Real-world orthopedic trauma training for residents and programs.
Prepare your residents for real-world fracture management with AO Trauma NA’s principles-based, hands-on orthopedic trauma training.
Now registering for 2026–2027 courses.
Built to support resident growth, program structure, and surgical readiness.
AO Trauma NA courses are designed to help residency programs strengthen resident performance, improve surgical decision-making, and simplify training planning.
Supports competency development across PGY levels and integrates into milestone-based evaluation.
Builds durable surgical judgment with real-world application and expert faculty feedback.
Delivers consistent, predictable training across residents and programs.
Strengthens clinical judgment, operative planning, and complication avoidance.
Simplifies scheduling, coordination, and program approvals.
Basic + Advanced Fracture Management Courses
AO Trauma NA offers two core courses designed to build a resident's orthopedic trauma knowledge from the ground up, aligning directly with ACGME milestones and residency program goals.
Two progressive learning experiences designed to support resident growth from early fracture principles to advanced trauma decision-making.
AO Trauma NA—Basic Principles of Fracture Management
Target Audience: PGY-1 (6 months into residency), PGY-2
This course provides foundational knowledge for orthopedic trauma care, establishing the core principles and psychomotor skills residents need to manage common fractures. It focuses on standardized, evidence-based AO principles to improve skill acquisition and prepare residents for rotations and exams.
Learn more about the Basic Principles course →AO Trauma NA—Advanced Principles of Fracture Management
Target Audience: PGY-2, PGY-3, PGY-4, PGY-5, Fellows
Building on the Basic course, this advanced curriculum refines surgical judgment for complex trauma cases. It emphasizes decision-making for challenging fractures, complication avoidance, and management of the multiply-injured patient, preparing residents for the operating room and board certification.
Learn more about the Advanced Principles course →Hands-on training in action.
Faculty-led, hands-on learning is at the core of every AO Trauma NA course.
View upcoming courses and plan your residents’ training calendar.
Easily review upcoming AO Trauma NA courses and align participation with your residents’ training schedule.
Download the full schedule or contact us for help aligning courses to your program.
Hear directly from the surgeons who teach our courses and the participants they impact.
We believe in showing, not just telling. Hear directly from the trusted orthopedic surgeons who teach our courses and learn about the real-world impact of our trauma education programs on their careers and the residents they help educate.
Diane Nam, MSc MD FRCSC, AO Trauma NA Faculty Member
Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
University of Toronto
Motasem Refaat, MD, FAAOS, FACS
Assistant Professor
Cook County Health
Chicago, Illinois
Benjamin Geer, MD, AO Trauma NA Faculty Member
Division Chief, Orthopaedic Trauma, Dignity Health Medical Group — AZ
Assistant Clinical Professor, Creighton University School of Medicine
A resident perspective from the Basic Principles course.
Hear how AO Trauma NA’s hands-on, principles-based training supports early resident development and confidence in fracture management.
“I encourage residents to take this course and ask plenty of questions. The teaching faculty are highly receptive and eager to teach well beyond the standard curriculum.”
“This is an excellent course taught by experienced faculty who are outstanding educators. I am very grateful for the training and guidance.”
“This course provided a better understanding of basic AO fracture principles that I can directly leverage in my daily practice.”
“This is a great course for refining your foundation in fracture management. I highly recommend it for those looking to advance their clinical judgment.”
“I learned valuable new treatment and reduction strategies for complex injuries. I plan to incorporate much more of this preoperative planning into my cases.”
“The skills and concepts taught here are essential to my future practice, especially as I prepare to apply for a trauma fellowship.”
A message from Dr. Brett Crist
Dr. Brett Crist is Chair, AO Trauma North America, and an orthopedic trauma surgeon committed to advancing practical, high-quality resident education.
“AO Trauma North America’s Basic and Advanced Principles of Fracture Management courses are designed to complement residency training by reinforcing the core principles of fracture care in a structured, hands-on setting.”
Explore all upcoming AO North America courses and events. View Courses & Events →
How Basic and Advanced Principles work together to build resident readiness.
A strong orthopedic education pathway is built sequentially. The Basic Principles course provides residents with a foundational understanding of fracture care, decision-making, and hands-on practice early in their training. The Advanced Principles course then helps them deepen their judgment and expand their problem-solving skills, enabling them to confidently manage more complex clinical scenarios.
Basic Principles of Fracture Management
Basic Principles introduces the core concepts, structured thinking, and technical foundations residents need to approach fracture management in a consistent, principles-based way.
Advanced Principles of Fracture Management
Advanced Principles helps residents apply those fundamentals in more demanding situations, strengthening clinical judgment, adaptability, and readiness for higher-level responsibility.
Start with the fundamentals
Basic Principles introduces the core concepts, structured thinking, and technical foundations residents need to approach fracture management in a consistent, principles-based way.
Build toward complexity
Advanced Principles helps residents apply those fundamentals in more demanding situations, strengthening clinical judgment, adaptability, and readiness for higher-level responsibility.
Set residents up for long-term success
Together, these courses support a developmental progression that helps residents grow in confidence, improve operative decision-making, and prepare for fellowship and independent practice.
A stronger training sequence for your program
For program directors and coordinators, investing in both Basic Principles and Advanced Principles creates a more intentional educational pathway. It provides residents with staged exposure to knowledge, hands-on techniques, and clinical reasoning skills that support stronger performance in training and better preparation for the next phase of their careers.
Trusted by residency programs. Proven at scale.
AO Trauma NA continues to support orthopedic resident education across North America through structured, principles-based trauma training.
Residency programs in North America served
Residents trained annually
Advancing orthopedic trauma education for more than three decades
Choosing an orthopedic trauma education program
Additional details for residency leaders evaluating orthopedic trauma training options.
What are AO Trauma fracture management courses?
AO Trauma fracture management courses are structured, principles-based educational programs designed to build and advance orthopedic trauma knowledge across all stages of a surgeon’s career. These courses combine evidence-based frameworks, expert faculty instruction, and hands-on learning to strengthen clinical decision-making, surgical technique, and confidence in managing fractures—from foundational concepts to complex trauma cases.
Who should attend AO Trauma NA courses?
AO Trauma NA offers a comprehensive portfolio of courses designed for every stage of orthopedic practice, including residents (PGY 1+), fellows, early-career attendings, experienced surgeons, and masters-level participants. Each course is tailored to the learner’s level, ensuring relevant, progressive skill development and meaningful clinical application.
What makes AO Trauma NA different from other orthopedic education programs?
AO Trauma NA distinguishes itself through its globally recognized, principles-based approach to fracture management, delivered by experienced faculty who are active practicing surgeons. Learn more about AO North America’s work here. Courses emphasize hands-on learning, standardized frameworks, and progressive skill development rather than isolated lectures. This structured pathway helps participants build not only technical skills, but also the clinical judgment and decision-making required for real-world orthopedic trauma care.
How do I plan participation in AO Trauma NA courses?
Programs can plan participation by aligning course selection with learner level and training goals using the AO Trauma NA course catalog. Explore upcoming offerings and course details here:
View Courses & Events →
For personalized support, contact AO North America Member Relations:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 610-993-5100
They can help identify the right courses, coordinate participation, and support program-level planning.
Register residents now or request program information.
Whether you’re ready to register residents now or need help planning, we’re here to support your program.