Paediatric trauma and orthopaedics

What is it in children?

Paediatric orthopaedics is a sub-specialty of trauma and orthopaedic surgery, covering children's bones, joints and fractures ^[1]. Paediatric orthopaedics is one of the main areas every trainee covers ^[2].

Looking for chest and abdominal injuries? Those are managed by paediatric surgeons: see Trauma.

Typical conditions and operations

• Developmental dysplasia of the hip. The hip joint is loose and can move out of place. In babies it's usually treated with a soft harness (Pavlik harness) ^[3].
• Clubfoot (talipes). Treated with the Ponseti method: weekly casts, a minor operation, then boots and bar ^[4].
• Slipped upper femoral epiphysis. Usually at 12 to 14 years, and fixed with a screw ^[5].
• Perthes disease. Affects children aged 3 to 12, most often starting at 5 to 8 ^[6].
• Supracondylar fractures of the humerus. The most common elbow fracture in children. If surgery is needed, it should happen on the day of injury ^[7].

How to get there

T&O is entered at ST3 after core surgical training. In 2026 England paused its run-through (IST) posts, so English trainees enter through core training ^{[8, 9]}.

1. 5 to 6 yearsMedical school

   A medical degree. To apply for the Foundation Programme you need to be eligible for provisional registration with the GMC ^[10].

2. 2 yearsFoundation Programme

   The two-year UK Foundation Programme ^[10].

3. CT1 to CT2Core surgical training

   Two years of core training. You need to have finished it, or hold the Alternative Certificate, and passed the MRCS by exam for ST3 ^[8].

4. ST3 to ST6Phase 2

   Four years across eight main areas, including paediatric orthopaedics and major trauma. It ends with eligibility for the Intercollegiate Specialty Board (FRCS) exam in T&O ^[2].

5. ST7 to ST8Phase 3 and special interest

   Two special interest placements, usually at least six months each. Paediatric orthopaedics can be one of them ^[2].

6. CCT, then a paediatric fellowship

   The British Society for Children's Orthopaedic Surgery keeps a list of paediatric orthopaedic fellowships in the UK and abroad ^[11].

Good to know

• Specialty training takes a minimum of eight years, counting core training ^[12]. With Foundation, that's about ten years after medical school.
• A new version of the T&O curriculum started in August 2026 ^[2].
• The 2027 person specifications list T&O at ST3 only ^[13].

Getting involved as a student

• BOA student membership costs £22.20 a year ^[14]. It includes membership of BOMFA, a national student-led network of aspiring orthopaedic surgeons ^[15].
• BOA Medical Student Prize. In 2026 it was a 1,000-word essay on a T&O quality improvement project, with £100 and a ticket to the BOA Annual Congress. The 2026 deadline has passed ^[16].
• BOA elective bursaries of up to £500, for student members. The 2026 round has closed ^[17].
• BOTA, the trainees' association, has a medical student representative, and with BOMSA it offered three £500 elective bursaries in 2025 ^[18].
• BSCOS student membership is £10 a year, for UK medical students with a strong interest in children's orthopaedics, at the Board's discretion ^[19].