Cologne, Germany, 3-4 December 2024:

ESSKA’s highly anticipated ACL Module of the European Certification Programme returned for its 4th edition, hosted at the exceptional Rimasys CADLab facility.

Led by Module Chair Dr. Gonzalo Samitier (Spain) and Co-Chair Dr. Thomas Patt (Germany), the ACL module continues to be ESSKA’s most sought-after certification module. Designed to address critical competencies from the ESSKA Core Curriculum, this module gave participants the opportunity to test their skills and benchmark their abilities against the ESSKA Core curriculum in:

• A1: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (Essential)
• A2: Paediatric ACL reconstruction (Very Important)
• A3: ACL revision reconstruction (Essential)
• A10: Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (Very Important)

Participants engaged in a two-day hands-on experience, demonstrating surgical expertise across these areas under the watchful eyes of a distinguished faculty, including Dr. James Robinson (UK), Dr. Michael Iosifidis (Greece), Prof. Eivind Inderhaug (Norway), Assoc. Prof. Marcus Hofbauer (Austria), Dr. Katja Tecklenburg (Germany), and Prof. Riccardo Compagnoni (Italy). The faculty provided real-time feedback and valuable insights throughout the sessions, ensuring a rigorous yet supportive assessment environment.

Participant Reflections

"I’ve completed three of the ESSKA certification modules, and I’ve found them absolutely invaluable. While they are exams, they also help you benchmark your skills and see how you measure up. Each time I’ve participated, I’ve connected with leaders in the field, learned a great deal, and found the experience more valuable than traditional courses. I’ve picked up tips and tricks that have made surgeries much easier—whether from the faculty, case studies, or even other participants."

Andrew Cattell, ACL Module Participant

The ACL Module also fostered an environment of collaboration and peer-to-peer learning. Participants presented complex case studies, sparking lively discussions and the exchange of advanced techniques that enriched everyone’s practice.

Cutting-Edge Environment

Thanks to the support of our Continuous Professional Education Partner, ZIMMER BIOMET, and the state-of-the-art CADLab facilities from Rimasys, which included individual cadaveric specimen for the participants.

A bit of Christmas Cheer

It wasn’t all work and no play with the ACL Module, with many of the participants getting chance during their stay to take a walk round some of Colognes 28 Christmas markets, adding a little Christmas sparkle to the trip!

Looking Ahead

Our ACL module continues to be ESSKA’s most sought-after certification module, so If you missed out this year, keep an eye out for next year’s modules! A special thank you goes to the participants, whose enthusiasm and commitment make these modules a joy to host. ESSKA extends its gratitude to Module Chair Dr. Gonzalo Samitier, Co-Chair Dr. Thomas Patt, and all faculty members for their invaluable contributions to the success of this module.

Explore how ESSKA’s Certification Programme can help you benchmark your skills, grow professionally, and join a community of leading experts. More modules are coming in 2025—don’t miss out!

Meniscus Module Open Now!

Nantes, France, 14-15 November 2024: ESSKA Osteotomies Around the Knee Module of the European Certification Programme at SKYLAB

ESSKA’s Osteotomies Around the Knee Certification Module, part of the European Certification Programme, recently saw the completion of the in-person Surgical Skills Assessment, held at the state-of-the-art SKYLAB facility in Nantes, in partnership with Newclip Technics.

Under Mr. Raghbir Khakha’s leadership, alongside an expert faculty of surgeons, including Mr. Raj Thakrar (UK), Dr. Silvio Villascusa (Italy), Dr. Shuntaro Nejima (Japan), Dr. Umito Kuwashima (Japan), and Dr. Hiroshi Nakayama (Japan), participants were rigorously tested in a comprehensive assessment covering multiple osteotomy techniques. The module included theoretical learning, hands-on surgical practice, and reflective clinical reasoning, providing participants with a robust and well-rounded educational experience. ESSKA extends its heartfelt gratitude to Professor Steffen Schröter for his invaluable contributions in preparing the module.

Surgical Skills Assessment and Faculty Contributions

Participants showcased their surgical expertise during the two-day event, focusing on key competencies such as proximal tibial osteotomy (1- and 2-plane corrections), distal femoral osteotomy (1- and 2-plane corrections), double osteotomy, and combined osteotomy procedures with ligament reconstruction or arthroplasty. The faculty provided real-time feedback, fostering an encouraging environment for surgeons to benchmark their skills against ESSKA’s high standards.

Mr. Raghbir Khakha expressed his appreciation for the participants and faculty:

" Congratulations to all the delegates who managed to complete the 2nd ESSKA - European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery & Arthroscopy Osteotomy Certification in Nantes. It was a pleasure chairing it this year after the big shoes of Prof. Dr. Steffen Schröter from last year. If you are experienced in joint preservation surgery, this certification programme could be just the right thing for you to get recognised for your skills/efforts! Look out for the programme again next year.”

Reflective Practice and Ongoing Learning

The in-person assessment marked the second phase of this three-part module. Participants will now embark on the reflective practice phase, producing detailed case studies to demonstrate their clinical reasoning and application of knowledge gained during the module. Each case study will include pre- and post-operative imaging, surgical steps, and commentary, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the surgeon's approach and outcomes.

The reflective practice stage reinforces ESSKA's commitment to ongoing professional development, allowing participants to reflect on their experience and take their new learnings into real-life practice. We wish all participants the best as they complete this essential phase.

