AO Trauma Basic Principles of Fracture Management Course

The fundamental course for doctors in surgical training, and doctors interested in furthering their knowledge and skills in operative fracture management.

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.

The course is available in a standard format (all face-to-face) and a blended version (with a 3-week online preparation phase).

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Why you should choose this course

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Course content

Course modules
Module 1: Injury pattern (soft-tissue and bone) and biology of bone healing

Module 2: Stability and biomechanics of bone healing

Module 3: Principles and management of diaphyseal fractures

Module 4: Principles and management of articular fractures

Module 5: Emergency management, minimally invasive surgery, and special fractures
AO Skills Lab – Simulations
Torque measurement of bone screws

Soft-tissue penetration during drilling

Heat generation during drilling

Mechanics of bone fractures

Techniques of reduction

Mechanics of intramedullary fixation

Mechanics of plate fixation

Fracture healing and plate fixation

Damaged implant removal
Practical exercises – Dry lab
Internal fixation with screws and plates—absolute stability

Principles of the internal fixator using the locking compression plate (LCP)

Application of a modular large external fixator

Intramedullary (IM) nailing (tibial or femoral shaft)

Cerclage compression wiring of the olecranon

Management of a type 44C malleolar fracture

Management of a trochanteric fracture

Preoperative planning—plan your operation

Operate your plan

Management of a femoral neck fracture using 7.3 mm cannulated screws *

Application of the large distractor to comminuted femoral fracture *

Stabilization of the pelvic ring using a large external fixator *

Patient positioning workshop (in lecture room) *

* Optional content: Only in selected courses. Check your chosen date and location for the full program.
Small group discussions
General principles, classification, concepts of stability, their influence on bone healing, and how to apply implants to achieve appropriate stability

Management principles for the treatment of diaphyseal fractures

Management principles for the treatment of articular fractures

Polytrauma, complications, and fragility fractures *

* Optional content: Only in selected courses. Check your chosen date and location for the full program.

Course details may be subject to change. Please check your chosen date and location for the detailed program.

Download brochure (Standard course)

Download brochure (Blended course)

Target audience

Doctors in surgical training
Doctors interested in furthering their knowledge and skills in operative fracture management

Course impressions

Competencies

Understand the concepts of stability, their influence on bone healing, and how to apply implants to achieve the appropriate stability
Plan a treatment based on assessment, imaging, classification, and decision making
Apply reduction techniques in fracture management with attention to the soft tissue
Apply implants according to their properties utilizing different application techniques
Assess and treat diaphyseal fractures
Assess and treat articular and periarticular fractures
Demonstrate strategies for assessing and treating open fractures and soft-tissue injuries
Manage the polytrauma patient
Evaluate, classify, and formulate a treatment plan for pelvic injuries and acetabular fractures
Recognize risk factors and complications and manage accordingly
Recognize and treat bone union disorders
Recognize and manage special fracture circumstances

What does competency-based curriculum development mean?

Residents education taskforce

The Residents education taskforce is a group of experts who build and continuously improve our educational program. It consists of three international program editors (IPEs).

See a full list of all regional program contributors and past international program editors.