History of German orthopedics from 1989 to 2001

The present article describes essential aspects of the development of Germa n orthopedics from 1989 to 2001. Special attention is given to the unificat ion of the two German orthopedic groups after the political turnaround in t he German Democratic Republic and the resultant changes in the landscape of German orthopedics. In addition, further milestones in the development of German orthopedics during the last 10 years are presented, e.g.,the formati on of the Alliance of German Orthopedists, the establishment of various sec tions of the DGOT (German Association of Orthopedics and Traumatology) as w ell as the main focus of scientific activity in the past few years.