BOAST Guidelines
British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma — faithful, paraphrased reference of the key standards with highlighted exam points and a link to the official BOA source for each guideline.
Operational Delivery of the Multi-Disciplinary Care of the Diabetic Foot
Sets out the service specification and clinical standards for emergency triage, multi-disciplinary team assessment, and urgent surgical intervention for diabetic foot problems.
Read guidelineDiagnosis and Management of Compartment Syndrome of the Extremities
Clinical standard outlining institutional preparedness, recognition, and emergency management of acute compartment syndrome (ACS) of the extremities. Emphasises early diagnosis driven by pain out of proportion and pain on passive muscle stretch, followed by immediate surgical decompression of all involved compartments.
Read guidelineEarly Management of the Paediatric Forearm Fracture
This BOAST guideline standardises the emergency assessment, manipulation thresholds, neurovascular documentation, and safeguarding considerations for paediatric patients presenting with acute forearm fractures.
Read guidelineAssessment of the Spine in the Trauma Patient
Standardised clinical and radiological guidance for evaluating acute blunt spinal trauma, temporary protection, imaging pathways (NICE-aligned CT/MRI), and conservative or surgical treatment planning.
Read guidelineThe Management of Ankle Fractures
Jointly developed by the BOA and BOFAS, this guideline establishes evidence-based standards for the emergency reduction, clinical assessment, definitive operative vs non-operative decision-making, and rehabilitation of acute ankle fractures.
Read guidelineManagement of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture
Evidence-based standard on the rapid identification, immobilisation in equinus, structured specialist review, and protocolised functional rehabilitation for acute Achilles tendon ruptures.
Read guidelineThe Management of Distal Radial Fractures
This BOAST guideline provides evidence-based standards for the initial evaluation, anaesthesia, reduction, surgical indication and timing, and rehabilitation pathways for adult distal radius fractures.
Read guidelineThe Care of the Older or Frail Orthopaedic Trauma Patient
Sets out the multidisciplinary standards of care for older or frail orthopaedic trauma patients presenting with fragility fractures, emphasising early comprehensive assessment, rapid surgical stabilization within 36 hours allowing immediate full weight-bearing, proactive perioperative medical optimisation, and secondary fracture prevention.
Read guidelineBOA Standards for Trauma: Management of Complex Lower Limb Peri-Articular Fractures (Tibial Plateau and Pilon)
This standard directs the staged evaluation, soft tissue prioritisation, multiplanar imaging, and definitive fixation of high-energy tibial plateau and tibial pilon fractures to minimise catastrophic wound complications and optimise joint reconstruction.
Read guidelineThe Management of Patients with Pelvic Fractures
BOAST 3 outlines the acute resuscitation, specialist network transfer, and surgical governance pathways for pelvic ring disruptions to mitigate catastrophic haemorrhage and long-term functional morbidity. It sets explicit standards for pre-hospital binder application, trauma CT imaging, haemostatic interventions, timing of definitive fixation, and MDT rehabilitation.
Read guidelinePatients Sustaining a Fragility Hip Fracture
Covers the acute multidisciplinary assessment, surgical timing, anaesthetic standards, and rehabilitation protocols for older patients presenting with fragility hip fractures.
Read guidelineOpen Fractures
Sets the UK standards for the collaborative orthoplastic management of open fractures of the long bones, hindfoot, and midfoot to prevent deep infection and optimise limb salvage. Outlines specific timeframes for intravenous antibiotic delivery, joint orthoplastic surgical debridement, and definitive soft-tissue reconstruction.
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