The philosophy of the AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation) has remained consistent and clear, from its inception in 1958 - as a small group of Swiss colleagues and friends - to its current status as a worldwide surgical and scientific foundation and community. The focus of the AO is on patients with musculoskeletal injuries and related disorders. Their aim is to provide care that allows and early return to function and mobility. This was the guiding principle of the founding group and remains the central mission and goal of today's AO Foundation. The AO Basic Principles and Techniques of Operative Fracture Management is a course handbook for surgeons taking part in AO Basic Principles courses. It introduces participants to all the core surgical techniques developed by the AO.