AO Spine Course—Spinal Trauma: Key Concepts and Techniques
Unlock the path to mastering spinal trauma surgery
Currently in development, this two-day hands-on course will provide surgeons with essential surgical skills in managing spinal trauma and spinal cord injuries in cervical and thoracolumbar spine.
Using realistic bone models and simulators with fracture patterns, participants will master core techniques such as pedicle screw placement (open and minimally invasive), anterior and posterior cervical decompression and fixation, and thoracolumbar decompression, which form the foundation of effective spinal trauma care. In addition, the participants will learn the main classifications and how to apply them.
This course is planned to start in 2027.
Why you should choose this course
World-class curriculum
Developed by leading global experts
Expert faculty
Learn from renowned regional specialists
Hands-on experience
2 days in duration
Network
Build valuable professional connections
Planned course content
4 weeks before the course, you will get access to a short online pre-learning module, which includes short video lectures, practical exercises videos, and articles on:
- Introduction to classifications: why
- Cervical injuries (subaxial):
- Classification system
- Approaches and management options
- Thoracolumbar injuries:
- Classification system
- Approaches and management options
- High energy and osteoporotic fractures
- Classification systems
- Initial management of high energy and polytrauma injuries
- Upper cervical injuries:
- Classification system
- Introduction
- Cervical injuries (subaxial)
- Thoracolumbar injuries
- Other injuries and complications
- Osteoporotic fractures*
- Sacral injuries*
- Spinal trauma research*
- New technologies and innovations*
*Only in selected courses. Please check the final course program.
*Analyse real-world clinical cases to enhance clinical decision-making and problem-solving skills. These discussions foster collaboration among participants and faculty and connect theoretical insights with practical applications.
Case discussions will cover topics on:
- A, B, and C type injuries in cervical and thoracolumbar spine
- Spinal cord injuries
- Anterior and posterior surgery
- Osteoporotic fractures*
- Sacral injuries*
*Only in selected courses. Please check the final course program.
Pedicle cannulation and decompression (lumbar and thoracic)—open
- Introduction to the practical exercises
- Open pedicle screw placement—lumbar and thoracic
- Thoracolumbar decompression, with dural repair*
- Module debriefing and take-home messages
Pedicle cannulation (lumbar and thoracic)—percutaneous
- Introduction to the practical exercises
- Fluoroscopy
- Percutaneous screws
- Navigation station*
- Cement augmentation (video or hands-on exercise*)
- Module debriefing and take-home messages
Cervical decompression—anterior
- Introduction to the practical exercises
- Anterior, discectomy/corpectomy
- Anterior C2*
- Module debriefing and take-home messages
Cervical decompression—posterior
- Introduction to the practical exercises
- Posterior fixation: decompression, Massa screw, cervical pedicle screws, C2
- Module debriefing and take-home messages
*Only in selected courses. Please check the final course program.
Who should attend
- Residents in orthopedic and neurosurgical programs
- Fellows
- Surgeons seeking to refine core spinal trauma techniques
- Surgeons transitioning into spine trauma care
- Global Spine Diploma participants and alumni
“This course will give you the tools to tackle all the frequent challenges in spinal trauma. I will send all my residents to this course so I will know they gain the confidence and techniques to treat our patients according to the up-to-date evidence.”
Sebastian Bigdon
AO Spine Trauma Curriculum Taskforce member
AO Spine Knowledge Forum Trauma & Infection member
After the course you will master the following competencies:
- Assess the spinal trauma patient in a standardized way and document all aspects of the patient journey
- Clear the spine and provide initial immobilization
- Workup the patient and interpret all imaging and other investigations
- Classify the injury and make a diagnosis
- Make a classification-based treatment plan (including appropriate preparation)
- Perform the chosen procedure
- Manage other specific fracture patterns
AO Spine Trauma Curriculum Task Force
Thomas Blattert
Germany
Representing Europe and Southern Africa
Marcelo Valacco
Argentina
Representing Latin America
John France
USA
Representing North America
Mohamed Fawzy Khattab
Egypt
Representing Middle East and Northern Africa
Samir Dalvie
India
Representing Asia Pacific
Luiz Gustavo dal Oglio da Rocha
Brazil
Representing Global Spine Diploma and AO In-Hospital
Sebastian Bigdon
Switzerland
Representing Knowledge Forum Trauma & Infection
Ricardo Rodrigues Pinto
Portugal
Representing Knowledge Forum Spinal Cord Injury
Richard Bransford
AO Spine Education Commission Chairperson
Bryan Ashman
AO Spine Curriculum Advisor
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