During the past 30 years, the Study Group for the Problems of Osteosyn- thesis (AO) has made decisive contributions to the development of osteo- synthesis as a surgical method. Through close cooperation among special- ists in the fields of orthopedic and general surgery, basis research, metallurgy, and technical engineering, with consistently thorough follow- up, it was possible to establish a solid scientific background for osteosyn- thesis and to standardize this operative method, not only for the more ob- vious applications in fracture treatment, but also in selective orthopedics where...

During the past 30 years, the Study Group for the Problems of Osteosyn thesis (AO) has made decisive contributions to the development of osteo synthesis as a surgical method. Through close cooperation among special ists in the fields of orthopedic and general surgery, basis research, metallurgy, and technical engineering, with consistently thorough follow up, it was possible to establish a solid scientific background for osteosyn thesis and to standardize this operative method, not only for the more ob vious applications in fracture treatment, but also in selective orthopedics where hardly...