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The importance of a strong Europe is discussed in the media almost every day. It is well accepted that only a unified Europe can be a strong Europe. Together we have enough strength, recognition and power in the world. This is the case in all aspects of political life. At present, we also recognize that “Europe as a Union” consists of multiple strong individual countries with their own national structures, needs and ideas. This has to be respected even not everybody likes it. This diversity can open up many opportunities for the challenges of the future.

For reaching our goals, we need also a strong Europe in the clinical and scientific world of orthopedics. The new collaboration between ESSKA and AGA is a huge step towards a strong European orthopedic community and a worldwide visibility.

At present, we have strong national societies in Europe, in which the majority of the orthopedic doctors are organized. We can be proud of our national societies like AGA.

AGA, which was founded 1983, is the largest Society for Arthroscopy and Joint Therapy in the world with more than 5200 members. AGA has 17 committees with experts covering all joints of the human body. AGA has multiple research fundings and several fellowship programs.

This close relation of the orthopedic field to national societies explains the diversity of treatment throughout Europe which has been developed over many years. So e.g. treatment of ACL ruptures differs significantly between the European countries in treatment (conservative/operative), graft type, surgical technique and rehabilitation protocols. Only one vision, one approach seems to be narrow minded and not appropriate to address the complexity of the field. Especially, the worldwide recognition is limited with a pure nationwide approach.

We should realize that we can learn a lot from each other by open discussions and close networking. Due to an increased exchange between the European countries by European fellowships, which are promoted by the national societies as well as the ESSKA, we realize the different approaches and solutions to medical problems. Intense collaboration between the national societies, especially promoted by ESSKA, increases this exchange, opens our minds and strengthen our knowledge and our visibility worldwide.

European research was long covered by fellowships paid by European authorities, however, performed outside Europe. European brain and talent were, therefore, very cheap exploited by others. Internationally accepted science was not performed Europe wide besides certain “scientific islands”. However, time has changed.

In the last 30 years, an international accepted and recognized science is performed Europe wide. Scientific exchange, especially promoted by ESSKA, allow medical doctors and scientists from all over the world to come to Europe and learn from us. This increases and optimizes our knowledge between the European countries but even more strengthen our reputation worldwide.

ESSKA profits from this collaboration with a strong partner AGA. For ESSKA, the exchange with the national societies is a door opener to the clinical basis, the clinicians and scientists. In addition, this collaboration allows ESSKA to move from a predominantly knee-orientated European society to an all joint covering European society. This extends the ESSKA perspective and its worldwide recognition.

One of the key factors for a worldwide visibility of high-quality research and clinical practice is a well-known and recognized journal. This is KSSTA. All national societies in Europe can profit from a renowned journal like KSSTA giving them a voice in the world of science. Therefore, AGA wants to be seen through this international European journal worldwide.

This collaboration between AGA and ESSKA is a win–win situation for both sides. It strengthens the European perspective and the worldwide recognition but also the interests of each European society. Let’s learn from each other and pull our strength together to get synergistic output.

Our diversity is our uniqueness and strength under the European umbrella, which is covered by ESSKA.

The strong collaboration between AGA and ESSKA can be an example for other societies. This extraordinary friendship is the right step forward for a unified and strong Europe also in the worldwide orthopedic community.