Manual of Internal Fixation, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1970
Technique Recommended by the AO-Group Swiss Association for the Study of Internal Fixation: ASIF

The German edition of our book entitled "Operative Frakturen­ behandlung" by M. E. MÜLLER, M. ALLGÖWER and H. WILLENEGGER (Springer, Berlin . Göttingen . Heidelberg, 1963) has been out of print now for more than three years. We are planning a new edition which will deal with the collective experience of 14,000 new cases, all treated by internal fixation, and will include the newest developments in the field of internal fixa­ tion. However, it will be some time before this new edition can be published. Increasing demands for a description of the AO technique of internal fixation has stimulated us to publish this manual. In it we shall describe in a comprehensive but somewhat apodictic mann er the principles and techniques of the AO methods of fracture treatment and reconstructive surgery, which in our hands, have stood the test of time. The book is written in a somewhat abbreviated style. It cor­ responds in subject matter to the teaching given at the AO courses in Davos, but deals with each subject more thoroughly. We have dispensed with pictures of the instruments, as these may be found in the Synthes Catalogue *. This manual should be regarded as the product of collective experiencc, containing new thoughts and new discoveries from basic research. In considering the risks of mistakes and dangers, we can only reiterate what we have already stated in "Technique of Internal Fixation of Fractures": "Open treatment of fractures is a valuable but difficult method which involves much responsibility.

General Considerations.- I. The Aims and the Fundamental Principles of the AO Method.- A. The Aims of the AO Method.- B. Basic Principles.- 1. Reaction of Bone to Metal Implants.- 2. Clinical and Empirical Findings in Internal Fixation with Compression.- 3. The Histology of Bone Union Occurring under Compression.- 4. The Biomechanical Experiments for Measuring the Magnitude and Duration of Compression between Fragments.- 5. The Development of Standard Bone Instrument Sets which Have Made it Possible to Overcome most of the Problems of Internal Fixation of Fresh Fractures, Pseudarthroses, Osteotomies and Arthrodeses.- 6. The AO Documentation Center.- II. The Internal Fixation—Method of the AO.- A. Compression.- 1. Interfragmental Compression.- 2. Axial Compression.- 3. Interfragmental and Axial Compression Combined with Either the Neutralization or Buttress Plate.- 4. Angled Blade Plates as Means of Internal Fixation.- B. Intramedullary Methods of Internal Fixation.- III. Pre-operative, Operative and Post-operative Guide-Lines.- Post-operative Care.- Post-operative Positioning.- Autogenous Bone Grafts.- IV. Implants.- A. The Removal.- B. Fatigue Fractures.- Special Part Internal Fixation of Fresh Fractures.- I. Closed Fractures in the Adult.- A. Fractures of the Scapula.- B. Fractures of the Clavicle.- C. Fractures of the Humerus.- D. Fractures of the Forearm.- E. Fractures of the Acetabulum.- F. Fractures of the Femoral Neck.- G. Fractures of the Femoral Shaft.- H. Fractures of the Patella.- J. Fractures of the Tibia.- K. Malleolar Fractures.- II. Compound Fractures in the Adult.- III. Fractures in Children.- Supplement Reconstructive Bone Surgery..- I. Pseudarthroses.- II. Osteotomies.- A. Osteotomies in the Upper Extremity.- B. Intertrochanteric Osteotomies.- C. Femoral Shaft Osteotomy through Old Fracture Callus.- D. Supracondylar Osteotomies.- E. Osteotomy of the Proximal Tibia.- F. Osteotomy of the Tibial Shaft.- G. Osteotomy of the Lower End of the Tibia.- III. Arthrodeses.- A. Shoulder Arthrodesis.- B. Technique of Arthrodesis of the Elbow and Wrist Joint.- C. Hip Arthrodesis with the Cobra Head Plate.- D. The Technique in Arthrodesis of the Knee.- E. Technique of Compression Arthrodesis of the Ankle.- References.