Flagship Highlight and Keynote Lectures present cutting-edge insights from international leaders.
Instructional Course Lectures (ICLs) and Symposia provide in-depth learning and opportunities for discussion on focused topics.
Free Paper Sessions showcase the latest research from our community, while Resident and Early Career Sessions support the next generation of specialists.
In addition, Society Collaboration Sessions strengthen ties with partner organisations and broaden the scientific dialogue.
Together, these formats create a dynamic and comprehensive programme — combining inspiration, evidence-based learning, and opportunities for professional growth.
The Presidential Lecture will be delivered by ESSKA President Dr. Joan Carles Monllau, continuing the tradition of a central and highly anticipated feature of the Congress.
The Presidential Guest Lecture, by contrast, is the only lecture that steps outside the fields of orthopaedics and sports medicine. Each year, a distinguished speaker from another discipline is invited by the Congress President to share their unique perspective, offering fresh inspiration beyond our speciality.
Highlight Lectures are one of the main attractions of the scientific programme and are scheduled at prominent times. Each Highlight Speaker will deliver a 30-minute lecture on their area of expertise.
In addition, the Congress will feature two special Highlight Lectures held in honour of Ejnar Eriksson and Werner Müller.
Keynote Lectures focus on emerging and highly relevant topics within each orthopaedic specialty. Delivered by leading experts, these 20-minute presentations provide up-to-date perspectives on issues shaping current practice, followed by a 10-minute discussion that allows delegates to engage directly with the speaker and explore the topic in greater depth.
Instructional Course Lectures (ICLs) are a cornerstone of the Scientific Programme and are often regarded as some of the most valuable sessions at the Congress. They play a key role in ESSKA’s educational mission, sharing the latest knowledge and techniques in orthopaedics. ICLs will feature leading experts from ESSKA Sections, Committees, and Working Groups.
Each ICL will be presented in a one-hour format, with two distinct approaches:
• Lecture and Discussion
Traditional talks delivered by expert lecturers, followed by audience questions and interactive discussion.
• How Do I Do It?
Short videos highlighting surgical techniques and processes, followed by debriefing from the presenter and open discussion with the audience.
Symposia are one-hour sessions featuring 4–5 presentations, often complemented by moderated discussion. At ESSKA 2026, both traditional and new formats will be offered to ensure lively, interactive, and evidence-based exchanges.
Lecture and Discussion
Traditional talks delivered by expert lecturers, followed by audience questions and interactive discussion.
How Do I Do It?
Short videos demonstrating surgical techniques and processes, followed by debriefing from the presenter and open discussion with the audience.
Battle, Debate and Discussion
A dynamic format showcasing opposing perspectives on a controversial topic. Two speakers present their contrasting views, followed by discussion with the audience.
State of the Art: Evidence-Based Medicine
A session composed of 4–5 presentations that present an ESSKA consensus statement. Speakers deliver the best current knowledge on a topic, based on evidence from systematic literature reviews.
Sessions designed for Residents and young arthroscopists involved in sports and medicine across all of ESSKA’s specialist areas. The sessions are spread across the Programme during the three days of Congress.
ESSKA’s specialist Sports Medicine Section ESMA (European Sports Medicine Associates), in collaboration with the IOC (International Olympic Committee), has developed a world-class programme delivered by an international faculty of experts.
Who is the course for?
The course is designed for:
• Volunteers preparing for the Los Angeles Olympic Games 2028
• Orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists attending the ESSKA Congress who are interested in the medical challenges of elite sport
What is the aim of the course?
The course provides cutting-edge information on:
• Injury epidemiology in Olympic athletes
• Prevention, evaluation, and management of injuries in athletes
What does the course cover?
• Current issues in sports medicine, explored through real-life cases
• Interactive discussions on clinical challenges faced by team physicians
Learning objectives
After completing the course, participants will be able to:
• Manage field emergencies (concussion, cardiology, and climate-related issues)
• Manage acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries (with a focus on lower extremities)
• Address mental health issues in athletes
EXTRA REGISTRATION NECESSARY. More information here.
Consensus Symposia: one-hour sessions featuring 4-5 talks, often including moderated discussion. These specific Symposia focus on ESSKA Consensus projects.
Partner Society Symposia: Each Symposium is co-hosted by ESSKA and one of the participating Partner Societies. These sessions feature trending topics and cases discussed by speakers from both ESSKA and the Partner Society. The Partner Societies participating in a symposium are AANA, AOSSM, APKASS, ICRS, ISAKOS, ISHA and SLARD.
Affiliated Society Symposia: These sessions feature 5-6 speakers who are each representing the Affiliated Society of which they are members. These speakers will present their experiences and/or the Symposia will feature specific topics which will be debated in the allocated discussion time. More information on the Affiliated Societies of ESSKA is available here.
Radiology Sessions: In these 4 sessions, the best radiologists and renowned experts in the field of musculoskeletal radiology will give a thorough overview about state-of-the-art MR imaging of different pathologies of the knee, shoulder, hip and ankle.
Hot Topic Debate / Relive Session: In these short 30-minutes sessions, two renowned speakers will debate on a hot controversial topic. Themes covered in these sessions include knee, osteotomy, meniscus, shoulder, ankle, hip and sports medicine.
200+ Free Papers: In these sessions, the higher-ranked abstracts submitted to the Congress, are presented in a brief manner (5 minutes) and followed by a short discussion with the audience.
Star Paper Session: This session includes the top 6 ranked abstracts, resulting from the reviewing scoring. A jury will judge the presentations onsite and the Theo Van Rens Best Paper Award will be attributed to the winner. More information on ESSKA Awards can be found here.
National Societies Best Papers: This session includes the top 10 abstracts that were presented previously in Affiliated Societies’ national congresses.
On Friday, 22 May 2026, one dedicated track of the Congress will focus on innovation and new techniques in orthopaedics and sports medicine.
Delegates will discover the latest surgical advances, novel treatment strategies, and emerging technologies designed to shape the future of patient care.