2013-03-07 13:30:11 - Local, regional and global experts in the field of Orthopaedic Surgery meet at annual Joint Reconstruction symposium which opened today

Dubai, UAE: Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the International Congress for Joint Reconstruction – Middle East (ICJR-ME) commenced today at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre and was officially inaugurated by the Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), His Excellency Engineer Essa Al Haj Al Maidoor. This annual event attracts more than 60 international speakers, more than 35 exhibiting companies and 400 of the region’s leading orthopaedic surgeons.

Mentioning the importance of this year’s ICJR –ME gathering, HE Engineer Essa Al Haj Al Maidoor said: “Hosting and supporting medical congresses is an important part of the DHA’s strategy. In today’s

globalised world congresses help exchange-state-of-the-art information and facilitate knowledge transfer, this is particularly important in the medical field which is ever changing. This conference will provide orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists and orthopaedists an opportunity to discuss the most recent developments in their field.”

Over time, in the UAE, the number of patients requiring knee surgery has grown and the age of patients undergoing the surgery are getting younger. Unfortunately, say the experts, these patients still have access to a limited number of therapy options. Fortunately, a new type of implant may offer reprieve. Sanofi Biosurgery, a division of Sanofi that focuses on the development of innovative biological products, are exhibiting at this year’s ICJR- ME 2013, and are working with the health authorities towards bringing MACI (matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation) to respond to the country and region’s unmet requirements for new Knee Surgery therapies.

“In the UAE, many young people engage in sports, especially football, so these age groups often have articular cartilage damage in the knee joint. These defects are always a challenge and force athletes or enthusiasts to stop practicing sports. The MACI implant has a strong track record of effectively repairing this damage, reduce pain significantly and allows patients to return to their activities,” said Prof. Dr. Gerald Zimmerman, Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon at German Medical Centre in Dubai. Prof. Dr. Zimmerman is a speaker at ICJR- ME and a visiting surgeon who has performed over a 100 surgeries using this new implant.

According to studies conducted by the Abu Dhabi Knee and Sports Medicine Centre, they showed that the average recreational football player in the UAE was five times more likely to suffer a serious knee injury requiring surgery than one in Europe or the US. Specialists have observed that the slightly different bone structure among Arabs, appear to make them more susceptible to knees injuries earlier and more often than people in other parts of the world .

Running alongside the scientific conference programme at ICJR-ME is an exhibition with 35 companies showcasing their latest products and services from the industry including 3D Reconstruction & Ultrasound Systems, Arthroscopy Equipment & Accessories, Bandage & Dressing Instruments, Bone Cement, and Mixing & Delivery Systems. Key exhibitors include Max Medica, Boehringer Ingelheim, Zimmer, Merck Sharp& Dohme, and the American Hospital Dubai.

ICJR-ME will continue on 8-9 March with free entrance to the exhibition for all trade professionals. For more information, please call +971 4 407 2743 or visit www.icjr-me.com.

-END-

Note to Editors

About Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions:
For more information about Informa Exhibitions, please visit www.informalifesciences.com

About ICJR:
For more information about ICJR, please visit www.icjr-me.com

About DHA:
For more information about DHA, please visit www.dha.gov.ae

About Sanofi Biosurgery:
For more information about Sanofi Biosurgery, please visit www.sanofi-aventis.ae

For media enquiries please contact:
Weaam El Ataya
Public Relations and Social Media Executive
Life Science Division
Informa Exhibitions
T: +971 4 408 2813
F: +971 4 336 4021
weaam.elataya@informa.com