AOA Critical Issues

Musculoskeletal Educational Resources for the Aspiring

Orthopaedic Surgeon
Harsh Wadhwa, BS, Noelle L Van Rysselberghe, MD, Sean T Campbell, MD, and Julius A Bishop, MD, FAOA

Investigation performed at Stanford University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford, California

Abstract
Musculoskeletal (MSK) education is underemphasized in medical school curricula, which can lead to decreased confi-
dence in treating MSK conditions and suboptimal performance on orthopaedic surgery elective rotations or subintern-
ships. Given the low amount of formalized education in MSK medicine, students aiming to learn about orthopaedic surgery
must gain much of their foundational knowledge from other resources. However, there are currently no centralized
introductory educational resources to fill this need. We provide a framework for navigating the different types of resources
available for trainees and highlight the unaddressed needs in this area.

P
atients present to a diverse group of healthcare pro- dational knowledge in MSK medicine can also adversely affect
viders with musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints, com- student performance on orthopaedic rotations, where a strong
prising 130 million physician visits annually in the performance helps maximize chances of matching successfully
United States alone1. Despite this high prevalence, under- in such a competitive specialty9,10. Certain institutions have
graduate medical education in MSK medicine is lacking be- attempted to address this gap in education for all medical
cause only 83% of medical schools have required preclinical students, using techniques such as near-peer learning and
MSK education and only 15% have a required MSK clerk- spaced practice11-13. Although near-peer learning strategies
ship2-5. Given that classroom education does not increase have the benefit of offering students a more comfortable
MSK knowledge proficiency without clinical context6, this learning environment and easier availability than faculty
approach leads to inadequate training, even among fourth- members, residents may not have the skills or experience
year students1. The underrepresentation of MSK medicine in necessary to lead these sessions14. Preclinical anatomy edu-
curricula results in medical students reporting less confidence cation is increasingly shifting toward alternative teach-
in treating MSK conditions compared with internal medicine ing methods not involving cadaveric dissection15, although
conditions and physicians from multiple specialties performing the impact of this change on MSK anatomy knowledge is
poorly on an MSK competency examination4,7,8. Lack of foun- unclear15,16. Although efforts to improve MSK education for

Disclosure: The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article (http://links.lww.com/JBJSOA/A364).

Copyright Ó 2022 The Authors. Published by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated. All rights reserved. This is an open access article
distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to
download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the
journal.
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Musculoskeletal Educational Resources
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TABLE I Written Resources Available for Medical Student Education*

Name Pros Cons Cost URL

Anatomy
Netter’s Atlas of d Thorough introduction to d Not orthopaedic- $35-75 https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/
Human Anatomy anatomy specific 9780323393225?role=student
d Visual learning through d Only contains anatomy

illustrations information
Hoppenfeld’s Physical d Connects anatomy to d Does not cover $60-300 https://www.pearson.com/uk/
Examination of the physical examination advanced maneuvers educators/higher-education-educators/
Spine and Extremities d No information on program/Hoppenfeld-Physical-
management Examination-of-the-Spine-and-Extremities-
Pearson-New-International-Edition/
PGM1053391.html
Netter’s Concise Atlas d Focused anatomy review d Not useful for $50-63 https://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/
of Orthopaedic d Highlights common comprehensive review netters-concise-orthopaedic-anatomy-
Anatomy pathology d No management updated-edition-9780323429702.html
guidelines
AAOS Essentials of d Evaluation of d Requires basic $118 https://www5.aaos.org/store/product/?
Musculoskeletal Care musculoskeletal complaints anatomy and pathology productId=18,847,403&ssopc=1
d Ideal for students and
knowledge
other healthcare
practitioners
Surgical Preparation
Hoppenfeld’s Surgical d Teaches important d Newer or specific $100-250 https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/
Exposures anatomic landmarks and techniques not included solutions/ovid/surgical-exposures-in-
structures orthopaedics-the-anatomic-approach-
d Reviews techniques step- 2672
by-step
Campbell’s Operative d Descriptions of many d Requires some $92-500 http://www.campbell-foundation.org/
Orthopaedics orthopaedic procedures background knowledge publications/Campbells-Operative-
d Visual aids and digital Orthopaedics/
format with video available
Operative Techniques d Comprehensive review d No videos available $65-600 https://shop.lww.com/Operative-
in Orthopaedic from anatomy to d Cannot be quickly Techniques-in-Orthopaedic-Surgery/p/
Surgery management and referenced 9781496314758
complications
d Pictures and illustrations

