Deep dive into spinal deformities: mastering spine deformity with AO Spine’s new curriculum courses

Are you looking to improve your skills in spinal deformity surgery? AO Spine’s new courses are designed to equip you with the confidence and skills needed to navigate this challenging specialty. Whether you're a surgeon in training or already experienced, these courses provide hands-on learning and advanced techniques to tackle complex spine cases.

In response to the evolving demands of spine surgery and new technologies, AO Spine has introduced a competency-based curriculum on spinal deformity. These two-day, interactive, hands-on courses provide a clear learning path to help surgeons of all levels master the complexities of spinal deformity surgery. 

Designed for real-world impact, tailored to your experience level

The two new courses—Deformity: Key Concepts and Techniques and Deformity: Advanced Techniques and Complex Cases—are packed with practical tools and techniques to ensure you're ready for the challenges ahead. Led by top international experts, you’ll benefit from hands-on skills labs, real-life case discussions, and direct mentorship that will immediately enhance your surgical practice.

Each AO Spine course is designed with your daily spine surgery practice in mind. 

The Deformity: Key Concepts and Techniques course focuses on building a strong foundation— perfect for residents and early-career surgeons, as well as experienced surgeons who want an update on general principles of deformity management.   

With emphasis on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), de novo scoliosis in the adult, and Scheuermann’s kyphosis, learning takes place through through short, evidence-based lectures, highly interactive case-based discussions, and hands-on practice using realistic deformity models. Faculty experts guide you through each step, ensuring you leave with real, applicable knowledge and skills.

For those ready to tackle more complex cases, the Deformity: Advanced Techniques and Complex Cases course dives into advanced techniques for managing complex deformities in both paediatric and adult patients. You'll engage in in-depth case discussions and hands-on training with real implants, ensuring you're prepared for challenging surgeries and treatment solutions for complex cases in AIS, adult IS, de novo scoliosis, sagittal and combined deformities, revision in adults, and high-grade spondylolisthesis. 

To make the most out of the on-site time, you will have access to online pre-learning modules, where you can update or refresh your knowledge, at home, at your own pace. 

Both courses are recommended for Global Spine Diploma (GSD) Program participants and alumni. GSD Deformity Module Chairperson Evan Davies said the courses are ideal for spine surgeons “who have already obtained a strong knowledge basis but wish to improve their hands-on skills.”

Hear it from your peers—take your skills to the next level

Participants of the pilot courses organized in 2024 were impressed about the practical benefits of these courses. Michael Bozik from Slovakia praised the advanced course, saying, "The practicals were really useful, and the talks on adult deformity are something I can use in my daily practice." 

Romania's Alexandru Thiery, who has over 20 years of experience, found value in learning new classification systems and appreciated the personal insights shared by faculty. "It is mandatory for spine fellows to have a course like this," he said.

Saudi Arabian surgeon Ziyad Alyousef called the advanced course "informative, efficient, and awesome," adding that it took his skills to the next level in just two days. 

Additionally, AO Spine Deformity Curriculum Development Task Force Chairperson and AO Spine Europe and Southern Africa Chairperson Pedro Berjano believes the “curriculum-based course is an experience that will leave a lasting impression.”

AO Spine Knowledge Forum (KF) Deformity Co-Chairperson-Elect and Education Task Force member Michael Kelly further highlights the AO’s unique position to disseminate latest research evidence.

“The latest recommendations from AO Spine Knowledge Forum studies can be implemented quickly into the learning programs, eliminating the usual lag from research to clinic,” he explained. “The AO’s global reach also helps identify regional variations and gaps in knowledge and direct our studies to the most burning questions and controversies.”

If you're looking to excel in spinal deformity surgery, these AO Spine courses offer the tools and knowledge you need. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to advance your expertise, these courses--launching in 2025—will empower you to deliver better outcomes for your patients.

Check out the AO Spine Courses and Events finder for the course that takes place the closest to you.