Skeleton

The aim of the “Skeleton” module is to illustrate a wide spectrum of the Orthopaedic and Trauma diseases, focusing on principles of diagnosis and treatment. The teaching program involves both the systemic disorders which affect the musculoskeletal system and the specific diseases of the single joints. The human body is therefore divided into six districts: shoulder and elbow, hand and wrist, hip, knee, foot and ankle and spine. Furthermore, fundamentals of bone healing after fracture occurrence are also presented.

Investigation starts with anamnesis and clinical evaluation of the affected joint, either in case of orthopaedic diseases or in case of fractures.

Much attention is given to the management of polytrauma patients in the emergency department. Polytrauma could involve the musculoskeletal system, parenchymal organs, the nervous system and the soft tissues. The latter topic is presented with the support of the colleagues of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit.

The students receive rotation assignments in the Unit of Orthopaedics and Trauma in 5 Hospitals: OBV, ORL, ORBV, ODL and Ars Medica.

Each day of clinical rotation involves one district, for a total of 6 different days. During the whole day, the students will attend 3 different activities: the operating room, the ward and the outpatient clinic. In this way, the student is able to follow the patient from the initial assessment in the outpatient clinic or in the emergency department, up to the moment of the surgical operation. During the visit of the ward then student learns the management of the postoperative care and the subsequent therapies up to the postoperative check in the clinic.

During the clinical rotation, the students will be exposed to some clinical cases so they can discuss indications and treatments with their tutors. These clinical cases will be also exposed and discussed during the lessons in the following week.