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.
From 19 to 22 May, Leipzig will become the international meeting point for modern orthopaedic treatment and care. Companies, researchers, healthcare practitioners, policymakers and professionals from around the world will come together to shape the future of the sector. Under the motto “You make the difference”, OTWorld 2026 also marks a special anniversary: for 50 years, the event has combined technological innovation with the goal of improving mobility, independence and participation for people worldwide.
“Over the past five decades, OTWorld has demonstrated how essential the interaction between skilled trades, medicine, science and industry is for high-quality treatment and care. Modern medical aids are not developed in isolation, but through experience, interdisciplinary collaboration and the ambition to provide practical support in everyday life. Especially in times of skilled labour shortages and growing demands on treatment and care, this exchange is more important than ever,” says Alf Reuter, President of the German Association of Orthopaedic Technology.
Martin Buhl-Wagner, Managing Director of Leipziger Messe, explains: “OTWorld brings together the international professional community in Leipzig like no other event in this field. The fact that the world-leading Trade Show and World Congress take place under one roof makes OTWorld unique worldwide. The high level of international participation and the record number of exhibitors demonstrate the importance of Leipzig as a venue for exchange, networking and innovation within the sector.”
Larger and more international than ever before
With 623 exhibitors from 41 countries, OTWorld 2026 is recording the highest participation in its history. A total of 340 companies are coming from abroad, joined by 33 start-ups from 16 countries. The rehabilitation technology segment in particular is experiencing significant growth: with more than 120 exhibitors, it is larger than ever before. The event will showcase new mobility solutions, wheelchair technologies, digital assistance systems, prosthetics and orthotics solutions, as well as innovations for rehabilitation and integrated treatment.
OTWorld is therefore reaffirming its role as the world’s leading platform for a sector whose importance extends far beyond individual markets. Individual orthopaedic treatment and care is essential worldwide: more than 2.5 billion people currently rely on medical aids. Such solutions translate medical treatment into everyday life, make rehabilitation effective, strengthen home care and enable mobility, independence and participation around the globe.
World-leading Trade Show showcases the innovative strength of orthopaedic treatment and care
The world-leading Trade Show highlights the dynamic development of orthopaedic treatment and care worldwide – from world premieres in prosthetics and digital manufacturing processes to 3D printing and new treatment concepts for rehabilitation, neurology and crisis regions.
Hands-on spotlights focus on current social and medical challenges. The special show “Living with Neurological Conditions” explores treatment pathways from early support through to professional life. The “Bridging Global Challenges” spotlight addresses healthcare provision in crisis and war zones as well as resilient treatment and care systems. International start-ups and young companies will also demonstrate the new ideas driving the sector forward.
Digitalisation, robotics and artificial intelligence are also shaping OTWorld 2026. In the OTWorld.3D and OTWorld.education + research areas, developments relating to 3D scanning, additive manufacturing and intelligent treatment and care systems will be presented. The “Robotics + AI” spotlight will show how robot-assisted applications can support therapy, diagnostics and treatment and care.
In addition, the new OTWorld.eSummit will provide a dedicated platform for the digitalisation of orthopaedic treatment and care. The focus will be on telematics infrastructure, digital processes and AI applications for medical supply stores, workshops and management.
World Congress connects science, practice and treatment and care
Running parallel to the Trade Show, the World Congress underlines OTWorld’s unique strength: the exceptional combination of innovation, professional exchange and international knowledge transfer. With more than 300 speakers from over 30 countries, more than 400 contributions, international symposia, workshops, lectures and poster presentations, it is the leading international platform for knowledge transfer in orthopaedic treatment and care.
In 2026, the main focus will be on rehabilitation, integrated treatment and advanced training. For the first time, AI-supported live translation in German and English will be available, with selected sessions also translated into Ukrainian and Polish. OTWorld is therefore further strengthening its international orientation and making specialist knowledge accessible to an even wider audience.
High-profile personalities raise awareness for participation and treatment and care
The opening ceremony of OTWorld 2026 on 19 May from 4:45 p.m. will also place people centre stage. One of the expected guests is Hari Budha Magar, whose story has attracted worldwide attention: the recipient of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a double above-knee amputee and became the first person with this disability to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents. He also became the first double above-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest. In January 2026, he completed the Seven Summits challenge with Mount Vinson in Antarctica. His story demonstrates what can be achieved when personal determination, rehabilitation and modern orthopaedic treatment and care come together. Presenter, actor and comedian Tan Çağlar will host the anniversary opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony of OTWorld 2026 will also be broadcast via livestream on the OTWorld website on 19 May from 4.45 pm.
A number of well-known personalities from sport and public life are also expected at OTWorld, including Franziska van Almsick, Pascal Hens, Markus Rehm, Laura Nolte and Deborah Levi. They will provide further opportunities for discussions, photographs and interviews on topics such as motivation, performance, inclusion and participation.
Para sport will also play a visible role at OTWorld: sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, interactive activities and sports areas will demonstrate how closely movement, rehabilitation and social participation are connected.
Note for editorial teams
Media representatives can register online for OTWorld 2026 in advance.
Caption
Practical expertise, treatment and care, and interdisciplinary exchange are at the heart of OTWorld 2026: Kathrin Rammin, master prosthetist and orthotist Stephan Klör and Prof. Gerd Lulay (right) during a workshop on treatment and care for patients with lymphoedema at OTWorld 2024. Photo: Jens Schlüter / BIV-OT
Further information
About OTWorld
About Leipziger Messe
OTWorld on the Internet:
#OTWorld2026
#50years50voices
