Ahmedabad : Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Bhai Patel inaugurated IAACON 2026 in Ahmedabad on Friday, bringing together specialists from across the country to discuss advances in joint replacement surgery and the decisions that shape patient care. The 22nd Annual Conference of the Indian Arthroplasty Association features 205 national and nine international faculty members and will continue until 25 October at The Forum, Celebration & Convention, Ahmedabad.
Highlighting the growing scale of arthroplasty in the region, experts at the conference noted that India sees over 3 lakhs total hip and knee replacement surgeries performed annually. Gujarat has emerged as one of the top states in the country executing the highest volume of these joint replacement procedures, establishing itself as a key destination for advanced orthopedic care and clinical excellence.
Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Bhai Patel said, “For patients and their families, regaining mobility can mean returning to work, managing everyday tasks independently and taking part in community life again. As specialists gather in Ahmedabad to discuss advances in joint replacement, I hope the knowledge shared here will help strengthen patient care and support the training of the next generation of surgeons.”
Robotics is a major focus of this year’s programme, with an accompanying industry exhibition showcasing image-based, imageless and AI-enabled 3D robotic technologies. Delegates will be able to explore different systems alongside discussions on their use in surgical planning and implant positioning.
AI-enabled robotic knee replacement is advancing surgical precision by supporting surgeons in preoperative planning, bone preparation and implant positioning. By combining computer-assisted guidance with real-time tracking, these systems can help surgeons assess knee alignment and balance while tailoring surgical decisions to individual patient anatomy. At IAACON 2026, discussions on these technologies will provide an opportunity to examine their clinical applications, evidence and evolving role in joint replacement surgery.
Highlighting the conference’s focus, Dr H. P. Bhalodia, Organising Chairman, noted, “With new technologies entering joint replacement surgery, surgeons need opportunities to look closely at the evidence and discuss where these tools can help. Bringing experienced faculty together in Ahmedabad allows us to learn from different approaches, question our assumptions and consider what is appropriate for each patient.”
Three-dimensional (3D) technology is further supporting advancements in knee replacement through detailed visualisation of joint anatomy and personalised surgical planning. Depending on the system used, 3D imaging and modelling can help surgeons assess bone structure, plan implant positioning and evaluate alignment.
The conference’s focus on image-based, imageless and AI-enabled 3D robotic technologies will encourage discussions on their practical applications, clinical relevance and contribution to the evolving field of arthroplasty.
On the programme’s emphasis on discussion, Dr Dhiraj Marothi Jain, Organising Secretary, added, “A difficult case can lead to a valuable conversation, especially when surgeons have the time to explain what they considered and why they chose a particular approach. We have built that time into the programme and want delegates, particularly young surgeons, to feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their own experiences.”
The academic programme includes 35 scientific sessions and four debates, along with surgical videos, case-based discussions and dedicated sessions for young surgeons. Each scientific session will allow 10 to 15 minutes for questions, giving delegates time to discuss the choices behind a procedure and the challenges they encounter in their own practice.
Discussions also covered implant alignment and design, infection, surgical outcomes and enhanced recovery after surgery protocols. The case-based format gave participants an opportunity to compare approaches and hear how experienced surgeons work through difficult situations.
The gathering gives surgeons and postgraduate students in Ahmedabad an opportunity to interact with national and international faculty across three days of scientific exchange.
The conference brings together the Indian Arthroplasty Association, Indian Orthopaedic Association, Gujarat Orthopaedic Association, Ahmedabad Orthopaedic Society and Ahmedabad Arthroplasty Association. Built around the theme “Evolving Arthroplasty: Robotics, Kinematics & Innovation,” the conference covers hip, knee and shoulder replacement, from primary procedures to complex and revision surgeries. Through clinical cases, surgical videos and debates, the programme will examine how surgeons assess different approaches and apply new knowledge in their practice.
The conference follows the cadaveric workshop held at B. J. Medical College on 22 October, where approximately 70 faculty members and 180 delegates participated in guided training in the direct anterior approach to hip replacement, unicondylar knee replacement and reverse shoulder replacement.
IAACON 2026 will continue until 25 October, with further sessions on surgical techniques, clinical cases and technologies used in joint replacement practice.
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