ESSKA @ Home 2021 "When fashions meets science"

Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a significant shift in the dissemination of orthopedic surgical education, forcing the cancellation of traditional in-person gatherings. This transition required the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) to adapt its biennial congress into a digital format to maintain scientific exchange and professional development during a period of restricted international travel.

Objective: This report outlines the structural and thematic organization of the ESSKA 2021 Virtual Congress, detailing the technological framework and scientific curriculum designed to deliver orthopedic education remotely.

Key Points: The virtual platform provided 131 hours of scientific content across 150 sessions, featuring contributions from over 450 speakers. The curriculum was organized into five concurrent digital channels: one live-moderated channel for keynote lectures and interactive discussions, and four thematic channels dedicated to specific orthopedic subspecialties. Major clinical focuses included anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, hip arthroscopy, and management of the degenerative knee. Specific named lectures addressed the functional anatomy of the medial collateral ligament and the evolution of ligamentous reconstruction techniques. The program also integrated specialized sessions on orthobiologics, sports medicine, and complex joint instability. Content was made available for on-demand review for a three-month period to facilitate asynchronous learning.

Conclusion: The transition to a virtual congress model allowed for the uninterrupted delivery of high-level orthopedic science. By utilizing multi-channel digital broadcasting and on-demand access, the society maintained its educational mission, providing a comprehensive update on surgical techniques and clinical outcomes in sports traumatology and arthroscopy.