[History of German orthopedics 1989-2001].

The present article describes essential aspects of the development of German orthopedics from 1989 to 2001. Special attention is given to the unification of the two German orthopedic groups after the political turnaround in the 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 formation of the Alliance of German Orthopedists, the establishment of various sections of the DGOT (German Association of Orthopedics and Traumatology) as well as the main focus of scientific activity in the past few years.