Acknowledgements

ESSKA would like to thank Mr. Raghbir Khakha and the esteemed faculty—Mr. Raj Thakrar, Dr. Silvio Villascusa, Dr. Shuntaro Nejima, Dr. Umito Kuwashima, and Dr. Hiroshi Nakayama—for their dedication and expertise. Special thanks go to Newclip Tecnics, our Continuous Professional Education Partner, for their support of this module and for providing access to SKYLAB’s world-class facilities. We also extend our gratitude to MediCAD for facilitating the digital planning training sessions.

Looking Ahead

The ESSKA Certification Programme continues to empower surgeons by offering a blend of online learning, in-person assessments, and reflective practice. Participants spend approximately 50 hours developing critical skills that align with ESSKA’s Core Curriculum, ensuring they are equipped to meet the challenges of modern orthopaedic surgery. For those interested in joining future modules, applications open for upcoming sessions in 2025. Stay tuned for announcements and take the next step in your professional development with ESSKA!

Explore how you can further your orthopaedic career with ESSKA's Certification Programme. We have further modules coming up in 2025, so don’t miss out!

2025 Modules

London, UK, 31 October–1 November 2024: ESSKA Primary Knee Arthroplasty Module of the European Certification Programme at Smith+Nephew London Academy

ESSKA’s Primary Knee Arthroplasty Certification Module has just seen the completion of their in-person Surgical Skills Assessment, hosted at the Smith+Nephew London Academy in Watford. This event was a key component of ESSKA’s European Certification Programme, designed to elevate surgical excellence and advance professional development for surgeons in Europe and further afield.

Led by Module Chair Prof. Dr. Alan Ivković (Croatia) and Co-chair Dr. Daniel Pérez-Prieto (Spain), the event brought together participants and faculty from across the globe to evaluate and refine skills in a range of primary knee arthroplasty procedures.

Faculty and Assessment Highlights

The faculty team included renowned experts Prof. Dr. med. Michael Clarius (Germany), Prof. Dr. Gökhan Meriç (Turkey), Jochen Jung (Germany), Francesca de Caro (Italy), Francesco Perdisa (Italy), and James Harty (Ireland). Their contributions ensured a collaborative and dynamic learning environment, with real-time feedback and practical guidance throughout the two-day assessment.

The surgical skills assessment tested participants on core competencies outlined in ESSKA’s core curriculum, including medial and lateral unicompartmental arthroplasty, bicompartmental and tricompartmental (simple and complex) arthroplasty. Participants were evaluated on technical precision, decision-making, and ability to meet the rigorous standards required for certification.

This module allowed lab time for participants to not only showcase their skills for assessment, but also to practice different techniques along with some downtime to test out procedures in a VR setting. Day 2 saw a live demonstration of best practices by Jochen Jung (Germany) and Francesco Perdisa (Italy).

The arthroplasty module had participants from a range of ages and experience levels, with some participants having already successfully completed previous modules in ACL and Multi Ligament now benchmarking their skills in Arthroplasty.

Co-chair Dr. Daniel Pérez-Prieto commented on the importance of the certification:

"The ideal time to pursue this kind of certification is within five to ten years after finishing residency. It’s best suited for those who are sure where they want to specialise. Of course, you can do it anytime, even at 60, but the perfect time is a few years post-residency. Patients can trust that a surgeon with this ESSKA certification has met at least a minimum standard for performing these procedures. If a patient sees that their surgeon holds this certification, they can feel assured that the surgeon possesses the essential skills required.

Reflective Practice and Next Steps

The in-person event marked the second stage of the three-part module. Participants now transition to the reflective practice phase, producing detailed case studies that include pre- and post-operative imaging, surgical steps, and critical reflections on their approach and outcomes. These case studies will be assessed by faculty to ensure participants demonstrate comprehensive understanding and clinical reasoning.

Course Structure and Core Competencies

The Knee Arthroplasty Module is structured around three key components:

• 1. Theory: Online study and multiple-choice assessment.
• 2. Practical: In-person surgical skills course and assessment.
• 3. Reflection: Clinical reasoning and case study presentation.

Participants typically spend approximately 50 hours across the module, encompassing theory, practice, and assessment. The core competencies covered align with ESSKA’s standards for surgical excellence and include:

• • G1: Medial unicompartmental arthroplasty
• • G2: Lateral unicompartmental arthroplasty
• • G3: Bicompartmental arthroplasty
• • G4: Tricompartmental (Simple) Arthroplasty
• • G5: Tricompartmental (Complex) Arthroplasty

Acknowledgements

ESSKA would like to extend its gratitude to Prof. Dr. Alan Ivković, Dr. Daniel Pérez-Prieto, and the esteemed faculty for their expertise and dedication. A special thanks to Smith+Nephew, ESSKA’s Continuous Professional Education Partner, for hosting the module at their cutting-edge London Academy. Thanks also go to all the participants who showcased their skills and engaged in meaningful collaboration throughout the event.

Looking Forward

The ESSKA European Certification Programme continues to empower surgeons by providing a platform to benchmark their skills, enhance their expertise, and join a community of leading professionals. Applications for upcoming modules open soon—take your next step toward surgical excellence with ESSKA!

Explore how you can further your orthopaedic career with ESSKA's Certification Programme. We have further modules coming up in 2025, so don’t miss out!

2025 Modules

Munich, Germany, 22-23 October 2024: ESSKA Shoulder Instability Module of the European Certification Programme at Arthrex ArthroLab

ESSKA’s first edition of the Shoulder Instability Certification Programme took its next step with the in-person Surgical Skills Assessment, held at the Arthrex ArthroLab in Munich.