included
Quick Reference
Pocket Pimped d Reviews common didactic d Not useful for primary $50 https://pocketpimped.com/products/
‘pimp’ questions learning pocket-pimped-orthopedic-surgery
d Classified by subspecialty d Explanations not

included
The Handbook of d Covers fracture evaluation d Many classifications $31-80 https://shop.lww.com/Handbook-of-
Fractures and management may not be clinically Fractures/p/9781496384850
relevant
d Pictures and

explanations infrequent
Review Texts
The Journal of the d Comprehensive reviews of d Some content too Free with https://journals.lww.com/jaaos/pages/
AAOS various topics dense for medical institutional default.aspx
d Updated with recent students access; open
primary literature access
articles
continued
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TABLE I (continued)

Name Pros Cons Cost URL

Orthopaedic d Updates from primary d Generally beyond $160-370 https://shop.lww.com/Orthopaedic-

Knowledge Update literature medical student scope Knowledge-Update–13–Print—Ebook/p/
9781975129521
Miller’s Review of d Broad content review d Generally beyond $35-124 https://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/
Orthopaedics medical student scope millers-review-of-orthopaedics-
9780323609784.html

*AAOS = American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

medical students are ongoing, there are currently no cen- although newer techniques may not be included. These
tralized introductory educational resources that provide anatomy texts (Table I) provide students with a thorough
foundational MSK knowledge. In this review, we consolidate foundation of MSK knowledge which can be built on from
the best available resources and their associated costs for other resources.
aspiring orthopaedic surgeons and practitioners pursuing
MSK medicine education by highlighting the resources cur- Orthopaedic Management
rently available. We additionally identify the unaddressed In addition to anatomy, there are written resources available to
needs in this area. The materials listed in this review are rec- help students learn about the various MSK pathologies likely to
ommended for Surgical Exposures trainees pursuing ortho- be encountered in clinical practice. The Orthopaedic Knowledge
paedic surgery as part of their general education in MSK issues. Update books from the American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons (AAOS) offer an easily digestible update of evidence-
Written Resources based practices for different orthopaedic conditions, but not
Anatomy ideal for primary or basic learning. Another broad overview

