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Logo "50 Years OTWorld"
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News Overview

All the latest news regarding OTWorld.

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News Overview

OTWorld 2026: 50 years of joint progress for patients world-wide Congress Presidents Dr Doris Maier and Thomas Münch discuss tradi-tion, change and responsibility in orthopaedic treatment and care. Continue reading
Focus on orthopaedic footwear technology From 19 to 22 May 2026, OTWorld in Leipzig will be putting the spotlight on the future of orthopaedic footwear technology. From traditional skilled trades to high-tech solutions, from prevention to complex orthopaedic treatment and care: the World Congress and leading international Trade Show offer the central international stage for knowledge transfer in the field of orthopaedic footwear technology. Continue reading
Travel stipends: Open for applications until the end of October Attendees from low or lower middle income countries, as well as emerging speakers, can submit their applications for a travel stipend to OTWorld 2026 until the end of October. Congress organiser Confairmed GmbH will award scholarships to cover travel and accommodation expenses. Continue reading
Special Exhibition “From Early Support to Employment: Enabling Participation through Orthopaedic Treatment and Care” at OTWorld 2026 Under the motto “From Early Support to Employment: Enabling Participation through Orthopaedic Treatment and Care” the special exhibition “Living with neurological conditions” will take place at OTWorld 2026 in Leipzig. Conceived by rehaVital, one of Germany’s largest healthcare provider networks and held under the patronage of the German Association of Orthopaedic Technology (BIV-OT), the exhibition highlights how people with neurological conditions can be supported from early childhood through to working life. At its core is the question of how optimal medical aids, interprofessional orthopaedic treatment and care and social support can enable participation in all stages of life. Continue reading
Disaster conference at OTWorld 2026: Learning from mistakes – submit treatment cases now! The programme committee is developing a new and deliberately unusual format for the OTWorld 2026 World Congress (19–22 May in Leipzig): the Disaster Conference. The focus will be on treatment cases that have taken an unexpected turn – and precisely because of this offer valuable insights for practical care. Continue reading
Call for Papers – Become part of the OTWorld Congress Programme 2026 – You make the difference! Whether innovative studies, groundbreaking research results, technical innovations or exemplary treatment cases - your expertise counts! Continue reading
New ideas for orthopaedic treatment and care: Dr Doris Maier and Thomas Münch shape the world congress of OTWorld 2026 as congress presidents
Paralympics: On course with the canoe The 2024 Paralympics will take place in Paris from 28 August to 8 September. For the participating athletes, this is both a great honour and a challenge. Abel Aber, France's most successful para-athlete in the canoeing discipline, has one big goal: to win the gold medal at the Paralympics. Continue reading
OTWorld World Congress 2024: Over 2,500 participants from 61 countries organised a global exchange of knowledge in orthopaedic treatment and care Over 300 international speakers, 360 lectures, 50 poster presentations and 33 practical workshops provided visitors of the OTWorld World Congress from 14 to 17 May 2024 with inspiration for orthopaedic treatment and care of tomorrow. With 2,550 participants from 61 countries, the OTWorld World Congress once again emphasised its global significance. For the first time, participants arrived also from New Caledonia, South Korea and Guadeloupe. Continue reading
Positive Response to OTWorld 2024 OTWorld 2024 in Leipzig has once again confirmed its position as the world's leading trade show with world congress for manufacturers, distributors and service companies providing modern orthopaedic treatment and care. Numerous exhibitors gave us enthusiastic feedback on the high quality of professional dialogue and the in-depth conversations they had with visitors. Continue reading
Continued Growth for the Number One International Trade Show OTWorld 2024 Once again, OTWorld attracted large numbers of visitors from all over the world with a comprehensive programme covering the latest technologies and innovative solutions ranging from sustainable orthoses and intelligent prostheses to rehabilitation technology for stroke patients and exoskeletons for children. Over the course of four days, 574 exhibitors from 42 countries welcomed 20,400 visitors from 96 countries to the show to discuss new concepts for treatment and care in prosthetics and orthotics, orthopaedic footwear technology, rehabilitation technology and compression therapy. At the world congress, over 300 international speakers also presented their groundbreaking visions of the future in global orthopaedic treatment and care. Continue reading
