International Congress for Joint Reconstruction – Middle East will take place from 1-3 March 2012

Total joint replacement had been in effect as early as the 1970s and 80s. Lots of patients from the Middle East, who underwent their primary knee or hip surgeries abroad at that time, are now undergoing revision joint replacement here in their home countries. That by itself is a testimony of technology transfer had occurred across the world.

More than 40 international and regional joint reconstruction experts will be converging at the launch of the International Congress for Joint Reconstruction – Middle East (ICJR-ME), which will take place from 1-3 March 2012 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, UAE.

Under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and jointly organised by Informa Exhibitions and the International Congress for Joint Reconstruction (ICJR), this event will focus on updating the skills of regional professionals in order to grow the trend of performing world class total joint reconstruction and replacement in the Middle East.

According to Dr Mojieb Manzary, Consultant Orthopeadic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Dhahran Health Centre, and speaker at ICJR-ME: “Although there are no official statistics or registry for total knee replacement (TKR) or total hip replacement (THR) in Saudi Arabia, it is estimated that 3000-3500 primary TKR and 100-150 revision TKR take place on an annual basis, as well as 500 primary THA and 50 revision THA. These figures are from a vendor who is the major supplier for THA and TKR implants to the KSA market. If you take other vendors into consideration, the total number may go up to 4000 primary TKR and 550 primary THA.”

The typical hip pathology which requires THR is Avascular Necrosis, either due to Sickle Cell Disease or trauma. “We have a much lower incidence of primary Hip Osteoarthritis (OA) compared to the western societies which makes the predominant THR candidate much younger in age, requiring particular THA implants that are suitable for a longer survivorship,” says Dr Manzary. “It is hypothesized that cultural habits may contribute in the predominance in knee pathology (e.g. kneeling and squatting) and the genetic build up of Asian patients which is characterized by Genu Varus (Bowed Knee) is also a major contributory factor in development of Knee OA.”

Obesity is a recognized risk factor in Knee OA development, and it may contribute synergistically with other risk factors in development of knee OA, adds Dr Manzary. He advises patients to keep fit, healthy by staying active and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.

“The beauty of ICJR-ME is that it brings the challenging and controversial topics to the forefront of discussion right here close to where we live and practice saving us the time and effort to fly abroad for training,” says Dr Manzary. “The topics discussed at this conference are very pertinent to the patient population and pathologies that we see in the Arab region.”

Running alongside the Congress, ICJR-ME will host an exhibition with 25 companies showcasing their     joint reconstruction products and services including orthopaedic equipment, bone instrumentation, medical imaging software, pharmaceuticals, and many more.

For more information on ICMR-ME, please call +971 4 407 2743 or visit www.icjr-me.com.