Trinidad, September 24 (PL-RHC) –- The 25th International Congress of Orthopedics and Traumatology began its sessions Tuesday in this south-central village of Trinidad, that UNESCO has designated a Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Brisas Trinidad del Mar and Ancon hotels are the sites where various orthopedic braces and prostheses are on display, parallel to the event bringing together some 500 delegates, including 200 visiting Cuba from more than 20 countries.

At least 250 presentations will address, among other issues, developments in orthopedics, treatment of back pain, joint replacement, trauma and pediatric sports orthopedics.

Among Tuesday's courses were: Upper limb prostheses and placement of external braces, significant issues in treatments involving prosthetic shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands, with the intention of expanding their use in the country, where artificial knees and hips are already being implanted, with excellent results.

Two keynote speeches are scheduled; one related to the teaching of orthopedic and trauma surgery by Dr. Rodrigo Alvarez Cambras and another by Professor Mario Armando Castilian, about the history of this specialty in Mexico.

Monday, the delegates, chaired by Professor Alvarez Cambras, president of the Cuban Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology, were received in the city of Sancti Spiritus, a designated National Monument.

The Congress is also being sponsored by the Mexican Federation of Orthopedics and Traumatology and the International Society of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery.