Mastering Ankle Trauma
A practical roadmap for residents moving from straightforward operative execution to managing ankle fractures, complex ankle trauma, surgical approaches, fixation strategy, and decision making.
Your job is to move from executing cases to managing ankle trauma.
PGY3 is the year where residents begin developing deeper operative judgment. The goal is to understand not only how to fix ankle fractures, but why reduction strategy, approach selection, implant position, and sequencing matter.
Plan the Fixation
Review imaging, identify fracture patterns, understand reduction strategy, and anticipate plate and screw positioning.
Master the Approaches
Develop confidence with all common ankle approaches and the anatomy that determines safe exposure.
Lead at Your Level
Serve as a role model for junior residents while continuing to earn autonomy through preparation and trust.
What the PGY3 Playbook covers.
This guide helps residents understand how to progress from reliable operator to ankle trauma manager while continuing to strengthen the trust behaviors that create autonomy.
Trust & Professionalism
- Integrity
- Reading the room
- Patient ownership
- Communication
- Anticipation
PGY3 Technical Focus
- Ankle fracture fixation
- Complex ankle trauma
- Reduction strategy
- Plate and screw placement
- All common ankle approaches
Evaluation Tools
- Observer to Multiplier framework
- Trust Score
- Technical Score
- Faculty evaluation
- Development plan
Success Benchmarks
- Perform routine ankle fracture fixation with supervision
- Understand bimalleolar and trimalleolar patterns
- Understand fixation sequencing
- Manage routine ankle trauma from evaluation through surgery
- Serve as a role model for junior residents
PGY3 is where decision making becomes visible.
The PGY3 Playbook gives residents language for moving from performing parts of procedures to understanding complete ankle trauma management.
Observer
Understands concepts but still needs direction with fracture patterns, fixation strategy, and operative sequencing.
Contributor
Performs routine exposure and portions of fixation while developing deeper understanding of trauma principles.
Owner
Reviews imaging independently, understands the plan, performs routine fixation with supervision, and anticipates workflow.
Multiplier
Teaches junior residents, improves operative efficiency, and demonstrates advanced preparation habits.
Trust Score and Technical Score are separated.
PGY3 autonomy depends on both technical capability and trust. Residents must demonstrate judgment, preparation, communication, and reliability before being granted greater responsibility.
Trust Score: 30 Points
- Integrity
- Preparation
- Ownership
- Communication
- Clinic Performance
- Anticipation
Technical Score: 20 Points
- Clinical Synthesis
- Anatomy Knowledge
- OR Fundamentals
- Surgical Skills
Start with PGY3 or get the full pathway.
The PGY3 Playbook is a focused guide for third-year residents, but the bundle gives the full development path from PGY1 to PGY5.
Want the full resident development system?
Get The Strasser Standard plus PGY1 through PGY5 in the Complete Resident Bundle.
Common questions before purchase.
Who is the PGY3 Playbook for?
Third-year orthopedic residents and trainees developing ankle trauma competency, approach selection, and fixation planning.
Does this focus on ankle trauma?
Yes. PGY3 emphasizes ankle fractures, more complex ankle trauma, surgical approaches, reduction strategy, and implant positioning.
Does it include evaluation tools?
Yes. It includes Trust Score and Technical Score categories to help residents and faculty identify where growth is needed.
Should I buy the bundle instead?
The PGY3 Playbook is best if you only need this level. The bundle is better if you want the full roadmap from PGY1 through PGY5.
Move from operator to ankle trauma manager.
PGY3 is where preparation, anatomy, reduction strategy, fixation planning, and trust begin to come together.