Fracture and Dislocation Classification Compendium - 2007

TLDR

The OTA classification, first published in 1996, incorporated Müller’s comprehensive long‑bone system and extended classification to remaining bones. This compendium republishes the OTA classification to promote a unified coding language, stimulate further development, and ultimately improve patient care and research. An introductory chapter reviews fracture‑classification advances published over the past eleven years. The revised compendium offers an easier‑to‑follow format, unifies OTA and AO codes into a single alpha‑numeric system, updates clavicle, scapula, foot, hand, and patella codes, and expands anatomic dislocation coding.

Abstract

The purpose of this new classification compendium is to republish the Orthopaedic Trauma Association's (OTA) classification. The OTA classification was originally published in a compendium of the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma in 1996. It adopted The Comprehensive Classification of the Long Bones developed by Müller and colleagues and classified the remaining bones. In this com-pendium, the introductory chapter reviews new scientific information about classifying fractures that has been published in the last 11 years. The classification is presented in a revised format that is easier to fol-low. The OTA and AO classification will now have a unified alpha-numeric code eliminating the differences that have existed between the 2 codes. The code was significantly revised for the clavicle and scapula, foot and hand, and patella. Dislocations have been expanded on an anatomic basis and for most joints will be coded separately. This publication should stimulate new developments and interest in a uni-fied language to code and classify fractures. Further improvements in classification will result in better patient care and clinical research.