Participation in the 2025 KSES – TSSES Exchange Travelling Fellowship program

Academic Depth and Collegial Exchange in Fukuoka
The early autumn air in Fukuoka carried a gentle warmth as I arrived in Fukuoka. The 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japan Shoulder Society (JSS) was held from October 10 (Friday) to 11 (Saturday), 2025, at the Fukuoka Convention Center. Under the leadership of Professor Teruaki Izaki of Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, the meeting embraced the theme of “Precision & Functional Restoration”, a phrase that set the tone for two days of remarkably focused and thoughtful scientific exchange.

Scientifically Rich Program with the Japanese Precision
Throughout the sessions, I was reminded of why Japanese shoulder research continues to command global respect. Presentations on rotator cuff repair and augmentation strategies, refining indications and planning strategies for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), tendon transfer procedures and functional recovery, and in-depth biomechanical studies and 3D planning using cutting-edge techniques were delivered with the characteristic clarity and meticulous detail that define the JSS community. Each talk reflected a craftsman-like dedication to functional analysis grounded in clinical relevance. These presentations provided many clinically valuable insights.

Strengthened Korea-Japan Academic Collaboration
What stood out just as strongly as the scientific content was the sense of collegiality. The meeting offered meaningful opportunities to discuss current topics of mutual interest, including RTSA mechanics and scapular alignment, neural complications and functional outcomes, and registry-based clinical researches. The partnership between the Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society (KSES) and JSS continues to grow, and many Japanese colleagues expressed their intention to participate in future KSES meetings, further strengthening bilateral collaboration. These exchanges reminded me that academic collaboration is sustained not only by shared questions, but also by mutual respect and curiosity.

 
Excellent Meeting Environment and Warm Hospitality
Fukuoka itself added a quiet richness to the experience. Fukuoka's accessibility, comfortable layout, and welcoming atmosphere greatly enhanced the meeting experience. Moreover, the organizing committee, led by Professor Izaki, prepared the event with exceptional detail and efficiency, reflecting JSS’s long-standing culture of precision and thoughtful hospitality.

Reaffirming the Fundamentals of Shoulder Surgery
Although technological innovation is rapidly reshaping shoulder surgery, the meeting offered a timely reminder of the fundamentals that remain unchanged. Many presentations circled back to essential principles including careful evaluation of tendon quality, micro-level tension balancing during repair, and biomechanical and functional assessments after reconstruction. These presentations served as a valuable reminder that meticulous attention to fundamentals remains central to successful treatment of rotator cuff pathology and complex shoulder disorders.


 
Closing Thoughts
The 52nd JSS meeting was an academically enriching and collegially meaningful event. I look forward to ongoing collaboration between KSES and JSS, and to the continued growth of shoulder and elbow research within our region. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Professor Izaki and the JSS organizing committee for their excellent leadership and warm hospitality.

Kyu-Cheol Noh
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital
Hallym University College of Medicine, Korea