2025 Course Descriptions & Learning Objectives (alphabetical by speaker)
20255 AAOS Update | Ned Amendola, MD
This session will provide an overview of AAOS current initiatives, resources, and opportunities for engagement. Faculty will review membership benefits, leadership and volunteer pathways, advocacy efforts and educational offerings. The session will also highlight key features of the AAOS Annual Meeting, demonstrating how participation can enhance clinical practice, professional development, and collaboration across specialties.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe current AAOS membership benefits, leadership opportunities, advocacy initiatives, and educational resources.
- Identify the key features and practice-enhancing benefits of the AAOS annual meeting and opportunities for member involvement.
- Recognize the value and components of a standardized national resident education curriculum.
High Ankle Sprain: Management of Syndesmotic Injury | Ned Amendola, MD
This course will review the current concepts in the diagnosis and management of syndesmotic injuries, including those with and without associated fractures. Emphasis will be placed on understanding injury anatomy, evaluation techniques, and both surgical and non-surgical treatment options.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the detailed anatomy and injury spectrum of syndesmotic disruptions.
- Evaluate the diagnostic modalities, including advanced imaging and arthroscopic techniques, for assessing syndesmotic injuries.
- Compare current surgical and non-surgical management strategies to optimize patient outcomes.
Management of Knee Osteoarthritis in the Young Patient | Ned Amendola, MD
This course will discuss the disease epidemiology, approach, and treatment options to manage knee osteoarthritis in young patients.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the epidemiology and unique challenges of managing knee osteoarthritis in younger patients.
- Evaluate diagnostic approaches and considerations specific to this population.
- Compare evidence-based treatment options, including nonoperative and surgical strategies, to optimize outcomes in this difficult and common condition.
Advances in Arthroscopy of the Foot and Ankle | Ned Amendola, MD
This session will review current concepts and recent advances in arthroscopic techniques for the ankle, highlighting indications, advantages, and potential applications to improve patient outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the indications, contraindications, and patient selection criteria for ankle arthroscopy.
- Review current arthroscopic techniques and instrumentation used in the management of foot and ankle pathology.
- Evaluate the advantages, limitations, and potential complications of arthroscopic surgery around the ankle.
PREHAB | Jordan Brandon, PT
This course will equip orthopedic surgeons with practical, high-level evidence and implementation strategies to integrate prehabilitation into surgical pathways.
Learning Objectives:
- Interpret high-level evidence (systematic reviews, meta-analyses, RCTs) supporting prehabilitation’s impact on surgical outcomes.
- Apply a streamlined decision-tree to refer and triage patients to the optimal prehab pathway.
- Explore and discuss underutilized and unique treatment pathways to deliver prehabilitation intervention.
Acetabulum Fractures – Young High Energy | Dane Brodke, MD
This talk covers the essential workup, classification, and surgical techniques for treating high-energy acetabular fractures in young patients, emphasizing hip preservation.
Learning Objectives:
- Accurately classify acetabular fracture patterns.
- Determine appropriate indications for surgery.
- Apply key principles for anatomic reduction and fixation.
Fusion vs Arthroplasty for Ankle Osteoarthritis | Justin Brohard, DO
This course provides an in-depth overview of ankle osteoarthritis, exploring anatomical considerations, etiology, and prevalence. It will review contemporary management options with a primary focus on surgical treatments—fusion and arthroplasty—while highlighting national practice trends and recent technological advancements. Case examples will illustrate decision-making processes.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the anatomy, etiology, and epidemiology of ankle osteoarthritis.
- Compare and contrast surgical management options for ankle osteoarthritis, emphasizing fusion and arthroplasty.
- Analyze national trends and technological advancements influencing treatment decisions, particularly in the context of an aging patient population.
Adjunct Rehab Considerations for the Aging Athlete | Jessica Dorrington, PT
This course will explore the critical factors affecting rehabilitation in aging athletes.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will examine the role of adjunct joint and biomechanical mobility in treating primary diagnoses.
- Participants will understand how physiological changes influence tendon health.
- Attendees will gain insights into rehabilitation factors required for overall well-being in an aging population and barriers to cardiovascular health and well-being in this population.
