Introduction to the Contributions of the International Trauma Care Forum 2023

On behalf of the authors, I am happy to introduce this special supplement that covers topics addressed during the International Trauma Care Forum held at the 2023 OTA annual meeting: proximal humerus fractures (edited by Carla Smith, MD and Amparo Gomez, MD), proximal tibial fractures (edited by Francisco Rodriguez, MD) and trauma systems—a global comparison (edited by Ted Miclau, MD). The latter topic has been an issue of concern addressed by several surgeons, in particular by Inger Schipper from the Netherlands, who has been involved through her European perspective, as she recognized that even within Europe, there are notable differences between countries. Despite being geographically similar, European countries have different challenges and approaches to providing trauma care, different methods of reimbursements, and different ways that coordination of care is provided in a mass casualty event. Therefore, it did make sense from the perspective of the OTA/AO—and particularly IOTA—to address this topic on a global perspective. Trauma care is complex, and recognition and discussion of different global approaches provide opportunity to overcome the challenges that occur when long distances and transportation options have to be addressed. The other 2 topics are of interest because proximal humeral and tibial fractures both occur at increasing frequencies. Proximal humerus fractures obviously increase as part of the aging issues of the general population, but they continue to be an issue with changing injury patterns in younger patients, as seen in e-bikes and electric scooters. The same holds true for the fractures of the proximal tibia. The editors hope that the readers of the Journal will be able to enjoy the most recent content on the topics addressed.