kholoud
The Association of German-French Orthopedists and Traumatologists, commonly referred to as AFACOT, represents a collaborative initiative stemming from the joint efforts of the German Society for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery (DGOU) and the French Society of Orthopedic and Traumatologic Surgery (SOFCOT). This collaborative endeavor marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its 13th anniversary in October 2023.
On November 11, 2009, a noteworthy event occurred when Chancellor Angela Merkel, for the first time, participated in the commemorative ceremonies commemorating the conclusion of World War I in Paris. This occasion prompted a spirit of camaraderie and a shared aspiration to further enhance the cooperation between the two nations.
The subsequent evening during the annual congress of French orthopedists and trauma surgeons in Paris, esteemed medical professionals including Prof. Yves Catonné, Prof. Laurent Sedel, Prof. Thierry Judet from France, and Dr. Harald Kuhn from Germany convened and mutually resolved to establish a cross-border association. Subsequent to preliminary discussions in April 2010 held in Baden-Baden, the formal establishment of AFACOT took place in Berlin. Prof. Pfeil, Prof. Thomsen, Dr. Kuhn, Dr. Gerdes-Kuhn, alongside distinguished French counterparts Prof. Bollini, Prof. Sedel, Prof. Sautet, Dr. Tracol, and Dr. Henky, solidified this vision during the German Capital Congress, with the esteemed patronage of Prof. Eulert. Over the years, this initiative has manifested as a sequence of alternating annual scientific conferences and regional gatherings, thereby facilitating the exchange of expertise and nurturing a dynamic intercultural bond.
A notable instance of this exchange involved the transmission of advanced knowledge by French colleagues in the domain of bipolar hip cups, a technique renowned for augmenting stability, particularly within revision surgeries. In parallel, German professionals introduced their French counterparts to the intricacies of the minimally invasive short stem prosthesis technique. This exchange has evolved over time, transitioning from initial user meetings into a robust platform for sharing experiences.
The pioneering leaders of this collaborative endeavor, namely Prof. Dr. Joachim Pfeil from Wiesbaden and Dr. Pierre Henky from Strasbourg, along with their proactive associates, exhibited commendable dedication in revitalizing the professional and personal bonds between these neighboring nations. In 2016, Dr. Harald Kuhn from Lohne on the German front, and Dr. Philippe Tracol from Cavaillon on the French front, both founding members of AFACOT, assumed leadership roles within the society. The subsequent years witnessed a series of joint congresses held in various cities including Baden-Baden, Paris, Berlin, Toulouse, Cavaillon, Wiesbaden, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Muenster, and even extending to the French overseas territories. With a membership tally exceeding 200 professionals, this society has effectively contributed to diplomatic bridges that harmonize both professional and cultural dimensions, underscored from a quintessential French perspective as “savoir vivre et savoir faire.”
Membership
If you wish to become a member in AFACOT, please proceed as follows:
- download the appropriate application form
- complete the form (if possible) completely
- send the completed form by mail to info@afacot.com