Study notes and Type X practice questions for the RACS Orthopaedic Principles and Basic Sciences examination, written from the RACS recommended texts.
The Exam
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who sits it | Orthopaedic SET trainees after passing the GSSE |
| When | Introduction to Orthopaedics stage of AOA 21 |
| Papers | Two papers on consecutive days, 2.5 hours each |
| Questions | 100 Type X questions per paper |
| Type X format | A stem with five statements, each true or false |
| Marks | One mark per statement, 1000 marks in total |
| Pass mark | Set after each sitting, about 70% to date |
| Feedback | Pass or fail at about 4 weeks, then a report by syllabus area |
| Attempts | Four, pass by the second sitting of year two |
| 2027 sittings | 9 and 10 June, 6 and 7 October |
How to Use This Section
- Read. Use the Syllabus Map below. Each topic page sits in the main Basic Science or General section, with the exam core in bullets and tables
- Expand. Grey More boxes hold background that helps understanding but is rarely tested
- Practise. Answer Type X questions by domain, then sit a timed 100 question paper
- Review. The paper report scores each domain, like the RACS feedback report
Syllabus Domains
- Musculoskeletal tissues, development and repair
- Pathology. Congenital, genetic, metabolic bone, arthritis, connective tissue, neuromuscular and tumours
- Biomechanics and motion
- Infection, immunology and inflammation
- Neurovascular. Embolism, thrombosis, bleeding, pain and peripheral nerve
- Pharmacology
- Materials and engineering
- Research methodology
- Radiology and investigations
Syllabus Map
The exam notes sit inside the main Basic Science and General sections, alongside the existing topic pages. Each page below carries an OPBS tag and links back to the practice questions.
Anatomy and surgical approaches
- Anatomy section
- Surgical Approaches. Internervous Planes and Structures at Risk
- Brachial Plexus and Axilla
- Radial Nerve
- Elbow Joint
- Osteology of the Upper Limb
- Gluteal Region
- Muscles and Vessels of the Back
- Bony Pelvis, Pelvic Joints and Pelvic Floor
Musculoskeletal tissues, development and repair
- Genetics, Gene Expression, and Epigenetics
- Cell Biology, Cell Differentiation, and Stem Cells of the Skeletal System
- Biology and Mechanics of the Skeletal Extracellular Matrix
- Development of the Skeletal System
- Biology of Bone
- Biology of Articular Cartilage
- Meniscus and Labrum
- Synovium and Joint Biology
- Joint Cross-talk Among Bone, Synovium, and Articular Cartilage
- The Intervertebral Disk
- Tendons and Ligaments
- Form and Function of Skeletal Muscle
- Peripheral Nerve Structure, Injury and Repair
- Fracture Healing
- Contemporary Concepts in Soft-Tissue Wound Management
- Articular Cartilage Repair. Augmentation, Regeneration, Replacement, and Substitution
- Tendon and Ligament Healing
- Skeletal Muscle Repair and Regeneration
- Cells and Materials for Soft-Tissue Repair and Regeneration
Pathology
- Skeletal Metabolism and Metabolic Bone Disease
- Rare Genetic Bone Diseases of Orthopaedic Significance
- AVN
- Osteoarthritis
- General Principles of Neuromuscular Disorders
- Lumbar Spondylosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, and Radiculopathy
- Osteoma
- Soft Tissue Calcification Syndromes
- Immunohistochemistry and Genetics of Musculoskeletal Tumours
- Pathology of Common Orthopaedic Specimens
Biomechanics and motion
- Biomechanics of the Skeletal System
- Gait & Basic Foot Kinematics
- Bone as a biomaterial
- Biomechanics of Articular Cartilage and Its Response to Loading
Infection, immunology and inflammation
Neurovascular
Materials and engineering
Research methodology
- Principles of Clinical Studies
- Observational Studies
- Randomised Controlled Trials
- Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis
- Level of Evidence
- Role of Cohort Studies and Registries in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Research
Pharmacology is covered in the Pharmacology pages, including Opioids, Sedatives and Perioperative Drugs, and imaging physics on the MRI page, and the topic pages above. Anatomy is in the Anatomy section.
Recommended Texts
- Aaron RK, editor. Orthopaedic Basic Science. Foundations of Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwer, 2021. RACS reference text from June 2024
- Sinnatamby CS. Last’s Anatomy. Regional and Applied. 11th ed. Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone, 2006
- Vigorita VJ, Ghelman B, Mintz D. Orthopaedic Pathology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwer, 2016
- Westbrook C, Roth CK, Talbot J. MRI in Practice
- George S, Dewey P, Beh HC, Gray A. Radiation Safety for Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2nd ed. Sydney, AOA, 2005
- Hoppenfeld S, deBoer P. Surgical Exposures in Orthopaedics. The Anatomic Approach. 4th ed
- JBJS basic science and current concepts reviews from the last five years
Exam details from the RACS OPBS pages, accessed 17 October 2026. Check surgeons.org for current dates and rules.
Reviewed by Professor Phong Tran, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Health. Last updated 17 October 2026.