Thank you for shaping the future of spine trauma and infection research!

September 14, 2026

The AO Spine Knowledge Forum Trauma & Infection would like to thank and recognize the hundreds of spine professionals worldwide who participated in our recent needs assessment survey. Your contributions have helped identify the most pressing challenges facing the global spine community and are directly influencing the research and educational initiatives we pursue.

  • AO Spine Knowledge Forum Trauma & Infection thanks surgeons who completed a global survey that identified priority research gaps in spine trauma, infection, and osteoporotic fractures.
  • Survey results, published in Global Spine Journal, identified osteoporotic fractures, spinal infection, and fragility-associated sacral/pelvic fractures as top priorities.
  • Surgeons can align clinical practice, research interests, and education with globally recognized priorities and emerging classification systems.
  • Ongoing studies, new classification systems, stronger knowledge translation initiatives, and future research surveys will continue shaping AO Spine research.

The survey findings, recently published in Global Spine Journal, highlight the priorities and knowledge gaps that matter most to clinicians across regions and practice settings. The study, Global Priorities and Knowledge Gaps in Spinal Trauma, Infection, and Osteoporotic Fractures: Insights from the AO Spine Knowledge Forum Trauma & Infection Needs Assessment Survey, provides valuable insight into where research and knowledge translation efforts are needed most.

Turning priorities into action

Encouragingly, the survey showed strong alignment between the issues identified by the global AO Spine community and the ongoing work of the Knowledge Forum Trauma & Infection.

Osteoporotic fractures

The highest-ranked priority was osteoporotic fractures; a focus area already being addressed through the ongoing Thoracolumbar Osteoporotic Fracture (TL OF) study. This work aims to improve understanding, classification, and treatment decision-making for this growing patient population.

Spinal infection

Spinal infection emerged as the second-highest priority. In response, the Knowledge Forum continues to advance research in this field through the development of a primary spinal infection classification system and a new prospective study designed to improve diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.

Fragility-associated sacral and pelvic fractures

The survey also emphasized the need for better understanding and management of low-energy sacral and pelvic fractures. To address this gap, the Knowledge Forum is working on the development of a new classification system to support more consistent assessment and treatment strategies.

A clear call for better knowledge translation

While the survey identified important research priorities, it also highlighted the importance of ensuring that evidence reaches clinicians and influences practice.

The findings reinforce the need for stronger knowledge translation (KT) initiatives that bridge the gap between research, education, and clinical implementation. By transforming new evidence into practical guidance, educational resources, and globally relevant tools, AO Spine can help ensure that advances in research lead to meaningful improvements in patient care.

Keep shaping future research

The AO Spine Research Survey platform provides members with a direct opportunity to influence future research directions and help identify emerging challenges facing spine care worldwide. We aim to ensure that the questions most important to the global spine community become the research priorities that drive future innovation, education, and patient care.

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