2025 AANA Annual Meeting Recap
By: Albert O. Gee, M.D., FAANA
Member, AANA Communications and Technology Committee
As in year’s past, the 2025 AANA Annual Meeting (AANA25) was another great success in this author’s mind! It was a wonderful gathering in our Nation’s capital of surgeons dedicated to the scope and working to improve the lives of their patients via advances in arthroscopic surgery. The meeting was held at the Washington Hilton and the weather cooperated as we had mostly sunny weather and warm temperatures. This helped to foster a wonderful atmosphere of learning and discussion among all the attendees who came from all over the world to join, both in-person and virtually online!
DAY 1
The meeting was kickstarted by AANA President, Dr. Alan Curtis, and our Program Chair Dr. Michael O’Brien who welcomed us all to Washington, D.C. AANA25 started with the singing of our National Anthem and recognition of all the members and staff who were in attendance who poured in tons of work behind the scenes to put the meeting together.
From there we broke out into General and Concurrent Sessions. On the Main Stage, Dr. JT Tokish was the moderator for a session on Shoulder Instability and Critical Bone Loss in which two important papers were presented: The Protective Effect of Remplissage Additiona to Arthroscopic Bankart Repair (Sophia McMahon, B.A.) and Safety of Arthroscopic Anatomic Glenoid Reconstruction vs Bankart Repair: A Randomized Control Trial (Dr. Ivan Wong). This was followed by Debates by Drs. Melissa Wright and Maruicio Largacha between Bankart repair plus remplissage versus Bankart repair plus adding bone.
Meanwhile there were concurrent sessions on Knee and Shoulder Biologics, moderated by Dr. Scott Rodeo in which a number of experts presented on topics ranging from PRP, RANTES, the use of BMAC, Coral Scaffolds and Exosomes.
We went further into the Knee with a session on the Meniscus moderated and lead by Dr. Rachel Frank. A scientific paper titled Preoperative Bone Marrow Edema is and Indicator of Poor Clinical Outcome of Meniscal Root Repair was presented by Dr. Kostas Economopoulos. Following this was talks on RAMP lesions (Dr. Dustin Richter) and Meniscus Transplantation: Who, Why and How (Dr. Brian Cole).
Hip arthroscopy, FAI and other hip surgery advances were a big part of this year’s meeting as well. The first session of the day was moderated by Dr. Christopher Larson on Hip FAI and Innovations in 2025. Two excellent scientific papers were presented: Midterm Outcomes and Return to Sports of Staged Bilateral Hip Arthroscopy in High Level Athletes (Dr. Ady Kahana-Rojkind) and Midterm Outcomes and Return to Sport after Hip Arthroscopy in Patients with Ligamentous Laxity (Dr. Roger Quesada-Jimenez). This was followed by informative surgical talks by Drs. Asheesh Bedi and Robbie Westermann on their technique for “Managing Large Cam Deformities” and “Managing Large Acetabular Rim Deformities,” respectively.
Additional Concurrent session of the morning included Sports Elbow moderated by Dr. Noah Weiss. This session covered topics from triceps tendon reconstruction, biceps tendon repair, lateral and medial ulnar collateral ligament repair and reconstructions. Dr. Stephen Parada moderated the Young Shoulder Osteoarthritis session which featured a presentation on the CAM procedure and Pyrocarbon use in shoulder arthroplasty.
Always a champion of innovation in arthroscopy, the AANA Annual Meeting featured a number of Innovation Spotlight talks and on Day 1 we had spotlights within the various sessions which started with My Tips on Remplissage (Dr. Larry Field), Meniscus Root Repair Made Easy (Dr. Sabrina Strickland) and Meniscus Centralization: When and How (Dr. Aaron Krych). In the hip field, the Innovation Spotlight was by Dr. Benjamin Domb on Capsular Management for Large FAI Deformities. The elbow talk was on Tenex use in Lateral Epicondylitis (Dr. Patrick Joyner) and My Experience with the Inlay Glenoid which was presented by Dr. Anthony Miniaci.
