This year, the FICEBO team headed to New Orleans for the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). The crew this time consisted of Thomas Ibounig, Lasse Rämö, Tero Järvinen, Teppo Järvinen and Cyrill Suter. The conference was once again a great opportunity for us to present our latest research, dedicate time to working intensively on ongoing research projects, and enjoy the atmosphere of the host city.
Our Presentations
We had two podium presentations at this year’s meeting. Thomas Ibounig presented findings from the FIMAGE trial (Finnish Imaging of Shoulder Study), which looked at the prevalence of incidental rotator cuff abnormalities on MRI in the general population. The results showed that structural changes on MRI are very common even in people without any shoulder symptoms, further questioning the role of routine imaging in driving treatment decisions for degenerative shoulder conditions.
Cyrill Suter presented the cost-effectiveness analysis from the FISH trial (Finnish Shaft of the Humerus), comparing operative versus non-operative management of humeral shaft fractures. The analysis showed that when accounting for productivity losses, surgical treatment turned out to be the more cost-effective option – an important finding given that the original FISH trial had shown no significant difference in functional outcomes between the two approaches.
On top of the presentations, Cyrill also had the chance to sit down for an interview with AAOS Now together with Dr. Lundy. It was a nice platform to talk about our research and share some of the key messages from the FISH study with a broader audience.
Life Outside the Convention Center
Besides the strenuous research work, we also had a great time outside the convention center. We usually started the day with a group walk or run along the river to shake off the jet lag and get some fresh air before the sessions. Whenever we could find a gap in the schedule, we tried to squeeze in some sporty activities – this time around we managed to get a few padel sessions in.
One of the highlights of the trip was our dinner with Seth Leopold, the Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (CORR). We were hanging on his every word as he shared fascinating and educational stories from his career in orthopaedic surgery and academic publishing.
And of course, you cannot visit New Orleans without diving into the local cuisine. We enjoyed some of the culinary specialties the city is known for, from Cajun classics to blackened fish - all of which lived up to the hype. A stop at the iconic Café Du Monde for beignets and café au lait was obviously mandatory.
All in all, it was a productive and memorable trip. We came home with new ideas and plenty of good memories. Thanks to everyone who made it happen, see you at the next one!
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