Under the leadership of Module Chair Manos Brilakis (Greece) and Co-chair Maristella-Francesca Saccomanno (Italy), the participants were challenged to demonstrate their surgical expertise in a range of both arthroscopic and open procedures, following rigorous criteria.

Faculty members Berte Boe (Norway), Ana-Catarina Angelo (Portugal), Baris Kocaoglu (Turkey), Clara Azevedo (Portugal), and Felix Dyrna (Germany) oversaw the assessments, offering real-time feedback throughout the process.

"We just finished the first shoulder instability module for the ESSKA Certification Programme. I think it's a really great initiative because, for the first time, we're evaluating techniques rather than just theoretical knowledge. If you get a certification for being able to perform a specific technique, that's incredibly valuable, and it's something you can show to others as proof of very high standards. It's a fantastic way to demonstrate what you’re capable of, and it’s a pleasure to host and evaluate participants who join ESSKA and ESA "

Dr. Felix Dyrna Germany

The Shoulder Instability Module is part of a comprehensive learning path designed to develop core competencies in the management of glenohumeral instability. Key skills assessed during the event included arthroscopic and open repair techniques for both anterior and posterior instability, bone graft procedures, and advanced augmentation techniques. Participants were tested on their ability to meet the high standards set by ESSKA, with an emphasis on practical performance and critical decision-making in complex cases.

One participant shared their experience of the event:

"I decided to do this certification to put myself to the test and see if I can do my best. It’s been a chance to study new things and go through a lot of literature and books that ESSKA provided. Yesterday was the first day of the assessment, and it was a really great experience with a top faculty. The lab was fun and interesting, especially as they assessed us on shoulder instability surgeries—both arthroscopic and open. We got to use a lot of different tools and instruments, which made it even better. The faculty gave us all the time we needed to work, with no pressure or difficulties. For me, this certification is about seeing if I’m good enough in surgery and comparing my abilities with other colleagues from all over Europe, all while learning from a wonderful faculty that’s helping us improve."

The assessment spanned over two days, with participants spending over three hours in the lab performing shoulder instability surgeries. Between the surgical sessions, there were opportunities to discuss complex case studies brought by the participants themselves, allowing for deeper learning through peer-to-peer interaction. The module, supported by Arthrex, not only provided participants with access to state-of-the-art tools and instruments but also gave them ample time to refine their skills under the expert guidance of the faculty. The event fostered an environment where participants were encouraged to collaborate and learn from one another, ensuring a robust educational experience.

"It was a huge pleasure to be part of the faculty in this module. Please apply for all the shoulder modules—you’ll have a great time. If you feel confident in your skills, come and we will certify you. This is a very friendly environment, and we’re eager to welcome more surgeons, especially female surgeons. So, female orthopods, please apply! Come, certify your skills, and show everyone what an amazing surgeon you are. Join us."

Dr Ana-Catarina Angelo

ESSKA would like to extend its gratitude to Module Chair Manos Brilakis, Co-chair Maristella-Francesca Saccomanno, and all faculty members—Berte Boe, Ana-Catarina Angelo, Baris Kocaoglu, Clara Azevedo, and Felix Dyrna—for their invaluable contributions to the success of this module. Special thanks go to Arthrex for their role as a Continuous Professional Education Partner of ESSKA, and allowing the Shoulder Instability Module participants access at their world-class ArthroLab facility.

For those looking to join future modules, ESSKA’s Certification Programme is a blend of online study and in-person surgical assessments designed to help surgeons enhance their professional development, benchmark their skills, and collaborate with a community of leading experts. The programme covers a range of complex surgical competencies, ensuring participants are well-equipped to handle the challenges of modern orthopaedic practice.

Explore how you can further your orthopaedic career with ESSKA's Certification Programme. We have further modules coming up in 2025, so don’t miss out!

2025 Modules

Our All About Course, covering residual rotational laxity of the knee, was held in Toulouse on June 05, 2024 at the Institute of Anatomy of the Toulouse University Hospital.

We welcomed 18 participants from 10 different countries onto this hands on “all about” course.

Secondary restraints play a crucial role in controlling knee rotational stability. The attendees were given the opportunity to learn all about the rotatory instability of the knee.

The aim of this course was to learn about and perform the various techniques of anterolateral tenodesis. Diagnostic and therapeutic management of ramp lesions of the posterior segment of the internal meniscus were also covered.

We partnered with VIMS and ARTHREX to enable us to reproduce 9 operating rooms in the Anatomy Laboratory.

One special feature of this course was the performance of surgery on whole specimens, which was much more in keeping with a real life surgical simulation rather than a cadaver lab utilising part specimens.

Many thanks to the participants for showing up ready to learn, network and make the most of the experience. Special thanks go to our faculty:

Eduardo Monaco (roma, Italy)
Bertrand Sonnery-cottet (Lyon, France)
Wolf Petersen (berlin , Germany)
Nicolas Bouguennec (Bordeaux, France)
Vincent Marot (Andorre, Andorra)
Simone Pereli (Barcelona, Spain)
Etienne Cavaignac (Toulouse, France) chairman of the course

Participants were also invited to attend the 2-day PCO congress which was a great additional benefit for all participants to network further, attend lectures and reflect on all they had learned during the course. The lectures were directly correlated to what the attendees performed in the laboratory. Practical Course Orthopedics

We have more “All about…” courses on the horizon, so stay updated by visiting our Academy educational hub for details on all courses ranging from All about courses, to the European Certification Programme, alongside fellowships and much more!