One of the real highlights of the first day was the “AANA Legends” session that was held in the main conference hall and moderated by Drs. Tokish and Abrams. The “Legends” featured were Drs. Stephen Burkhart, James Esch and Stephen Snyder – “The Three Amigos”! These towering giants of shoulder arthroscopy who came up together in the formative years of arthroscopy talked about their individual and collective experiences in the early days of shoulder arthroscopy. They shared with us how they learned from one another as each began their respective journeys figuring out how to use the arthroscope in the shoulder and began the early work to repair labral tears and cuff tears arthroscopically. They spoke fondly of how AANA was a great vehicle for the sharing of their ideas back then and how the Association’s mission in education and training not only helped them become better shoulder surgeons but how they were able to train others and pass on their experience through the support of AANA. They also each acknowledged how their significant others and their families were such an important part of their work and the support that they had at home from the love of family helped them to pursue their goals professionally.
Our now Immediate Past President, Dr. Curtis next presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Donald Johnson, an AANA Past President (2004-2005). Dr. Johnson was a pioneer in sports medicine who started the Carleton University Sports Medicine Center in 1972 and became a legend in arthroscopy.
This was followed by the Presidential Keynote Speaker, Jackie MacMullan, a long-time sports journalist for the Boston Globe who covered the Celtics and the NBA as well as a host of other sports throughout her multiple decades in journalism. She gave a wonderful address titled The Evolution of the Sports Journalist in which she talked about her career coming up in a largely male-dominated field, how she was able to break through those barriers and the lessons learned. She shared with us her experience and imparted wisdom on all attendees about hardwork, perseverance and how sports play such an important role in society. Her passion for her work was undeniable and she helped us to understand that we all face barriers in our work and personal lives and how overcoming these barriers make us stronger and the accomplished people we are today.
We broke for lunch and there were a number of industry-sponsored sessions that shared information regarding new implants, devices and surgical techniques. The Exhibit Hall was also full of great vendor presentations for those who were interested and the sponsors were great supporters of AANA and the Annual Meeting.
The afternoon of Day 1 was jam-packed with scientific papers on all the important topic areas of arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine. A few features in this author’s mind included: Wolff’s Law or Crying Wolf? Patterns of Latarjet Graft Resorption (Dr. Scott Feeley); MroHI – Re-Validation and a Simple Scoring System Excluding Bone Mineral Density (Dr. Joo Han Oh); Initial Outcomes Following Fresh Meniscus Allograft Transplantation in the Knee” (Dr. Clayton Nuelle); No Outcome Differences with and Without Closure of Periportal Capsulotomy in Hip Arthroscopy for FAI (Dr. Alan Zhang).
The first day of the meeting was concluded with a variety of Instructional Course Lectures on a number of topics offering practical guidance and information on a variety of current and controversial areas of our specialty including Borderline Hip Dysplasia, Non-Arthroplasty Management of Massive Irreparable Cuff Tears and Special Considerations in Revision ACL Reconstruction.
It was an incredible first day and there was still more to come…
DAY 2
An early start with both the Ecumenical Breakfast and Women’s Breakfast, the second day of the meeting kicked off for the early risers and motivated meeting goers with another great round of ICLs ranging over more important and germane topics for today’s arthroscopist including Hype, Promise and Reality: Orthopaedic Use of Biologics in 2025 (Drs. Stephen Weber, Kenneth Zaslav, Scott Rodeo, Jason Dragoo).
The next General Session was “Arthroscopy Around the World” moderated by AANA Past President Dr. Mark Getelman. This panel of experts from across the globe included Drs. Elizaveta Kon, Fidelius von Rehlingen-Prinz, Mario Ronga, Alfonso Barnechea, Christian Lozano, Andreas Voss, Paolo Arrigoni and Giuseppe Filardo. These experts came from far to teach us about a wide variety of topics from ACL treatment and osteochondral defects of the knee, tibial plateau fractures treated with “Fracturoscopy” and shoulder/elbow topics including cuff tears, AC joint injuries and elbow instability.
