Diploma in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine
The Diploma in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine is a KNEC-examined programme that trains individuals in orthopaedic patient care, trauma management, fracture treatment, and rehabilitation support. The programme is accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 122,200 a year at a public institution, Ksh 244,400 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 105,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C or above, plus 2 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 52 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Trainees develop competencies in orthopaedic assessment, fracture management, cast application, traction systems, wound care, patient rehabilitation, and trauma emergency response. The curriculum combines theoretical instruction with extensive clinical practice in orthopaedic departments and trauma centres.
Kenya's healthcare system requires trained orthopaedic and trauma medicine personnel to support the increasing number of road traffic accidents, sports injuries, and occupational injuries. The programme supports the expansion of orthopaedic services in county hospitals.
The course is delivered through classroom sessions and supervised clinical practice in orthopaedic wards, plaster rooms, and trauma centres. Trainees gain hands-on experience in cast application, traction setup, wound management, and patient rehabilitation.
Graduates can work as orthopaedic technologists, trauma care assistants, plaster technicians, or rehabilitation assistants in hospitals, orthopaedic clinics, and trauma centres. The programme provides a foundation for progression to higher-level orthopaedic and medical qualifications.
This programme is suitable for individuals with a KCSE mean grade of C (plain) who have a Certificate in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine or related health qualification. It provides advanced skills for orthopaedic and trauma care roles.
What you study
8 subjects- Orthopaedic Assessment
- Fracture Management
- Cast Application and Traction
- Wound Care and Management
- Trauma Emergency Response
- Patient Rehabilitation
- Orthopaedic Surgery Support
- Physiotherapy Support
Modules
8 in the programmeOrthopaedic Anatomy and Physiology
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers musculoskeletal system anatomy, bone structure, joint mechanics, and physiology relevant to orthopaedic practice.
Orthopaedic Assessment and Diagnosis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops skills in orthopaedic patient assessment, examination techniques, and identification of orthopaedic conditions.
Fracture Management
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers fracture types, reduction techniques, immobilisation methods, and fracture healing principles and complications.
Cast Application and Traction
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Trainees learn plaster cast application, fibreglass casting, traction setup, and cast maintenance and removal.
Wound Care and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers wound assessment, dressing techniques, infection prevention, and management of traumatic wounds.
Trauma Emergency Response
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers trauma assessment, emergency stabilisation, triage principles, and multi-system trauma management.
Orthopaedic Surgery Support
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers supporting orthopaedic surgical procedures including pre-operative preparation and post-operative care.
Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Support
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces rehabilitation principles, mobility exercises, and support for physiotherapy programmes in orthopaedic care.
Specialisations
Fracture Management
Focuses on fracture reduction, immobilisation, and healing monitoring.
Trauma Care
Specialises in emergency trauma response and stabilisation.
Cast and Traction Technology
Covers advanced casting techniques and traction system management.
Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
Focuses on post-injury and post-surgery rehabilitation support.
A day as a student
A typical day includes morning theory on orthopaedic conditions or trauma management, followed by afternoon clinical practice in orthopaedic wards where trainees apply casts, set up traction, manage wounds, and support patient rehabilitation.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand for orthopaedic skills due to road traffic accidents and injuries. | Physical work involving lifting and positioning patients. |
| Specialised field with less competition for positions. | Exposure to traumatic injuries can be emotionally challenging. |
| Hands-on clinical work with direct patient impact. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 349 health sciences coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
KMTC 122,200 Y1/118,000 Y2+ (tvet.co.ke). Private: Goshen 81K, Lake Lawrenzo 105K/yr (official sites)
HELB TVET loans, KUCCPS capitation, and county bursaries are available for eligible students.
Funding options
HELB TVET Loan
KUCCPS Government Capitation
County Bursary
Scholarships
2 recordedHELB TVET Loan
LoanKsh 50,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in TVET institutions
County Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Residents of the respective county enrolled in TVET programmes
Scholarships you could apply for
1 usable where it is taught- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Passed Certificate in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine or equivalent.
When it next starts
Taught at 52 institutionsIncluding Kenya Medical Training College - Gatundu Campus, Kenya Medical Training College - Imenti Campus, Kenya Medical Training College - Molo Campus.
Including Kenya Medical Training College - Gatundu Campus, Kenya Medical Training College - Imenti Campus, Kenya Medical Training College - Molo Campus.
Including Kenya Medical Training College - Gatundu Campus, Kenya Medical Training College - Imenti Campus, Kenya Medical Training College - Molo Campus.
How you are assessed
3 componentsKNEC Module I Examination
Written examination70% of the mark
Module I theory examination covering orthopaedic foundations and anatomy.
KNEC Module II Examination
Written examination70% of the mark
Module II theory and practical examination covering advanced orthopaedic practice.
Clinical Practice Assessment
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of clinical competencies in orthopaedic and trauma care settings.
Accreditation
Kenya National Examinations Council
AcademicRequired
KNEC examines and certifies the Diploma in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
AcademicRequired
TVETA accredits institutions offering orthopaedic medicine programmes.
Examined by KNEC and accredited by TVETA. Orthopaedic practice is overseen by the Ministry of Health.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesOrthopaedic Technologist
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000
Applies casts, manages traction, and supports orthopaedic patient care in hospitals.
Trauma Care Assistant
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 60,000
Assists in trauma emergency care and stabilisation of orthopaedic patients.
Plaster Technician
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 55,000
Specialises in cast application, maintenance, and removal in orthopaedic departments.
Rehabilitation Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 50,000
Supports rehabilitation programmes for orthopaedic patients including mobility exercises.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as orthopaedic technologists and trauma care assistants in hospital orthopaedic departments and trauma centres.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Orthopaedic technology is the same as physiotherapy.
Orthopaedic technology focuses on fracture management, casting, and trauma care, while physiotherapy focuses on movement rehabilitation.
Orthopaedic work is only about applying casts.
The role includes assessment, traction, wound care, surgery support, and rehabilitation coordination.
There are limited job opportunities in orthopaedics.
Road traffic accidents and occupational injuries create consistent demand for orthopaedic personnel.
Orthopaedic technology is a low-level qualification.
Diploma-level orthopaedic technologists are skilled healthcare professionals with advanced clinical competencies.