Orthopedic Surgery exam questions
3 exam-length papers covering every published domain for Orthopedic Surgery.
DHA ORT59713 papers · 484 Qs
What is riding on this exam
~AED 1,030
Exam fee, per attempt
Published by DHA. Paid again on every re-sit.
3
Attempts - in total
The cap is three across all UAE authorities, not three each.
60%
Pass mark
Pass or fail only. Your score is never released.
One failed attempt costs you the fee again, plus months of delay on your licence, your visa and your start date. This bank costs about a 4th of one exam fee.
Try two questions from this bank
Real questions from the bank - pick an answer to see the rationale and reference.
Q1Adult Reconstruction - Arthritis & Arthroplasty
In a discussion about patellar resurfacing at primary total knee arthroplasty, which statement best reflects the current randomised-trial and meta-analytic evidence?
Choose an answer to see the rationale.
Q2Orthopedic Trauma - Adult Fractures, Dislocations & Polytrauma
A 28-year-old motorcyclist sustains an open tibial shaft fracture with a 12 cm wound, extensive periosteal stripping and a soft-tissue defect that will require a free flap. There is no vascular injury. What is the correct Gustilo-Anderson grade?
Choose an answer to see the rationale.
Not sure where you stand? Sit 25 of these questions free, timed at real exam pace, and see which domains you are weakest in.
Take the free mock exam →Liked those? The full bank has 484 questions at this standard - every one with a rationale and a reference.
Get the full bank - AED 289What's inside
- ✓3 full-length papers (~150 Q each)
- ✓484 questions, no overlap between papers
- ✓Four options, one unambiguous best answer
- ✓A full rationale on every question
- ✓A real guideline or textbook reference
- ✓Every sub-topic in the published blueprint
Exam route by authority
| Authority | Delivered by | Specialist title |
|---|---|---|
| DHA - Dubai | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| DOH - Abu Dhabi | Pearson VUE | Computer-based MCQ |
| MOHAP - Northern Emirates | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| SCFHS - Saudi Arabia | Prometric / Pearson | Computer-based MCQ |
| QCHP - Qatar | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| NHRA - Bahrain | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| OMSB - Oman | Prometric | MCQ then oral viva |
Assessment mode depends on your licence title as well as your profession. Confirm your own route on your Sheryan / TAMM eligibility notice.
What the Orthopedic Surgery exam covers
The published blueprint for this exam breaks into 13 domains and 242 testable sub-topics. Our bank covers every one of them - here is the full map, so you can see exactly what you are expected to know.
Basic Science & Principles of Orthopedics~10% (est.; maps to DHA 'Basic and Principles of Orthopedics')19 topics
- Bone structure, composition, cortical vs cancellous bone, and remodelling (Wolff's law)
- Fracture healing: primary vs secondary, callus stages, and factors impairing union (smoking, NSAIDs, diabetes, vitamin D)
- Articular cartilage structure, zones, nutrition and response to injury; osteochondral defect biology
- Tendon, ligament, meniscus and intervertebral disc biology and healing phases
- Peripheral nerve anatomy, Seddon/Sunderland injury classification, Wallerian degeneration and regeneration rates
- Skeletal muscle physiology, denervation changes and compartment physiology
- +13 more in the bank
Orthopedic Trauma - Adult Fractures, Dislocations & Polytrauma~15% (est.; maps to DHA 'Trauma, Spine')20 topics
- ATLS primary/secondary survey, damage-control orthopedics vs early total care
- Open fracture management: Gustilo-Anderson classification, antibiotic and tetanus prophylaxis, timing of debridement and coverage
- Acute compartment syndrome: diagnosis, compartment pressure thresholds (delta P <30 mmHg), fasciotomy technique
- Fat embolism syndrome, crush syndrome and rhabdomyolysis
- Pelvic ring injuries: Young-Burgess and Tile classification, binder, pre-peritoneal packing, angioembolisation and definitive fixation
- Acetabular fractures: Judet-Letournel patterns, radiographic lines, operative approaches and indications
