Leading orthopaedic surgeons gathered in Rosemont, Illinois, for an intensive educational experience focused on advancing surgical techniques and improving patient outcomes.
The Patellofemoral Foundation (PFF) was proudly represented at Mastering the Complicated Knee, a specialized surgical education course organized by the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) and held at the Orthopaedic Learning Center in Rosemont, Illinois, in October 2026.
Co-chaired by PFF Board Members Miho Tanaka, MD PhD, and Jason Koh, MD, MBA, the course brought together experienced orthopaedic surgeons, educators, and trainees for an immersive program combining expert instruction with hands-on surgical training.
A highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by John Fulkerson, MD, President and Founder of the Patellofemoral Foundation, whose pioneering contributions to patellofemoral surgery have helped shape the understanding and treatment of complex knee conditions.
Bringing Surgical Education Into Practice
AANA’s educational programs emphasize practical learning, technical refinement, and collaboration among orthopaedic specialists.
Through cadaver-based laboratory sessions, participants at Mastering the Complicated Knee had the opportunity to explore complex surgical challenges, refine arthroscopic techniques, and receive direct guidance from experienced faculty.
This hands-on approach reflects the philosophy behind AANA’s E.L.I.T.E. (Elevating Knee Arthroscopy) educational initiative, which emphasizes personalized surgical training tailored to participants’ professional development goals.
Beyond the technical instruction, the course created opportunities for meaningful exchanges between established leaders in knee surgery and the next generation of orthopaedic specialists.
Connecting Education to PFF’s Mission
For the Patellofemoral Foundation, events like Mastering the Complicated Knee reflect a central principle of its mission: improving the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of patellofemoral disorders through research, education, and collaboration.
Anterior knee pain affects people of all ages and activity levels. For many patients, it can become a persistent condition that limits mobility, restricts participation in sports, interferes with work, and diminishes quality of life.
Although advances in imaging, anatomical research, and surgical techniques have significantly improved our understanding of patellofemoral conditions, important challenges remain.
More research is needed to establish evidence-based treatment guidelines, refine surgical indications, improve non-operative interventions, and standardize approaches to complex patellofemoral disorders.
Equally important is ensuring that emerging knowledge reaches the clinicians and surgeons responsible for treating patients.
Educational programs such as this AANA course help bridge the gap between scientific understanding and clinical practice, providing surgeons with opportunities to strengthen their skills, exchange ideas, and apply evolving techniques.
Building a Better Future for Knee Care
Dr. Fulkerson’s participation underscores the Patellofemoral Foundation’s longstanding commitment to advancing education within the orthopaedic community.
By supporting the exchange of knowledge among experienced surgeons, researchers, and emerging specialists, PFF seeks to contribute to a future in which fewer patients experience prolonged disability from anterior knee pain and more individuals can return to the activities that matter most to them.
The Foundation congratulates Drs. Tanaka and Koh, AANA, and the entire faculty on a successful educational program, and recognizes the participating surgeons for their commitment to continued learning and excellence in patient care.
Through education, research, and collaboration, the Patellofemoral Foundation remains dedicated to advancing the science and practice of patellofemoral medicine.