The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) provides education and practice management services for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals. The Academy also serves as an advocate for improved patient care and informs the public about the science of orthopaedics. Founded at Northwestern University as a not-for-profit organization in 1933, the Academy has grown from a small organization serving less than 500 members to the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The Academy now serves more than 39,000 members worldwide, and  is the preeminent provider of musculoskeletal education to orthopaedic surgeons and others in the world. Its continuing medical education activities include a world-renowned Annual Meeting, multiple CME courses held around the country and at the Orthopaedic Learning Center, and various medical and scientific publications and electronic media materials.
Within the field of Orthopaedics there are several subspecialty interests:
- Adult Reconstruction Hip
- Adult Reconstruction Knee
- Basic Research
- Foot/Ankle
- General
- Hand/Wrist
- Pediatrics
- Practice Management
- Shoulder/Elbow
- Spine
- Sports Medicine/Arthroscopy
- Trauma
- Tumor/Metabolic Bone Disease
