For more than forty years, the AO has true to its calling imparted the principles of fracture management by several publications and special courses worldwide. The second edition of the AO Principles of Fracture Management book has been fully updated and extended to describe the latest techniques and covers the complete content of the AO Principles Course of today. It is now published as a two-volume set and provides excellent guidance and expertise, compiled by nearly one hundred contributors, all of whom are renowned surgeons and members of the AO faculty. An exceptionally large number of new illustrations as well as animations and video clips turn this work not only into excellent reference books but make them unique learning tools. Both residents as well as advanced trauma surgeons will benefit from this concept.

Volume 1 focuses on the basic knowledge and the principles of fracture management, eg, biomechanics, tools for reoperative planning, soft-tissue management, different methods of reduction and fixation, implants. Simultaneously, it addresses new issues pertaining to internal/external fixation, damage-control surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and biotechnology.

Volume 2 focuses on the management of specific fractures in different anatomical areas. For each of these areas there is a separate chapter discussing the assessment of injuries, surgical anatomy, preoperative planning, surgical treatment, and postoperative care, while pointing out pitfalls and complications. New fixation techniques and implants have particularly been taken into account.

DVD-ROM for PC and Macintosh
- All illustrations are available for download and can be used for personal presentations.
- Animations and video clips featuring step-by-step procedures can also be downloaded for self-education or use within personal presentations.
- The complete text of the book is available for quick reference.

Volume 1 Principles

1.1 AO philosophy and basic principles
1.1 AO philosophy and evolution
1.2 Biology and biomechanics in bone healing
1.3 Implants and materials in fracture fixation
1.4 Introduction to biotechnology
1.5 Fracture classification
1.6 Soft-tissue injury: pathophysiology, evaluation, and classification

2 Decision making and planning
2.1 The patient and the injury: decision making in trauma surgery
2.2 Diaphyseal fractures: principles
2.3 Articular fractures: principles
2.4 Preoperative planning

3 Reduction, approaches, and fixation techniques
3.1 Reduction and approaches
3.1.1 Surgical reduction
3.1.2 Surgical approaches: principles of soft-tissue management
3.1.3 Minimally invasive surgery
3.2 Techniques of absolute stability
3.2.1 Screws
3.2.2 Plates
3.2.3 Tension band principle
3.3 Techniques of relative stability
3.3.1 Intramedullary nailing
3.3.2 Bridge plating
3.3.3 External fixator
3.3.4 Internal fixator

4 General topics
4.1 Polytrauma: pathophysiology, priorities, and management
4.2 Open fractures
4.3 Soft-tissue loss: principles of management
4.4 Pediatric fractures
4.5 Antibiotic prophylaxis
4.6 Thromboembolic prophylaxis
4.7 Postoperative management: general considerations
4.8 Osteoporosis

5 Complications
5.1 Malunion
5.2 Aseptic nonunion
5.3 Acute infection
5.4 Chronic infection and infected nonunion

Volume 2 Specific fractures

6 Specific fractures
6.1 Scapula and clavicle
6.2 Humerus
6.2.1 Humerus, proximal
6.2.2 Humerus, shaft
6.2.3 Humerus, distal
6.3 Forearm and hand
6.3.1 Olecranon, radial head, and complex elbow injuries
6.3.2 Forearm, shaft
6.3.3 Distal radius and wrist
6.3.4 Hand
6.4 Pelvic ring
6.5 Acetabulum
6.6 Femur
6.6.1 Femur, proximal
6.6.2 Femur, shaft (incl. subtrochanteric fractures)
6.6.3 Femur, distal
6.7 Patella
6.8 Tibia
6.8.1 Tibia, proximal
6.8.2 Tibia, shaft
6.8.3 Tibia, distal intraarticular (pilon)
6.9 Malleoli
6.10 Foot
6.10.1 Hindfoot: calcaneus and talus
6.10.2 Midfoot and forefoot
6.11 Spine