This book charts the history of the worldwide introduction of an operative treatment method for broken bones, osteosynthesis, by a Swiss-based association, called AO. The success of the close cooperation between the AO's surgeons, scientists and manufacturers in establishing a complicated and risky technique as a standard treatment sheds light on the mechanisms of medical innovation at the crossroads of surgery, science and industry and the nature of modern medicine in general.

Autorentext

THOMAS SCHLICH is a Medical Historian with a double qualification in history and medicine. He has published widely on history of nineteenth and twentieth century science and medicine. He is the author of books on the history of organ transplantation and the ethical, legal and cultural problems connected with transplant medicine.

Inhalt

Foreword; U.Tröhler Acknowledgements List of Illustrations Introduction: The AO PART I: SETTING UP A NETWORK, 1950s-1970s Dealing with Broken Bones Starting the Network A Symbiosis of Surgery, Science and Industry 'Tacit Knowledge': Education and Training Science and Surgery: Bones in the Laboratory The Science of Surgery: Clinical Research PART II: COPING WITH SUCCESS, 1970s-1990s Acceptance: The AO Becomes Mainstream Optimized Control: The AO's Success in East Germany The Long Road to Success: The AO in the USA Redefining Osteosynthesis: Another Revolution in Fracture Care Control and Cooperation on a Global Scale PART III: CONCLUSION Surgery, Science and Industry in Modern Medicine Notes Archival Sources Printed Sources Secondary Literature Index