Why orthopaedic surgeons must engage with surgical innovation
Register for the RCS England’s Future of Surgery Festival before 29th January 2026 to save up to 40% off with the early bird offer.
The field of orthopaedics has always been at the vanguard of mechanical innovation—from the first pioneering hip replacements to the precision of modern trauma fixation. However, we are reaching a turning point. The tools of the trade are shifting from purely physical instruments to digital and biological breakthroughs that will redefine the next decade of practice.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England’s Future of Surgery Festival, 20–21 April 2026 at the ICC Birmingham, offers a dedicated space for BOA members to engage with these shifts. For the orthopaedic community, this is about how Robotics, Extended Reality (XR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will fundamentally change surgical training and patient outcomes.
One highlight of the programme features Jag Dhanda, a leader in the use of XR in medicine. While his work spans multiple disciplines, the applications for orthopaedics are significant. Imagine a training environment where a registrar can rehearse a complex pelvic fracture or a spinal decompression in a virtual space. Perfecting the approach before ever stepping into the theatre. The session demonstrates how XR is moving from a novelty to a core tool for safer, more efficient surgical education.
Innovation is also moving from the hardware in our trays to the code in our cells. Professor Dame Sue Hill, Chief Scientific Officer for England, will lead a session on Surgical Genomics 101. As we move toward more personalised treatment plans in oncology and rare diseases, understanding how genomics integrates into the patient journey is becoming an essential part of modern orthopaedic practice.
Beyond the technology, the Festival acknowledges the reality of the profession today. It is built on the idea that the surgical team is a community. Whether you are a consultant looking to mentor the next generation or a student looking for your place in the specialty, there is a space for you.
The Professional Development Hub offers practical workshops on the non-clinical skills that sustain a long career and into retirement, while the Wellbeing Zone provides a necessary space to decompress. By attending, you won’t just be observing the future of surgery, you’ll be helping to shape it. Plus, the event is accredited for 11+ CPD points to support your ongoing professional development.
Register before 29th January 2026 to save up to 40% off with the early bird offer.