- +14 more in the bank
Spine~8% (est.; maps to DHA 'Trauma, Spine')18 topics
- Cervical spine trauma: clearance rules (NEXUS, Canadian C-spine), occipitocervical and atlantoaxial injuries, odontoid fracture types
- Subaxial cervical injuries, SLIC score, facet dislocation and closed reduction
- Thoracolumbar fractures: AO/TLICS classification, burst fracture management, chance and flexion-distraction injuries
- Spinal cord injury: ASIA impairment scale, complete vs incomplete syndromes (central cord, Brown-Sequard, anterior cord), neurogenic vs spinal shock, steroid controversy
- Cauda equina syndrome: red flags, urgent MRI and timing of decompression
- Lumbar disc herniation, radiculopathy and indications for discectomy
- +12 more in the bank
Adult Reconstruction - Arthritis & Arthroplasty~10% (est.; maps to DHA 'Reconstruction')19 topics
- Osteoarthritis pathophysiology, radiographic grading (Kellgren-Lawrence) and non-operative management ladder
- Inflammatory arthropathy (rheumatoid, psoriatic, seronegative) and its orthopedic surgical implications
- Osteonecrosis/AVN of the femoral head: causes, Ficat/Steinberg staging, core decompression and joint preservation
- Hip preservation: femoroacetabular impingement (cam/pincer), acetabular dysplasia, periacetabular osteotomy
- Total hip arthroplasty: approaches, cemented vs uncemented fixation, bearing surfaces, offset and leg-length restoration
- THA complications: dislocation and component position (safe zone), leg-length discrepancy, iliopsoas impingement, trunnionosis
- +13 more in the bank
Upper Limb - Shoulder, Elbow, Hand & Wrist~10% (est.; maps to DHA 'Upper Limb')19 topics
- Rotator cuff disease: impingement, partial vs full-thickness tears, imaging and repair vs conservative decision-making
- Calcific tendinitis, biceps tendon pathology (SLAP lesions, tenotomy vs tenodesis) and adhesive capsulitis
- Anterior and posterior shoulder instability: Bankart, HAGL, bony Bankart, Hill-Sachs, glenoid track and ISIS scoring
- Acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular joint injuries; Rockwood classification and fixation indications
- Clavicle fracture management and scapular/glenoid fractures
- Elbow instability: LCL/MCL injury, valgus overload, and the terrible triad
- +13 more in the bank
Foot & Ankle~6% (est.; maps to DHA 'Foot and Ankle')18 topics
- Hallux valgus: radiographic angles (HVA, IMA, DMAA), osteotomy selection and complications
- Hallux rigidus, cheilectomy vs arthrodesis; lesser toe deformities (hammer, claw, mallet) and Morton neuroma
- Adult acquired flatfoot / posterior tibial tendon dysfunction: staging and reconstruction
- Cavovarus foot, Charcot-Marie-Tooth associations and tendon transfers
- Plantar fasciitis, heel pain differential and evidence-based treatment
- Achilles tendinopathy and acute Achilles rupture: operative vs functional rehabilitation
- +12 more in the bank
Pediatric Orthopedics~10% (est.; maps to DHA 'Pediatric Orthopedics')20 topics
- Physeal anatomy, Salter-Harris classification, growth arrest and physeal bar resection
- Pediatric fracture remodelling potential, acceptable angulation and non-operative management principles
- Supracondylar humerus fractures: Gartland classification, pink pulseless hand, nerve injury and pinning
- Lateral condyle, medial epicondyle, radial neck and both-bone forearm fractures in children
- Femoral shaft fractures by age: Pavlik, spica, flexible nails, submuscular plating, lateral entry nailing
- Non-accidental injury: suspicious fracture patterns, skeletal survey and mandatory reporting duties
- +14 more in the bank
Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Arthroscopy~8% (est.; maps to DHA 'Orthopedic Sport Medicine')18 topics
- Knee examination and instability testing: Lachman, pivot shift, posterior drawer, dial test, McMurray
- ACL injury: graft choice (BTB, hamstring, quadriceps, allograft), tunnel placement, ALL/anterolateral augmentation, return-to-play criteria
- PCL, MCL, LCL and posterolateral corner injuries; multiligament knee injury and the dislocated knee (vascular assessment)
- Meniscal tears: tear patterns, repair vs meniscectomy, root tears, ramp lesions, meniscal extrusion
