Prof Martin Thaler (EHS Treasurer) & Prof Michael Nogler (EHS EduCom), course organisers
The 2nd Annual European Direct Anterior Approach THA Course took place in Innsbruck from 29 January- 1 February 2020. An international well-known faculty of opinion-leaders and masterminds in the direct anterior approach from Europe and the US promoted the highest standards of orthopaedic practice by educating practitioners, supporting research, and by encouraging communication between the faculty and community-based surgeons. Among others the faculty consisted of pioneers of the direct anterior approach like Michael Nogler, Joel Matta and Frederic Laude and the new generation of direct anterior approach surgeons like Cristoff Korten, Martin Thaler and Boris Holzapfel.
The conference brought together 74 surgeons from 18 countries from all over the world. The three-day meeting included presentations and discussions around the surgical and patient processes associated with the direct anterior hip approach, from patient selection through patient recovery and follow-up.
Design rationales, specialized instrument tables and surgical tables have been compared and evaluated. Patient selection criteria have been discussed for both primary and revision surgery including identification of contraindications as well as perioperative treatment and clinical outcomes.
The program was rounded off by two live surgery transmissions and a hands-on cadaver workshop with strong interaction with the expert faculty. Most European and US faculty members are members of the EHS. The meeting was organized in cooperation with the EHS and the course fee was reduced for members of the EHS.