T he importance of anatomical knowledge in understanding

and treating MSK conditions cannot be overstated. This is
the core foundation of the specialty because it underlies every
text is Miller’s Review of Orthopaedics, designed for residents
preparing for in-training and board examinations21. Millers’
Review of Orthopaedics bulleted lists allow rapid review, but
type of pathology the physician may encounter. Although there pre-existing foundational knowledge is required because it is
is a large amount of information and material to master, there not intended for in-depth learning. AAOS Essentials of Mus-
are fortunately a number of high-quality resources to assist culoskeletal Care is a text that connects focused examination to
students in this pursuit. Classic texts include Netter’s Atlas of common MSK complaints based on the anatomic region,
Human Anatomy and Hoppenfeld’s Physical Examination of the which is easily digestible by medical students. However, it
Spine and Extremities17,18. Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy requires some basic anatomy and pathology knowledge. Other
provides a thorough introduction to human anatomy, with textbooks designed for residents that are sometimes used by
illustrations representating various dissections and an appen- medical students include Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics
dix of muscle origins, insertions, innervations, and blood and Wiesel’s Operative Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery19,20.
supply, which provide a foundation for further MSK-specific These are more comprehensive but also quite dense and may
knowledge. Hoppenfeld’s Physical Examination of the Spine and be difficult to digest for those who are new to the field. To
Extremities18 integrates this anatomy knowledge with the prepare for rounds, Pocket Pimped provides common ques-
physical examination. This approach encourages students to tions asked during the orthopaedic surgery rotation, cate-
understand the anatomical rationale for physical examination gorized by subspecialty22. However, given its concise
and assist in long-term recall. After understanding the basics of nature, it is not as useful for building a knowledge base. For
MSK anatomy and patient assessment, medical students often quick information about fracture evaluation and manage-
supplement their knowledge with Netter’s Concise Atlas of ment, many students consult The Handbook of Fractures,
Orthopaedic Anatomy. This is useful for focused anatomy often referenced before seeing a patient in the emergen-
review and bullet points about common pathology but is not as cydepartment23. More in-depth information on manage-
helpful for management guidelines or comprehensive learn- ment of MSK trauma can be obtained from textbooks such
ing19. Before entering the operating room, many students also as Skeletal Trauma and Rockwood and Green’s Fractures in
study Hoppenfeld’s Surgical Exposures, a textbook that details Adults24,25 . Finally, he Journal of the American Academy of
various surgical approaches in orthopaedics20. Hoppenfeld’s Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), nicknamed the “Yellow Journal”,
Surgical Exposures covers various landmarks and crucial publishes thorough reviews that medical students can use as a
structures that must be protected and/or avoided, enabling comprehensive overview of a topic of interest, although some
medical students to follow along during the procedure, are better suited for the early resident level. In summary,
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multiple written resources are available, all with strengths and of many orthopaedic topics. However, this should not serve
weaknesses. Students should choose their source material as a primary resource, particularly for new learners, because
based on their foundational knowledge and the clinical setting it does not provide enough information to develop a holistic
for which they are preparing. Although textbooks and written understanding of the topic.
resources are a high-quality source of information, their Subspecialty websites can offer additional information
content can be outdated, particularly if not revised through about orthopaedic subspecialties. For example, the AO
new editions. Trauma website contains various e-learning modules on the
basics of fracture healing biology and principles of fracture
Websites fixation, and a surgery reference that covers surgical tech-
Outside of traditional textbooks, websites represent an addi- niques for the medical student interested in orthopaedics.
tional valuable resource to medical students at all training The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America also
levels. For medical students learning or reviewing anatomy, offers webinars on specific pediatric pathologies, although
several are helpful. Published by anatomy professors at George the content is largely targeted to residents and fellows. Sim-
Washington University, NetAnatomy.com teaches gross anat- ilar content is available through the AAOS and Orthopaedic
omy by region and system through cadaveric specimens. It Trauma Association (OTA). In summary, websites provide
additionally supplies quizzes and integrates radiology to con- information about numerous MSK topics for all stages of
solidate information. The Visible Body Human Anatomy Atlas learners in an easily accessible format.
presents realistic three-dimensional renderings of anatomical
structures. However, unlike NetAnatomy, these renderings are Mobile Applications
not similar to the cadaveric appearance. Smartphones have facilitated rapid access to a large amount of
Certain online resources also provide information on the information outside of typical study environments. Medical
MSK clinical assessment. Wheeless’ Textbook of Orthopaedics is students frequently use mobile “apps” between classes and on
an online textbook published by Duke University and Data the wards to review and search for information. Such apps
Trace that offers information on focused orthopaedic anatomy, include anatomy tools such as Essential Anatomy 5 from
common pathology, and management, presented in an outline 3D4Medical/Elsevier. This platform serves as a comprehen-
format with links to primary literature26. Although it can serve sive, three-dimensional atlas of human anatomy that can be
as a reference, it is not ideal for in-depth learning, as can be used to learn regional or systemic anatomy, highlight and/or
obtained from the comprehensive written texts. The San Diego fade structures to understand spatial relationships, and even
(SD) MSK Project is a series of online videos created by sports correlate anatomy with radiology. Although subscriptions can
medicine physicians who reviews MSK physical examination be expensive, many institutions purchase group access for
maneuvers for the medical student or primary care provider. It their students. Complete Anatomy is a similar app that can be
additionally offers comprehensive integrated exams, such as used to learn anatomy through prebuilt regional “models”.
the “Primary Care 3 Minute Shoulder Exam” or “Primary Care 2 The platform also integrates expert videos, radiology, and
Minute Knee Exam”. Although Wheeless’ Textbook of cadaveric images. Gross Anatomy of the Human Skeleton
Orthopaedics is most appropriate for students considering a presents the NetAnatomy.com content in an app format. A
career in orthopaedic surgery, the SD MSK Project library more specific anatomy tool is Nerve Whiz. Not only this
can be useful for all physicians and particularly primary care app covers the anatomy of the peripheral nervous system
and emergency medicine physicians who are looking to but also localizes lesions based on regions of sensory and/
efficiently incorporate additional physical examination maneu- or motor loss. This proves useful for building thorough
vers into their armamentarium. Unfortunately, there are only a foundational anatomy knowledge as a preclinical student
limited number of videos. Beyond the clinical examination, the and interpreting pertinent examination findings as a clinical
University of Virginia Skeletal Trauma Radiology course is a self- student.
guided tutorial of orthopaedic trauma radiograph assessment Beyond anatomical knowledge, apps can offer infor-
developed for medical students. By integrating the material from mation on clinical examinations and patient management.
these written resources and websites, new learners can gather a The AO Foundation has created the AO Surgery Reference
strong MSK knowledge base of anatomy, pathology, clinical, and app, which can be used as a review of the decision-making
radiographic evaluation, and management to further build on in tree. Unfortunately, this app does not teach the basics for early
later years. medical students and is currently limited to trauma and spine
Medical students preparing for their subinternship can pathology. Another app useful for review is Ortho Trauma-
leverage the University of Chicago Ortho Acting-Intern Co- pedia, an orthopaedic trauma-specific resource formatted as
ordinated Clinical Education and Surgical Skills curriculum, outlines of certain topics. Finally, the information from the
designed specifically to teach the basics of orthopaedic sur- Orthobullets website is also available as an app for easy access
gery to fourth-year medical students. This curriculum in- on one’s phone. Web links to these mobile applications are
cludes webinars, relevant literature, and didactic videos for listed in Table II. Ultimately, these apps, although useful for
practical skills (e.g., splinting and suturing). To reference or review of previously studied topics, are typically not com-
review information, Orthobullets presents concise outlines prehensive enough to teach information, particularly for
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TABLE II Other Resources Available for Medical Student Education*

