AO Spine Trauma Curriculum Courses

AO Spine Spinal Trauma Pathway - master spinal trauma surgery in 3 steps!

AO Spine’s Trauma Curriculum Courses and the Global Spine Diploma are globally respected educational programs, developed and taught by leading experts, and grounded in the latest evidence. The courses equip spine surgeons with the precise skills and confidence needed to manage spinal injuries across a spectrum of complexity for the future. They span from online modules to hands-on workshops and clinical tools and offer a versatile, competency-based pathway to mastery.

Whether you’re a newly graduated orthopaedic or neurosurgeon, a resident seeking deeper exposure, or an experienced spine surgeon tackling complex trauma cases, this structured program supports your growth. From foundational management to advanced techniques, each course is designed to integrate seamlessly into your evolving clinical practice. Jumpstart your path to excellence — and deliver better care for spine trauma patients worldwide.

Find the right course focus at the right time

	Online	Hands-on courses
	Global Spine Diploma	Spinal Trauma: Key Concepts and Techniques (in development—scheduled to begin teaching in 2027)	Spinal Trauma: Advanced Techniques and Complex Cases
Target audience	Recently graduated orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons	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	Experienced spine surgeons managing complex trauma cases Surgeons who have attended the “Spinal Trauma: Key Concepts and Techniques” course and/or the Global Spine Diploma and want to increase their knowledge and skills
Format	Online, 12-month program, Trauma module: 8 weeks	2-day face-to-face course Access to online pre-learning material 4 weeks before the course	2-day face-to-face course Access to online pre-learning material 2-4 weeks before the course
Course modules	Acute spinal trauma—initial management Radiological assessment and injury classification systems Upper cervical injuries Lower cervical injuries Thoracolumbar injuries Osteoporotic and ankylotic fractures Sacral and spinopelvic injuries Outcomes and complications	Online pre-learning Cervical injuries (subaxial) Thoracolumbar injuries Other injuries and complications Osteoporotic fractures* Sacral injuries* Spinal trauma research* New technologies and innovations*	Online pre-learning Upper cervical injuries Thoracolumbar injuries—complex cases Osteoporotic fractures* Spinal cord injuries* Spinal trauma research* New technologies and innovations*
Practical exercises		Pedicle cannulation and decompression (lumbar and thoracic)—open Open pedicle screw placement—lumbar and thoracic Thoracolumbar decompression—with dural repair* Pedicle cannulation (lumbar and thoracic)—percutaneous Fluoroscopy-guided technique Percutaneous screw placement Navigation station* Cement augmentation (video or hands-on exercise) Cervical decompression—anterior* Anterior, discectomy/corpectomy Anterior C2* Cervical decompression—posterior Posterior fixation: decompression, Massa screw, cervical pedicle screws, C2	Posterior upper cervical fixation Occipitocervical fusion C1 screw placement C1-C2 instrumentation Goel-Harms fusion Magerl fusion C1/C2* Costotransversectomy for posterior thoracic corpectomy Lumbar corpectomy Sacroiliac screws for spinoiliac injuries, including transiliosacral screws (triangular pelvic fixation) Advanced techniques for dural reconstruction* Robotics*

*in selected courses—please check the final course program.

AO Spine trauma courses and educational events

Enhance your surgical skills with AO Spine, on life-like simulators or human anatomical specimens, and benefit from the knowledge and expertise of world-leading masters in this field. Courses are based on the AO Spine curriculum framework. Training is delivered concise and ready to be applied into clinical practice on the level of your current experience.