Research programs
AO Trauma CPP - Fracture non-union
Fracture non-union remains one of the most significant and challenging complications in orthopaedic trauma surgery. Recognizing this critical clinical need, AO Trauma has established a new Clinical Priority Program (CPP) dedicated to advancing research and improving patient outcomes in this field.
Building on the success of the AO Trauma CPP on Fracture-Related Infection (FRI), this new program expands the focus to include both infectious and noninfectious causes of impaired fracture healing. The CPP aims to deepen scientific understanding, foster collaboration across disciplines, and translate research findings into practical clinical solutions.
Although fracture healing has benefited from major advances in surgical techniques and implant technology, a subset of patients continues to experience delayed healing or progression to non-union. Infection and biomechanical instability remain key contributing factors, and recent evidence suggests that low-grade bacterial infections may play an important role even in cases previously considered aseptic.
Through this new program, AO Trauma brings together international experts and research institutions to address these complex challenges. The consortium established under this CPP has now commenced its research activities, continuing AO Trauma’s mission to improve patient care through science, innovation, and global collaboration.
Beginning in March 2025, a five-year Clinical Priority Program (CPP) was launched to accelerate translational and clinical research in this domain. The program is led by Prof. Elizabeth Balmayor (University of Aachen) and co-led by Prof. Christopher H. Evans (Mayo Clinic).
Clinical outcome measurements of fracture treatment as an AO Trauma Clinical Priority Program (CPP)
AO Trauma runs a CPP to promote research in the area of clinical outcome measurements of fracture treatment. Particular interest is the development and validation of tools that allow clinical outcome measurements of fracture treatment, however other relevant topics will also be considered. The aim is to support research that will either directly affect the patient outcome, or will generate ideas ultimately translatable to clinical practice.
Bone infection as an AO Trauma Clinical Priority Program (CPP)
AO Trauma aims to discover solutions to the pressing and costly clinical problem of bone infection. To further the goals of expanding clinical knowledge and improving patient care, AO Trauma has established a CPP. Under the direction of the AO Trauma research commission, AO Trauma has acknowledged the challenge posed by bone infection and defined it as the focus of the new CPP. The CPP bone infection will aim to achieve better understanding of bone infection, provide solutions for the most pressing clinical problems and have a positive impact on patient care.
