ABOS Orthopaedic Surgery Part II study guide
ABOS Orthopaedic Surgery Part II · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ABOS Part II Examination is the second of the two written examinations leading to board certification in orthopaedic surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. It is taken by orthopaedic surgeons who have completed residency training and passed Part I, and it sits within the ABOS certification pathway alongside the Part II case list, scoring rubric, peer review process, and patient-reported outcomes materials that ABOS publishes for candidates. The ABOS Orthopaedic Surgery Part II study guide has 11 sections and about 2,732 words.
01Adult Reconstruction
Adult reconstruction questions reward a systematic approach: define the failing joint, the mode of failure, and the host. Know the indications and survivorship of primary total hip and knee arthroplasty, bearing surface choices (highly crosslinked polyethylene, ceramic-on-ceramic, metal-on-metal pitfalls), and fixation philosophy (cemented vs cementless).
293 words, about 1 min02Basic Science
Basic science underpins every clinical answer. Master bone biology: osteoblast/osteoclast coupling, RANK-RANKL-OPG signaling, and the phases of fracture healing (inflammatory, reparative, remodeling).
247 words, about 1 min03Foot and Ankle
Foot and ankle questions test anatomic precision and biomechanics. Know the deltoid ligament complex, the syndesmosis (and the gravity stress view), and the lateral ligament anatomy (ATFL, CFL, PTFL).
260 words, about 1 min04Hand and Microvascular
Hand surgery rewards anatomic and functional reasoning. Know the flexor tendon zones, the pulley system, and the principles of tendon repair (core suture plus epitendinous repair, early controlled motion).
276 words, about 1 min05Musculoskeletal Oncology
Oncology questions emphasize systematic evaluation and staging. Know the Enneking staging system (benign latent/active/aggressive; malignant stages I-III) and the role of the biopsy (the wrong biopsy can cost a limb).
250 words, about 1 min06Pediatrics
Pediatric orthopaedics tests growth, development, and physeal behavior. Master the Salter-Harris classification and its prognosis (type I-IV, with type V being worst).
254 words, about 1 min07Shoulder and Elbow
Shoulder and elbow questions test anatomy, biomechanics, and the balance between stability and mobility. Know the rotator cuff: anatomy, tear patterns, and the indications for repair versus debridement or reverse arthroplasty.
254 words, about 1 min08Spine
Spine questions emphasize neurologic assessment and the distinction between stable and unstable injuries. Know the three-column concept and the Denis classification, and the TLICS score for thoracolumbar trauma.
228 words, about 1 min09Sports Medicine
Sports medicine tests the athlete's functional demands and the biology of healing. Master the ACL: mechanism, examination (Lachman, pivot shift), and reconstruction principles (graft choice, tunnel placement, rehabilitation).
231 words, about 1 min10Trauma
Trauma questions test the ABCs of damage control and definitive fixation. Master the ATLS approach: airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure, and the secondary survey.
231 words, about 1 min11Practice-Based/Professionalism
This domain tests judgment, ethics, and systems-based practice. Know informed consent: capacity, disclosure of risks/benefits/alternatives, and the emergency exception.
208 words, about 1 min