Iran Orthopedic Surgery Board Exam study plan

Draw from memory the surgical anatomy of the brachial plexus, lumbosacral plexus, and the safe corridors for pin and screw placement in the distal radius, proximal humerus, and proximal tibia, then verify against an atlas and correct errors.

Explain the biomechanics of fracture fixation constructs (load-bearing versus load-sharing, working length, interfragmentary compression, and stress shielding) and apply them to choose fixation for three sample fracture patterns.

Summarize bone healing physiology, the effects of smoking, NSAIDs, and diabetes on union, and the pharmacology (mechanism, dose ceiling, toxicity monitoring) of local anesthetics and antibiotics used in orthopedics.

Classify open fractures (Gustilo-Anderson) and describe the initial management bundle: antibiotic timing, tetanus prophylaxis, debridement timing, and provisional stabilization.

Solve 40 trauma multiple-choice items under timed conditions and log every wrong answer with the underlying knowledge gap.

Apply the ATLS primary survey sequence and damage-control orthopedics principles to polytrauma scenarios, deciding sequence and timing of skeletal stabilization relative to physiologic status.

Select implants and reduction strategies for proximal femur, femoral shaft, distal femur, tibial plateau, and ankle fractures, and justify each choice in writing.

Interpret the classification systems used for pelvic ring and acetabular fractures and outline emergent versus definitive management, including hemorrhage control options.

Diagnose and manage fracture-related complications: compartment syndrome, fat embolism, nonunion, malunion, and implant failure.

Complete 60 timed trauma questions and re-derive the reasoning for each missed item without looking at the answer key.

Compare bearing surfaces, fixation methods, and approach-related risks for primary total hip arthroplasty, and match implant choice to patient age and activity level.

Explain alignment targets, gap balancing, and constraint selection in total knee arthroplasty, and outline the workup of the painful total knee.

Describe indications, approaches, and complication profiles for reverse and anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty and for hip fracture arthroplasty in the elderly.

Outline prevention, diagnosis, and management of periprosthetic joint infection and periprosthetic fracture.

Answer 50 arthroplasty questions and write a differential diagnosis for the painful arthroplasty with at least eight causes ranked by likelihood.

Describe the clinical and imaging evaluation of cervical and lumbar radiculopathy and myelopathy, and distinguish surgical from non-surgical indications.

Outline decompression and fusion techniques for degenerative lumbar stenosis and spondylolisthesis, including the rationale for and against instrumentation.

Classify adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, state the curve thresholds that trigger bracing and surgery, and describe the goals of deformity correction.

Summarize the emergency management of spinal cord injury, cauda equina syndrome, and spinal epidural abscess, including timing of decompression.

Interpret 30 spine imaging vignettes (described in text) and commit to a diagnosis and plan before checking answers.

Evaluate the shoulder, knee, and ankle with structured history and physical tests, and select appropriate imaging for suspected meniscal, ligament, and labral pathology.

Plan arthroscopic and ligament reconstruction procedures, including graft choice, tunnel or anchor placement, and rehabilitation timelines.

Apply the Salter-Harris and pediatric fracture classifications and describe physeal injury management to avoid growth arrest.

Outline the evaluation and staged treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip, clubfoot (Ponseti method), and limb-length discrepancy and angular deformity.

Answer 40 combined sports and pediatric questions timed, then re-teach the three weakest concepts aloud or in writing.

Describe the anatomy and examination of the hand and wrist, including tendon zones, nerve territories, and the vascular supply relevant to replantation.

Outline management of flexor and extensor tendon injuries, nerve repair and grafting, and common wrist fractures and carpal instability.

Explain microsurgical principles: vessel anastomosis, flap selection, and monitoring for flap failure.

Manage ankle fractures, Achilles tendon rupture, adult-acquired flatfoot, hallux valgus, and diabetic foot ulcers, including when to refer for limb salvage.

Answer 40 hand and foot questions and produce a differential for the acutely swollen painful wrist and for the neuropathic foot.

Apply the Enneking staging system and describe biopsy principles and oncologic margins for primary bone tumors, and distinguish benign from malignant lesions by imaging pattern.

Outline the workup and systemic complications of metastatic bone disease and the role of prophylactic fixation.

Diagnose and manage osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Paget disease, and hyperparathyroidism-related bone disease, including medication selection and monitoring.

Recognize and manage surgical site infection, venous thromboembolism, and perioperative medical optimization and blood management.

Complete 40 oncology, metabolic, and complication questions and build a lesion-pattern differential based on location, age, and margin.

Select orthoses and prostheses for common deficits (foot drop, knee-ankle-foot, transtibial and transfemoral) and match them to functional goals.

Use validated functional outcome instruments and describe rehabilitation phases after fracture, arthroplasty, and tendon repair.

Apply ethical principles to consent, conflict of interest, and disclosure of complications, and describe patient-safety practices such as surgical checklists and wrong-site prevention.

Interpret study design, sensitivity and specificity, confidence intervals, and levels of evidence, and identify bias in a sample orthopedic paper.

Take two full-length timed mock exams and review every error by domain.