AO Surgery Reference

AO Surgery Reference: A Complete Orthopedic Resource

The AO Surgery Reference is a mobile-friendly platform designed for clinicians who need quick, reliable guidance on fracture management. It covers everything from surgical decision-making to step-by-step techniques, supported by over 30,000 illustrations. Orthopedic surgeons, residents, and even veterinary professionals can access this free tool to improve patient outcomes in real-world settings.

Tools That Support Every Step of Treatment

This app organizes surgical information around a unified treatment flow: preparation, approach, reduction and fixation, and aftercare. Each of the 353 fracture types comes with multiple approach options and technique variations, adding up to more than 1,200 surgical procedures. The built-in search function lets users quickly filter by anatomical region or specific procedure, making it easy to find the exact content needed during a consult or before an operation.

For veterinary users, the platform includes dedicated sections for dogs, cats, and horses. While some animal anatomy content requires membership, many key regions remain freely accessible. This makes the AO Surgery Reference a versatile tool for both human and animal orthopedic care.

Interface and Accessibility Across Devices

The app adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes, from smartphones to desktop monitors. Its responsive design ensures that navigation remains consistent whether you are using a browser or the dedicated mobile application. The search bar has been simplified to replace older shortcut menus, reducing clutter while retaining powerful filtering options.

Because the content is entirely online, JavaScript must be enabled for proper rendering. Users can also create a home-screen shortcut on Android or iOS to mimic an app-like experience, which removes browser toolbars and provides more viewing space. This is especially helpful during surgeries or rounds when screen real estate is limited.

Free Access and Practical Support

All orthopedic trauma and spine sections are available without any login or subscription. The platform does not force cookies for content access, though cookies help improve site navigation and marketing. For those who need to present cases, illustrations from the AO Surgery Reference may be used in noncommercial presentations as long as the AO logo and source are credited.

Users are encouraged to report missing or incorrect content through the feedback tool, and the development team actively responds to technical issues. The app is currently available only in English, but browser translation plugins can help bridge language gaps.