OTWorld Opens With "Mission Possible" On 14 May 2024, OTWorld launches its journey into a future of orthopaedic treatment and care without limits under the motto "Mission Possible". At the opening ceremony, the global community is invited to join the mission to make possible what seems impossible. Continue reading
New Special Show: Orthopaedic Treatment and Care in Crisis Regions Conflicts and wars cast long shadows, leaving people physically and emotionally wounded and robbing them of their lives, their futures and their hope. Currently, millions of people around the world are living under extremely difficult conditions after suffering severe strokes of fate. The OTWorld 2024 special show dedicated to the provision of orthopaedic treatment and care in crisis regions will be taking a look at these issues. Continue reading
NEW: Meeting Point Orthopaedic Footwear Technology Embedded in the "OTWorld.shoe-technology" special exhibition area in Hall 1, the Meeting Point Orthopaedic Footwear Technology is the first point of contact for all visitors hoping to learn more about sensorimotor insoles. The meeting point is run by the Competence Center for Orthopaedic Footwear Technology (KomZet O.S.T.) and the the Study Association of Orthopaedic Footwear Technology (Studiengemeinschaft Orthopädieschuhtechnik e.V.). Continue reading
Start-Ups in Prosthetics & Orthotics: Innovations for a Dynamic Future The prosthetics & orthotics industry is of vital importance to people with physical impairments. Prosthetics, orthotics and other medical aids all play a decisive role in improving the quality of life for millions of people worldwide by restoring their mobility and helping them participate in everyday life. In this context, start-ups in prosthetics & orthotics have the opportunity to make a significant contribution with their innovations and creative approaches. At OTWorld 2024, 25 young companies from ten nations will be introducing themselves. We asked their founders some questions and received some fascinating answers. Continue reading
Into Weightlessness with a Prosthesis John McFall, a former Paralympic sprinter and Consultant Traumatologist and Orthopaedic Surgeon, could soon be the first astronaut with a physical disability to fly into space. McFall, who lost his right leg in a motorbike accident at the age of 19, has proven that almost anything is possible with modern assistive technology. He is world champion in the 100 and 200 metre races for transfemoral amputees and is now pursuing a career that could take him into weightlessness. Continue reading
Global Industry Meeting with Very High International Participation The international trade show and world congress sets future standards for the provision of orthopaedic treatment and care worldwide from 14 to 17 May 2024. The main topics on the agenda include prosthetics and orthotics, digitalisation, robotics and AI as well as compression supplies, insole production and 3D printing. More than 550 exhibitors from 42 countries have registered for the event with over half travelling to Leipzig from outside Germany. This makes OTWorld more international than ever before. Continue reading
Secure your tickets now for La Fête de l'OTWorld! In line with this year's partner country France, the OTWorld Party will be styled as a French street festival known as "La Fête de l'OTWorld." Music, French delicacies, fine wine, and 'Savoir-vivre' – at the OTWorld party exhibitors, customers, colleagues and friends come together for a relaxed get-together in a casual atmosphere. Continue reading
Keynote speaker Schaar: "Who cares about representation? Disabled people in the media" In a world where our perceptions are shaped by the media, the question remains: How are people with disabilities represented? Which narratives and unconscious thought patterns dominate? In his keynote speech, René Schaar will shed light on how disabilities are portrayed in fictional and non-fictional formats in film and television. Continue reading
Premiere: Special Show on Treatment and Care for Neurological Diseases At this special show, visitors to OTWorld 2024 can expect insights on medical aids and solutions for the optimal care of affected patients. The exhibition incorporates a patient room that provides holistic treatment and care as well as a marketplace offering further information and advice. Additional programme features for visitors include keynote speeches and interactive displays such as a stroke risk check. Continue reading
Practical Further Education for Medical Supply Store Staff From sales, counselling and the workshop to treatment and care, medical supply store staff are always in direct contact with their patients and are well aware of the challenges, problems and questions faced by people who need medical aids. For the first time, the world congress is offering a further education programme specifically for healthcare supply retailers to provide them with additional support in their daily work. Continue reading
