OTWorld 2026: Focus on feet and shoes – The entire world of orthopaedic footwear technology in one place
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.
Central meeting place: OTWorld.shoe-technology
Offers for orthopaedic footwear professionals can be found at exhibitors throughout the trade show. In addition, for the first time at the OTWorld anniversary edition in 2026, the OTWorld.shoe-technology exhibition area will be located at the heart of the event – for maximum visibility and clear orientation. Here, numerous exhibitors from orthopaedic footwear technology as well as the comfort and therapeutic footwear sectors will showcase their latest solutions – ranging from insoles and shoe modifications to comfort and custom-made shoes.
"Innovative treatment and care concepts are an essential key to the future of patient health. OTWorld provides the stage on which these concepts become visible. This is where experts from all over the world come together to develop them further," explains Dr Annette Kerkhoff, member of the workshop committee of the OTWorld World Congress and project manager of the Competence Centre for Orthopaedic Footwear Technology (KomZet O.S.T.), which helps to organise the Trade Show and World Congress.
Diabetic foot syndrome: interdisciplinary care, ensuring quality of life
The spotlight at OTWorld 2026 will be on diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) – a condition with high social relevance. According to the German Diabetes Society, up to 850,000 people in Germany alone are treated for DFS every year.
Against this backdrop, the Foot & Shoe Hub in the OTWorld.shoe-technology exhibition area – organised by KomZet O.S.T. and the Orthopaedic Shoe Technology Study Association (Studiengemeinschaft Orthopädieschuhtechnik e. V.) – will focus specifically on this topic. Whether modern concepts for orthopaedic treatment and care, innovative materials or the latest technologies for prevention and therapy – experts from the fields of skilled trades, medicine and science will find practical inspiration, valuable knowledge and the opportunity for direct exchange with colleagues from home and abroad.
It’s not only orthopaedic footwear professionals who will benefit: medical supply store sales staff will also find relevant content to expand their expertise on the foot and its treatment options.
World Congress: Up-to-date knowledge – directly applicable
The topic also runs through the content of the World Congress: the symposium "Stage-appropriate management of diabetic foot syndrome" brings together diabetologists, surgeons, orthopaedic footwear professionals and other experts to present the latest scientific findings and best practice models. The aim is to improve the quality of treatment and care for the large number of patients affected in the long term through interdisciplinary cooperation and innovative procedures.
This aspiration is also reflected in the practice-oriented workshop programme, which focuses on deepening specialist knowledge. The following events provide just a glimpse of the diversity of content that the 2026 congress programme has to offer:
• "The diabetic foot in transition" shows a wide range of treatment options and provides insights into modern wound management and the use of pressure measurement as an analytical tool.
• “Digital Treatment Processes in Technical Orthopaedics" opens up perspectives for increased efficiency, precision and patient satis-faction – from data collection and additive manufacturing to AI-supported analysis methods.
• “You Are Special” highlights the future of patient-centred care for the neuropathic and diabetic foot, integrating AI, 3D printing, and in-terdisciplinary collaboration – from clinical findings to individually crafted orthopaedic solutions.
• "Insole Treatment in Transition" highlights issues of quality and individuality in times of increasing standardisation and discusses how digital processes, such as e-prescriptions, are changing every-day care.
Added value for the entire care team
The offerings are not only aimed at orthopaedic footwear professionals. Prosthetists and orthotists, medical supply store sales staff, doctors, therapists and representatives of reimbursement bodies will also gain valuable insights for their daily practice in orthopaedic treatment and care.
"With its combination of a leading international trade show, a global specialist audience and an interdisciplinary and interprofessional congress programme, OTWorld 2026 is the central meeting place for orthopaedic footwear technology," emphasises Tino Sprekelmeyer, member of the OTWorld programme committee, chairman of the Orthopaedic Footwear Technology Study Association (Studiengemeinschaft Orthopädieschuhtechnik e. V.) and chairman of the board of ISPO Deutschland e. V.
About OTWorld
The German Association of Orthopaedic Technology (BIV-OT) is OTWorld's conceptual partner. The organisers of the Congress and trademark owner is Confairmed GmbH. Leipziger Messe GmbH is responsible for the industry trade show.
