The Foot and Ankle module was held from the 16th to 20th March 2026 at the TTM Hospital in Apia, Samoa and was attended by nine (9) PIOA Trainees namely: Dickson Wak from Papua New Guinea, Steven Kutukana from Solomon Islands, Tzun Rafael from Palau, Vanua Ilo from Vanuatu, Taukoriri Tibriano from Kiribati , Manoa Valeniyasana and Paul Lomavatu from Fiji and Robert Fa’ataga and Michael Leota from Samoa
This module was successfully facilitated with lectures and saw bone practicals by: Dr Hamish Leslie from New Zealand, Dr Miles Callahan and Dr. Danielle Wadley from Australia and Dr Areta Samuelu and Dr Shaun Mauiliu from Samoa.
Each morning would start off at 8:00 am with a ward round with a Trainee leading the case presentation. The Trainees present the relevant history and clinical examination findings as elicited with further discussions on the current investigations and management being done. Trainees are then asked to demonstrate how they would do clinical examinations to elicit certain signs and on the rationale for the patient management / treatment being done. Suggestions for further investigations and treatment improvement are then being put forward to the Trainees and the local team. This exercise is very helpful for Trainees in developing their clinical skills and to try and elucidate clinical reasoning which would be helpful in decision making.
Lectures at the Foot and Ankle Module were focused on systematic approach to history taking, clinical examination, investigation and management on common Foot and ankle orthopedic and trauma conditions. Some topics were covered in the weekly zoom sessions prior to the modules, however common important pathologies were revisited and emphasis reiterated.
Practical sessions were mostly done in the afternoons with Trainees in pairs which covering the common Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic and trauma case management including: ankle spanning external fixator application for distal tibia fracture, ankle fracture plate/screw fixation, ankle fracture Plaster of Paris application and tibial plafond plate/ screws fixation.
The module was then concluded with a Foot and Ankle Quiz after which feedback was given to each Trainee.
During the module Dr. Hamish Leslie was able to assist Dr Samuelu to perform complex surgery on two patients with residual club foot deformity. This will assist the surgeons in Samoa to continue providing this procedure in future.