ESSKA Consensus Projects

One of ESSKA’s objectives is developing professional standards. Thus, ESSKA has developed a strict and painstaking methodology which employs our considerable European expertise. We call it ESSKA’s European Consensus.

Terms and conditions of using ESSKA Consensus materials:

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“ESSKA European (Title) Consensus: Copyright © ESSKA”

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Management of first-time patella dislocation (FTPD): the ESSKA formal consensus

First time patella dislocation (FTPD) is the starting point of objective patella instability. Advances in understanding the patellofemoral joint have facilitated clearer identification of risk factors, and evolving treatment strategies. However, standardizing definitions and terminology remains a challenge. Starting with a clear definition of a FTPD, up to still unsolved clinical questions of whether to treat surgically or not, this ESSKA consensus is done to provide guidelines for the daily practical management. It may influence health policies for enhanced patient care.

The Use of Injectable Orthobiologics for Knee OsteoArthritis. Part 2: Cell-based Therapy (CBT). A formal ESSKA-ORBIT Consensus

The field of Orthobiologics has gained traction in treating bone, cartilage, tendons/ligaments, and muscle ailments. However, the effectiveness of these treatments remains inconclusive due to varying professional opinions on patient indications, administration protocols, and available options/devices.. To address these issues, ESSKA has launched the ORthoBIologics InitiaTive (ORBIT) to establish a standardized approach to orthobiologic treatments. Focused on injectable options, ESSKA-ORBIT consensuses aim to address the use of blood-derived products and cell-based therapies in knee OA. After the delivery of the blood derived products consensus in 2022, this consensus, focused on cell-based therapy, has been completed as part 2 of this initiative.

Age and Time Specific Management of Anterior Traumatic Shoulder Instability. A formal ESSKA-ESA Consensus

Anterior shoulder instability is a prevalent condition affecting individuals of all ages. The heterogeneity of patients' age and activity level, coupled with various parameters such as injury mechanism, intention, and number of episodes, contributes to the complexity of its management. There is a lack of consensus on the optimal approach to manage traumatic anterior shoulder instability (TASI), particularly considering age and timing of injury. This consensus aims to guide clinicians in making reasoned clinical decisions regarding the diagnosis and treatment of TASI based on age and timing of injury.

The formal EU-US Meniscus Rehabilitation Consensus. An ESSKA-AOSSM-AASPT Initiative

While two ESSKA consensuses already addressed the management of degenerative meniscus lesions and traumatic meniscus tears, focusing on the concept of meniscus preservation, rehabilitation management remained unaddressed. This consensus aims to provide recommendations for rehabilitation, including physical therapy, for patients undergoing non operative or surgical treatment for degenerative meniscus lesions or traumatic meniscus tears. It also explores the impact of concomitant pathologies, the role of prevention programs, and return-to-sport protocols.

Hip and Groin Pain in Physically Active Adults. A formal ESSKA-EHPA-ESMA Consensus

Hip and groin pain constitute up to 10% of sports medicine consultations among young and middle-aged active individuals. It often leads to functional limitations. The intricate anatomy of the groin region poses challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, the field of hip preservation has witnessed significant growth. Hip preservation aims to prevent or delay degenerative changes in the hip, addressing both intra-articular and periarticular causes of pain in nonarthritic active individuals. This consensus aims to provide a standardized approach in terms of terminology, clinical examination and imaging.

ESSKA European ACL Revision Consensus

Anterior cruciate ligament revision surgery is complex surgery and many factors need to be taken into account for a successful outcome like available grafts, meniscus status, tibial slope, cartilage lesions, bone tunnel widening, additional ligamentous lesions, patient age and activity level and many more.

Use of injectable orthobiologics for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis Part 1: blood-derived products (alias PRP). ESSKA ORBIT Consensus

The field of Orthobiologics has emerged in recent years as a result of the growing interest in biologic approaches for tissue healing for a variety of pathologies affecting bone, cartilage, tendons/ligaments and muscles, both as conservative injection treatment and in combination with surgical procedures.
The results of these treatments are inconclusive because of the lack of unanimous opinion by professionals in terms of patients’ indications, administration protocols and even more in the choice of the available options/devices.
The ESSKA ORthoBiologics InitiaTive (ORBIT) aimed to generate and assemble a pan-European/International collaboration to create a common language and a uniform voice in the field of orthobiologics.

ESSKA European Osteotomy Consensus The Painful Varus Knee

Osteotomy around the knee joint enjoys a unique identity in the armamentarium belonging to the surgeon treating degenerative disease.
This ESSKA formal consensus is strictly directed at the commonest current indication for major lower limb osteotomy which is for treatment of the painful degenerative varus knee. It also follows that whilst the greater number of osteotomies for this indication are performed in the proximal tibia alone it is imperative to understand that varus deformity should never be regarded as an issue singularly involving proximal tibial deformity.

ESSKA Meniscus Consensus Project: Degenerative meniscus lesions

The ESSKA Meniscus Consensus Project was started by the ESSKA Board after the Amsterdam congress in 2014. Its remit, under Philippe Beaufils and Roland Becker, two leading authorities on meniscus pathologies, is to establish a pan-European consensus for their treatment. This is not easy, given Europe's diversity of medicare. So a strict method is being applied, and with extensive consultation.