The American Academy of Neurological and Orthopaedic Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of orthopedists and neurosurgeons that was founded in 1977 in order to improve the quality of care provided to patients in these two major subspecialty fields. This has been accomplished through setting high standards for training, credentialing and continuous surgical education as well as in the subsequent practice of orthopaedics and neurosurgery. Ongoing education is afforded through active participation in annual conferences and seminars, didactic and practical training, and through the peer reviewed Journal of Neurological and Orthopaedic Medicine and Surgery. Additional opportunities include  subspecialty and special interest meetings held throughout the year and subspecialty focused workshops. Members have the privilege of publishing articles in the Journal, exchanging ideas and clinical experiences among surgeons, and opportunities for sharing innovative, open, unbiased, non-discriminatory, uncensored ideas in the medical and surgical field.

The American Academy of Neurological and Orthopaedic Surgeons is a National/International non-profit organization which seeks to serve patients interests and maintains a high standard of training and education from board certified members in order to better provide medical and surgical care for patients. The Academy is not responsible or liable for the mistakes of its members.

The Academy's standards for education and training of its Diplomates meets or exceeds the requirements of other organizations. Diplomates are required to recertify every five years and present evidence of participation in continuing medical education and ongoing training in order to obtain this recertification.