In December last year, our ESSKA Certification Programme saw the completion of the final in-person assessment event for 2023. .

Candidates travelled from all over Europe to demonstrate their surgical skills in the 7th of our 2023 modules: ACL Repair, hosted by our Continuing Professional Education partner, Smith+Nephew at their crisp and modern facilities in Watford, UK.

More than 25 participants and faculty took part in a two-day schedule of assessments and surgical demonstrations, aiming to prove they can perform ACL repair to the standard of excellence set by the ESSKA European Certification Programme. Participants were invited to demonstrate multiple surgical procedures, alongside reviews of unique case studies, all under the watchful eye and expert guidance of our esteemed faculty.

One participant had this to say about the module: “I have done this surgery many, many times, but when I first started (the practical assessment) with the cadaver I felt nervous. After that, I started do what I would normally do and I really started to enjoy it. The faculty members discussed tips and techniques which will be very helpful to take back to my work, in Spain.”

The ESSKA Certification Programme is not only an opportunity to achieve a prestigious badge of honour, but it is also an amazing opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the most highly regarded surgeons in their field, to network and learn with peers from all over the world.

We must send our most heartfelt thanks to our Faculty Members who joined us on the ACL Repair module in Watford - Michael Hantes (Greece), Gonzalo Samitier (Spain), Corrado Bait (Italy), Martyn Snow (UK), Tomasz Piontek (Poland), Etienne Cavaignac (France), Urszula Zdanowicz (Poland), Rainer Siebold (Germany). Their expertise and dedication are the heartbeat of our success and will continue to inspire our participants for many years to come.

With assessments completed, friendships formed, and 154 surgeons certified by the European Certification Programme, we close the chapter on our 2023 modules and look forward to our 2024 modules!

Want to find out more about the European Certification Programme?

ESSKA is setting the standard for excellence with our Certification Programme. With a mixture of online study and in-person surgical assessment, the ESSKA certification programme allows you to continue your professional development, discuss complex and unusual cases with peers, and benchmark your practical skills, all under the guidance of experienced faculty.

2024 APPLICANTS OPEN MAY 2024!

Nantes, France, home of Muscadet wine, a beautiful city centre, and the next stop for the ESSKA European Certification Programme. This time, the ‘Osteotomy Around the Knee’ module took place in the highly impressive SkyLab from Newclip Technics.

More than 25 participants and faculty took part in two days of assessments and surgical demonstrations, aiming to prove their skills as Osteotomy surgeons, working to the exacting standards of ESSKA. Participants had to perform multiple surgical procedures, alongside assessments in paper planning techniques and software planning techniques.

Module Chair Professor Steffen Schröter (Germany) had this to say, "It was an honour to chair the first ESSKA Certification Osteotomy Around the Knee Module. Nantes, France offers an amazing venue to run this assessment of the participants. All of these participants were highly skilled, a group of excellent surgeons - the faculty were proud to observe their knowledge and skills. Great thanks to the enthusiasm of all the faculty members, we look forward to running the module again next year."

ESSKA would like to acknowledge the efforts of the faculty and thank them for all the work they have put into another successful module (left to right): Hiroshi Nakayama (Japan), Umito Kuwashima (Japan), Julian Fürmetz (Germany), module co-chair Raghbir Khakha (UK), Silvio Villascusa (Spain), module chair Steffen Schröter (Germany), Matthieu Ollivier (France), Shuntaro Nejima (Japan).

SPACES AVAILABLE ON OUR 2024 MODULES

ESSKA is setting the standard for excellence with our Certification Programme. With a mixture of online study and in-person surgical assessment, the ESSKA certification programme allows you to continue your professional development, discuss complex and unusual cases with peers, and benchmark your practical skills, all under the guidance of experienced faculty.

We recommend registering interest as soon as possible, as demand for our certification modules is high.

Cologne, Germany - the latest stop for the ESSKA European Certification Programme, this time for the inaugural Rotator Cuff module.

Eighteen surgeons from 14 different countries, were assessed by the seven faculty members over one and a half days.

They were tested on nine criteria, across multiple Rotator Cuff procedures, spending more than four hours in the lab.

Module participant, Stefan Fischerauer (Austria) has attended multiple certification modules and enjoyed specific technical components, as well as the chance to work with such an esteemed faculty, “as usual the faculty was very friendly and open for any kind of discussions and sharing of their experiences. I enjoyed the programme and today’s individual training, focusing on tendon transfers.”

Faculty (left to right): Felix Dyrna (Germany), Baris Kocaoglu (Turkey), Manos Brilakis – module co-chair (Greece), Ana Catarina Angelo (Portugal), Nuno Gomes (Portugal), Berte Boe (Norway)

Faculty member Ana Catarina Angelo discussed her time on the module - “What an amazing experience! This is a fantastic opportunity to certificate a shoulder surgeon under a friendly international environment, where we all get to learn from each other. Loved to be part of this pilot rotator cuff module, congratulations ESSKA for this initiative.”

She was joined by new faculty member, Felix Dyrna, who appreciated the opportunity to assess the capabilities of other surgeons, recognising the impact this can have on the orthopaedic community, “finally a chance to prove skills and not only numbers. A great way of recognition and value under guidance of international experts.”

