HSS to host international Osteoarthritis Summit on June 17, 18

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most pressing health care challenges of our time, affecting 27 million Americans. In an effort to elucidate the latest information in diagnosis, treatment, research and prevention, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) will host an international Osteoarthritis Summit on June 17 and June 18.

The Hospital, internationally recognized for its leadership in the fields of orthopedics and rheumatology, will bring together a multidisciplinary group of thought leaders from the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. Renowned physicians, scientists and industry leaders will describe current research, the most promising avenues for future investigation, the latest diagnostic tools and treatments, public health strategies and the most recent information on preventing OA.

"Public health data indicate that the prevalence, impact and economic consequences of osteoarthritis are expected to rise dramatically within the next several decades. Clearly, understanding and preventing this disease is an urgent research challenge," said Steven Goldring, M.D., chief scientific officer at Hospital for Special Surgery and co-director of the conference.

"By bringing together a group of leading international experts, we will develop a consensus document on future directions for OA research, prevention and treatment," said Timothy Wright, Ph,D., Kirby chair of orthopedic biomechanics at HSS and co-director of the event.

Orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, scientists and biomechanical engineers— experts in the major research and clinical aspects of the disease—as well as leaders from the pharmaceutical, device and insurance industries will be among 35 speakers discussing a wide range of topics. The two-day-long event will take place at the Richard Menschel Conference Center at HSS on Friday, June 17, starting at 9 a.m., and on Saturday, June 18, starting at 8 a.m.

Among the subjects to be explored:

•How can we identify those at risk of developing OA, as well as those who may be in the initial stages of the disease before they develop symptoms?

•How effective are different strategies for preventing OA, including weight control, exercise and gait modification?

•What are the underlying disease mechanisms? What is known about the role of biomechanics, joint injury, inflammation and aging in the disease onset and progression?

•What are the benefits and challenges associated with current medical and surgical treatments for OA? What is the promise of more effective medical, surgical, and new tissue engineering strategies for disease prevention and treatment?

•How can we work together to more effectively improve outcomes?

The conference will feature distinguished speakers from the National Institutes of Health, the Arthritis Foundation, Hospital for Special Surgery, Rush Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Tufts, Wake Forest, Duke University, McGill University in Canada, the University of Sydney, Genzyme Biosurgery, Pfizer, Inc., Zimmer, Inc., and Aetna.

"We believe the Osteoarthritis Summit will provide vital information about the research, care and innovation necessary to improve the lives of millions of people suffering from OA," Dr. Goldring said. "Hospital for Special Surgery is proud to be a leader in raising awareness of osteoarthritis and promoting critical research and best practices in patient care."