Integrating Pelvic Floor Considerations in Hip Evaluations: A Comprehensive Approach for Orthopedic Surgeons | Jessica Dorrington, PT
This course will enrich orthopedic surgeons’ understanding of pelvic health, thereby enhancing their diagnostic capabilities and improving patient outcomes in hip-related evaluations. Participants will learn about referral patterns and subjective history indicative of overlapping symptoms between the hip and pelvic floor. Furthermore, the course will highlight motivational interviewing techniques and the role of pelvic floor physical therapy in the management of these conditions, as well as the crucial role of discussing these conditions with patients.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the anatomy and function of the pelvic floor and its relevance in differential diagnosis during hip evaluations.
- Identify overlapping symptoms between hip and pelvic floor dysfunctions, particularly in the context of pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic pain.
- Recognize the implications of muscle tightness/poor tissue extensibility.
- Understand subjective information, including obstetric history, instrument-assisted delivery, number of pregnancies, and other subjective cues that may signal pelvic floor involvement.
- Develop skills in motivational interviewing to inform better patient outcomes in pelvic floor therapy.
- Explore effective strategies for collaboration with pelvic floor specialists to enhance patient care.
Navigating Postpartum Lumbo-Pelvic-Hip Complex Pain: Insights for Orthopedic Practice | Jessica Dorrington, PT
This session will be beneficial for orthopedists seeking to improve their knowledge and practices in managing postpartum lumbopelvic-hip complex pain, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes in their clinical settings. We will review an in-depth understanding of the anatomical and physiological changes that occur in the pelvis during and after pregnancy. Focused on the complexities of postpartum pain, this session will explore the widening of the pubic symphysis, the altered distance in the rectus abdominis, hypermobility issues such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and the impact of hormonal changes on connective tissues. Complications such as femoral acetabular impingement, pelvic tilt positioning, pelvic organ prolapse, and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) will also be discussed in relation to their implications for long-term patient care. Attendees will gain insights from current research, clinical experiences, and guidelines aimed at improving patient outcomes and addressing common barriers to effective postpartum management.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the anatomical changes in the pelvis during pregnancy and postpartum and their implications for lumbopelvic pain.
- Evaluate the role of hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and rectus abdominis strength in postpartum patients and their relationship to pain management.
- Recognize indicators of dysfunction in the lumbopelvic system, including femoral acetabular impingement and pelvic organ prolapse.
- Discuss the importance of exercise during pregnancy as a preventive measure against postpartum complications and understand current return-to-sport guidelines.
Age Friendly Health Systems: Tips for Orthopedic Surgeons | Kate Drago, MD
This session will review the Age Friendly Health Systems’ 4Ms (What Matters, Medications, Mentation, Mobility), how they impact Orthopedic care for older adults and systems-based strategies for embedding the 4Ms into routine Orthopedic care.
Learning Objectives:
- Review the Age Friendly Health Systems’ 4Ms framework.
- Explore how the 4Ms affect Orthopedic care of older adults.
- Consider systems-based strategies for embedding the 4Ms into routine Orthopedic care.
Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder: Frozen in Time? | Craig Gillis, MD
This session reviews the pathoanatomy of shoulder adhesive capsulitis, outlines diagnostic and treatment strategies, and highlights emerging options for managing frozen shoulder.
Learning Objectives:
- Review general pathoanatomy of shoulder adhesive capsulitis.
- Discuss diagnostic and treatment approaches.
- Update on emerging treatment options for frozen shoulder.
Open Surgical Management of Femoroacetabular Impingement | Thomas Huff, MD
Describe indications and techniques for safe surgical dislocation of the hip and techniques for treatment of intra-articular hip pathology.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the blood supply to the hip.
- Present indications for open hip preservation surgery.
- Describe techniques for safe surgical dislocation of the hip and treatment of pathological hip impingement conditions.
Anesthesia Management for Orthopedic Patients on GLP-1 Therapy | Ryan Ivie, MD
An overview of the implications of GLP-1 agonist therapy on anesthetic administration.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the recommended timing of discontinuation and rational.
- Describe the consequences of proceeding when not discontinued appropriately.
- Detail the impact of anesthesia type on safety of proceeding in the setting of GLP-1 therapy.
Hip Dysplasia: Adolescent/Young Adult | Ryland Kagan, MD
Introduce presentation, physical exam and imaging finding to support diagnosis of DDH in the adolescent and young adult population. Will introduce surgical options including PAO and THA.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand physical exam, imaging and presenting symptoms to make a diagnosis of DDH in the adolescent or young adult.
