1. A O Fo u n d a tio n
The AO Principles
Then & Now
The Philosophy
Prof M Shantharam Shetty
Dean, K S Hegde Medical Academy
A O trustee, India

2. A O Fo u n d a tio n
In the first half of twentieth century
Fracture management
Plasters & immobilization - stiffness

3. A O Fo u n d a tio n
VISIONARIES
–Lambotte
–Kuntschner
–Danis
–Lucas & Perkins

4. A O Fo u n d a tio n
Many technical & biological
obstacles
• Infection
• Dubious metallurgy FAILURE
• Poor biological awareness
• Ill conceived implants

5. A O Fo u n d a tio n
But with
– better understanding of
metals,
– biotechnological pursuits,
– hospital asepsis
ORIF became a reality

6. A O Fo u n d a tio n
Robert Danis
• Compresion device
• Absolute stability
• Healing without callus
• Primary bone healing
Theory & Practice Of Osteosynthesis, 1949
Maurice Muller met Danis in march 1950 and both of
them brought about the revolution of internal
fixation

7. A O Fo u n d a tio n
A medical revolution was born
What the 13 medical founders of the AO initiated in
1958 in Switzerland has revolutionized trauma care
and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders
worldwide.
The principles of osteosynthesis these pioneers
established, and which have been further developed
over the past 40 years, are today’s golden standard in
modern trauma and orthopedic surgery.

8. A O Fo u n d a tio n
The Founders of the AO Foundation
Maurice E. Müller Martin Allgöwer Walter Bandi Robert Schneider Hans Willenegger
Ernst Baumann Fritz Brussatis August Guggenbühl Willy Hunziker
Walter Ott René Patry Walter Schär Walter Stähli

9. A O Fo u n d a tio n
AO Principles ever since its inception in
1958
 Fracture reduction and fixation to restore anatomical relationships
 Stability by fixation or splintage, according to the personality of the
fracture and the injury
 Preservation of the blood supply to soft tissues and bone by
careful handling and gentle reduction techniques
 Early and active mobilization

10. A O Fo u n d a tio n
What was professed as absolute
stability with primary bone healing in
1960’s, we have moved on to relative
stability and primary importance is
given to blood supply, soft tissue
handling and minimally invasive
techniques

11. A O Fo u n d a tio n
Patients recover more quickly…
and suffer less pain
The ultimate aim of the AO principles is to achieve
 full function of the operated body part and
 complete rehabilitation

12. A O Fo u n d a tio n
Advancement of the AO Principles
Main areas of activity
Clinical Investigation &
Development Documentation
Research Surgical Approval
(Technical Commission)
Education

13. A O Fo u n d a tio n
AO Education
Face to Face:
Courses & Fellowships Journals
Books Audiovisuals
AO Portal: e-Learning

14. A O Fo u n d a tio n
AO Courses
Since 1960
 215,000 surgeons from 122 countries and
 110,000 operating room personnel from 68 countries have
participated in an AO course
Since the early days, AO courses have included practical
exercises, and implemented the latest know-how in the field of adult
learning.

15. A O Fo u n d a tio n
Fellowships 2002-2004 (total since 1971 = 5,199)
In the AO Fellowship program fully trained orthopedic surgeons,
general surgeons and ORP spend 4-12 weeks in designated host
clinics. The purpose of the fellowship is to make Fellows familiar with
indication, planning, techniques, and pitfalls of osteosynthesis.
2002 2003 2004
Europe 60 58 48
USA/Canada 19 15 19
Latin America 43 29 35
Africa (incl. Egypt) 16 15 23
Middle East 20 24 15
Asia 74 76 106
Australasia 1 2 3
Total 229 214 240
(incl. ORP 8 15 9)

16. A O Fo u n d a tio n
AO faculty network
AO International can resort to more than 3’000 surgeons, who
volunteer worldwide in the teaching of colleagues and ORP. They
disseminate the theoretical and practical basics of operative fracture
management according to AO principles.
The courses are characterized by the open exchange between
participants and faculty during the many practical exercises and
group discussions. In this way important knowledge transfer occurs.

17. A O Fo u n d a tio n
AO Books published in 2004

18. A O Fo u n d a tio n
AO Books published in 2005

19. A O Fo u n d a tio n
AO Journals
Orthopedic Injury AO Dialogue
Trauma Directions
Bimonthly publication Internationally General information
that explores latest renowned academic about the AO Group
advances in ortho- journal dealing with the and issues of interest
pedic traumatology fields of trauma care in orthopedics and
through evidence and accident surgery. trauma care.
reports.

