About us

The Société Francophone d’Arthroscopie (SFA) has 2 main missions: the annual congress and the training of young arthroscopists. It was on this second mission that our paths crossed with Pr Philippe Hardy, who has devoted all his energy and career to training a whole generation of surgeons: hence the endowment fund for Teaching and Research in Arthroscopy Philippe Hardy to continue his work.

The SFA is recognized by the Collège Français de Chirurgie Orthopédique et Orthopédique (CFCOT) and by the Conseil National Professionnel de Chirurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologique (CNP-COT) for its expertise in harmonizing theoretical and practical training in arthroscopy throughout France, and at all levels: from initial training to continuing education.

Theoretical training is based on lectures given by a panel of experts, members of the Collège and the DIU d’arthroscopie, on each joint as part of numerous annual events, and above all within the teaching program of the DIU d’arthroscopie in partnership with the Universities.

Practical training is based on teaching modules that are perfectly integrated into the Orthopaedic Surgery intern training program and comply with CFCOT recommendations. There are 4 modules of increasing difficulty and technicality, each of which must be validated before accessing and training at the next level. The first 2 modules are compulsory for all orthopedic surgeons: the first module is based on arthroscopy simulation, and the 2nd module on basic arthroscopy procedures in the anatomy laboratory. The 3rd module (recommended) focuses on advanced arthroscopic techniques in the anatomy laboratory and with training members as part of the practical teaching of the arthroscopy DIU. The 4th module (optional) focuses on specialized arthroscopic techniques in the anatomy laboratory as part of Master Courses for young surgeons at the end of their training or experienced surgeons.

Global training in arthroscopy also relies on exchanges between arthroscopic surgeons of all levels, creating a genuine national and international network and promoting the transmission of knowledge and know-how, emulation for research and teaching, and the improvement of practices. For many years, the SFA has organized various grants: national and international travel grants with various learned societies, and research grants.

In recent years, a number of educational and legislative changes have affected the organization of training for medical and surgical interns:

3rd cycle reform (2016);
The decrees setting out the training models (April 12, 2017);
The Charte Déontologique des Doyens (Deans’ Code of Ethics) (2017) on ethics and transparency in teachers’ relations with industry;
Article L.1453-7 of the French Public Health Code, adopted by Law no. 2019-774 of July 24, 2019 on the organization and transformation of the healthcare system;
Information note DGOS/RH2/2020/157 of September 11, 2020 on the application of article L.1453.3 of the Public Health Code for the purposes of implementing the “benefit framing” scheme.

Since the beginning of these reforms, the SFA has adapted in consultation with the CFCOT and CNP-COT to pursue its mission of arthroscopy training, in order to pass on the passion for arthroscopy and all the knowledge that goes with it.