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.

The foundation was founded in Switzerland in 1958 and runs training courses on methods of bone plating and fracture surgical treatmet in many countries.

AO regulary hold courses worldwide for Orthopedic Surgeons and other health professionals. These include hands on experience of using the latest plates and screws, 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.