Arms were at the ready when delegates gathered at the Royal Armouries in Leeds for heated debate at the first OPN Knee Conference
The inaugural OPN Knee Conference took place in November at the Royal Armouries in Leeds and was a great success. It was a very productive day for the delegates and, considering the number of heated debates that took place in the auditorium, arms were at the ready in this very appropriate venue.
Nick London, a knee surgeon at the Yorkshire Knee Clinic, hosted the event, and encouraged lively discussion early on from both the speakers and delegates.
Nick said: “As ever with an all-day meeting it started quietly – trying to get people to ask questions, to speak up and raise the level of debate. That all started really rather quickly and after the first hour or so people were getting into it and were very willing to contribute. It has been a great day. We’ve had international faculty coming from Sweden and France who have been excellent and really added to the controversy of the conference.”
The meeting delved into a series of challenging topics and discussions from the offset, and attendees began the day with a look at role of the National Joint Registry. The question was debated whether the organisation supports or stifles innovation and progression, and both sides of the table spoke up coherently. As the meeting continued, discussions also looked at different surgical techniques – including , including total knee arthroplasty, partial knee replacement, arthroscopic knee surgery and antero-lateral ligament – and the benefits and restrictions of each
Big questions were asked, such as whether to replace or not to replace total knee arthroplasty, and with lively speakers attending from Sweden and France it was certainly interesting to hear their opinion on our methods and practice within the UK.
Alongside the scientific programme, delegates were invited to speak with a number of companies, including Zimmerbiomet and Promedics, during regular break-out sessions. This gave an opportunity to look at the latest product innovations and talk about how these can affect their working practice.
Alex Gray, commercial director at Barker Brooks Communications, who organised the conference, said: “We would like thank our conference chairs, faculty, sponsors and attendees for what was a thrilling debate at the inaugural Orthopaedic Knee Conference. The success of the event has led to the development of the Orthopaedic Hip Conference, which will take place in 2017 in Manchester, along with continuing another successful Knee Conference in Leeds. Both conferences will be free for surgeons to attend and acquire their CME.”
What they said: “We found the day very productive, we actually have spoken to a lot of the surgeons that we know and we’ve made some new connections as well.”
Humberto Campos, Zimmerbiomet
“It was really good working with OPN. The way they’ve planned today, we’ve had quality delegates come in, spending their time in the break-out areas and allowing enough time to come and see us and talk to us if they wish to.”
Chris Ford, Promedics
If you’re a surgeon interested in attending one of our conferences next year, or if you require further information, please contact Vicki Gibson. Email Vicki.gibson@barkerbrooks.co.uk or call 01423 851150.