Module co-chair, Manos Brilakis, "The ESSKA Certification programme offers the opportunity to obtain proof of your surgery skills evaluated by expert international surgeons. ESSKA, as the organiser, signs the value of each module and the quality of the Faculty guarantee that you will have a fair evaluation. I highly recommend that every surgeon worldwide attend the modules which are relative to their expertise because it is a perfect chance for ability proving and a great way for skills recognition. We want to thank the module chair, Mustafa Karahan for his efforts, unfortunately he was not able to be here today, but his work in pulling together such a faculty was vital and we will see him at the next module.”

The Certification Programme now moves on to Munich, Germany, for the first ‘Ankle Ligament Pathology’ module, before heading to Nantes, France, for the first ‘Osteotomies around the Knee’ module.

For more information on the ESSKA European Certification Programme, including details on upcoming modules, please click here.

UPCOMING MODULE OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

ESSKA would sincerely like to thank our Accredited Teachers and Teaching Centres for actively participating as faculty in our surgical-skills courses and certification programme, and hosting ESSKA fellows in their prestigious institutions.

 

London, UK – Summer time in the UK, a great time for another road trip for the ESSKA European Certification Programme, the second in June (see the previous report about our adventures in Cologne, Germany).

This time we visited the fantastic facilities at the Smith and Nephew Headquarters, in Watford, London.

Our objective was to assess and potentially certify 23 participants in advanced Meniscus surgery techniques, according the ESSKA Core Curriculum and against the ESSKA standards laid out in the certification module.

Participants took part in two assessments on day one, with breakout sessions in between, including a unique opportunity to train on the newest Virtamed terminals. There was also a special, live demonstration of a meniscus transplantation by JEO Editor-in-Chief Professor Stefano Zaffagnini (Italy).

Participants had already successfully completed the theoretical studies for the module and this was demonstrated throughout the event, with lively case study presentations and discussions occurring on both days.

The next step for them will be the completion of a reflective case study, and a defence of their clinical reasoning when they present it to the faculty, with the aim to complete the module before the end of 2023.

Faculty member Dr Cécile Toanen (France) said "I really enjoyed the cadaver lab and sharing my experiences. The Faculty Team was fantastic and the participants were great. I look forward to being on the faculty for the next Meniscus module."

Some participants have attended multiple modules so far, with the aim of gaining the Certificate of Excellence in the Arthroscopic Knee Domain (ACL, Multi-Ligament, Meniscus, Patello-Femoral), a huge undertaking and one that will truly establish them as some of the most skilled surgeons in Europe.

One of those attempting just that is Dr Stefan Fischerauer (Austria). He told us "the Certification Programme is excellent and provides a unique combination of quality assessment and personal on-site training together with highly experienced surgeons. Informative talks, discussions and enough time for collegial networking rounded it up to a great experience!"

As always, modules like this are only successful because of the time, effort, and knowledge of the faculty, and this was no different.

Faculty from L-R: Dr Cécile Toanen, Prof. Sebastian Kopf (Germany), Dr Tomasz Piontek (Poland), Prof. Christophe Hulet (France), Prof. Stefano Zaffagnini (Italy), Dr Nicolas Pujol (France), Assoc. Prof. Simone Perelli (Spain), module co-chair Prof. Romain Seil (Luxembourg).

A special thanks to module chair Professor Jacques Menetrey (Switzerland) who could not join us as he is currently leading the AOSSM-ESSKA Travelling Fellowship.

If you are interested in learning more about the ESSKA European Certification Programme then please click here.

NEW MODULES OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

Cologne/Köln – nestled on the banks of the Rhine river, home to the spectacular Kölner Dom, and for a few days, the host of the ESSKA European Certification Programme.

The first edition of the Multi-Ligament module took place at the Zimmer Biomet Institute alongside Rimasys, on 1-2 June 2023 – and the days were packed.

Module co-chair and ESSKA General Secretary Professor Karl Eriksson (Sweden) was pleased to welcome 22 participants from 17 countries (including one participant who had journeyed 15 hours to be there from Chile) to the in-person, surgical skills assessment component of the module, “this is not really an educational programme, more an assessment of actual skills, we are checking to see if these surgeons meet the high standards of performance that ESSKA sets for these complex surgeries.”

The experienced faculty included Professor Sven Scheffler (Germany) who was interested to test the skills of the participants, whilst also understanding that a certification from ESSKA would mean that patients could feel confident that their surgeon was working to a truly high standard, “It’s a new concept, I think it is important for the surgeon to know, am I really at my game? Or do I need to improve even more?”

Participants had already completed their three months of online study and successfully passed their multiple-choice exam, but ahead of them were two surgical examination sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. In between sessions they were expected to present and discuss case studies of complex multi-ligament surgeries. It was a truly tough two days of work, with the added bonus of being able to mix with peers and learn from each other, and a beautiful dinner with all participants and faculty at the end of day one.

Those who were successful will move onto the final stage of the module – a reflective case study presentation and examination by the faculty. Upon successful completion they will receive the ESSKA European Certificate of Multi-Ligament surgery, and have one of the four components of the arthroscopic knee domain (the others being ACL, Meniscus, and Patello-Femoral).

ESSKA would like to thank the assessing faculty – event leader Professor Karl Eriksson, Professor Gilbert Moatshe, Professor Kristian Samuelsson, Professor Sven Scheffler, Dr Martin Rathcke, Dr Corrado Bait, Dr Marc Strauss and Dr Wolfgang Nebelung.

