AO Technical Commission Innovation Awards

The AO Recognition Award is awarded by the AO Foundation's supervisory body, the AOFB, to honor individuals within the AO Technical Commission who have made significant contributions to the AO Foundation throughout their career and achieved meaningful impact to product innovation and patient care.

Theodor "Theddy" F Slongo, MD, of Bern, Switzerland, is the recipient of the AO Technical Commission (AO TC) 2022 Recognition Award. He has been an active member of the AO TC since 1997 and has chaired several groups, including the External Fixation Expert Group and the Pediatric Expert Group.

As an extremely experienced and world-renowned orthopedic pediatric surgeon, Slongo’s involvement with the AO TC began with the conceptual design and development of new implants for children, perhaps most notably the Titanium Elastic Nail intended for diaphyseal fracture fixation. More recently, his vast experience and innovative mind have driven the development of external fixator systems including the creation of the MAXFRAME® Multi-Axial Correction System, the first solution to provide precise 3D planning, simulation, and correction of complex deformities.

Slongo has continually demonstrated true innovation in product development via his tendency to consider disruptive technologies, often supporting distinct adaptations to surgical techniques and procedures if the result achieves improvements in functional outcomes for his patients.

In addition to his practical ability to help develop new solutions, Slongo is an excellent teacher with decades of experience as an AO educator. He brings broad clinical knowledge to his courses, workshops, and live surgery sessions, and his students appreciate his sharing of an array of tips and tricks for complex situations.

The AO TC honored Slongo for his unflagging dedication to the improvement of patient care by supporting research and development, fostering clinical evidence, and providing his knowledge and experience in education.

The AO Technical Commission is delighted to announce the Pelvic Expert Group (PEEG) as the esteemed winner of the 2023 Innovation Prize. The PEEG has been honored for its innovation in developing the Intrapelvic Acetabular System, a comprehensive set of implants and tools offering innovative solutions in pelvic surgery.

The genesis of this system stems from the careful observation of evolving fracture patterns and a paradigm shift from non-operative to surgical treatment in pelvic fractures. The Intrapelvic Acetabular System addresses the complexities associated with fracture types and recognizes that screw fixation alone may not always suffice. The introduction of a plate applied to the quadrilateral surface proves to be a pivotal advancement.

The AO Technical Commission commends the PEEG’s outstanding contribution to advancing orthopedic care. The Intrapelvic Acetabular System stands as a testament to the group’s commitment to innovation, ultimately improving outcomes for patients undergoing pelvic surgery.

The Certificate of Merit is awarded by the AO Technical Commission's supervisory body, the AO TCEB, to individuals as a sign of appreciation for outstanding activities over the course of one project or a year.

In December 2019, Markus Windolf received the AO Technical Commission Certificate of Merit. He was in particular awarded for the outstanding and innovative development of a simplified navigation system based on shape recognition and for a concept to automatically determine the required screw length during drilling.

Both concepts are now in translation to clinical applications which is a clearly visible sign that the Concept Development Focus Area under the thoughtful leadership of Windolf plays an essential role in the efforts of the AO Foundation to foster innovation. In this regard the AO Technical Commission wishes Windolf and his team continued success and is looking forward to a fruitful collaboration.