- Cartilage restoration: microfracture, OATS, osteochondral allograft, ACI/MACI - indications by lesion size
- Patellofemoral instability: MPFL reconstruction, TT-TG distance, trochlear dysplasia, tibial tubercle osteotomy
- +12 more in the bank
Musculoskeletal Infection~6% (est.; maps to DHA 'Infections')17 topics
- Acute and chronic osteomyelitis: pathogenesis, Cierny-Mader classification, sequestrum/involucrum
- Septic arthritis in adults: aspiration, synovial WBC thresholds, crystal vs infection, urgent lavage
- Necrotising fasciitis and gas gangrene: LRINEC score, emergency debridement, antibiotic choice
- Prosthetic joint infection: classification by timing, biofilm biology, diagnostic algorithms and surgical options
- Fracture-related infection: consensus definition, implant retention vs removal, dead-space management
- Organism-specific management: MRSA, MSSA, Pseudomonas, Cutibacterium acnes (shoulder), Kingella in children
- +11 more in the bank
Musculoskeletal Oncology~5% (est.; maps to DHA 'Oncology')18 topics
- Approach to the bone lesion: age, aggressive vs non-aggressive radiographic features, Lodwick grading, periosteal reaction
- Staging and workup: Enneking/MSTS and AJCC staging, MRI whole-lesion imaging, CT chest, bone scan/PET
- Biopsy principles: longitudinal incision, tract planning, contamination avoidance, referral before biopsy
- Benign bone tumours: osteochondroma, enchondroma, osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, non-ossifying fibroma, fibrous dysplasia
- Locally aggressive lesions: giant cell tumour (denosumab role), aneurysmal bone cyst, chondroblastoma, chondromyxoid fibroma
- Unicameral bone cyst and pathological fracture in children
- +12 more in the bank
Metabolic Bone Disease & Systemic Skeletal Disorders~5% (est.; maps to DHA 'Metabolic Skeletal Disorders')18 topics
- Calcium, phosphate, PTH and vitamin D homeostasis and the bone remodelling unit
- Osteoporosis: risk factors, DEXA/T-score interpretation, FRAX, fracture liaison services
- Osteoporosis pharmacotherapy: bisphosphonates, denosumab, teriparatide/abaloparatide, romosozumab - mechanisms and orthopedic implications
- Atypical femoral fracture and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw; drug holidays
- Vitamin D deficiency, rickets and osteomalacia - nutritional and X-linked hypophosphatemic forms (high regional relevance in the GCC)
- Hyperparathyroidism (primary, secondary, tertiary), brown tumours and renal osteodystrophy
- +12 more in the bank
Perioperative Care, Rehabilitation & Complications~9% (est.; cross-cutting; DHA lists these under principles and patient safety)18 topics
- Preoperative risk assessment: ASA grading, cardiac risk indices, frailty scoring in orthopedic patients
- Anticoagulant and antiplatelet management around orthopedic surgery, including DOAC bridging and neuraxial timing
- Anaesthesia for orthopedics: regional blocks, spinal vs general, tourniquet-related physiology, local anaesthetic toxicity
- Antibiotic prophylaxis: agent, timing, weight-based dosing, redosing and duration
- Blood management: tranexamic acid, cell salvage, transfusion thresholds and patient blood management
- VTE risk stratification, mechanical and chemical prophylaxis, and management of established DVT/PE
- +12 more in the bank
Patient Safety, Professionalism, Ethics & Evidence-Based Practice~8% (est.; DHA lists 'Patient Safety' and 'Professionalism and Ethics' as named exam sections)20 topics
- WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, sign-in/time-out/sign-out and team briefing
- Wrong-site, wrong-level and wrong-implant surgery: site marking, spinal level confirmation, prevention protocols
- Retained foreign body, swab/instrument counts and specimen labelling errors
- Incident reporting, never events, root-cause analysis and the just culture concept
- Informed consent: capacity, material risks, alternatives, consent for minors and emergency treatment
- Disclosure of complications, open disclosure/duty of candour and apology
- +14 more in the bank
Before you book your exam
Orthopedic Surgery licensing in the GCC
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