Piece,
I really think love of the game will help, but it's not enough. For a fourth year AI, know the anatomy for the cases you will be scrubbing on. If at all possible beg or borrow a copy of hoppenfeld (exposures) for cases. It's a little pricy but a great reference. Get a fracture pocketbook. May I suggest Koval and Zuckerman (pricy but packed with wholesome goodness) or Perry. If you have a copy of Hoppenfeld (Physical exam), I really think it will give you an edge in examining patients and what to look for.
Bottom line: you are not taught any ortho in med school until your AI, things that will count are how you interact with the residents and attendings. They will be blown away if you know ANYTHING at all. Take a lot of call on your AI's and get involved. If a patient in the ED has a distal radius fracture and you're the first one called, get the fracture cart, start the H&P, Find the fingertraps, and unroll the plaster, then call the resident. You will be instantly elevated to Godlike status in at least one person's eyes. On the other extreme, don't take open fractures to the OR by yourself.
It's all very stressful right now, I understand. I was in your shoes not too long ago. You are not alone.

Good luck.

You may want to supplement Hoppenfeld's physical exam with "Special tests for Orthopedic Examination." Small paperback book that gives you all the special tests you need to know- Lachman's for ACL, O'Brien's for SLAP lesions, etc- importants tests you won't find in Hoppenfeld's

Whatup,

I agree with the Cat, but it does depend to some extent on where you are rotating. The bigger academic programs that have a ton of patients on-service may be looking for more scut-related expertise from the senior students. Basically, the more you bust your ass, the better you'll do and appear.

On the other hand, at a smaller program that has less patients (like the one I'm on now), the residents don't really expect any scut from the students. (Of course, a HUGE reason for this is the PA's that are on the floor all day.) Basically, the team rounds together ONCE, and the rest of the day is spent in conference and the OR. But anyway, it's almost harder at times, because you really have to work at looking busy and not just standing there or getting in the way during rounds. Here though, the residents are a ton more interested in seeing if you'll be a fit in there group. This seems more important at a smaller program, because there's less residents and usually a closer knit bunch.

Regardless, know the anatomy for the basic approaches you'll see. 95% of pimping is anatomy related. Classifications of fractures, etc. aren't a necessity, but of course they make you look good. :pimp:

Where are you right now Sawbonz. Any small program with minimal scut sounds like a winner to me.

Thanks you guys, you had me at h$%&o. Love this sight and fellow orthopods to be and orthopods, well, like napalm in the morning. Any idea if many of the books mentioned outside of the pocket ones will be available at the visiting hospital library of choice?

They may, but don't bet on it. Worst that can happen is that you won't be able to get a hold of a book you need and you are stuck for a month somewhere w/o good ortho lit to read. I think it is best to take your Netter with you and one good ortho text book (at the very least). You don't want to take the chance of blowing off a rotation and possibly matching somewhere b/c of not being able to read the right material.