As the global leader in the arthroscopy marketplace, top surgeons from around the world choose to work with us to develop new tools and techniques for minimally invasive joint repair. Many of these key surgeons also serve as faculty for our Surgeon Education program, training other surgeons from around the globe on the benefits and risks associated with a variety of surgical techniques.

For example, every May a group of surgeons from Argentina make the trip to Andover, Massachusetts to participate in our Surgeon Education training. During the 2009 workshops, surgeons had the opportunity to try Smith & Nephew’s latest shoulder and knee products and techniques. The workshop also offered the opportunity to try these techniques on specimens in Smith & Nephew’s BioSkills Lab. To learn more details about upcoming courses and to view the full course schedule, click HERE.

The Argentine host, Leon M. Metz Brea, Presidente Drogueria Martorani, S.A. points out, “We bring a large group of surgeons to the Smith & Nephew facilities in Massachusetts to take advantage of training that is unmatched elsewhere. The program is well-organized, the caliber of the training our surgeons receive is excellent – our surgeons always come away with new skills to benefit their practice.”

During the first half of 2009, over 1200 surgeons representing five continents and many levels of experience have attended Smith & Nephew Surgeon Education courses. Here’s what some of our participants had to say:

• “The Andover Masters Shoulder Course was very rewarding.  The ease of access to the facilities minimized my time off-practice. I am already planning to participate in future courses.”
• “The hip arthroscopy course in Vail, Colorado was excellent. I left the course with a greater appreciation for hip arthroscopy products and techniques.”
•  “Thanks for a great anatomic ACL course in Chicago! This is one of the best courses I have attended. I learned many new techniques that I will apply immediately in my practice.”

Exposure to such expertise can enable smoother incorporation of new procedures into one’s practice. One example comes from a premier knee surgeon, Dr. Freddie Fu, M.D., David Silver Professor and Chairman - University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Head Team Physician - University of Pittsburgh Athletic Department, who notes, “surgeons are able to develop an anatomic approach to ACL surgery firsthand. Place the tunnels anatomically and the patient will have a good start.” In a typical knee workshop, Dr. Fu also demonstrates the consequences of the improper approach while in the safety of a lab setting.

“Education is critically important to keep our customers current with the constant flow of product and technique innovations,” says John Mahoney, Director of Clinical and Surgeon Education. “In addition to providing hands-on experience to surgeons at all proficiency levels, our educational programs provide valuable feedback to our product development teams as to how the products are used in procedures, and how we can improve them and achieve better patient outcomes.”

The Surgeon Education team supports a spectrum of training options, including:

• Hands-on courses at the beginner through to master’s level at BioSkills labs at Endoscopy headquarters, or at its facility in Mansfield, Massachusetts;
• Endoscopy-sponsored courses at medical education centers such as the Orthopedic Learning Center near Chicago, the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail Colorado, or at meeting facilities in Val d’Isere, France and the International Advanced Course on Knee Surgery in Tours, France;
• And, workshops including one-on-one training at major medical meetings around the globe, such as the ISAKOS, ESSKA, ICRS and AANA meetings.

To contact the Surgeon Education team or learn more about upcoming courses, click "Contact" in the upper right of the page to email a Surgeon Education Coordinator.