The purpose of the association is to promote orthopedic and trauma surgery research and further education, in particular by promoting international cooperation between German, Austrian, Swiss, English, Canadian and American orthopedic surgeons and trauma surgeons. The association promotes the exchange of current medical experiences and knowledge from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, Canada and the USA, as well as the regular organization of scientific symposia, both in Germany and in the USA, within the framework of the annual American Orthopedic Congress (AAOS). The association aims to promote the exchange of ideas between professional societies in England, Canada and the USA and in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, to provide indications on specific medical problems, and to support and promote medical-scientific publications, and if necessary, to stimulate them. The association supports the exchange program between the German Society for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, the Austrian Society for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery, the Swiss Society for Orthopedics and Traumatology, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). Within the framework of this exchange program, German, Austrian and Swiss physicians (Austria-Swiss-German = ASG-Fellowship) travel to England, Canada and the USA, as well as Anglo-American fellows to Germany, Austria and Switzerland to selected clinics.