AO Trauma Course—Foot and Ankle Reconstruction

AO Trauma’s foot and ankle curriculum offers a wide range of competency-based activities and resources that support your educational needs. The Masters-level course is aimed at traumatologists, orthopaedic surgeons and other surgeons actively engaged in the treatment of foot and ankle fractures, who want to increase their level of specialization in lower limb treatment.

The courses are taught in a modular format. A limited number of evidence-based lectures cover the key information required. In practical exercises and cadaver workshops, participants are trained in the application of different techniques and approaches. Discussing cases in small groups helps participants to develop decision-making and management skills.

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Why you should choose this course

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Course content

Course modules
Module 1: Ankle arthritis

Module 2:Hindfoot arthritis

Module 3: Acquired flatfoot deformity

Module 4: Cavus

Special Module 5: Anatomical specimen workshops (full day workshops)*

Recon Module 6: Tendon transfers/neuromuscular*

Recon Module 7: Charcot*

Recon Module 8: Midfoot reconstruction*

Recon Module 9: The great toe*

Recon Module 10: The lesser toes*

Sports Module 11: Sports injuries*

*Up to 3 of these modules are taught per course, which varies by region. Check your chosen date and location for the full program.
Practical exercises
Ankle fusion anterior: Perform an anterior approach to the ankle joint, prepare the ankle joint surfaces to a fusion, correct malalignment, place cannulated screws, discuss indications and contraindications to ankle fusion

Ankle fusion transfibular: Discuss indications and contraindications to ankle fusion, perform a transfibular approach to the ankle joint, explain the fibula osteotomy technique, prepare the ankle joint surfaces to a fusion, correct malalignment, place cannulated screws, fix the fibular onlay strut graft

Ankle fusion with SCOPE for anatomical specimen workshop: Discuss indications and contraindications to arthroscopic ankle fusion, explain patient positioning and preparation, prepare the anteromedial and anterolateral portals to the ankle joint, prepare the ankle joint surfaces using arthroscopy, correct malalignment, place cannulated screws, perform wound closure and dressing

Subtalar bone block arthrodesis (reorientating distraction fusion): Perform a posterolateral approach to the subtalar joint, understand the indications of a subtalar distraction bone block arthrodesis, apply a large distractor to allow joint access, prepare the subtalar joint surfaces to a fusion, prepare a structural bone graft to correct deformity, correct malalignment, place screws to fix a subtalar fusion, discuss the effects of a subtalar distraction arthrodesis in the foot

Hindfoot Arthrodesis Nail: Review the lateral transfibular approach to the tibiotalar and subtalar joints, understand the indications of a tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis, list Hindfoot Arthrodesis Nail features, prepare the tibiotalar and subtalar joints surfaces to a fusion, prepare the fibula to be used as an onlay graft, correct malalignment, choose the correct entry point to the nail, drill the distal and proximal tunnels, insert and block the nail with spiral blade/screws, fix the fibula, discuss the correct fusion alignment, remove the implant

Calcaneal tuberosity: Perform a sliding calcaneal tuberosity osteotomy, place screws to fix a calcaneal osteotomy, list HCS features

Midfoot fusion bolt*: List clinical indications to midfoot fusion, describe the surgical approach to a medial column fusion, correct midfoot malalignment, prepare joints to fusion and insertion of the bolt, list Midfoot Fusion Bolt features, fix the medial column using the Midfoot Fusion Bolt, achieve rotational stability with a plate, specify additional soft-tissue procedures, outline postoperative management

Midfoot Charcot deformity correction*

1st MTPJ fusion*: Review clinical indications and contraindications for first metatarsophalangeal joint fusion, describe the dorsomedial approach to the first metatarsophalangeal joint, prepare the joint surfaces to fusion, define the optimal position of the arthrodesis, perform the arthrodesis fixation with a lag screw and a dorsal neutralization plate

Scarf osteotomy*: Review clinical indications and contraindications for scarf and Akin osteotomies, describe lateral soft-tissue release of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, describe the medial approach to the first metatarsal and first metatarsophalangeal joint, perform resection of the medial eminence, perform the scarf osteotomy and correct the deformity, fix the scarf osteotomy with screws, perform an Akin osteotomy and fix it with a screw, describe the postoperative care

Lapidus*: Review clinical indications and contraindications to a Lapidus procedure, describe the dorsal and medial approaches used to a Lapidus procedure, describe lateral soft-tissue release of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, make a pocket hole for insertion of the lag screw, perform resection of the medial eminence, prepare the joint surfaces to fusion correcting the deformity, fix the fusion with lag screws and a neutralization plate, describe the postoperative care

Brostrom/lateral ligament reconstruction +/- graft*

*Up to 3 of these practical exercises are carried out per course, which varies by region. Check your chosen date and location for the full program.
Anatomical Specimen Workshops*
Specimen 1

Talar neck fracture approaches

Talar dome exposure; fibular and medial malleolar osteotomies

Gastroc slide (ensure long enough specimens)

Lapidus

Plantar plate repair

Minimally invasive approach for calcaneal fractures

Sustentacular approach for calcaneal fractures

Pilon approaches

Specimen 2

Posterior ankle scope

Subtalar arthroscopy

SPLATT

Interosseous tibialis posterior tendon transfer

Extensile lateral approach for calcaneal fractures

Posterior bone block arthrodesis

Compartment syndrome release (foot/leg)

1st metatarsal osteotomy for the correction of hallux valgus

1st MTPJ fusion

FHL tendon transfer for Achilles or peroneal insufficiency

FDL tendon transfer for flatfoot

*Some "Foot and Ankle reconstruction" course dates do not offer an Anatomical Specimen workshop, which will be made evident in the name of the course, and the description. Check your chosen place and date course for the full program.

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

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Target audience

Foot and ankle specialists early in their careers
Generalists (orthopedics) spending about 20 percent of their time on trauma (including community surgeons)
Foot and ankle experts
Trauma surgeons

Course impressions

Competencies

The curriculum is based upon 8 competencies:

Perform adequate clinical evaluation and workup
Recognize the potential for higher complication rates in patients with comorbidities, and plan appropriately
Apply appropriate timing and staging in the treatment of fractures and dislocations, including polytrauma
Recognize the indications and goals for reconstruction and perform procedures or refer, subject to expertise
Select and perform appropriate surgical procedures, including handling of soft tissue
Apply the principles of internal fixation and bone healing, including minimally invasive surgery
Educate the patient regarding rehabilitation and prescribe an appropriate program
Recognize and manage early and late complications

What does competency-based curriculum development mean?

Resources

Foot and ankle education task force

The foot and ankle education taskforce is a group of experts who build and continuously 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.