The lectures for the hip modules were delivered by Dr Vaughan Poutawera & Dr Andrew Vane from Tauranga New Zealand, Dr Kaushik Hazratwalla from Townsville & Dr Des Soares from Brisbane Australia.
In this module, the students were taught a systematic approach to diagnosis and management of traumatic and degenerative conditions affecting the hip. This included clinical history taking and a thorough clinical examination with emphasis on a systematic approach to the management of osteomyelitis, septic arthritis and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. In addition, there were focussed lectures and practicals on the management of trauma affecting the pelvis, acetabulum and femur.
During the afternoon practical sessions, each student was given opportunity to deal with different conditions affecting the hip from the femur, hip joint and acetabulum. This was a very useful exercise to help them recognise and learn the up-to-date management of hip condition. One of the popular sessions was teaching cementing techniques to the trainees and this gave them options in dealing with difficult and complex cases.
In the mornings ward rounds were continued as usual, making the students more confident in their orthopaedic history taking and examination. The module was also concluded with an end of block written examination.