- Gain an introduction to surgical options for DDH in the adolescent or young adult
- Describe pros and cons for THA vs PAO for DDH
Intraoperative Fluoroscopy Radiation Cataract Risk: This Could be You | Timothy Keenen, MD
This course will include a review of literature and data outlining the risk of intraoperative fluoroscopic radiation as well as practical ways to reduce that risk.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify who in the OR has the highest radiation exposure.
- Review the literature risk for radiation induced cataract formation.
- Review the practical ways to reduce OR radiation exposure.
Dinks, Swingers and Multis: Arthritis in the Aging Athlete | Mark Mildren, MD
This course will describe techniques and data regarding how to care for arthritis in the aging athlete.
Learning Objectives:
- Increased knowledge of how to counsel these patients before surgery.
- Know what kind of non-operative treatment is available for these patients.
- Review post op counseling regarding return to sport and data around it.
Surgical Ergonomics, Injury and Safety | Omar Nazir, MD
Musculoskeletal pain and injury are common—and often underreported—occupational hazards among orthopaedic surgeons. This course provides an evidence-based exploration of ergonomic challenges in both the operating room and clinic settings, with practical strategies for improving surgeon posture, minimizing fatigue, and extending career longevity.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize the prevalence and consequences of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among orthopaedic surgeons.
- Identify ergonomic risk factors specific to surgical and clinical workflows.
- Apply evidence-based strategies to improve posture, instrumentation handling, and workstation setup.
Preop Medical Co-morbid Condition Optimization | Avital O’Glasser, MD
This talk will provide an introduction and foundation to tenants and elements of preop medical risk assessment as well as introduce high yield opportunities to initiate optimization preop.
Learning Objectives:
- Introduce optimization opportunities for frequently encountered medical comorbid conditions.
- Examine optimization opportunities for any patient before elective surgery.
- Explore themes in geriatric optimization preop.
Age Considerations in Elective Spine Surgery: Increasing Indication For Cervical Disc Arthroplasty (CDA) | George Oji, MD
This course explores the critical role age plays in the evaluation, decision-making, and outcomes of elective spine surgery
Learning Objectives:
- Identify common spinal disorders across different age groups.
- Apply age-specific strategies for perioperative planning and complication mitigation.
- Interpret current literature on outcomes of new technologies in spine.
Osteoporotic Spine Fractures: Treatment Options and Lessons Learned | Travis Philipp, MD
This course will discuss the challenges of treating osteoporotic spine fractures.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand and be able to utilize opportunistic CT scans to help evaluate a patients BMD.
- Identify characteristics that may make a fracture appropriate for operative versus nonoperative treatment.
- Learn strategies for improving fixation in patients with osteoporosis when surgery is necessary.
Moving Patients Safely to the Table: Obesity Medicine for Orthopedic Practice | Leslie Sanchez-Goettler, MD
This presentation provides orthopedic surgeons with an actionable framework to optimize surgical readiness in patients with obesity. Through an overview of weight loss medications (including GLP-1 receptor agonists), nutritional screening tools, perioperative risk factors, and referral strategies, attendees will gain clarity on how to reduce surgical risk without needing to manage obesity themselves. Special emphasis is placed on GLP-1 medication safety, malnutrition screening, holistic prehab approaches, and the strategic value of early referral to obesity medicine specialists. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with a 3-question screening tool, actionable insights, and clear pathways for safer, more successful surgery.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe effective, holistic strategies for achieving weight loss in surgical candidates, including safe timelines, physical optimization (“prehab”), and the relationship between elevated BMI and increased orthopedic surgical risk.
- Explain the mechanism of action, indications, and clinical utility of weight loss medications—including GLP-1 receptor agonists and other agents—highlighting their success rates, side effects, contraindications, and their role in treating chronic conditions beyond obesity.
- Recognize how rapid weight loss, malnutrition, and obesity impact surgical outcomes in orthopedic patients, including increased risk of wound complications, delayed healing, infection, and key perioperative considerations related to GLP-1 medication use.
