The 40th Edinburgh International Trauma Symposium takes place from 18 to 21 August 2026 at the University of Edinburgh. This long-established international meeting brings together orthopaedic surgeons, trainees and an international faculty for clinical updates, case discussion, surgical education and practical training in orthopaedic trauma.
A particular feature of the Edinburgh meeting is its combination of lectures and discussion with small-group anatomical teaching. The 2026 symposium includes two cadaveric surgical masterclasses at the University of Edinburgh Medical School. A session on modern approaches to the shoulder will examine surgical exposure for proximal humeral fractures, including the sabre incision and deltoid-split approach. A second masterclass focuses on approaches for complex knee trauma and the surgical anatomy and techniques used in the management of tibial plateau fractures. Both use fresh cadaveric material and are designed around live demonstration in small groups.
The wider scientific programme covers trauma and orthopaedics, with opportunities for oral and poster presentation of new research and an international audience. Abstracts are accepted across trauma, arthroplasty and reconstruction, sports and paediatric orthopaedics, with accepted work published with The Bone & Joint Journal. The symposium is accompanied by additional Edinburgh educational activities, including the FRCS (Tr&Orth) Revision Course, Edinburgh Arthroplasty Day and the new Edinburgh Elbow Day.
The 2026 meeting marks the 40th Edinburgh International Trauma Symposium. It is organised by the Scottish Orthopaedic Research Trust into Trauma (SORT-IT), which supports research in fracture management, fracture epidemiology and soft-tissue injury. For clinicians working in orthopaedic trauma, the programme combines current evidence and clinical discussion with detailed teaching on surgical approaches and complex fracture management.