartment syndrome

Periprosthetic fracture

Bicondylar tibial plateau with posterolateral involvement

Posterior tibial plateau fracture

Tibial Shaft

Open type (3B) tibial fracture

Tibial plateau with tibial shaft fracture

Infected tibial diaphyseal fracture

Proximal third tibial shaft fracture

Distal Tibia and Pilon

Distal third tibial shaft fracture

B-type pilon fracture with posterior fragments

Open C-type pilon fracture

Metaphyseal pilon nonunion

Ankle

Ankle fracture and syndesmosis injury

Open ankle fracture dislocation

Tri-malleolar fracture

Concomitant tibial shaft and ankle fractures
Anatomical Specimen Workshops
Anterior approaches

Hip

Distal femur

Subvastus approach to the distal femur, including approach to medial femoral condyle

Anterolateral approach to the tibial plateau with lateral femoral condyle osteotomy

Posterior approaches

Posterolateral approach to the hip joint

Tibial plateau approach: posterolateral (with fibular osteotomy)

Tibial plateau approach: direct posterior

Posteromedial and posterolateral approaches to the distal tibia

Course details may be subject to change. Please check your chosen date and location for the detailed program.

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Target audience

Orthopedic and trauma surgeons with at least 3 years of post-residency experience who want to develop expertise in lower extremity fracture care.
Surgeons with many years of experience who want to update their knowledge.

Course impressions

Competencies

The curriculum is based upon 9 competencies:

Manage immediate problems (life- and limb-threatening issues) related to trauma of the lower limb
Assess the patient, order imaging, and document and interpret the findings
Make the diagnosis for fractures and associated injuries to the hip, femur, knee, tibia, and ankle
Communicate with the patient and family/relatives
Define a treatment plan and timing based on the options and the patient
Anticipate, address, and avoid problems and complications (nonunion, malunion, deformity, infection, etc)
Organize and communicate common objectives and planning with healthcare team
Perform the operative or nonoperative procedures for metaphyseal, diaphyseal, and open fractures
Plan immediate and long-term postoperative care, and assess outcomes

What does competency-based curriculum development mean?

Lower extremity education taskforce

Lower extremity education taskforce is a group of experts who build and continously improve our educational program. It consists of three international program editors (IPEs).

See a full list of all regional program contributors and past international program editors.