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The AO PrinciplesThen & Now

The Philosophy

Prof M Shantharam ShettyDean, K S Hegde Medical AcademyA O trustee, India

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In the first half of twentieth century

Fracture management

Plasters & immobilization - stiffness

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VISIONARIES

–Lambotte

–Kuntschner

–Danis

–Lucas & Perkins

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Many technical & biological obstacles

• Infection

• Dubious metallurgy

• Poor biological awareness

• Ill conceived implants

FAILURE

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But with

– better understanding of

metals,

– biotechnological pursuits,

– hospital asepsis

ORIF became a reality

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Robert Danis

• Compresion device

• Absolute stability

• Healing without callus

• Primary bone healingTheory & Practice Of Osteosynthesis, 1949

Maurice Muller met Danis in march

1950 and both of them brought

about the revolution of internal

fixation

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Advancement of the AO Principles Main areas of activity

Research

Education

Surgical Approval(Technical Commission)

Clinical Investigation &DocumentationDevelopment

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Face to Face:Courses & Fellowships Journals

Audiovisuals

AO Education

Books

AO Portal: e-Learning

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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.

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Fellowships 2002-2004 (total since 1971 = 5,199)

2002 20032004

Europe 60 58 48USA/Canada 19 15 19Latin America 43 29 35Africa (incl. Egypt) 16 15 23Middle East 20 24 15Asia 74 76 106Australasia 1 2 3

Total 229 214240(incl. ORP 8 15 9)

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.

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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.

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AO Books published in 2004

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AO Books published in 2005

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AO Journals

Orthopedic Trauma DirectionsBimonthly publication that explores latest advances in ortho-pedic traumatology through evidence reports.

Injury

Internationally renowned academic journal dealing with the fields of trauma care and accident surgery.

AO Dialogue

General information about the AO Group and issues of interest in orthopedics and trauma care.

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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

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5–10-minute modules for pre- and post course tests. Apply the knowledge you gained in AO Courses.

QA

AO CourseCompanions

15–20-minute modules covering AO Principles and techniques.

AO Briefings

Audio

Interactive 30–45-minute modules showing real clinical cases. Decision-making support and knowledge tests.

AO Case Series

Audio

e-Learning Modules (CME accredited)

QA

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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

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AO ResearchExpanding the boundaries of knowledge to solve clinical problems and improve patient care.

AO Research InstituteAO Research InstituteAO Collaborative Research CentersAO Collaborative Research Centers

AO BiotechnologyAO Biotechnology

AO Research FundAO Research Fund

AOSpine Research Network

AOSpine Research Network

Universities

IndustrySocieties

Hospitals

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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 theTK-System

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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.

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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

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AO Foundation: Organization

– Identify the clinical problem

– Carry out research

– Develop the technology

– Test and certify results

– Validate with clinical research

– Implement global education programs

Operational ActivitiesMedicalGuidance

– Academic Council

– Steering Boards

– Commissions

– Expert Groups

Tru

stee

s

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Relationship AO—Synthes, Inc.

S Y N T H E S A G C H U R

Industrial PartnerPatent & Synthes Trademark Holder

Licensor

Royalties

Funding AO Activities

AOTK

AOF owns Synthes AG Chur

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TODAY AO Principles & Philosophy

• Principle has remained the same

• Proper management environment of

the patient

• PERSONALITY OF THE FRACTURE

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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

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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.

AO Vision

Our vision is excellence in the surgical management of trauma and disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

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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

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AO Foundation – a global network of surgeons and healthcare professionals

To help the trauma surgoens all round the world

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