Iraqi Board Orthopedic Surgery study plan

Classify 40 fracture patterns by AO/OTA type and state the mechanical principle (tension band, load-bearing, bridging) behind each chosen implant

Outline the damage control orthopedics sequence for a polytrauma patient, listing the four physiologic triggers that mandate staged fixation and the timing of secondary definitive surgery

Explain the biology of fracture healing (primary vs secondary, callus phases) and name three systemic and three local factors that delay union

Recite the anatomy and safe corridors for antegrade femoral and tibial nailing, including the structures at risk at the entry point and distal locking zone

Compare treatment options for open tibial fractures by Gustilo-Anderson grade, stating debridement timing, antibiotic choice and soft-tissue coverage deadline

Describe the workup and reduction strategy for pelvic ring injuries, differentiating stable, mechanically unstable and hemodynamically unstable presentations

List the indications, contraindications and complications of tension-band wiring, plating and intramedullary nailing for distal radius and proximal humerus fractures

Analyze compartment syndrome pathophysiology and state the clinical findings that justify urgent fasciotomy before compartment pressure measurement

Differentiate bearing surfaces and fixation strategies (cemented vs cementless, uncemented press-fit) by patient age, bone quality and activity level

List the indications for primary total hip arthroplasty versus hemiarthroplasty versus internal fixation in the displaced femoral neck fracture, and justify each choice

Explain the biomechanics of the knee (rollback, screw-home, tibiofemoral and patellofemoral forces) and link each concept to a specific total knee design feature

Describe the workup of the painful total knee arthroplasty, ordering infection, loosening, instability and malalignment as competing diagnoses

State the common periprosthetic fracture classifications around hip and knee implants and the treatment principle for each

Explain the three-column concept and the TLICS score, then apply both to classify six thoracolumbar injury scenarios

Differentiate the indications for anterior, posterior and combined approaches to the cervical spine, naming the structures at risk in each approach

Describe the assessment of the patient with suspected cauda equina syndrome, including the timing of MRI and the threshold for emergency decompression

Outline the degenerative lumbar spine treatment ladder from conservative care to fusion, stating the evidence-based indication at each step

Map the developmental milestones of the hip and lower limb, and apply the Ortolani, Barlow and Galeazzi tests to the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip at each age

Differentiate the pediatric fracture patterns (physeal, torus, greenstick, plastic deformation) and state the Salter-Harris classification with its prognosis for each type

Describe the Ponseti method sequence and the indications for bracing versus surgery in clubfoot

Explain the blood supply of the femoral head and its relevance to Perthes disease and slipped capital femoral epiphysis, including the urgency of treatment

Interpret the physical examination and MRI findings of the four most common shoulder pathologies (rotator cuff tear, instability, labral tear, impingement) and match each to its arthroscopic procedure

Describe the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction graft options and the rehabilitation milestones that gate return to sport

Explain the anatomy of the carpal tunnel and the indications for open versus endoscopic release, plus the causes of failed release

Outline the management of scaphoid fracture and the vascular supply of the proximal pole that drives the non-union risk

Describe the management of flexor tendon injuries by zone, including the rehabilitation protocol and the rationale for early controlled motion

Classify ankle fractures by the Lauge-Hansen and Danis-Weber systems and state the syndesmotic injury criteria that mandate fixation

Describe the workup of the diabetic foot, including the Charcot classification and the indications for offloading versus reconstruction versus amputation

Differentiate benign from malignant bone lesions using the age, location and margin framework, and list the staging workup before biopsy

Apply the principles of biopsy in suspected sarcoma, including the approach, tract placement and referral timing

Outline the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic osteomyelitis and periprosthetic joint infection, naming the sampling and culture standards

Prescribe prosthetic and orthotic options for transtibial amputation, and state the rehabilitation milestones that gate prosthetic fitting

Explain the components of a lower-limb rehabilitation program after total knee arthroplasty and the evidence for early mobilization

Apply the four principles of biomedical ethics to two orthopedic scenarios (informed consent for arthroplasty, disclosure of a surgical complication)

Describe how to appraise a randomized controlled trial in orthopedics, naming the bias domains and the reporting standard used

Critique the design of a registry study versus a randomized trial when answering a surgical effectiveness question