New Features at the OTWorld 2024 World Congress The next edition of the world congress offers several new features. These include a tailored training programme for medical supply store staff and a selection of practical workshops each day giving examples for patient treatment. In addition, programme selection has been simplified using take-home messages. Continue reading
World of Orthopaedic Footwear Technology The orthopaedic footwear technology industry will meet at OTWorld in Leipzig from 14 to 17 May 2024 for professional, practical dialogue among physicians, technicians and physiotherapists. The world congress and leading world trade show will offer comprehensive insights into topics relevant to orthopaedic footwear technology. Visitors can expect to be inspired by a wide range of care solutions for everyday applications. Continue reading
Youth.Academy TO: Supporting Young Newcomers to the Industry at OTWorld 2024 Now in its sixth year, the Youth.Academy TO of the German Association of Orthopaedic Technology (BIV-OT) invites interested youngsters working in the industry to visit OTWorld in Leipzig. Trainees and students will have the opportunity from 16 to 17 May 2024 to network and discuss current developments, trends and challenges in orthopaedic technology. Continue reading
P&O Insights: International Exchange on Spina Bifida OTWorld is continuing its successful collaboration with the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists (AAOP) in the form of a transnational symposium. The focus this year will be on the topic of spina bifida. Prominent experts from the US and Germany will be presenting innovative approaches and modern treatment Continue reading
OTWorld.first-timers: Exhibitor Portraits Showcasing products from soft prostheses, bionic hand orthoses and arm robots to the world's lightest forearm crutches, first-time exhibitors at OTWorld will be presenting their innovative ideas and products in this exclusive special exhibition area. Visitors can look forward to plenty of inspiration for new solutions in orthopaedic treatment and care. Continue reading
Exclusive OTWorld.3d Exhibition Area at OTWorld 2024 The use of 3D printing to produce customised orthoses, prostheses and insoles is growing in relevance. For this reason, OTWorld is dedicating a separate exhibition area to this production technology. In the OTWorld.3D exhibition area, visitors can find out more about the full scope of possible applications in prosthetics and orthotics. Continue reading
Congress Programme offers Further Education for the Entire Treatment and Care Team Practical, international and interdisciplinary: From 14 to 17 May, the world congress at OTWorld will be setting the scene for global knowledge transfer in the prosthetics and orthotics industry. The highly varied congress programme will offer a wide range of further education opportunities for all professional groups working at the interface between people and technology. New items on this year's programme include the addition of a special series of workshops for medical supply store staff. Furthermore, all workshops will now take place within the framework of the world congress. Continue reading
OTWorld 2026: Record anniversary edition – Leipzig is the place for rethinking orthopaedic treatment and care
This leading global event demonstrates on its anniversary that mobility, participation and independence are more relevant challenges for the future than ever before – in Germany, Europe and worldwide
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50 years of OTWorld: You make the difference
People set the pace – technology follows: world-leading event in Leipzig demonstrates how modern orthopaedic treatment and care enables movement, rehabilitation and independence
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Watch the Opening Ceremony of OTWorld 2026 via Livestream
OTWorld 2026 will officially open on 19 May in Leipzig. For everyone unable to attend in person, the anniversary opening ceremony will be streamed live on the OTWorld website starting at 4:45 pm (CEST).
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50 years of OTWorld: Leipzig becomes the global centre for modern orthopaedic treatment and care
Record-breaking 623 exhibitors / World-leading Trade Show and World Congress united / Focus on rehabilitation, integrated treatment, advanced training, robotics and AI When OTWorld 2026 opens tomorrow in Leipzig, an anniversary meets the future: 50 years after its foundation, the world’s leading platform for modern orthopaedic treatment and care demonstrates how innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific exchange can make a tangible difference to treatment and care. With 623 exhibitors from 41 countries, OTWorld has reached a historic high. This year’s focus includes rehabilitation, integrated treatment, advanced training, robotics, artificial intelligence and digital processes. Once again, the International Trade Show and World Congress will take place together at one venue – a format that is unique worldwide.
