Finding time to study ortho

I would wait until your away elective. No one expects you to be an ortho god as a student. You will get questions wrong just like everyone else. Just review your anatomy, especially if you know the case schedule beforehand.

The only thing you are really expected to know is anatomy, and if you sit down a couple days before the start of your rotation in review, you should be in good shape. Brushing up in between cases with your Netter's ortho is good too.

I didn't start studying ortho until after 3rd year and after taking Step 2 at the beginning of 4th and I felt plenty well prepared for most pimp questions.

Also, the amount you are pimped is very institution dependent. I got pimped hardly at all and when I was, it was real basic stuff that I was easily prepared for.

I also think that if you don't come across as a cocky know-it-all, most residents and attendings like the opportunity to teach you something you didn't know as long as it isn't something incredibly basic like anatomy.

Focus on what you are doing and do well on the rest of your 3rd year, then move on to ortho.

Thanks for the advice!

I second that notion. I would also point out that if you know too much about ortho, it can hurt you in the eyes of the residents...

Wow really? Do you think that its how you display your vast ortho knowledge that is the problem or is it just the knowledge itself that puts residents off?

It's probably more in the how. However, sometimes being an eager ortho student, you'll answer a general question that is asked to you and the residents.

Like, imagine in a conference an attending asks a question to the general group, and you always answer.. that's awesome that you know the answer.. and even though you weren't like 'na na na poo poo, I got it before you'.. residents, hell, people in general, will look down at you thinking that you're a show off.

This is a lesson I've learned in life, screw just ortho...

I have an additional question. What is the expectation of our ortho physical exam knowledge? Do most folks learn the different maneuvers on their aways like everything else?

I think knowing what they're for, and what they test is more important than knowing how to do it...

That way you can enlist the attending/resident in teaching you the manuever, while showing that you've put thought into why you would do such a manuever..makes them feel like you need them, and always is good for their ego
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Great advice thanks!

Any advice on books to read for the physical exam? It seems like netters id too light on tbat stuff.

I've heard good things about Hoppenfeld's Physical Examination of the Spine and Extremities, but I haven't seen it myself.

I've heard good things about it as well, but it looks pretty expensive. Anyone think this is a worthwhile investment for a student or would other books be sufficient?

It is a classic. The illustrations are all sketches...so some of the more modern PE books have actual color photographs. With the advent of the internet and vumedi....I think it is sometimes easier to watch a video of a physical exam/surgery then to read about it in a book...

I think it is the gold standard for a comprehensive exam book....but it was written in 1975 or something like that...so more modern media may be easier to learn from....

It's a great book...I own and read it...but it's $100.....so you make the call

I still think the Fracture Handbook is the most useful basic reference.

Advice: never volunteer your knowledge no matter how badly you think you know something... even if you're right, you have no credibility as a student.

Best thing you can do as a rotator: make life easier for the residents on your service. Listen to what they hate, then volunteer to do it. At our place you can't get consents b/c you're not an MD, but you can write notes and discuss with pts and their families the plan. Cut off casts. Learn to place splints. Offer to remove stitches/staples in clinic. Learn to do great dressing changes. Learn to sew. Learn to do blocks. Take the pt to the PACU after every case. Etc. Residency is a team sport...

I got a used copy of this book. It was published in 1976, I think, but it's terrific. The drawings are great, too. I agree that VuMedi is great, too, but I really like this Hoppenfeld's book. It's great.