13 Important Orthopedic Conferences in 2023

When you have a question about treatment for a hip replacement or an issue with the new equipment you just bought, ideally, fellow ortho surgeons would weigh in with their expertise. But facilitating those conversations can be difficult due to busy schedules. Enter clinical conferences. 

Conferences offer an invaluable experience for medical professionals by providing opportunities to hear firsthand accounts and gain insights from colleagues. But networking and continued education aren’t the only benefits that conferences offer. 

You can also earn Continuing Medical Education credits, which is helpful if your state or hospital requires a specific number. 

In-person conferences were largely canceled or shifted to virtual presentations due to Covid-19, but many are back, so you can attend and get the whole experience.

We’ve rounded up 13 upcoming orthopedic conferences that are an excellent way for you to learn about cutting-edge technology and trends in the field of orthopedics. 

Note: Conferences are listed in chronological order.

1. Selby Spine Conference

The 26th annual Selby Spine Conference will include interactive panels, lectures, debates, and presentations based on case studies and the most recent developments in spinal surgery. Orthopedic surgeons and other healthcare physicians who deal with spinal conditions or injuries will hear insights about cervical spine surgery, lumbar pathology, complex spine surgery, and more. 

The Selby Spine Conference was founded to honor Dr. David Selby. He was a renowned surgeon and a decorated war hero. The conference furthers his mission to develop the skill set and knowledge base of medical professionals who care for the spine.

When: Thursday, February 2 through Saturday, February 4

Where: The Chateaux Deer Valley in Park City, Utah

How to register: Click here for more details and to sign up. Prices range from $350 to $995.

2. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the prestigious AAOS features interactive lectures and workshops focused on cutting-edge breakthroughs in orthopedics. In addition, attendees at this year’s AAOS annual meeting can participate in a new addition to the event format — Specialty Society Sessions.

Specialty Society Sessions allow you to connect with fellow ortho professionals who are working or interested in your subspecialty. During these sessions, you can exchange ideas and anecdotes with your peers about every area of orthopedics while also taking in a multiplicity of content related to the specialty. You can browse the sessions being offered here.

You can also download an app for the event to learn more about what’s being offered and map out your experience.

When: Tuesday, March 7 through Saturday, March 11

Where: The Venetian Convention & Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada

‍How to register: You can register here. Prices range from $200 to $350. If you register by January 27, you get an early bird discount.

3. Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) Annual Meeting

The AANA’s annual meeting will include presentations and lectures highlighting the latest advances in the arthroscopy specialty. There will be case panels, surgical spotlights, and debates on topics like “No Morbidity, No Problem: Distal Tibial Allograft.”

One particular highlight is the Emerging Leaders Program on May 5. If you’re early in your career, you can attend this session and hear discussions about research, work-life balance, and more. The program is also a great way to make connections and start building a healthy network of like-minded professionals. 

When: Thursday, May 4 through Saturday, May 6

Where: The Hilton New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana

How to register: Click here for more information and to register. 

4. World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases

The World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases is back after being held virtually for two years. Hosted by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO), this international conference will feature the world’s foremost leaders in musculoskeletal health. Attendees can learn about bone metabolism, new approaches in diagnosis and treatment, and much more.

Available lectures and sessions cover topics like phosphate homeostasis disorders, osteoporosis medications, and a particularly enticing session titled “Should the punishment fit the crime? Osteoporosis treatment in relation to fracture risk.” There are also plenty of meet-the-expert sessions.

When: Thursday, May 4 through Sunday, May 7

Where: CCIB Congress Center in Barcelona, Spain

How to register: Click here to see the various registration options, with prices ranging from free to about $1,050 (prices are listed in euros on the website).

5. American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting and World Congresses

The ACSM Annual Meeting, World Congress on Exercise is Medicine and World Congress on the Basic Science of Physical Activity and Aging Biology is the convergence of science, research, and practice. With more than 200 hours of education, this conference offers insight into the most current and exciting advances in exercise science and sports medicine. 

You can check out symposiums and lectures that focus on athlete care, occupational physiology, health equity, metabolism and nutrition, and much more. You can find a full list of sessions here.

When: Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, June 2

Where: Denver, Colorado (exact location TBD)

How to register: Prices start at $119 and cap at $1,469. Click here to register and for a full list of prices.

