Lower extremity curriculum

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.

Program description

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.

Lectures are limited and used to introduce the challenges related to each anatomical region and to establish common terminology and approaches as well as to summarize the evidence for current management. Most of the content is, however, delivered through small group discussions, where structured cases integrate the learning objectives from the curriculum. The setting at round tables provides an environment for the participants that support the development of decision-making and management skills.

Educational events defined in the curriculum:

AO Trauma Masters Course—Lower Extremity Trauma (3 days)
AO Trauma Masters Course— Femur Trauma (femoral head to distal femur, 1.5-2 days)
AO Trauma Masters Course—Trauma around the Knee (1.5-2 days)
AO Trauma Masters Course—Tibia and Fibula Trauma (plateau to pilon, 1.5-2 days)

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 or surgeons with many years of experience who want to update their knowledge.
Participants should also have completed the AO Trauma Course—Advanced Principles of Fracture Management.

Resources

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?

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Contacts

To address feedback or questions to this education taskforce, email the Curriculum Development Manager Kokeb Andenmatten or the curriculum support team.