15 - 17 Nov 2002
Dr Joyce Koh S B
HKOA Ambassador 2002
The 22nd annual congress of the Hong Kong Orthopaedic Association was held from 15 to 17 November, 2002 at the New Wing of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This was held in conjunction with the 4th Hip Section Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Orthopaedic Association.
The weather was fine with occasional bouts of showers throughout the three days. The convention centre is located in the business district of the Wanchai area, Hong Kong island and boasts a beautiful panoramic view of Victoria Harbour.
I had the pleasure of representing the Singapore Orthopaedic Association as the Ambassador from Singapore. Am,bassadors from other regions included Orthopaedic trainees and surgeons from Australia, Britain, Canada, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia. The HKOA has proudly maintained this program in the hope of fostering closer ties between upcoming and practising Orthopaedic suregons in the region and internationally. All the Ambassadors had a chance to present interesting research articles at a session specially devoted to Overseas Ambassadors’ presentations on the morning of Sunday 17 November 2002. My topic was on "Intermediate Outcome of Isolated Patellar Revisions for Failed Metal-backed Patellar Components".
Sessions for the 22nd Hong Kong annual congress ran concurrently with that of the Hip Section meeting. Updates ranging from outcome studies of newer biomaterials to techniques in difficult hip revisions and approaches to acetabular tumors were presented by world-renowned arthroplasty surgeons. Sections on trauma, spine, paediatric orthopaedics as well as young investigators’ award for the local trainees also ran concurrently.
The HKOA has also lived up to its reputation as great hosts with an array of social activities lined up for its guests. The dining was first class throughout with all the lunch and coffee breaks held at the Golden Bauhinia Room on the ground level of the convention centre. Congress banquet was held on the evening of Saturday 16 November with a Chinese handicrafts exhibition at the cocktail reception.
Other programs lined up included and acrobatic show followed by a magic show skilfully put up by wheelchair-bound patients with spinal muscular atrophy under the care of the local Orthopaedists.
Overall, I enjoyed the entire meeting, having been exposed to a good array of scientific updates as well as having the chance to acquaint myself with the Orthopaedic fraternity from all over.