Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen

Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (commonly called AO) (German for Association for the Study of Internal Fixation) is a non profit organization dedicated to improving the care of patients with musculoskeletal injuries and their sequelae through research, development, education and quality assurance in the principles, practice, and result of fracture treatment. Distribution and sales of all AO products is done through Synthes via a subsidiary. From March 2006, Synthes acquired existing "Synthes"-branded products from the AO Foundation [ [http://www.aofoundation.org/portal/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_GI?contentUrl=/wor/new/2006/03/ao_extranet_news_00000350.jsp&hidenews=true Synthes acquires Synthes-branded products] ] .

The foundation was founded in Switzerland in 1958 [ [http://www.aofoundation.org/portal/wps/portal/!ut/p/.cmd/cs/.ce/7_0_A/.s/7_0_FQ/_s.7_0_A/7_0_FQ AO Foundation website] ] and runs training courses on methods of bone plating and fracture surgical treatment in many countries.

AO regularly hold courses worldwide for Orthopedic Surgeons and other health professionals. These include hands on experience of using the latest implants, as well as lectures from expert surgeons and discussions.

The foundation has a large impact in the field of Maxillofacial surgery and many of the foundation recommendations are used in that field.

External links

* [http://www.aofoundation.org AO Foundation]

References

ee also

*Orthognathic surgery