The Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOA), one of the largest professional organisations in India, is organising the six-day 58th Annual Conference, IOACON 2013 in Agra from December 3-8. The main aim of the event is to enrich, educate and empower orthopaedic practitioners by providing an interactive platform to discuss and share the latest developments and breakthroughs in the field of orthopedics worldwide.

Over 6,000 delegates from around the world are expected to attend the grandeur event organised by the UP Orthopaedic Association in collaboration with the Agra Orthopaedic Society.

This year, IOA initiated a new scientific activity, ‘epidemiological survey of the knee osteoarthritis in Indian population’. Its detailed methodology and plan will be presented in one of the sessions of IOACON 2013. The survey is being conducted to find the prevalence of osteoarthritis in the Indian population. It involves home visits, history taking, performing X-rays, and detailed data collection on a real-time basis. The aim of the study is to find the prevalence of osteoarthritis in Indian people between 40 to 60 years of age and correlate it with radiological changes, thus identifying the risk factors of the disease.

The data generated can be used for primary prevention of osteoarthritis or modify the risk factors leading up to it. The survey is being conducted under the supervision of the Department of Orthopedics, SN Medical College Agra.

Among the many initiatives being planned for IOACON 2013 is the launch of IOACON journal in digital format. It will include the full text of all the papers from guest lecturers as well as articles from faculty members from India and abroad. IOACON 2013 is being organised as a green conference which would use online technology and recyclable materials to make the event as environment-friendly as possible.

IOACON 2013 will include debates, symposia, workshops, and guest lectures by distinguished speakers as well as free paper submissions from all over India. Additionally, the IOACON 2013 organisers is focussed to improve the quality of scientific content presented at the Conference by collaborating with various international orthopedic associations. As a special initiative IOACON2013 in collaboration with almost 10 World societies is organising Hands workshop, to name few keys oncology course, Leicester British Foot and Ankle Course.

Dr Sanjay Chaturvedi, organising secretary, IOACON 2013, says, “We have left no stone unreturned to ensure that IOACON 2013 is a resounding success. This year, it will incorporate some excitingly new elements such as interactive expert exchanges, complex case discussions and debate forums. The scientific programme will focus on symposia, instructional lectures given by distinguished speakers and free paper submissions. In a technology driven world, new treatment regimes and surgical techniques keep changing constantly.  IOACON helps medical practitioners keep pace with the latest trends and developments in the field of orthopaedics.”