Day two also featured a marathon Specialty Day (yes, the session ran the entire day!) session centered on general Sports and Rehabilitation. The talks and discussion centered mainly around rehabilitation of a variety of different injuries and post-surgical recovery and presentations by thought leaders in the rehabilitation field including Drs. Kevin Wilk, Charles Thigpen, Mike Reinhold, Tim Vidale, Yoni Rosenblatt, Ryan McGovern and Zach Baker. They presented on all the major injury and post-surgical rehab areas of sports medicine which included ACL, cartilage, hip, shoulder labrum and cuff repair rehabilitation latest and up-to-date concepts.
Dr. Corey Edgar moderated a session on patellofemoral problems and Dr. Stephen Aoki lead a session on Pediatric knee solutions, while now current AANA president, Dr. John Kelly moderated a throwing shoulder and elbow session. This session featured an Innovation Spotlight lecture given by Dr. Jeff Dugas who has pioneered the new technique of medial ulnar collateral ligament repair with internal brace which has revolutionized the surgical treatment of medial elbow injuries in our throwing athletes.
The first of the Debate sessions, which are a hallmark of recent annual meetings, began with Massive Rotator Cuff Tears moderated by Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein. The clinical vignette was a 52-year-old male with a massive recurrent rotator cuff tear. Dr. Katherine Burns made an argument for repairing with dermal augment. Dr. Eric Wagner advocated for lower trapezius transfer and Dr. Michael Freehill wanted to do a reverse shoulder arthroplasty! The audience voted on which treatment they thought would be the best and we could get a sense of how our membership thinks about this very challenging problem.
One of the many highlights of Day 2 was the Presidential Address given by Dr. Alan Curtis. He was introduced by Dr. John Kelly (who we all know has a penchant for comedy) dressed up in a Fairfield University hockey jersey and pads (Dr. Curtis’ alma mater where he apparently still holds the record for most goals scored!). Dr. Curtis’ talk was titled, Sports Medicine: A Path, Profession, Passion. He went through how much his early athletic pursuits and sports led him down the path to orthopaedic surgery and medicine and how this became a passion and a calling for him. His words made us all reflect on our professional lives and how much our work impacts the lives of others. It was a wonderful address that was meaningful to all attendees in a unique way for each.
Also on Day 2, was the AANA Awards and a tremendous number of AANA members were honored for their service, their work and their research. The list was full of great achievements and honorees included Drs. Mark Hutchinson and Joseph Tauro (Distinguished Service); Jon Dickens (Volunteer of the year), Benjamin Domb (Stephen J. Snyder, M.D. Arthroscopy Instructor ); Ivan Wong (Stephen S. Burkhart Shoulder Innovation); Adnan Saithna (Richard J. O’Connor, M.D. Research), Scott Feeley (Patellofemoral Anatomy Research Excellence and J. Whit Ewing Resident/Fellow Research), Berkcan Akpinar (Diversity Research); Adam Yanke (Research Grant); Olufemi Ayeni (Research Grant); Andrew Bi (Research Grant); Augustus Mazzocca (Research Grant); Sophia Ulman (Research Grant); Christian Cruz (Research Grant); Moin Khan (Research Grant); Travis Dekker (MAST Research Initiative); Drew Recker (MAST Research Initiative), Samuel Adams (MAST Research Initiative). The Traveling Fellows for 2025, Joseph Galvin, D.O., Erik Henkelman, M.D., John Miller, M.D. and R. Judd Robins, M.D. were recognized by their Godfather Dr. James Stone and Committee Chairs and the Board of Directors Slate was announced during this session as well.
Day 2 also included an important panel session on Diversity led by Drs. Gabriella Ode and Don Buford and included leaders like Drs. Jo Hannafin, Beth Shubin Stein, Deryk Jones, Luke Oh, James McGlowan, Erick Marigi and George Branche. AANA advocates for its members in not just clinical medicine but in other areas that impact our practices everyday. Also included on Day 2 was an Advocacy session with AANA leaders in this area which included Drs. William Beach, Louis McIntyre and Robert Hunter in which they invited Catherine Hayes the Director of the GOP Doctors Caucus to enrich the discussion regarding Medicare and Medicaid legislation changes that are likely coming soon.