Name Pros Cons Cost URL

Websites
NetAnatomy.com d Anatomy d Requires Institutional https://www.netanatomy.com/
information by region institutional access subscription only;
and system d Not orthopaedic- cost not available
d Cadaveric images specific
and radiology
integration
Visible Body d Three-dimensional d No cadaveric Institutional access; https://www.visiblebody.com/
Human Anatomy anatomy resource images $50 for 2-year
Atlas d Not orthopaedic- subscription
specific
Wheeless’ d Outline of d Bulleted; not Free https://www.wheelessonline.com/
Textbook of anatomy, pathology, useful for primary
Orthopaedics and management learning
d Easily digestible for

medical students
The San Diego d MSK physical d Advanced Free https://www.youtube.com/
MSK Project examination at the maneuvers may be channel/UCkXg4f8pFtWjHj_
medical student missing 84QAJy-w
level d Poorly organized

d Comprehensive

integrated exams
useful for clinic
University of d Tutorial on d Specific to trauma Free https://www.med-ed.virginia.edu/
Virginia Skeletal radiograph courses/rad/ext/index.html
Trauma Radiology assessment
d Easily digestible for

medical students
University of d Webinars, d Curriculum not Free https://voices.uchicago.edu/
Chicago presentations, and comprehensive orthoaccess/
OrthoACCESS literature d Requires some
(multimodal) basic knowledge
d Integration with

practical skills
Orthobullets d Useful for test d Not a primary Free https://www.orthobullets.com/
preparation or rapid resource
review d Requires

background
knowledge
d Not all pathology is

included
AO Trauma d Introductory d Trauma-specific Free https://aotrauma.aofoundation.
modules on basic org/clinical-library-and-tools/e-
fracture principles learning/e-learning-modules
d Easily digestible for

medical students
POSNA d Informative d Beyond medical Free https://www.posnacademy.org/
webinars and student scope
lectures d Pediatrics-specific
AAOS d Informative d Beyond medical Free https://www.aaos.org/education/
webinars and student scope courses/
lectures
continued
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TABLE II (continued)

Name Pros Cons Cost URL

OTA d Informative d Beyond medical Free https://ota.org/education/online-

webinars and student scope education
lectures
Mobile applications
Essential Anatomy 5 d Three-dimensional d Not orthopaedic- Free trial; https://3d4medical.com/apps/
comprehensive anat- specific Institutional access; essential-anatomy-5
omy atlas d Not easily $40 for personal
d Can correlate integrated with access
anatomy to radiology cadaver images
Complete Anatomy d Regional three- d Custom models Institutional access; https://3d4medical.com/
dimensional anat- not easily created $40 for personal
omy models d Limited in scope access
Gross Anatomy of d Cadaveric skeletal d Limited to $4 https://www.netanatomy.com/
the Human anatomy review osteology
Skeleton
Nerve Whiz d Reviews peripheral d Limited to nerve Free https://oneteam.us/project/
nerve anatomy anatomy nerve-whiz/
d Connects