20. A O Fo u n d a tio n
The AO portal (Beacon award winner 2004!)
AO Academy
 Faculty support
 eLearning for CME credits
Surgery
 Clinical decision-making support
Clinical studies
 How-to guide for residents
Research services
 Literature database
 Closed user groups
Innovations
 Newly approved products
Alumni email service
and more … go to: www.aofoundation.org

21. A O Fo u n d a tio n
e-Learning Modules (CME accredited)
AO Course AO Briefings AO Case Series
Companions
5–10-minute 15–20-minute Interactive 30–45-
modules for pre- modules covering minute modules
and post course AO Principles and showing real clinical
tests. Apply the techniques. cases. Decision-
knowledge you making support and
gained in AO knowledge tests.
Courses.
QA QA
Audio Audio

22. A O Fo u n d a tio n
Alumni Association
Over 3’000 surgeons are organized in 46 countries (Chapters) and
regions all over the world.
Prerequisites for membership:
 AO faculty member or
 AO fellow or
 AO advanced course participant

23. A O Fo u n d a tio n
AO Research
Expanding the boundaries of knowledge to solve clinical
problems and improve patient care.
Universities
Hospitals
AO Research Fund
AO Collaborative
Research Centers AO Research Institute AOSpine
Research Network
AO Biotechnology
Societies Industry

24. A O Fo u n d a tio n
Technical Commission (AOTK)
Product Approval
The Specialty AOTKs are the only bodies
empowered to approve a device (product) or method
(technology) as a SYNTHES® Product.
Norbert P. Haas,
President of the
TK-System

25. A O Fo u n d a tio n
Clinical Investigation & Documentation
 23 ongoing studies in 151 clinics with approx. 2’800 cases
and 5 classification projects
 16 completed clinical studies since 1999
 31 published and peer reviewed articles (2002-2004)
 Worldwide teaching activities in clinical epidemiology.

26. A O Fo u n d a tio n
AO Classification Task Force
The AO Classification Task Force and the Classification Expert
Groups develop and validate the classifications for:
 Pediatric long-bone fractures
 Craniomaxillofacial fractures
 Foot fractures
 Soft tissue

27. A O Fo u n d a tio n
AO Foundation: Organization
Trustees
Medical
Operational Activities
Guidance
– Academic Council – Identify the clinical problem
– Steering Boards – Carry out research
– Commissions – Develop the technology
– Expert Groups – Test and certify results
– Validate with clinical research
– Implement global education programs

28. A O Fo u n d a tio n
Relationship AO—Synthes, Inc.
S Y N T H E S AG C H U R
AOTK
Licensor
Patent & Synthes
Industrial Partner
Trademark Holder
Royalties
AOF owns Synthes AG Chur
Funding AO Activities

29. A O Fo u n d a tio n
TODAY
AO Principles & Philosophy
• Principle has remained the same
• Proper management environment of the
patient
• PERSONALITY OF THE FRACTURE

30. A O Fo u n d a tio n
TODAY
AO Principles & Philosophy
• Better Understanding Of Fracture Healing
• understanding implants reaction to bone
• Articular fractures differ from Diaphyseal
fractures
• Soft tissue care
Fixation – fracture management
as a whole

31. A O Fo u n d a tio n
AO Vision
Our vision is excellence in the surgical management of trauma and
disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
AO Mission
Our mission is to foster and expand our network of healthcare
professionals in education, research, development and clinical
investigation to achieve more effective patient care worldwide.

32. A O Fo u n d a tio n
AO’s greatest asset
The AO is a medically guided, global network of surgeons that
provides knowledge based services through interdisciplinary
teamwork.
AO surgeons are the driving force behind the world’s leading medical
non-profit organization for trauma and musculoskeletal treatment.
Around the world the AO surgeons:
 foster the understanding of fracture healing by research
 find new technologies by developing, testing and certifying
new products
 prove the validity of concepts/technologies by clinical
investigations
 provide up-to-date education in their field of expertise
 guide the AO’s scientific direction

33. A O Fo u n d a tio n
AO Foundation – a global network of
surgeons and healthcare professionals
To help the trauma surgoens all
round the world

34. A O Fo u n d a tio n