Posted by: IADMS Promotion Committee

Introducing one of our local invited speakers at #IADMS2018 - Jari Salo! 

Jari Salo

1. Could you tell us about your presentation theme at the 28th IADMS Annual Conference (#IADMS2018)?

My presentation “Imaging the dancer” on Saturday introduces a cutting edge imaging technology for accurate diagnostics of knee / foot and ankle area. Cone beam CT (CBCT) imaging is the first 3D technology with ultra high 0,2mm isotropic resolution, and with a possibility to have imaging done under real weight bearing. With intra-articular contrast media, virtual arthroscopy and proper imaging of even thin cartilage layers of knee or TC-joint is possible. 

2. Why is it import to discuss this topic with the IADMS community? What are the implications of this topic to the dance sector/dance health professionals?

Dancing is always based on painless weight bearing and good ROM in joints. Cartilage issues can disturb dancers’ performance, even after MRI clearance of knee or TC-joint. New weight bearing imaging technologies open up a totally new era for better understanding of functional anatomy of F&A area, as well as in recognising possible career disturbing issues as early as possible. This gives a possibility to make interventions early on, and even to follow-up their effects accurately. The main future of CBCT imaging is so called isotropic data (http://www.cartilagehelp.com/multiplanar-reconstruction.html) which means that any imaging data is archived as a data cloud, and the image of the region of interest can be recalculated in any given angle or slice thickness afterwards to compare data sets reliably down the line (www.disior.com). 

3. What are your thoughts on IADMS relevance for your field of work?

IADMS is a great example of multi modal congress, where professionals from different fields can discuss and work as a team to improve dancers’ health and performance. There are not too many of this kind of meeting in the world, and I do find IADMS an outstanding platform to promote and create this kind of cross scientific contact.

4. Personally, what is the importance of attending to IADMS annual conferences?

I do work a lot with professional elite level athletes, and we also have international ballet dancers with knee and ankle problems. It is my pleasure to attend IDAMS meeting, and to meet other experts from around the world. We now have patients from more than 20 countries visiting our unit in Helsinki for accurate joint imaging with CBCT, and for joint cartilage reconstruction. Often these athletes come to my office after failing of minor cartilage surgery, or with an unknown mechanical joint problem after MRI clearing. Typically I perform more than 100 deep/demanding cartilage reconstructions a year. It is my pleasure to share my 13 year expertise on this field with other experts treating dancers around the world.

5. What do you think you are most looking forward to on this year’s conference?

Professionally I am looking forward to have discussions on dancers’ cartilage and joint problems, and of course on cutting edge technologies available for accurate diagnostics. CBCT is a novel technology, already in clinical use in many countries, so this year’s meeting is a great opportunity to give and get information on this. I warmly welcome you all to my home town!