examination findings
to nerve lesions
AO Surgery d Classified by d Limited to trauma Free https://surgeryreference.
Reference anatomic region and and spine aofoundation.org/
fracture/pathology d Newer or specific
type techniques not
d Integrated video included
resources
Ortho dEasily digestible by d Trauma-specific $10 https://download.cnet.com/Ortho-
Traumapedia medical students d Not ideal for Traumapedia/3000-2129_4-
d Information on primary learning 75912747.html
anatomy, pathology, d Not up-to-date with
and management primary literature
Orthobullets d Useful for test d Not a primary Free https://www.orthobullets.com/
preparation or rapid resource anatomy/12281/iphone-and-
review d Requires
android-app
background
knowledge
d Not all pathology is

included
Podcasts
Ortho Eval Pal d Covers MSK d Requires some Free https://orthoevalpal.com/
evaluation and basic knowledge
management
d Includes

information on
advanced
techniques
Orthobullets d Review of various d Content not Free https://www.orthobullets.com/
topics in all comprehensive Site/Podcasts/PodcastsList?p=2
subspecialties
d Ideal for auditory

learners
continued
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TABLE II (continued)

Name Pros Cons Cost URL

Nailed It d Informational d Requires Free https://naileditortho.com/

interviews with background
faculty knowledge
d Reviews common d Beyond medical

pathology in many student scope

subspecialties
OTA d Informational d Requires Free https://ota.org/education/ota-
interviews with background podcast
faculty knowledge
d Reviews common d Beyond medical

pathology in trauma student scope

AOFAS d Reviews common d Requires Free https://podcasts.apple.com/us/
foot & ankle background podcast/aofas-resident-lecture-
conditions knowledge podcast-series/id1457081400
d Efficiently d Beyond medical

organized sessions student scope

Didactics
Grand rounds d Easily accessible d Requires Free Varies
d Educational background
lectures knowledge
d Beyond medical

student scope
Conferences d Educational d Not all contain Varies Varies
lectures medical student
d Networking/ sections
mentorship
opportunity
Specialty interest d Networking/ d Lack of Free Varies
groups mentorship standardization
opportunity d Programs may vary
d Practical and
didactic learning
Early exposure
Ruth Jackson d Networking and Free http://www.rjos.org/
Orthopaedic mentorship
Society opportunities for
female students
d Annual meeting
Perry Initiative d Hands-on bioskills Free https://perryinitiative.org/
and mentorship for
female students
BONES Initiative d Pipeline program d Regional program Free https://www.
for female students brighamandwomensfaulkner.org/
about-bwfh/news/bones-initiative-
seeks-to-inspire-young-women-to-
pursue-careers-in-orthopaedic-
surgery
Nth Dimensions d Mentorship and d Funding not Varies http://www.nthdimensions.org/
pipeline programs for guaranteed landing
female/URM
students
continued
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TABLE II (continued)

Name Pros Cons Cost URL

J. Robert Gladden d Mentorship and Free https://www.gladdensociety.org/

Orthopaedic research funding for
Society URM students
AAOS Medical d Provides roadmap d Not comprehensive Free https://www.aaos.org/
Student Roadmap to residency in its information membership/become-an-aaos-
application with member/information-for-medical-
relevant resource students/roadmap-to-orthopaedic-
links residency/
Summer research d Formal or informal d Not always Unpaid or paid Varies
internships didactics available
d Research

experience and
mentorship
Free clinics d Practical d Not always Free Varies
experience with MSK available
evaluation

*AOFAS = American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society; AAOS = American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, MSK, Musculoskeletal, OTA =
Orthopaedic Trauma Association, OrthoACCESS = Ortho Acting-Intern Coordinated Clinical Education and Surgical Skills, and POSNA = Pediatric
Orthopaedic Society of North America.

