Celebrating sports and surgery: two milestone RCSEd events

On 31 March and 1 April, RCSEd hosted two blockbuster conferences: the Second Edinburgh Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine (EOSM) Conference and the Third International Congress on Golf and Health. The events attracted more than 240 delegates from more than 20 countries, who heard from leaders in the fields of orthopaedics, sports medicine, golf and health. 

The conferences were the brainchild of the three convenors: Iain Murray FRCS(Ed), Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon; Patrick Robinson FRCS(Ed), Orthopaedic Surgery Registrar; and Professor Andrew Murray FFSEM, Consultant in Sports and Exercise Medicine. The EOSM Conference focused on returning to sport after joint replacement as well as the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. On day one, Iain Murray hosted a closed think-tank session of international experts to address the current predicament with achieving a collaboration and national effort to prevent ACL injuries. This included more than 30 stakeholders in the field, including Mark Bowditch, President of the British Orthopaedic Association. The arthroplasty session included a talk from Professor Dominic Meek, the immediate Past-President of the British Hip Society, on returning to sport after hip resurfacing, something tennis player Andy Murray benefited from. The session concluded with Dr Niall Elliott, Chief Medical Officer for the British Olympic Association, interviewing Scott Steele, former Scottish rugby international, on his experience of returning to competitive rugby after hip resurfacing.

The Third International Congress on Golf and Health opened with Dr Catherine Calderwood, former Chief Medical Officer for Scotland and a keen golfer, telling delegates how golf can help people achieve the national recommendations for health and exercise. Talks then turned to performance in golf and how players can physically prepare and the importance of nutrition and hydration. Tony Bennett, President of the European Disabled Golf Association, explained the benefits, barriers and facilitators to golf participation for disabled people. This was a truly inspiring talk and demonstrated how golf can be enjoyed by all while achieving social and physical benefits.

The delegates and faculty were invited back to the Playfair building in the evening, where they were greeted by our Scottish piper and enjoyed a drinks reception followed by dinner upstairs. After a warm address from College President Professor Rowan Parks, Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport for Scotland, gave an engaging talk on the importance of exercise on the health of Scottish citizens. Dr Andrew Murray then hosted a Q&A with Stephen Gallacher MBE, four-time European Tour winner and 2014 Ryder Cup winner on home turf at Gleneagles, Scotland.

On day two, the EOSM conference opened with Dr Enda King, Head of Elite Performance at the Aspetar Clinic in Doha, Qatar, describing the mechanisms and biomechanics related to athletes tearing their ACL. The delegates then heard of advances in artificial intelligence in musculoskeletal radiology from Dr Phillip Robinson, President-Elect of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology. Advances have improved the quality of images and reduced the time to complete scans. Tracy McAdam, Head of Performance Physiotherapy at the University of Edinburgh, presented an interesting case study of an elite hockey player with an ACL tear who had been successfully treated with a cross-bracing technique designed in Australia. The conference finished with a session on ACL prevention, with leaders from a variety of different programmes, both locally and internationally, sharing their own experiences and successes.

The International Congress on Golf and Health then focused on the female athlete and the different challenges that women in golf face. Dr Chris Nevill, Chief Medical Officer of the R&A, shared his experience of ensuring hundreds of thousands of spectators at international golf events remain safe and how those injured can be treated. The day closed with a session with speakers including Anthony Blackburn from Golf in Society and Jennifer Love from the Scottish government on how golf can be integrated into communities.

The conferences were a huge success and attracted a global faculty and delegation. Many delegates attended virtually, allowing worldwide dissemination of knowledge.