In medicine, learning never ends. And in orthopedic surgery, teaching is as important as operating. Training young residents is not only a responsibility, but also a way to keep us constantly evolving and ensure that the next generation of specialists is up to the challenges of the future.
Teaching arthroscopy: the basis of everything.
Knee arthroscopy is one of the most common techniques, but also one of the most complex at first. Guiding a resident to understand the orientation within the joint, recognize the anatomic structures and develop the ability to suture a meniscus requires patience, method and experience.
We use anatomical models, simulators and recordings of real cases so that learning does not start directly in the operating room. Once inside, the process is progressive: from observation, through assisted maneuvers, until the resident can complete a meniscal suture under direct supervision. Every step matters.
Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: accuracy and liability.
ACL surgery is one of the most representative interventions in sports traumatology. Here we teach not only surgical technique, but also preoperative planning, graft selection, proper tunnel placement and postoperative management. A resident must learn to be meticulous: a few millimeters make the difference between a stable or unstable knee.
With the use of high-definition arthroscopic towers and modern guides, residents acquire the tools to perform precise surgery from their first experiences.
Surgical navigation in prosthetics: teaching with technology.
Navigated knee replacement surgery can show residents how to obtain accurate alignments, adjust bone cuts, and assess ligament balance with objective data. This technology not only improves clinical outcomes, but is also an excellent teaching tool.
Young people can visualize, in real time, how each surgical step influences the final result. Learning with navigation means understanding surgery from an anatomical, functional and technological point of view.
In short, training a resident well is not only about transmitting knowledge, it is also about inspiring confidence, transmitting surgical values and encouraging critical thinking. Excellence is not only about operating well, but also about being a reference, someone who leaves a mark on those who are just starting out. I firmly believe that to teach is to grow as a professional, and values must be transmitted to those who one day will hopefully be leaders in the field of traumatology.