medical students. Integration of mobile applications with medical students to follow along. Other venues for medical
the resources described elsewhere in this text is necessary for student education include conferences, particularly those with
early learners. medical student sections. Beyond lectures, conferences can
offer opportunities for networking and mentorship, which can
Podcasts yield indirect educational value. Finally, orthopaedic surgery
Podcasts are another nontraditional source of information for interest groups can serve as valuable sources of learning by
students. There are multiple MSK podcasts, some of which organizing lectures, journal clubs, and/or workshops with res-
offer didactic knowledge at the medical student level. Medical idents or faculty members29,30. Unfortunately, there is a sig-
students developing their physical examination skills can ref- nificant lack of standardization across schools31. Although
erence the Ortho Eval Pal podcast, which teaches MSK as- opportunities for didactic learning can be infrequent, these
sessment to a general audience. The Orthobullets podcast series experiences are advantageous for medical students interested
highlights common pathology and presents an overview of in orthopaedics. When combined with fundamental learning
pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of various con- through other resources, didactics can be even more re-
ditions. Because this requires some baseline knowledge of warding for students. It is important to note that the written
orthopaedics, the podcast is ideal for advanced medical stu- and online resources mentioned previously cannot serve as
dents or residents. Similarly, the Nailed It podcast consists adequate education in isolation; students must have some
of resident-led informational interviews with faculty about exposure to practical education and formal didactics.
common pathology. Specialty-specific podcasts, such as those
produced by the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Early Exposure/Diversity and Inclusion Programs
and OTA, provide segments on conditions relevant to their Many early medical students gain MSK knowledge indirectly
subfields. Overall, these podcasts serve as an invaluable re- through mentorship, shadowing, research, and diversity and
source for auditory learners who do not absorb as well from inclusion programs. The Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society
written texts. (RJOS) offers networking and mentorship opportunities for
prospective female orthopaedic surgeons through programs
Didactic Learning such as their annual meeting. Similarly, the Perry Initiative
In certain venues, medical students can obtain direct teaching organizes early hands-on exposure programs and mentorship
from expert faculty members or residents. Most institutions opportunities for female students interested in orthopaedic
open their grand rounds of lectures to medical students, and surgery32. The BONES Initiative (Bringing Orthopaedics to
some additionally publish them online27,28. Because these ses- New England Students of medicine) is a regional pipeline
sions are targeted toward residents and faculty, they may re- program that also offers networking and early exposure to
quire more baseline knowledge and can be challenging for increase female representation in the field33. Nth Dimensions
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and the J. Robert Gladden Society are other groups which aim skills (suturing and splinting). Given the prevalence of online
to encourage female and underrepresented minority repre- preclinical education, this platform should be easily accessible
sentation in orthopaedic surgery. They host similar pipeline in website and app format. Ideally, the resource would be open
initiatives as well as research programs and funding34,35. access to reduce disparities in access to MSK education. In
Recently, RJOS and the Perry Initiative jointly published the addition, integration of multimedia is needed to accommodate
“Medical Student Guide for Orthopaedic Surgery,” which advises the diverse preferred learning styles. Case-based learning and
medical students on how to enter and succeed in orthopaedic practice questions are invaluable in consolidating information
surgery from a professional development point of view. The and encouraging long-term retention.
Medical Student Roadmap published by the AAOS seeks to Although this review highlights many important re-
accomplish a similar goal, with web links to relevant resources sources, one limitation is that it cannot include every resource
embedded in its platform. currently available. In addition, it is not service-specific or
Summer research internship programs for medical institution-specific. Required reading lists for specific rota-
students between their first and second year also serve as a tions can serve to fill this gap for students.
source of learning; these can be formally organized with
integrated didactics or informal. Many students addition- Conclusion
ally gain early exposure paired with didactics through their
orthopaedic surgery interest groups. Medical student-run
free clinics allow students to gain practical experience with
T here are a variety of MSK resources available to medical
students in diverse learning formats, but this information
is not consolidated in a centralized location or presented in a
the MSK patient evaluation 36. These early exposure pro- deliberate manner designed to optimize learning. We have
grams serve as informal, unexpected sources of learning provided an overview of the best available resources at this time
and mentorship that often lead to further involvement and and their associated costs, but there exists an unmet need for a
investigation into the field. comprehensive MSK educational resource for medical students
and early-stage trainees. n
Unaddressed Needs
Although there are a large number of MSK resources for
medical students, all focus on different areas of knowledge,
which must be integrated to build a foundation for further
MSK education. With such diverse yet distinct information Harsh Wadhwa, BS1
sources, it is difficult for early medical students to parse Noelle L Van Rysselberghe, MD1
through and identify the appropriate resources. Many of these Sean T Campbell, MD2
resources are expensive, thus adding another barrier for stu- Julius A Bishop, MD, FAOA1
dents. Furthermore, several are targeted toward senior medical
1Stanford University, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford,
students or residents, and thus, the information is inaccessible
California
or confusing for newer students.
There remains a need for a centralized MSK educational 2Hospitalfor Special Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New
resource for medical students initially learning about ortho- York, New York
paedics. The ideal curriculum will provide a mix of learning
MSK anatomy, pathology, physical examination, and practical E-mail address for J.A. Bishop: [email protected].

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