Fixing the Problem, Not Just Treating It: Inside the Southeast Reconstruction Summit

For Thomas L. Bradbury, MD, hip and knee replacement surgery isn’t just about relieving pain, it’s about offering patients a real solution.

“The advantage of these surgeries is that they can actually fix the problem, not just treat the symptoms,” he said. “If we do it right the first time, there’s a very real chance a patient may never need another surgery on that joint for the rest of their life.”

That possibility — solving the problem once and for all — is one of the reasons Dr. Bradbury is looking forward to the upcoming Southeast Reconstruction Summit on Nov. 22 in Atlanta.

The Southeast Reconstruction Summit will feature two live surgeries with real-time commentary, giving attendees a rare chance to see procedures unfold step by step with expert insights on decision-making in the OR. Along with these surgeries, the day includes interactive case discussions, candid conversations about complications, vendor showcase with hands-on access to new technologies, and dedicated networking opportunities.

For co-chair George N. Guild, III, MD, the Summit is just as much about place as it is about purpose. “It is the unique opportunity to have a local course with world-class surgeons” he said.

An Honest, Collegial Exchange

Many conferences rely on polished podium presentations that don’t always reflect the realities of daily practice. The Summit takes a different approach.

“We want open, honest, collegial interaction,” Bradbury said.

Guild also underscored the value of that candor: “It’s not all going to be pie in the sky. You’re going to see people show their own complications, how they approached the problem, how maybe it didn’t go right, and what they had to do to fix it. When you can have that sort of candid interaction between attendee and speaker, you really can learn a lot and realize you’re not alone.”

Practical Pearls for Every Attendee

The Summit is designed for real, practical learning that surgical teams can implement right away.

“People will leave with practical ideas they can bring back to their teams, and ultimately, patients will benefit,” Bradbury said.

Guild emphasized that this is true for even the most experienced participants: “After attending the event, you would feel very good that you are as up to date as possible in the world of hip and knee replacement. And there is a 100 percent chance that even if you’re practicing hip and knee replacement every day, you are going to take a few pearls home from this meeting that you didn’t know about.”

Building Community Through Networking

Beyond the sessions themselves, the co-chairs see networking as central to the Summit’s impact.

“People here are more willing to work together across practice lines and hospital systems,” Bradbury said. “This meeting fosters that spirit of building networks, sharing solutions, and finding new ways to take better care of patients.”

Guild said the event will probably host a majority of the joint replacement surgeons in Atlanta metro.

“It’s an unbelievable networking opportunity. We share a lot of patients together. Knowing each other really can help manage some of these complex patients,” he said.

A Front-Row Seat to Innovation

Attendees will also see cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of hip and knee replacement.

Bradbury pointed to advances such as robotics, smart implants, and artificial intelligence.

Guild pointed to smart knee replacement (a sensor in the knee that populates to the patient’s phone showing recovery curves), as just one fascinating new technology.

“And on the hip side, restoring leg length and offset is paramount to success. We now have artificial intelligence X-ray capture that automates that process down to the millimeter,” he said.

Additionally, both stressed that innovation won’t overshadow practicality.

“There’s a lot of fascinating technology, but we have to get down to ground truth: is the technology improving patient outcomes or experiences? At this meeting, you’ll see the tech, but also whether the evidence shows a benefit or not,” Guild said.

An Interactive Format

No matter which part of the surgical team you represent, the Summit is designed for active engagement.

“These are everyday problems with unique approaches,” Bradbury said of the live surgeries. “The live format lets us illustrate newer techniques and methodologies in a way that’s hard to capture in lectures.”

But at the heart of it all, the co-chairs see the Summit as a way to move the field forward together.

“There are multiple benefits here,” Guild said. “You’ll sharpen your practice, expand your network, and take home ideas you can apply right away.”

• The Southeast Reconstruction Summit takes place November 22, 2025, at The Hotel at Avalon in Alpharetta, GA. Orthopedic surgeons, nurses, and allied health professionals from across the Southeast and beyond are invited to be part of the conversation. To learn more or register, visit aorn.org/srs.