If you are interested in learning more about the ESSKA European Certification Programme then please click here. 

Faculty from L to R: Kristian Samuelsson, Sven Scheffler, Corrado Bait, Martin Rathcke, Karl Eriksson, Gilbert Moatshe, Wolfgang Nebelung, Marc Strauss.

NEW MODULES OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

ESSKA has successfully launched the European Certification programme this year and started with the ACL module. For the educational team of ESSKA this is an important milestone but also a big change. Also, we noticed that our members need more information about the concept of the certification. I will elaborate on that.

First of all, over the last years there has been a great demand for a certification system, which also includes practical testing. Since we are judging and giving a certificate for a field where the surgical procedure is the main part of the treatment, only doing theoretical exams would not be enough. For the European Orthopedic community an examination system including practical testing did not exist and ESSKA felt the need to invest in this. Based on our Core Curriculum which ESSKA launched in May 2020 we defined the base for the certification system.

The certification consists of modules per specific domain (Arthroscopic knee, Degenerative knee, Shoulder, Ankle and Foot, Hip, Elbow and forearm and Sports-medicine). For each domain several modules are being developed. For instance, in the domain of the Arthroscopic knee, one can get certified for the following modules: Meniscus, ACL, Multiligament injuries, and Patellofemoral.

Passing all certificates in a given domain the examinee will receive an additional ESSKA certificate of Excellence in recognition of this achievement.

In addition to the Certification programme, ESSKA will continue providing education through our popular "All About..." courses, offering education and training for all members of our society. Several such courses are planned for the coming time, please check the ESSKA website. As you can see, ESSKA’s educational portfolio has a lot to offer.

It is important to understand, that the concept of the Certification Programme is not a "Pay and Pass" system - we expect from the participants that they show to be competent on the level ESSKA set up for each specific module. This, of course, means that not all participants will pass and receive the certificate. This ensures that we can guarantee that the ESSKA Certification Programme stands for quality.

The modules are made up of three parts:

Part I – the theoretical part, self-learning followed by an examination, which is the assesment of the core knowledge.

Part II - the practical exam in the cadaver-lab, which is the assessment of practical skills. In this setting the participant will interact with the faculty and perform the surgical procedures listed in the modules. The experienced ESSKA faculty will evaluate by pre-defined scoring systems whether the participant is competent.

Part III - the assessment of application to practice, where the participant should provide information about cases performed after the first two parts of the programme have been completed. This will be discussed with a Faculty member.

If all three steps are successfully passed the ESSKA Certificate will be rewarded.

The assessment of skills is not only a practical exam but also a setting in which interaction with the experienced faculty shows to have great educational value. The feedback we received from the participants of the first two ACL modules was extremely positive in regard to the high standard of learning experience.

This year more modules will be finished and started. The preparation of a module is a time consuming effort for the faculty, and as ESSKA we are extremely honored to have so many experts on board who are willing to spend time and effort in developing this ESSKA Certification programme. Also the interest from members to take on the certification programme is overwhelming.

Munich, the historic “home of the Monks” and capital of Bavaria. Renowned venue of Oktoberfest, Bayern Munich FC, and an Olympic host city. It has a proud history of being the backdrop for many illustrious groups and inspiring events – now we can add the ESSKA European Certification Programme to the list.

Twenty-three established, and promising, ACL surgeons (from 15 different countries around the world) arrived at the impressive ArthroLab from Arthrex, on 7 March 2023, ready to tackle the challenging ACL surgical skills assessment. A highly-respected assessing faculty - chaired by ESSKA 2nd Vice-President, Professor Michael Hantes (Greece) - were on-hand to make sure the highest standards of surgical practice were adhered to.

The first day was full of activity. Faculty gave lectures on tips and tricks in ACL surgery. Participants then spent half their time in case study workshops, discussing complex cases with their peers and supporting faculty members. Faculty member Dr Simone Perelli was the leader for one case study workshop, he felt like the Certification Programme was only going to get better with time, “In my opinion ESSKA certification modules are the best initiative proposed in the last number of years by scientific societies. I believe that in a few years this initiative will be able to mark the standard of care in sport traumatology’s procedures.”

Then it was on to the ACL surgical skills assessment itself. An in-depth, 3-hour long examination of the participants’ clinical reasoning and surgical skills, using state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. As Professor Hantes said, “this really is an international programme, unlike anything else. We are going to check to see if the surgeons are working to the ESSKA standards, which really are very high, not everyone will pass the assessment.”

Day two was full of revisionary surgery practice and double checking some of the skill requirements from some participants. When the event came to a close the participants had completed the second stage of their Certification Programme module, with only the final “reflective practice” stage to go.

If participants successfully pass all three stages of the module then they will be certified through the ESSKA European Certification Programme. They can then apply, and hopefully be accepted onto the other modules in the Arthroscopic Knee domain, with a view to completing all four modules (ACL; Multi-Ligament; Meniscus; Patello-Femoral). If a participant successfully passes all four modules then they will be awarded the ESSKA Certificate of Excellence in the Arthroscopic Knee domain.

For more information on the Certification Programme, including the upcoming modules in Ankle Ligament Pathologies, and Rotator Cuff surgery, please check the ESSKA website.

ESSKA would like to thank our hosts, Arthrex, and our assessing faculty:

(Left to right, back row) Professor Joan-Carlos Monllau (ESSKA 1^st Vice-President), Professor Michael Hantes (ESSKA 2^nd Vice-President, Module Chair), Dr Thomas Patt, Dr Erik Rönnblad, Dr James Robinson. (Left to right, front row) Dr Martin Rathcke, Ass. Professor Simone Perelli, Dr Vincenzo Condello.

