AO Trauma Course—Introduction to Internal Fixation of Hand and Wrist Fractures
The AO Trauma Course—Introduction to Internal Fixation of Hand and Wrist Fractures is aimed at residents (orthopedics or plastics) or practicing trauma surgeons with limited experience with modern internal fracture fixation principles. It's an interactive and multifaceted arena in which participants will be able to understand, discriminate, and consolidate the principles, skills, and techniques applicable to the use of internal fixation in the hand and wrist. The course will concentrate on internal fixation of fractures and skeletal reconstruction procedures.
Why you should choose this course
Top national, regional, and international faculty
½ day in duration
Residents and practicing trauma surgeons
Network with colleagues from all over the world
CME credits
Course content
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Course lectures and plenary discussions
- Bone healing, absolute and relative stability
- Anatomy, imaging, and classification of hand fractures
- Case-based plenary discussion—when to operate on closed hand fractures: closed fracture, indications for ORIF, timing of surgery, stabilization techniques
- Biomechanics of internal fixation techniques
- Plenary discussion—open fractures: primary care, antibiotic protocol, debridement, stabilization techniques
- Surgical exposures of the hand
- Postoperative rehabilitation
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Practical exercises
- Familiarization with the equipment
- 2.0 mm lag screw application for treatment of oblique diaphyseal metacarpal shaft fracture—tips, tricks, and pitfalls
- Lag screw and neutralization plate of a short oblique metacarpal fracture—tips, tricks, and pitfalls
- Fixation of transverse shaft metacarpal fracture with a compression plate Describe surgical approach to the second metacarpal
Course details may be subject to change. Please check your chosen date and location for the detailed program.
Target audience
- Residents (orthopedics or plastics)
- Practicing trauma surgeons with limited experience with modern internal fracture fixation principles
Course impressions
Competencies
- Perform pre-treatment assessment including physical examination, patient history including comorbidities
- Order and interpret imaging, classify skeletal and soft-tissue injury
- Decide on appropriate treatment based on skillset and available resources
- Apply the necessary soft-tissue repair techniques
- Correct any skeletal deformity and apply appropriate internal or external stabilization using the instruments and tools correctly
- Evaluate and address unexpected outcomes
- Develop and implement a rehabilitation and follow-up plan
What does competency-based curriculum development mean?
Resources
MEMEBERS ONLY
New teaching videos
A new series of AO Trauma Hand and Wrist practical exercises teach the techniques and principles of hand surgery using the new Variable Angle (VA) Modular Hand System for best practices in hand fracture fixation.
Hand and wrist education taskforce
Ahmed Syed Kamran (PK)
Term: 2021–2024
Inese Breide (LV)
Term: 2022–2024
Jay Bridgeman (USA)
Term: 2023–2025
See a full list of all regional program contributors and past international program editors.
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