“Back in Motion”

Hillel Yaffe Medical Center’s Physical Therapy Service and Orthopedics Division hosted a successful conference this week, attended by approximately 150 physical therapists and other professionals from across the country. Held in collaboration with the Association for the Advancement of Physical Therapy in Israel, the event focused on new treatment approaches and current trends in orthopedic sports medicine and rehabilitative physical therapy, highlighting the important and even essential collaboration between the two fields.

Yael Krebs, Physical Therapy Service Director at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, and Dr. Lior Laver, Director of the Arthroscopy and Sports Injuries Service in the Orthopedics Division, opened the conference. They discussed emerging technologies, recent research and modern rehabilitation methods for sports injuries, noting that evidence-based protocols and close communication between orthopedists and physical therapists are enabling patients to return to activity faster and more safely. Both thanked all conference attendees and promised a follow-up conference next year.

Participants of the “Back in Motion” conference at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center

The program included three main sessions. The first session addressed joint replacement and return to sports and physical activity, including unique topics such as sexual activity following joint replacements. The second session focused on treatment of torn meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament injuries, with emphasis on innovative techniques such as lateral extra-articular tenodesis in ACL surgery and current evidence-based approaches to managing meniscus tears and rehabilitation following these injuries and surgeries.

The third session examined PRP therapy for sports injuries and cartilage degeneration, as well as advanced treatments for patellar dislocation and patellar instability and the rehabilitation approach in these cases. Additionally, a panel of experts led by Prof. Nahum Halperin, a recognized trailblazer in orthopedics in Israel and one of the pioneers in integrating sports medicine, orthopedics and physical therapy, rounded out the day.

At the end of the conference, participants praised the excellent combination of theoretical lectures and practical clinical insights, as well as the opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the country.