Time to register and plan your adventure at the #1 orthopaedic and spine surgeons and affiliated care givers meeting—The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, March 10 through March 14.
Just like the Choose Your Own Adventures books many of us loved when we were young, this year’s program allows you to pick and choose sessions based on learning style and interests so you can enjoy a more personalized experience.
Educational activities this year will include adult reconstruction hip, adult reconstruction knee, basic research, career development, casting workshops, foot and ankle, hand and wrist, infection, limb deformity, musculoskeletal oncology, patient care, pediatrics, practice management, shoulder and elbow, spine, sports medicine, technology, and trauma.
Attendees will be able to choose from four different learning styles to create a personalized experience:
- Lecture-Based Learning: Latest Advancements
- Panel Learning: Unique Perspectives
- Self-Directed Learning: Navigate at Your Own Pace
- Collaborative Learning: Share Expertise
A Data-Driven Planning Approach
Matthew T. Provencher, M.D. MBA CAPT MC USNR, a professor of surgery and orthopedics at The Steadman Clinic, and AAOS Annual Meeting Chair, spoke to Orthopedics This Week about some of the highlights of the upcoming meeting.
”Some of the key highlights of the 2025 AAOS Annual Meeting include our data-driven planning approach to optimize attendee’s experience. By utilizing this data-driven approach, we have created a curated and optimized experience that focuses on what the attendees truly want from the AAOS Annual Meeting. This includes a reduced redundancy of offerings, enhancing our attendee engagement through targeted session offerings, and knowing who you are as an attendee to help make the meeting a truly VIP experience,” he explained.
He added, “In addition, we are trying to improve advancements in technology and how we deliver educational material. This includes areas such as the OrthoDome, which is an immersive 8k+ high-fidelity surgical video offering unparalleled educational realism. This year we will also have OrthoPitch, a ‘Shark Tank’-style platform for surgeon-entrepreneurs to pitch groundbreaking orthopaedic product ideas. This will stimulate dynamic discussions and innovation within our orthopaedic community.”
This year’s theme is about the experience, emphasizing the importance of in-person interaction, he said. Called “It’s where moments become memories,” it will highlight the unique value of the AAOS Annual Meeting in-person to foster these meaningful and lasting connections.
Provencher said, “This includes in-person education and social connection which we now know from survey and peer-reviewed publications that the value goes way beyond what can be offered at a virtual meeting. The hands-on experiences with cutting-edge implants and devices in the exhibit hall is a key feature and we continue to enhance the attendee experience in the exhibit hall to truly provide a curated approach for all attendees and their specific interests. Also, our alumni and specialty events foster professional and personal reconnections with an overall goal of creating memories.”
Provencher is also excited about the speakers for the conference. He said, “The AAOS Annual Meeting brings together the best faculty in the orthopaedic community to deliver the highest level of educational content.”
Hot topics of the meeting will include clinical posters and papers that document emerging trends in shoulder, knee, and trauma care along with innovation in surgical devices and techniques. There will also be a cross-specialty focus on content-bridging orthopaedics specialties to foster interdisciplinary learning and collaboration.
He added, “Our instructional course lecture program is one of the most robust and the best one that we have offered to date. It is important to sign up in advance to get a seat in many of these instructional courses which do become sold out. However, we also have the ability to sign up through the app which has now made it seamless for you to attend any session of your choice.”
Other highlights of the meeting are:
Speed Mentoring for Residents: An interactive session where you can ask the pros for advice.
The 2025 Your Academy ceremony: On Wednesday, March 12 at 9:30 a.m., present and past AAOS presidents will reflect on the highlights of the past year and provide insights into the future of AAOS.
Presidential Guest Speaker, Captain, and U.S. Ambassador “Sully” Sullenberger: On January 15, 2009, Sully, with his First Officer Jeff Skiles, saved the lives of the 155 passengers and crew on board US Airways Flight 1549 by making an emergency water landing on the Hudson River after a bird strike disabled both engines. Between 2021 and 2022, he also served as the U.S. ambassador and representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations Specialized Agency based in Canada.
Several specialty society societies will also be hosting sessions during the AAOS annual meeting including:
- Arthroscopy Association of North America/American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Friday, March 14, 7:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine/American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, Friday, March 14, 7:00 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand/American Association for Hand Surgery, Friday, March 14, 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Hip Society/American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, Friday, March 14, Hip/Knee Sessions, 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Combined Session 1:30 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.
- Knee Society/American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, Friday, March 14, Hip/Knee Sessions, 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Combined Session 1:30 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.
- Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society, Friday, March 14, 8:00 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, Friday, March 14, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Orthopaedic Trauma Association/Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, Friday, March 14, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Using Technology to Curate Your Experience
Provencher recommended downloading the mobile app to help with your planning. He said, “The mobile app for seamless planning and simplified scheduling has really never been easier to plan your annual meeting experience. The mobile app allows all attendees to browse and schedule sessions, view exhibit hall information, purchase tickets for instructional course lectures as well as other events, and to discover alumni and network events. Everything is in the app for a one-stop shop.”
He also offered the following tips to maximize your experience at the meeting.
- Plan your schedule in advance. Use the mobile app to identify key sessions, Instructional course lectures, and symposia that align with your interests and specialties.
- Engage with the exhibit hall where you will be able to connect with representatives of more than 600 companies.
- Attend Ask an Expert and Bioskills Workshops for hands-on learning opportunities.
- Prioritize networking. Use the meeting to connect with colleagues, alumni, and industry partners. Leverage alumni and specialty society events for meaningful interactions.
- Embrace new technology. Visit the OrthoDome for cutting-edge video simulations and attend OrthoPitch for insights into future orthopaedic innovations.
- Balance education and connection. While education is key, don’t miss the chance to socialize and create personal and professional memories.
Provencher acknowledged all the hard work of the two program chairs for the 2025 AAOS Annual Meeting in putting the meeting together.
He said, “The Central Program Committee and Instructional Courses Committee chairs, Stephen Kottmeier, M.D. FAAOS, and Xinning ‘Tiger’ Li, M.D., have worked tirelessly alongside their committee members to provide an incredible educational experience.”
For more information about the program for this year’s meeting, visit aaos.org/annual.