ACL Injuries and Treatment in the Skeletally Immature Patient | Jeana Summers, DO
This session will explore the rising incidence of ACL injuries in skeletally immature patients, reviewing common causes, risk factors, and prevention strategies. Learners will gain insight into both nonoperative and operative treatment options, including techniques that minimize risk to the growth plates, to support safe and effective management of pediatric ACL injuries.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand incidence and causes of pediatric ACLs.
- ACL injury prevention.
- Treatment options for ACL injuries in the skeletally immature.
Surgeons as Performance Athletes: A Plan and System to Stay in the Game | Jennifer Truax, PT
This course introduces the four pillars of wellness as a framework for building sustainable health habits that support the high-intensity demands of orthopedic surgery. Subtopics include practical strategies for regulating the autonomic nervous system.
Learning Objectives:
- Apply strategies that enhance physical resilience, adaptability, and recovery.
- Modify personal behaviors and clinical environments to reduce risk of injury and improve vitality.
- Advocate for systemic support structures that treat surgeons like high-performance athletes.
A Thousand Cuts | Ron Turker, MD
The core job of a surgeon is tough––mentally and emotionally. But misaligned career goals, incentives, and a growing disconnect with our patients is burning us out like sparklers. How best to reconnect with ourselves and our original goal? Helping others.
Learning Objectives:
- Learning to reconnect with our core mission: Caring for our patients.
- Reconnect with our patients and medical community.
- Reconnect with ourselves and our families.
Geriatric Acetabular Fractures | Corey Vande Zandschulp, MD
This course will review the unique challenges in diagnosing and managing acetabular fractures in elderly patients, including fracture patterns, available treatment options, and common complications.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize common acetabular fracture patterns in geriatric patients.
- Evaluate appropriate surgical and non-surgical treatment strategies.
- Anticipate and manage common complications associated with geriatric acetabular fractures.
To Replace or To Preserve the Hip: Clear as Mud | Mark Wagner, MD
This course will review the clinical evaluation and decision-making process in determining whether a patient is best treated with hip preservation surgery or hip replacement. The cases that fall between arthroscopy and arthroplasty will be reviewed using case examples and current evidence to highlight challenges and strategies for optimal patient selection.
Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate diagnostic and patient-specific factors that make the decision between hip preservation and replacement challenging.
- Identify clinical and imaging findings that support hip replacement as the optimal treatment.
- Identify clinical and imaging findings that support hip preservation procedures.
Menopause and the Musculoskeletal System: What Every Orthopedic Surgeon Should Know | Nancy Yen Shipley, MD
Midlife women frequently present to orthopedic surgeons with musculoskeletal complaints—often with normal imaging and no clear mechanical cause. These symptoms may be driven by the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause, yet this connection is rarely addressed in orthopedic care. This talk highlights the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause, explores the emerging role of HRT, and equips surgeons with insights to better serve this growing patient population.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize common musculoskeletal symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.
- Identify how estrogen impacts tendon, ligament, cartilage, and bone health.
- Understand the current evidence and considerations for referring patients for HRT evaluation.
The No Surprises Act: Implementation, Impact, and Implications for Physician Practice | Michael Yoo, MD & Thomas LaGreca
This educational session, presented by Tom LaGreca, Esq, & Michael Yoo, MD, FACP and offers a comprehensive overview of the No Surprises Act (NSA), its legislative background, and how subsequent federal rule making has shaped its implementation. The session will highlight how the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process operates, review recent legal developments, and explore how these changes may impact reimbursement and administrative workflows in physician practice. Drawing from their legal and clinical expertise, the speakers will provide practical insights for navigating this evolving landscape and understanding the potential implications for surgeons and other out-of-network clinicians.
Learning Objectives:
- Summarize the core provisions of the No Surprises Act and recent CMS rule-making.
- Recognize key components of the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process and its implications for reimbursement.
- Identify strategies that physicians and healthcare organizations can use to respond to out-of-network payment disputes and regulatory changes.
Hip Dysplasia: Infants & Young Adults | Natalie Zusman, MD
This talk on hip dysplasia will review diagnosis, evaluation, assessment and potential treatments for hip dysplasia. The focus will mainly be on the skeletally immature population.
Learning Objectives:
- Become familiar with the spectrum of hip dysplasia.
- Become comfortable with current screening practices and clinical assessment of DDH.
- Learn treatment options of the baby hip versus the young adult.