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Discover the latest exhibitor highlights now!
From smart fall prevention and 3D printing to robotics and AI: at OTWorld 2026, exhibitors from around the world will showcase how innovation is shaping the future of orthopaedic treatment and care. A selection of these highlights is already available to explore online.
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Humanoid robots at OTWorld: How AI and robotics are transforming healthcare
Humanoid robots, a robot dog for the emergency services, AI assistance and digital therapy solutions: OTWorld 2026 will feature a spotlight on how new technologies are transforming healthcare. Innovations from Saxony, including Leipzig and Dresden, will also be on display. Anyone interested in the topic will find concrete insights not only at the trade show but also at the World Congress.
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Breast prosthetics at OTWorld: Rethinking holistic care after breast cancer
Breast prosthetics is far more than functional support after surgery. At OTWorld 2026, visitors will see how breast care is evolving — with greater comfort, more personalisation and a stronger focus on quality of life, counselling and holistic support.
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OTWorld 2026: Working Together for the Patient – How to Make Integrated Care Work in Practice
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Celebrities in Leipzig demonstrate the impact of modern care in everyday life and elite sport
Modern medical aids such as bandages, orthoses, prostheses and wheelchairs enable mobility, independence and participation – in everyday life as well as in competitive sport. Numerous well-known personalities at OTWorld 2026 will demonstrate just how varied the impact of this provision is and what role it plays in users’ lives. From 19 to 22 May, experts from more than 90 countries will gather in Leipzig to discuss current developments in orthopaedic treatment and care at the World Congress and the International Trade Show. Prominent users will share their personal experiences – on stage, in discussions and directly at the exhibitors’ stands.
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Back to everyday life after severe burns: OTWorld shows how specialists in central Germany are helping a 19-year-old
The successful treatment and rehabilitation of patients with burn injuries depends crucially on the coordination of medical, orthopaedic and therapeutic care. At OTWorld 2026 – the World Congress and International Trade Show for modern orthopaedic treatment and care, taking place from 19 to 22 May in Leipzig – visitors can learn in detail about the complex challenges involved in this type of care. The case of a 19-year-old illustrates the strengths of interdisciplinary collaboration in Central German facilities.
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50 Years of OTWorld: Tan Çağlar, Lara Wilkin and Hari Budha Magar at the opening ceremony in Leipzig
More than 2.5 billion people worldwide rely on medical aids such as prostheses, orthoses or wheelchairs – yet in many places, not even one in two people receives the necessary support. Against this backdrop, OTWorld takes on particular significance: for 50 years, it has been the world’s most important meeting place for experts in modern orthopaedic treatment and care. At the opening of OTWorld 2026 on 19 May in Leipzig, the event will focus on Tan Çağlar, Lara Wilkin and Hari Budha Magar – precisely the people for whom this care makes all the difference – thereby highlighting the social relevance of an often underestimated treatment area.
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Working together for the patient: Integrative care at the World Congress
How can we ensure seamless care—from acute treatment through rehabilitation to orthopaedic treatment and care? The OTWorld 2026 World Congress will address this question in several sessions. Congress President Dr Doris Maier deliberately placed this topic on the agenda.
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Independence, commitment, and research: Lara Wilkin and her journey with modern arm prosthetics
Lara Wilkin is currently completing her doctorate with a focus on upper limb prosthetics. She speaks at international conferences on modern prosthetic technology. As the founder of the Arm Prosthesis Community and an amputation peer, she promotes education and exchange among those affected. Her diverse commitment stems from her own experiences with forearm amputation – and highlights the challenges of modern orthopaedic treatment and care.
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P&O Insights on AIS: Transatlantic exchange with identical programme in Nashville and Leipzig
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Neurology living environments: Care that opens up prospects right from the start
How can people with neurological diseases be supported from early childhood through to working life?