6. Musculoskeletal Imaging in Clinical Practice 2023

Hosted by Educational Symposia, the 14th Musculoskeletal Imaging in Clinical Practice conference reviews each stage of musculoskeletal disorders, from diagnosis to treatment and eventual management.

With a focus on finding efficient patient management techniques, discussions at the conference will cover the correlation between orthopedic surgery, modern strategies for imaging, and more. A faculty selected for their expertise will share tips in image interpretation. 

Attendees will walk away from this symposium with an expanded knowledge base on diagnostic capacity and imaging analysis.

When: Friday, June 9 through Sunday, June 11

Where: The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove in Miami, Florida

How to register: Click here to register. Tickets are between $598 and $1,195.

7. American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Annual Meeting

The AOSSM Annual Meeting brings together the latest insights from leading educators and experts in the field. 

Features this year include an AAOS Biologics Symposium, a highlight on the Global All Stars of Arthroscopy, and other special programming. When registering, you can sign up for other sessions for an additional fee, including a workshop from The American Journal of Sports Medicine Reviewers.

In addition to the numerous instructional courses and educational sessions, there will be a closing night event at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

When: Thursday, July 13 through Sunday, July 16 

Where: The Walter E. Washington Convention Center and the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C.

How to register: Click here to register for one of the options that range from $195 to $1,445.

8. International Congress on Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (ICSES) 

The 15th ICSES Congress will showcase international shoulder and elbow surgery experts who will share their experiences. Attendees can exchange expertise and network with peers from around the world.

Programming will include instructional course lectures, roundtable discussions, and debates on hot topics and the latest trends in shoulder and elbow surgery.

When: Tuesday, September 5 through Friday, September 8

Where: The Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Rome, Italy

How to register: Click here and select the option that best suits you. Registration prices range from $142 to $1,000. Note: Prices on the site are listed in Euros.

9. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the AOFAS features renowned speakers, insights about treatment, and advanced research relating to the lower extremity. This conference serves as an educational event as part of the mission of the AOFAS, which is to “improve patient care through education, research, and advocacy.”

When: Wednesday, September 20 through Saturday, September 23

Where: Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky

How to register: Registration isn’t open yet, but more information will be made available here.

10. American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) Annual Meeting

The 78th annual ASSH meeting will allow orthopedic surgeons to share and ingest new concepts while also revisiting the tried and true techniques and ideas for surgery of the hand and upper extremity.

International hand care professionals will gather to discuss and learn about new breakthroughs in procedures and techniques that all strive to improve patient care within this specialty.

‍When: Thursday, October 5 through Saturday, October 7

Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Canada

How to register: Registration opens this spring, and you can sign up here when the time comes.

11. American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics (AOAO) Annual Fall Meeting

The annual fall meeting of the AOAO aims to provide orthopedic and osteopathic surgeons with cutting-edge updates on techniques in the field, as well as shed light on controversies. Industry leaders will participate in debates and discuss various topics within the field of orthopedics.

When: Thursday, October 5 through Saturday, October 7 

Where: The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado

How to register: Registration isn’t open yet, but check here for updates throughout 2023.

12. Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) will feature numerous orthopedic trauma surgeon presenters, authors, and moderators sharing their experiences and perspectives on traumatology. 

Robust programming will include basic science forums and sessions on trauma care and offer cutting-edge research and international approaches to treatment. 

When: Wednesday, October 18 through Saturday, October 21

‍Where: Seattle, Washington. Exact location TBD.

‍How to register: Registration isn’t open yet, but updates can be found here as the date gets closer.

13. American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the AAHKS covers lots of relevant scientific topics for hip and knee surgeons, including implant design, surgical skills and techniques, and complications that arise following total joint arthroplasty. 

The annual conference will also tackle topics like socioeconomic issues in healthcare and other orthopedic research and relevant subjects that affect both healthcare professionals and patients.

‍When: Thursday, November 2 to Sunday, November 5

Where: Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas (near Dallas)

How to register: Registration isn’t open yet, but more information will be available here.

Prepare ahead for your conferences of choice

Once you’ve decided which conference (or conferences) to attend, you’ll want to brush up on the latest innovations in the orthopedic field.

Prepare for your conference by diving into our list of the top orthopedic journals to see what new advances in treatment and research are out there.

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Photo by Headway