Meet the expert: Thomas Fischer
"AO Technical Commission Meet the Experts" live at the AO Davos Courses 2024
Our popular “Meet the Experts” format offers the opportunity to learn about the AO Technical Commission's most recently approved medical devices and to explore hot topics in trauma and orthopedic surgery. Our expert surgeons are directly involved in the development of new implants and instruments. During live sessions held inside The Shard, RIMASYS’ mobile wet lab, they will showcase the clinical benefits of innovative devices and surgical techniques. The sessions will be streamed live and available thereafter on our website.
Our popular “Meet the Experts” format offers the opportunity to learn about the AO Technical Commission's most recently approved medical devices and to explore hot topics in trauma and orthopedic surgery. Our expert surgeons are directly involved in the development of new implants and instruments. During live sessions held inside The Shard, RIMASYS’ mobile wet lab, they will showcase the clinical benefits of innovative devices and surgical techniques. The sessions will be streamed live and available thereafter on our website.
Thomas Fischer
Chairperson of the Hand Expert Group (HAEG), part of the AO Technical Commission, and retired department chairman of hand surgery at St. Vincent Hospital and Health Services, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
Can you tell us a bit more about your work for the AO TC?
I started out in the AO in 1983 as a table instructor in Sun Valley. My next gig was as a participant in the summer of 1983 at the Sea Island Hand Course, led by Alan Freeland and Michael Jabaley. It has been my honor to work enough on lab projects to get a seat at the table of the AO TC Hand Expert Group which was originally manned by my long-time practice partner Hill Hastings. Jürg Brennwald, Hill Hastings, Jesse Jupiter and Ulrich Büchler were all instrumental in inspiring me to have a hand at product development and innovation for the small bones of the hand.
How does your role in the AO TC link to the “Meet the Experts” session you will present at the AO Davos Courses (AO DC) this December?
I have worked both on the development of the variable angle locking system for the distal radius and the variable angle locking system for the hand. This work allowed me to collaborate with a wonderful group of surgeons from all areas of expertise in the Next Generation Plating Task Force, chaired by Christoph Sommer, which has culminated in the implants we will demonstrate in Davos for the first time.
What does it take to become an “expert surgeon”?
Repetition, understanding the mechanics, precision, innovation and the science of teaching and learning which—if applied well—catapults the teacher to a new level of understanding. The AO is based on these principles.
What other area (apart from surgery) do you consider yourself an expert in?
Fishing, canoeing, and astronomy.
You have participated in the AO DC numerous times. What is your fondest memory?
The camaraderie of the faculty over the years and the development of new faculty. The support from Synthes (now DePuy Synthes) has been second to none and I’m grateful for all the staff who expertly and tirelessly make these courses happen.
I started out in the AO in 1983 as a table instructor in Sun Valley. My next gig was as a participant in the summer of 1983 at the Sea Island Hand Course, led by Alan Freeland and Michael Jabaley. It has been my honor to work enough on lab projects to get a seat at the table of the AO TC Hand Expert Group which was originally manned by my long-time practice partner Hill Hastings. Jürg Brennwald, Hill Hastings, Jesse Jupiter and Ulrich Büchler were all instrumental in inspiring me to have a hand at product development and innovation for the small bones of the hand.
How does your role in the AO TC link to the “Meet the Experts” session you will present at the AO Davos Courses (AO DC) this December?
I have worked both on the development of the variable angle locking system for the distal radius and the variable angle locking system for the hand. This work allowed me to collaborate with a wonderful group of surgeons from all areas of expertise in the Next Generation Plating Task Force, chaired by Christoph Sommer, which has culminated in the implants we will demonstrate in Davos for the first time.
What does it take to become an “expert surgeon”?
Repetition, understanding the mechanics, precision, innovation and the science of teaching and learning which—if applied well—catapults the teacher to a new level of understanding. The AO is based on these principles.
What other area (apart from surgery) do you consider yourself an expert in?
Fishing, canoeing, and astronomy.
You have participated in the AO DC numerous times. What is your fondest memory?
The camaraderie of the faculty over the years and the development of new faculty. The support from Synthes (now DePuy Synthes) has been second to none and I’m grateful for all the staff who expertly and tirelessly make these courses happen.
Thomas Fischer will be presenting the Wrist Treatment System during a SHARD session at the AO Davos Courses on December 3, 2024.