Athens September 2010
I was invited to this year’s European Hip Society meeting as a faculty member to discuss the bearing surfaces utilised in total hip arthroplasty. The meeting was held at Hilton Athens Hotel. This symposium was entitled ‘Alternative Bearing Surfaces’. The moderator and speaker was Professor Theophilos Karachalios from Larissa. Theo discussed cross linked oxinium coupling while Professor Eduardo Garcia-Rey from Madrid debated the different types of polyethylene. Prof. Dr. A. Mahraz Tokgozoglu from Turkey presented on metal on ceramic coupling. Richie Gill, from Oxford, discussed metal on metal coupling while I presented on ceramic on ceramic coupling.
The advantages and disadvantages of ceramic on ceramic bearing surfaces were highlighted along with the excellent results from a cohort of patients from the Avon Orthopaedic Centre in Bristol. I specifically identified the advantages of the 15 degree face changing acetabular cup which allows fixation in misshapen sockets but at the same time adjusts the bearing surface to an optimum inclination angle. My original idea for the 15 degree face changing acetabular cup is unique and a world first.
Both the faculty members and delegates were extremely receptive to the idea of resolving the problems relating to congenital dislocation of the hip and shallow sockets.
My Hip Fellow, Kostas Zahos (who is from Volos), showed me the wonderful sights of Athens and took me to Orizontes on Mount Lycabettus, for dinner, which had spectacular views overlooking the city of Athens and the Acropolis.
This year’s 9th meeting was a great success under the presidency of Dr. George Macheras. We welcome the new president, Prof. Dr. Luigi Zagra and look forward to the next EHS meeting in Milan.
I would like to personally congratulate Theo Karachalios and wish him every success in his new role as Treasurer of the EHS.