Message from the Congress
Chairperson, Dr Mari Thiart
Wow, time flies! Can you believe we are halfway through 2025? We are almost two months away from our annual SAOA congress, hosted this year in Pretoria at the CSIR. The theme this year is:“ A Tradition of Excellence: Continued”.
We were excited to receive 153 abstracts, despite the move to an up-country venue. We are encouraged by the variety of topics, indicating that orthopaedics is expanding and changing in
the 21st century.
The sub-speciality presidents are hard at work, finalising their scientific programmes. In general, this year’s congress has a strong Trauma theme.
The theme is excellent for the registrars and many generalists in our community.
This year, we have asked the sub-specialities to have a short registrar-specific session. Each group can tailor the session as they please, and we encourage all registrars to look out for these sessions and attend. Considering we are in Gauteng, where three of the largest universities are, it would be a missed opportunity not to have registrar-focused sessions. Those from UP,
SMU, and WITS, please attend the sessions you can while the congress is in your backyard.
We have some exciting sessions planned. SAFOSS will present an interactive session on overworking, something many of us are guilty of. Amy Wolfe is back, in partnership with Renske Coetzee, providing us with tools to stop pathologically overworking.
The hotly contested GT du Toit prize for the best registrar research prize is back. We asked two independent, blinded, highly acclaimed researchers to rank the abstracts. The top 10 scoring abstracts will be eligible for the award.
Still, all the accepted abstracts will be presented by their respective registrars on Monday afternoon in a dedicated GT du Toit session.
For the first time this year, the SAORA (South African Orthopaedic Registrar Association) will have its very own AGM held at the same time as the SAOA AGM on Tuesday, preparing the next generation for the dual position of clinician and advocate for the greater orthopaedic community.
Prof Maritz Laubscher had such a great time as the ABC fellow that he has invited his travelling group to participate in a panel discussion on travelling fellowships on Wednesday morning.
Prof Xavier Griffin, Mr Jonathan Stevenson, Miss Ciara Stevenson and Prof Tom Quick are joining him. These acclaimed surgeons are also participating in the sub-speciality groups’
scientific sessions.
Back by popular demand is the Research session. Prof Erik Hohmann, an orthopaedic sports surgeon with over 200 journal articles published, 10 book chapters and five books on the subject, will share his secrets on how to get published.
We also plan to give a step-by-step guide on how to submit an excellent abstract.
The Medical Protection Society (MPS) has agreed to share knowledge on POPIA and navigating social media, which is becoming part of everyone’s daily lives. However, we must learn how to use social media properly to protect ourselves.
The Mentoring session will be one with a twist – a networking session with specific mentors at each table, answering questions from members of the SAOA. A call will go out to senior members of the SAOA to participate in the mentoring session; they will be given specific questions (what I call “burning questions”), and anyone interested in hearing this answer will be welcome to sit at their table. We are looking forward to engaging interaction!
The private practice session will be interesting, with presentations on artificial intelligence and how it could work for you and your practice.
We look forward to hearing from our invited speakers. Here is just a taste of what you can expect:
Professor Sami Roukoz, based in Lebanon, will share expertise on forearm trauma during the SASSH session.
The paediatric and foot and ankle societies have joined forces and are hosting Professor Vincent Mosca. I am particularly excited to hear him speak as his book “Principles and Management of Paediatric Foot and Ankle Deformities and Malformations” completely changed how I saw foot pathology! We are in for a treat! Prof Olufemi Ayeni, the president of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association, will be a highlight in the Hip Arthroscopy session. His presentation on the future perspectives of hip preservation surgery will get people talking. Dr Scott Fletcher, president of the Australian Orthopaedic Association, will join the arthroplasty surgeons and discuss knee alignment and his experience with their local registry. Hopefully, this will inspire more surgeons to join our SAOR!
Prof Khalid Mohammed, president from the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association, has also agreed to present on his experience of the Pyrocarbon shoulder replacement during the SASES session.
The Trauma society is discussing the complex pelvis and acetabulum fractures. We are fortunate to have Dr Paul Tornetta from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons attending to share his knowledge on these subjects as well as the American Orthopaedic Association president, Dr Kyle Jeray. Dr Paul Tornetta is also due to deliver the F.P. Fouche lecture on Monday morning.
The Knee Society has been lucky to include one of the Carousel presidents’ wives to speak. Dr Miho Tanaka is an associate professor at Harvard and a patellofemoral guru. She is also passionate
about women’s health, particularly among athletes.
Mr Mark Bowditch, the attending BOApresident, has also agreed to present at the Knee Society session.
SOLS has invited Michael Parry from the United Kingdom. Their theme is paediatric and pelvic oncology.
We encourage everyone to register for the congress as soon as possible. The congress is an excellent opportunity to get those muchneeded CPD (ethics!) points, catch up with old friends, revise for exams and network with our international speakers (can you say, fellowship/visitation?).
I appreciate your ongoing support, and we look forward to welcoming you in September in the
Jacaranda City!
