FRCA Curriculum – Orthopaedic Surgery

Competence Source Curriculum Description
OR_BK_01 Basic Recalls/describes the perioperative implications of rheumatological disease, including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and ankylosing spondylitis
OR_BK_02 Basic Recalls the complications of prolonged immobility, including those due to traction
OR_BK_03 Basic Recalls the problems associated with limb tourniquets
OR_BK_04 Basic Recalls/explains the potential hazards associated with positioning [supine, lateral, prone, sitting]
OR_BK_05 Basic Recalls/explains the problems associated with anaesthesia for surgery in the prone and lateral positions
OR_BK_06 Basic Recalls/describes the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of specific orthopaedic surgical complications that are relevant to anaesthesia including but not exclusively:

  • Bone cement Implantation Syndrome
  • Diagnosis and management of fat embolism
  • Upper and lower limb compartment syndromes
OR_BK_07 Basic Discusses strategies for blood conservation in major orthopaedic surgery
OR_BK_08 Basic Describes the principles of perioperative anaesthetic care for elective and emergency upper and lower limb orthopaedic surgery, including primary arthroplasty
OR_BK_09 Basic Discusses the current guidance on early surgical management of hip fractures and the necessary assessment for anaesthesia
OR_BK_10 Basic Discusses the timing of surgery, and the need for investigations in urgent [surgical] cases with cardiovascular signs
OR_BK_11 Basic Describes the different surgical procedures for managing hip fractures, the anaesthetic requirements for each and the current evidence for the choice of anaesthetic technique
OR_BK_12 Basic Discusses the importance of consistent decision making on fitness for surgery in elderly patients
OR_BK_13 Basic Recalls/describes the peri-operative care of the elderly
OR_IK_01 Intermediate Explains the difference in anaesthetic and surgical complexity between primary and secondary lower limb arthroplasty
OR_IK_02 Intermediate Recalls/describes the principles of perioperative anaesthetic care for elective and emergency spinal surgery including but not exclusively:

  • Scoliosis surgery including the need for, and implications of, neurophysiological monitoring
  • Spinal trauma and the associated complications of spinal cord trauma
OR_IK_03 Intermediate Recalls/describes the principles of perioperative anaesthetic care for pelvic bone and joint surgery
OR_IK_04 Intermediate Recalls/discusses blood conservation strategies that are used in orthopaedic surgery