AO Surgery Reference, the digital knowledge hub for AO education, is enhanced by integration with OSapp

Two award-winning AO educational assets—the AO Surgery Reference and OSapp—have joined forces to enable clear, simple explanations of key biomechanical principles.

Since 2023, a dedicated group comprising the AO Surgery Reference Editorial College and authors, the AO Surgery Reference team, and experts from the AO Research Institute Davos (ARI) has worked to bring the AO Surgery Reference/OSapp partnership to life. Working together to identify 3D models that will best help users understand key biomechanical principles, the team has integrated more than 80 OSapp 3D models into the AO Surgery Reference’s adult trauma content so far, primarily in the basic techniques sections.

True to the AO’s overall mission of improving patient outcomes, the collaboration is continuing with OSapp integration across the craniomaxillofacial (CMF), spine, pediatric trauma, and veterinary sections of AO Surgery Reference.

‘Core knowledge hub’

“The AO Surgery Reference is the core knowledge hub for the digital future of AO education,” said AO Surgery Reference Editorial College member and OSapp co-founder Simon Lambert, MD, adding that the partnership with OSapp is evidence of the AO’s continuing development of a portfolio of educational content supporting the varying circumstances in which clinicians work and study.

“OSapp was conceived to answer a need for clarification of the biomechanical principles upon which all fractures are treated—to inform clinical practice and reduce healing failures,” he said. OSapp’s interactive 3D models allow users to experiment and enhance their understanding of biomechanical principles and receive instant feedback on the biomechanical effects of any changes.

The evolution of OSapp

In its early stages, OSapp benefited from the support and wisdom of AO founding father and senior scientific advisor Stephan Perren. His vision for interactive learning based on scientific principles and sound evidence provided essential clarity on the direction of OSapp development, Lambert said.

“OSapp evolved with the goal of complementing the AO Surgery Reference content,” he explained, adding that OSapp’s presentation of biomechanical principles reflects current educational philosophy and practice. “Self-directed learning is complemented by concise instructional material which can be utilized as discrete topics of complete modules.”

Lambert emphasized that OSapp’s effectiveness as a learning tool for surgeons in training was demonstrated in a recent publication.

“Early-years trainees were shown to learn and, importantly, retain detailed information about clinically relevant biomechanics, improving to the level of their later-years colleagues, who also improved over the period of the study,” he said.

A winning partnership

The AO Surgery Reference, launched in 2004, is the premier online resource for orthopedic surgeons. With more than 2 million active users annually, it is designed to support surgeons worldwide by offering step-by-step guidance, decision-making tools, and best practices for treating musculoskeletal injuries.

OSapp, initially supported by AO innovation resources and launched at the AO Davos Courses 2020, received the Comenius EduMedia Seal for high quality in the “Digital Media with Educational Potential” category in June 2025. This prestigious European prize is awarded annually by the Society for Pedagogy, Information and Media (GPI). For over 30 years, it has recognized outstanding digital educational media for pedagogical quality, content, and design. The Comenius EduMedia Seal is the only European award given independently of providers and producers.