UPCOMING MODULES

The first ESSKA-AGA Simulator Training Course which took place on 13 & 14 January 2023 at the SportFabrik in Differdange, Luxembourg was a great success! Twenty surgeons from Europe, Iraq and Mexico attended this course with the aim of learning and improving their arthroscopic skills on simulators. Topics ranged from the basics in knee arthroscopy, triangulation, telescoping; to the more advanced ACL reconstruction, root tear, ramp lesions, patellar instability, and cartilage repair - to name a few.

The scientific chairs for the course were: Prof. Roland Becker (Germany), Prof. Mustafa Karahan (Turkey) and Dr Hermann Anetzberger (Germany). The faculty included: Prof. Sebastian Kopf (Germany), Prof. Simone Cerciello (Italy), Dr Andreas Kugler (Germany), Dr Alexander Hoffmann (Luxembourg), Dr Stephan Reppenhagen (Germany), Dr Sverre Loeken (Norway), and two of the scientific chairs.

ESSKA would like to thank the participants, and faculty for their dedication and valuable time in making this course a success!

ESSKA would sincerely like to thank our Accredited Teachers and Teaching Centres for actively participating as faculty in our surgical-skills courses and certification programme, and hosting ESSKA fellows in their prestigious institutions.

 

Twenty-three of the brightest arthroscopic surgeons from Europe and Japan arrived in Watford, UK, on the 10^th of November 2022 with the aim of demonstrating their surgical skills and passing the practical component of the inaugural ESSKA European Certification Programme – ACL Module.

They were joined by a seven-person faculty comprised of some of the most respected ACL surgeons in the world, chaired by ESSKA 2^nd Vice-President Associate Professor Michael Hantes (Greece).

Each participant had already gone through a competitive application process, completed an in-depth theoretical exam, and would now be continuously assessed by faculty members over two days of practical surgery and case study discussion.

"This is a chance to learn where you stand among other surgeons, to see if the things you have always done are the right things, or if you can learn some tips and tricks from others. If you want to go to the next or highest stage of your career, then you really have to do this." said Associate Professor Dr Marcus Hofbauer (Austria), when asked why he had chosen to apply for the programme. It was a common theme among the participants, a desire to learn from others. To gain those sometimes small, sometimes substantial, bits of wisdom from a stellar faculty, with thousands of ACL surgeries between them. To aid them, the participants listened to a short presentation from each faculty member, covering a range of topics from paediatric ACL reconstruction by Dr Gonzalo Samitier (Spain), to ACL reconstruction using quadriceps tendon by Professor Martyn Snow (UK). In addition to this there were surgical demonstrations by Professors Sebastian Kopf (Germany) and Peter Verdonk (Belgium), showing ACL reconstruction with BTPB, quadriceps tendon, and lateral tenodesis.

When the practical assessments commenced, it was a busy 3 hours in the lab for each session. Participants were continuously assessed on everything from joint examination and manipulation, to graft harvesting, correct tunnel choice and placement, triangulation of instruments and overall quality of procedure. There was a minimum scoring requirement in each section and numerous skills and procedures which had to reach the standards set by the faculty. As Michael Hantes put it, "the certification programme differs from previous ESSKA ‘All About’ courses, in that it is about assessing existing skills, as opposed to teaching new ones. We are here to certify those who are the top in their respective fields – we might refine certain things with a participant, but ultimately, they should be at a high level already."

Assessors viewed participants individually or in pairs, working as a surgical team, much as they would when they are with a patient, each taking turns to lead, or to support the other. As faculty member Dr Thomas Patt (Netherlands) put it, "we are here to connect with colleagues, most we haven’t generally met before. We try to get a ‘feel’ for how they are, and observe whether they meet the quality standards we are looking for". He described the approach with one participant, "I had a kind of immediate ‘click’ with him, I tested him, but was sure that he would succeed, which he did. I put some pressure on them, and was seeing how they reacted – are they panicked, relaxed, aggressive, focused?"

By the end of the two days of assessment, the participants were positive in their reviews, as Dr Urszula Zdanowicz (Poland) explained, “I didn’t expect I would learn so much, because I have been in the field for so many years, but it made me learn even more, it’s been a great motivation, to make me rethink everything.”

The participants must now complete the third and final component of the module, a self-reflective assessment and discussion with faculty. They will need to provide video evidence demonstrating their use of the key surgical skills they were assessed on, alongside supporting case study documents, finishing with an in-depth case study discussion and defence with a member of the faculty. Successful completion, along with passing parts one and two, will mean participants will be certified through the new ESSKA European Certification Programme. After this, if they continue to study within the programme, taking the other certifications within their surgical domain of Arthroscopic Knee (Meniscus, Multi-Ligament, Patella-Femoral), they will receive an ESSKA Certificate of Excellence and will be recognised as some of the foremost surgeons in their area of expertise.

As faculty member and ESSKA General Secretary, Professor Karl Eriksson (Sweden) summarised, "it has been very stimulating to meet this first group of well-prepared ESSKA ACL module participants. I truly feel this programme will help to benchmark a professional European surgical standard in all the different areas. I am honoured to be a part of the successful start."

To find out more, go to the Certification page on the ESSKA website, where you can find out the dates for the next six modules which will take place in 2023.

