The EFORT Invited Nation Programme aims at raising awareness and recognition towards the contribution made to the management of musculo skeletal diseases worldwide and to strengthen ties with colleagues around the globe. In this sense we are delighted to announce that EFORT honors the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA). The JOA presented themselves with a booth and during the EFORT Opening Session.

The Japanese Orthopaedic Association was founded in 1926 (Year 15 of the Taisho era) in order to promote studies of orthopaedics,presentation of study results,and to strengthen contact and cooperation among organizations and individuals specializing in this discipline.Our first general meeting was held at Tokyo University on April 1, 1926. There were 118 members at that time, but subsequently our association developed and currently the number of members stands at over twenty thousand. We have held presentations of study results and lectures, published bulletins (including many in English) and books, contacted and cooperated with domestic and foreign learned parties and conducted awide variety of research on orthopaedics.

Our association became a public interest incorporated association on 01 April 2011 (Year 23 of the Heisei era), with the aim of contributing further to the development of orthopaedics and musculoskeletal medicine through research,maintenance of health, prevention of diseases,development of public health in both mind and body mainly through sports medicine, support for the handicapped, and extension of social welfare services for the aged.To realize these aims, we have launched projects to encourage the performance of studies and investigations related to orthopaedics, authorized medical specialists and training institutes, carried out research on systems of medical insurance, long-term care insurance, and social welfare for the handicapped (including children), and offered advice and information to the public.

Modern orthopaedics was introduced into Japan about a hundred years ago. The main problems at that time were deformities of the limbs,spine and bones of children, joint tuberculosis being a major factor. Later, physical handicap due to poliomyelitis and increased numbers of injuries caused by traffic accidents became major issues.Today, as society ages, osteoporosis, bone fractures,and retrogressive degeneration of the knees and intervertebral disks are becoming more common. All of these diseases can deteriorate the function of bones and joints that people use in everyday life for standing, walking and grasping.

Our goal is to facilitate the maintenance and improvement of bone and joint function.To achieve this, it will be necessary to produce medical specialists who are adept at diagnosis and treatment, including conservative treatments such as therapeutic exercise, as well as pharmacotherapeutics and surgery.

As a public interest incorporated association, we anticipate that we will be able to contribute more to the development of orthopaedics and musculoskeletal medicine.