Day 2 was capped by the Presidential Celebration which was a wonderful party with a live band and great food and drink to which everyone who traveled to the meeting was invited. Again, and as usual, another example of AANA as an organization of inclusion that seeks to serve every one of its members! Great fun and dancing was enjoyed by all!
DAY 3
The last day of AANA25 was again an incredibly jam-packed day of learning. Starting early in the morning at 7:00 a.m. sharp with a host of ICLs by leaders in the field which had topics such as Financial Strategies to Improve Your Private or Employed Practice and Joint Preservation Techniques for the Knee in 2025.
The first General Session of the day was the Great Debates which was a joint session between AANA and ISAKOS. Topics that were debated included: ACL revision graft selections; knee osteotomy in revision ACL; options for irreparable cuff tear; arthroscopic lower trap transfers; SCR with cable graft; patellofemoral instability bony alignment correction versus isolated MPFL reconstructions; shoulder instability Latarjet vs free bone; fresh osteochondral grafts versus aragonite grafts.
There was a Residents and Fellows Showcase which was led by Drs. Kelly Hill and Winston Gwathmey and was a great session for scientific papers presented by Residents and Fellows in training but also included important research on how to improve the training process in general with papers such as Longer Fellow Assisted Surgical Time in Arthroscopic Rotator cuff Surgery Had No Impact on Outcomes (Dr. Stephan Pill) and Augmented Reality Simulation is Effective and Efficient for Teaching Interns Arthroscopy (Dr. Alex Meyer)
The Latin American Experience was included as it has been for many years now at the Annual Meeting. The session was led by AANA leaders Drs. Diego Perez Salazar Marina and Fernando Hernandez-Perez and I enjoyed the talks which were presented in both English and Spanish! Important talks included Latin American Formal Consensus on the Appropriate Indications of Extra Articular Lateral Procedures in Primary ACL Reconstruction” (Dr. Jesus Ignacio Cardona-Medina and Low-Cost Arthroscopic Acromioclavicular Reconstruction with Sutures (Dr. Alfonso Barnechea).
Another AANA Annual Meeting favorite was included on Day 3 which is the Debate Your Mentor session. The clinical vignettes included the 24-year-old soccer athlete with an OCD lesion which was debated by Drs. Brain Cole (osteochondral allograft) and Brian Waterman (MACI). Massive rotator cuff tear in a 65-year-old gym rat which was a face-off between Drs. Randall Murphy Jr. (time to augment the repair) and Dr. Felix Savoie (release and repair). Shoulder instability in a 19-year-old football player with >17% bone loss which was debated by Drs. John Tokish (DTA heals and the data supports it) and Travis Dekker (Latarjet: tried and true). The final debate was on primary ACL tear in a 20-year-old college lacrosse player which was between Drs. Nick Sgaglione (quad tendon) and Kevin Bonner (BTB). These were great debates with important discussion points; all parties involved couldn’t help themselves and took some personal jabs at each, all in the name of education and fun!
Alas, the meeting was coming to a close. We had the introduction of the new AANA President and the traditional passing of the gavel by which our now current President Dr. John Kelly accepted the gavel and the responsibility to lead our great organization forward for the next year. The final session of the meeting was on the Aging Athlete (a common topic that has more than once been the ending session of the Annual Meeting) in which there were informative talks and panel discussions lead by Drs. Julie Dodds and Robert Marx.
Then it was time to say goodbye to another fantastic AANA Annual Meeting as we were adjourned by our Program Chair Dr. Michael O’Brien and our outgoing President, Dr. Alan Curtis (both of whom did a fabulous job!). We look forward to seeing you all next year at AANA Annual Meeting 2026. Save the date! May 14-16 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge in Phoenix, AZ. See you all there!