ESSKA recently launched a pioneering addition to the existing ESSKA Academy and ESSKA Education options - the European Certification Programme. Designed to meet the demands of the current medical education landscape, a landscape shaped by recovery from a global pandemic, reduced working-time directives, and budgetary constraints [1], the Certification Programme aims to develop the finest surgeons in their respective orthopaedic domains.

Recent research has shown an increased demand for access to simulation based surgical skills training, with the majority of residents of the opinion that such training should form a mandatory part of any curriculum [2]. Therefore the Certification Programme is based on the ESSKA Specialist Core Curriculum and surgical simulation courses. It is modular in nature, each module has a similar structure, with three parts, each with learning requirements and an assessment.

Part one: Preparatory work and theoretical underpinning

A 3-month self-study component, with online learning resources, including ‘best practice’ articles, ‘how-to’ videos, and a student and faculty forum for question, answer and topic discussions. This part ends with a 50-question multiple-choice assessment, set by world-leading experts from the teaching faculty.

Part two: Practical training and assessment

An in-person, 2-day event at a leading medical laboratory, participants are guided and assessed on their surgical skills. Case study discussions are also used to highlight different approaches to complex cases. This part includes a practical skills assessment from a member of the faculty.

Part three: Application to practice

A 3-month period of time to reflect upon, and utilise the information and techniques learnt. Participants are assessed by providing a surgical video highlighting their use of the innovative techniques learnt, along with a supporting case study document. This is followed by a one-to-one verbal assessment with a faculty member, who will investigate the decisions made and then present novel case studies for discussion.

If a participant successfully completes all three parts, they will be awarded an ESSKA Certificate. Furthermore, if they participate in the certification programmes for all of the modules within each surgical domain (Arthroscopic Knee, Degenerative Knee, Shoulder, Ankle and Foot, Hip, Elbow and Wrist, and Sports Medicine) they will receive the ESSKA Certificate of Surgical Excellence within that domain.

Modules scheduled for 2023:

References
[1] Beaudoin A, Larrivée S, McRae S, Leiter J, Stranges G (2021) Module-based arthroscopic knee simulator training improves technical skills in naive learners: a randomized trial. Arthrosc, Sports Med Rehabil 3:e757–e764
[2] Seil, R., Hoeltgen, C., Thomazeau, H. et al. Surgical simulation training should become a mandatory part of orthopaedic education. J EXP ORTOP 9, 22 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40634-022-00455-1

All Highlight Lectures and select Keynote Lectures from the 2022 ESSKA Congress are now available for ESSKA Members on the ESSKA Academy.

Highlight Lectures

• ACL Reconstruction in Athletes – Prof. Volker Musahl*
• Teaching Innovation in Shoulder Arthroscopy – Prof. Laurent Lafosse
• Biological Injection Therapies for Degenerative Cartilage Conditions in the Knee – Dr Laura deGirolamo
• Achilles Tendon Rupture - it’s not all about the surgery! – Prof. James Calder
• The Personalized Knee Arthroplasty From AA to KA and its variation: History Concept and Clinical Evaluation – Prof. Pascal Vendittolli
• Return to Sport after ACL Reconstruction – Prof. Kate Webster

Keynote Lectures

• Patellar instability from acute to recurrent situations – Dr David Dejour*
• Meniscus repair from A to Z Prof. Romain Seil
• Innovation and golden rules in ankle instability, my personal experience Dr Pieter d'Hooghe
• New injury prevention strategies in Athletics Dr Stephane Bermon
• My perfect ACL reconstruction from the athlete to the recreational player Dr Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet

*Special offer for ESSKA Academy users: The above marked lectures are "OPEN ACCESS" for your viewing as well.

Not a member of ESSKA Academy but would like to become one and see the lectures? Click here and join for free.

What next on the Academy? In August more Keynote Lectures will be available on your Academy.

Many of the sessions during the 2022 ESSKA Congress were recorded and three key lectures are now available for ESSKA Members on the ESSKA Academy:

• Ejnar Eriksson Lecture - Prof. Niek van Dijk (The Netherlands)
• Werner Müller Lecture - Prof. Mats Brittberg (Sweden)
• Presidential Lecture - Prof. Jacques Menetrey (Switzerland)

Special offer for ESSKA Academy users: The above lectures are "OPEN ACCESS" for your viewing as well.

Not a member of ESSKA Academy but would like to become one and see the lectures? Click here and join for free.

In October 2020, ESSKA commenced its series of webinars which has been extremely well received. Five webinars took place last year; and on average, there were 1,000 registrations per webinar with attendees tuned in from an impressive 75 countries! Further, the average attendee engagement time per webinar was 52 minutes.

These numbers give us confidence that we produce a valuable content for you, our members. We sincerely thank all the faculty for their tremendous work, and attendees - for their interest and active participation via Q&A function of our webinars!

As a reminder, recordings of the below webinars you can find on the ESSKA Academy. Those of you, who are new to our educational platform, would need to go through quick registration. You can view lots of other educational content, and for free.

• Second and Third ACL Revision – From Planning to OR
• Joint Preservation in the Middle-aged Arthritic Knee
• Posterolateral Corner Injuries of the Knee
• Acute Meniscal Lesions and Repair
• First Time Shoulder Dislocation

In 2021, ESSKA will organise 23 Highlight and Core-curriculum webinars covering its specialities.

To check or register in advance for the webinar of your interest, please click here.

BIG NEWS: ESSKA members participating in webinars will be able to receive CME credits!