Syllabus and recommended reading

Syllabus areas covered in the examination include anatomy, bacteriology, biomaterials, biomechanics, embryology, imaging, kinesiology, pathology, pharmacology and statistics.

Candidates are advised to read the OPBS Curriculum (PDF 481.97KB) document, for further information on the examination syllabus. 

It is recommended that candidates read widely in all aspects of orthopaedic basic science beyond the course material listed below:

• Sinnatamby, Chummy S. Last's anatomy: regional and applied (11th Edition) New York: Churchill Livingstone, 2006
• Roy Aaron AAOS: Orthopaedic Basic Science: Foundations of Clinical Practice 5th Edition (Reference text for June 2024 exam and subsequent exams)
• Westbrook, Catherine et al MRI in Practice Malden (3rd edition), MA: Blackwell, 2005
• Vigorita, Vincent J. Orthopaedic pathology/Vincent J. Vigorita; with Bernard Ghelman and Douglas Mintz. 2nd Edition. Philadelphia:Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, c2008.
• George, Stame, Peter Dewey, Helen C. Beh and Angus Gray: Radiation Safety for Orthopaedic Surgeons (2nd Edition) (Sydney: AOA Publications, 2005)
• Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American and British volumes). Review articles and current concept reviews in basic sciences for the preceding five years.
• Surgical Exposures in Orthopaedics - The Anatomical Approach; Stanley Hoppenfeld, Piet deBoer, J.B. Lippincott. 4th Edition.

The RACS Library has many of the recommended books and journals online on the Trainee resources page.