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OTWorld 2026: Leipzig becomes the global meeting place for orthopaedic treatment and care
From 19 to 22 May 2026, OTWorld will bring together the international orthopaedic treatment and care sector in Leipzig under the motto ‘You make the difference’. This year’s event is particularly special as OTWorld celebrates its 50th anniversary. Across three exhibition halls, more than 570 exhibitors from over 40 countries will showcase world premieres and innovations in prosthetics and orthotics, orthopaedic footwear technology, rehabilitation technology, compression therapy and digital manufacturing. At the same time, the World Congress will feature more than 300 speakers from over 30 countries, offering around 100 hours of concentrated expertise and setting new standards for international knowledge exchange – including AI-based live translation for the first time. More than 130 workshops and dedicated sessions on topics such as robotics and the treatment of neurological diseases will highlight how orthopaedic treatment and care are evolving worldwide.
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Digitalisation and AI in the orthopaedic treatment and care sector: OTWorld 2026 showcases concrete solutions for clinics, workshops and medical supply stores
Digitalisation and artificial intelligence are noticeably changing the orthopaedic treatment and care sector. From 19 to 22 May 2026 in Leipzig, OTWorld 2026 will show how digital and AI-supported applications are already being used today, from analysis to care to rehabilitation – in a practical, scientifically sound manner and with concrete approaches for implementation.
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OTWorld is a stage for real life changes
Between everyday usability and extreme sports – 3D printing in orthopaedic technology opens up new avenues for individual orthotic care. The story of Stephan Scherzer is a prime example of what OTWorld will be showcasing in Leipzig from 19 to 22 May 2026: individualised orthopaedic treatment and care opens up new possibilities for people and improves their quality of life.
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Orthopaedic treatment and care in times of crisis
OTWorld 2026 provides impetus for crisis-proof care structures. From 19 to 22 May 2026 in Leipzig, the OTWorld World Congress will address how orthopaedic treatment and care can be reliably provided in times of crisis and conflict.
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Focus on rehabilitation: OTWorld 2026 shows how care and participation are being rethought
How can people successfully return to a self-determined life after illness or accident? OTWorld 2026 will focus on the topic of rehabilitation – with concentrated expertise, the latest technologies and an interdisciplinary collaboration between medicine, technology and therapy.
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Focus on training: OTWorld 2026 secures tomorrow's supply
OTWorld 2026 focuses on training in the field of orthopaedic treatment and care – with topics covering the skilled trades, study and digital skills. The World Congress and International Trade Show show how promoting young talent and qualifications contribute to security of supply.
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Quick explanation: OTWorld tickets at a glance
To get the most out of your visit, it's worth taking a look at the different ticket options. Whether you want to experience the entire congress programme, attend practical workshops or organise a day at the trade fair with your team – you'll find the perfect ticket here.
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Ticket shop open for the Youth.Academy TO at OTWorld 2026
Well-trained young talent is essential for providing high-quality orthopaedic treatment and care. With the Youth.Academy TO (JA.TO), OTWorld – the World Congress and International Trade Show – is therefore offering a separate programme for trainees and students.
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DGIHV-Fachtagung „Versorgung verbindet?!” in Salzburg: D-A-CH-Versorgungssysteme und Krisenfestigkeit im Fokus
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Now live: Congress programme & ticket shop
‘You make the difference’ – Congress focuses on AI, practical relevance and interdisciplinary exchange
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US-German Exchange: Shared perspectives on scoliosis care
For the fourth time, OTWorld is collaborating with the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP). The transatlantic collaboration in 2026 will focus on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), with programme items on both continents.
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Strong voices wanted – become part of the anniversary campaign now
To mark the 50th anniversary of OTWorld, the international anniversary campaign "50 years – 50 voices" has been launched. It gives a voice to people who themselves live with medical aids – and invites them to share their personal experiences and actively support the campaign.
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OTWorld becomes a real-world laboratory for the circular economy
Sustainability meets innovation: OTWorld 2026 will be part of the KRIDEM research project. Together with Leipziger Messe, a forward-looking model for a sustainable trade show industry is being created.
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