The Combined Congress of the Asian Cartilage Repair Society (ACRS) and the Indian Cartilage Society (ICS) was conducted over 3 days at Chennai in November 2013. The high point of the congress was the first ever cadaver course in cartilage procedures conducted in Asia. This was an Indian Arthroscopy Society (IAS) approved program. The congress and the cadaver course were approved by ESSKA, ISAKOS and ICRS. Being a Chennai congress, it was well supported by TNOA and MOS. Deepak Goyal, Ahmedabad was the congress Chairman and Parakkal Rajasekar, Chennai was the congress secretary. Nishith Shah, Ahmedabad and Raju Vaishya, New Delhi formed the rest of the core committee. S Arumugam, Chennai was the cadaveric workshop co-ordinator and Mitsuo Ochi, Japan (President, ACRS) were also part of the organising committee.

The program started on 8th November, 2013 at the Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Anatomy hall with the cadaver course. Prof. S Arumugam and his entire team and the support staff ensured smooth conduct of the entire day’s proceedings. The First ever Asian cadaver cartilage repair course showcased diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in two sessions. Eminent International and National faculties were in continuous interaction all day for maximum dissipation of practical basics along with tips and tricks. The venue for the next two days of the congress was the serene Fisherman’s Cove by Taj Vinanta, on the east coast beach of Chennai. The delegates were from all across India and from four international countries. They were mostly residential delegates. The conference sessions were spread over one and a half days. There was active participation from the delegates and this in turn furthered the interest of the faculty in sharing their experience in full verve. The sessions covered a range of topics from basics like diagnosis, classifications, radiology right upto the latest evidenced science in cartilage treatment and results. There was a free paper session with an award for the best paper to enable upcoming scientists in cartilage repair to present their work and to be encouraged further. It was keenly contested. There was a separate exhibition area with over a dozen stalls with products for cartilage repair surgeons. It was a one stop shop for both the beginner and the expert. The GBM of the ICS and the ACRS were also conducted in separate sessions. On the 9th evening a Banquet with local flavour cultural activity was conducted on the beachside. The intensity of scientific discussions and also the ambience and hospitality of the venue was much appreciated by faculty and delegates alike.

ICS core committee is grateful to Indian Arthroscopy Society for the approval as well as for the active involvement of a large number of its council and members as faculty and delegates.

P Rajaskear