Orthopedic Surgery

Director(s)

James Wittig, MD

Location

Morristown Medical Center

Duration

4  weeks

Offered

• Throughout the academic year
• 1 student per rotation

Prerequisites

Successful completion of all third-year clerkships, specifically medicine and general surgery

Description:

The orthopedic oncology and sarcoma elective allows 4th year medical students to perform an elective on an active orthopedic oncology surgery service for pediatric and adult patients afflicted with benign and malignant (sarcomas) bone and soft tissue tumors involving the extremities. Students will work with the orthopedic oncology team and assist on a multitude of surgeries. Students will gain experience evaluating patients in the office and performing rounds on the hospital floor helping to care for postoperative patients. Great insight will be gained in the diagnosis, surgical management and postoperative management of patients with musculoskeletal tumors.

Learning Experience:

• Rotate on a busy orthopedic oncology surgical service at a large, tertiary care, community-based, teaching institution
• Be exposed to a broad introduction to surgical management of a variety of orthopedic tumors and sarcomas
• Help manage pre- and post-operative care of patients, under the guidance of a full staff of orthopedic surgical oncologists
• Attend all teaching conferences
• Assist with call duties on weekends for two weekends during the month
• Interact with the consultants and the primary surgical attending physician
• Be directly supervised by the surgical attending, fellow and residents assigned to the Service
• Receive didactic teaching centered around a monthly conference with varied topics; surgical grand rounds; and surgical morbidity and mortality; orthopedic surgery, orthopedic oncology and sarcoma surgery

Goals & Objectives:

• Understand the basic features of bone and soft tissue tumors
• Properly perform a musculoskeletal oncology history and physical exam
• Recognize common symptoms and physical anomalies of different oncologic entities
• Identify and understand basic radiographic features of benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumors
• Create a simple differential diagnosis relating to bone and soft tissue tumors
• Understand the purpose of ordering advanced imaging studies or diagnostic and staging labs/studies
• Understand basic principles of tumor biopsy as well as pitfalls
• Gain basic knowledge of common tumor histology
• Understand basic treatment possibilities including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy
• Learn indications for limb-sparing surgery vs amputation
• Understand the general prognosis of different oncologic diagnoses  
• Know basic principles of treatment in metastatic bone disease including palliative care and pain control
• Understand patient changes in quality of life, function and health status for the oncology population
• Understand different needs of cancer patients including those at palliative stage
• Receive feedback & evaluation

Feedback & Evaluation:

The attending surgeon(s), fellow and resident on the service and the course directors will evaluate students. 

Director(s)

Richard Schenk, MD

Anthony Spinnickie, MD

Location

Morristown Medical Center and ACS verified Level 1 Trauma Center

Duration

4  weeks

Offered

• Throughout the academic year
• 2 students per rotation

Prerequisites

Successful completion of all third-year clerkships, specifically medicine and general surgery

Description:

The orthopedic trauma elective gives 4^th year medical students exposure to patients who have sustained orthopedic trauma, including long bone fractures as well as fractures of the pelvis and acetabulum. The students will work with the "team approach" in evaluating the trauma patient. The students will learn orthopedic terminology, pre-operative and post-operative evaluations. They will also be given significant operating room exposure and experience. They will be expected to take on call approximately 6-7 times during the rotation. 

Learning Experience:

At the end of the rotation, it will be expected that the student will be able to:

• Fluently speak and understand orthopedic terminology
• Be able to perform a primary and secondary survey of the trauma patient
• Understand the team concept role in the evaluation and management of trauma patients
• Be able to perform minor closed reductions of fractures and dislocations
• Be able to read x-rays and CT scans of orthopedic injuries
• Be able to pre and postoperatively manage orthopedic trauma patients 
• Be able to be a surgical first assistant
• Understand different fixation options for fractures
• Learn the history of orthopedic trauma care
• Appreciate the long-term ramifications on a trauma patient

Goals & Objectives:

• Speak and understand orthopedic terminology
• Perform primary and secondary survey of trauma patient
• Evaluate and manage trauma patients
• Perform minor closed reduction fractures and dislocations
• Read x-ray and CT scans of orthopedic injuries
• Manage pre-operative and post-operative trauma patients
• Surgical first assistant on orthopedic trauma surgeries
• Understanding of fixation options for fractures
• History of orthopedic trauma care
• Knowledge of long-term ramifications for trauma patients

Feedback & Evaluation:

The orthopedic trauma staff will evaluate the student(s) at the termination of the rotation.