Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Dr. Marc Philippon Chairs Vail Symposium to Learn the Latest Advancements Surrounding Arthroscopic Hip Surgery for Sports-Related Injuries and Arthritic Hip Conditions


The Steadman Philippon Research Institute was the host for this worldwide symposium


VAIL, CO. (April 3, 2012) —The 7th Annual Vail Hip Arthroscopy Symposium took place March 15-17 at the Vail Cascade Resort in Vail, Colorado.  Dr. Marc Philippon, orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine/hip disorders with the Steadman Clinic in Vail, and board member at the  Steadman Philippon Research Institute, served as the course chairman.  More than 200 orthopedic surgeons and medical professionals from the U.S., China, and around the globe, along with faculty from five different countries, gathered for the conference to hear lectures from world leaders in hip arthroscopy and to learn the latest techniques associated with arthroscopic hip surgery.

Keynote speakers during the event included Dr. Richard Villar from London, who presented on the history of hip arthroscopy, and Dr. Richard Steadman from Vail who discussed the development and validation of the microfracture technique.  Although Dr. Steadman initially developed the microfracture technique for the knee, it is now being performed in the elbow, shoulder, foot, ankle, and hip joints. Dr Martin Beck of Switzerland gave a keynote lecture on the history of femoroacetabular impingement in the hip. 

Dr. Philippon and faculty members gave over 40 presentations during the two-day meeting. At the top of the agenda were presentations on selecting which patients would benefit best from hip arthroscopy.  In addition, Dr. Philippon, who is a pioneer in arthroscopic hip surgery, addressed the group on surgical techniques for treating labral tears, impingement, and labral reconstruction. He provided information on patient outcomes and highlighted how the advancement of arthroscopy is creating positive results in athletes who sustain serious hip injuries. Karen Briggs, Director of Clinical Research at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute, presented the Vail Hip Score—a system of measuring patient outcomes following arthroscopic hip surgery. Many other topics, including new techniques for complicated injuries in the hip such as hip dislocation, and injuries to the tendons surrounding the hip, were discussed.

Representatives from Smith & Nephew, a global medical technology company dedicated to helping improve people's lives through advanced products developed for orthopaedic surgery, wound management and sports medicine, were on-hand to participate in the event.

“At Smith & Nephew, we have a strong surgeon training heritage and focus.  A cornerstone of this focus has been the opportunity to work with world-renowned surgeons such as Dr. Philippon, and leading institutions such as Steadman Philippon Research Institute to provide surgeons with state-of-the-art training, tools and techniques needed to support their continued learning,” said John Mahoney, Group Director of Medical Education for Smith & Nephew.

“If surgeons are to meet the demands created by new standards and technologies such as those used in hip arthroscopy, their professional development must be ongoing and substantive. That is what makes this hip course so valuable for the participants from around the world who came to the Institute to learn the latest techniques and concepts in treatment of hip pathologies,” Mahoney continued.

According to Dr. Philippon, “Science continues to progress and the results of these studies greatly impact how we repair serious and degenerative hip related injuries. The insights gained from the meeting will continue to lead us into new areas of research initiatives as we strive to continue to find new techniques that will ultimately improve patient outcomes.”

The Institute is dedicated to the education and research to improve patient care and keep people active.  For more information on orthopedic research studies, please visit http://www.sprivail.org.
  

About The Steadman Philippon Research Institute

The Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI) is dedicated to keeping people of all ages physically active through orthopaedic research and education in arthritis, healing, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. Founded in 1988 by orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman as the Steadman Sports Medicine Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable organization has influenced the practice of orthopedics throughout the world. Based in Vail, Colorado, it has become one of the most published organizations in sports medicine research and education.