AO Trauma Course - Basic Principles of Fracture Management (Feb 21 - 23, 2025)

AO Trauma Course - Basic Principles of Fracture Management is organized by AO Trauma, AO Foundation and will be held from Feb 21 - 23, 2025.

Description:
The course contains several evidence-based lectures, which cover the key information required. The AO Skills Lab engages surgeons in hands-on learning of basic principles and practical know-how needed for live surgery. With experiences such as proper tightening of a screw and feeling the difference between drilling with sharp and blunt drill bits, course participants gain important surgical skills and learn about basic biomechanical concepts in a safe, instructive environment. In practical exercises participants will be trained in the application of fixation techniques. Discussing cases in small groups helps participants to understand decision-making and management skills.

After the course an online postcourse self-assessment provides participants with a possibility to review the important topics from the course and provide feedback for future improvement of the course.

Objectives:
At the end of this course participants will be able to:

• Discuss the concepts of stability, their influence on bone healing, and how to apply implants to achieve appropriate stability
• Plan a treatment based on assessment, imaging, classification, and decision-making
• Apply reduction techniques in fracture management with attention to the importance of the soft tissue
• Use appropriate fixation techniques to treat diaphyseal and simple (peri)articular fractures
• Evaluate and recognize the special problems related to: fractures in the immature skeleton, pelvic injuries, osteoporotic fractures, postoperative infection, and delayed union and/or nonunion
• Plan the initial treatment of the polytraumatized patient

Goal:
The AO Trauma course Basic Principles of Fracture Management teaches fundamental principles and current concepts in the treatment of injuries, incorporating the latest techniques in operative fracture management. The AO Trauma Basic Principles course is the initial step along the path of lifelong learning in the area of operative fracture management and the main focus of this course lies in the basic principles of fracture management.