The Knee Society

It all began more than 30 years ago, in 1983. At that time, the Frank Stinchfield’s Hip Society already had been active for 15 years, fostering a leadership experience in total hip arthroplasty. This was the time when total knee arthroplasty, also, was growing as a successful treatment for knee arthritis. The development of total knee arthroplasty in the 1970’s included diverse opinions on implant design and surgical technique. As the excellent five-year results of the total condylar prosthesis became available, there was a clear need for exchange of ideas on implant design and surgical technique among surgeons and engineers.

Recognizing this need for a forum for intellectual exchange of concepts in total knee arthroplasty, on April 2, 1982, Chitranjan Ranawat sent a letter to Donald Kettlekamp in which he outlined his thoughts on organizing a small elite group of surgeons interested in creating The Society of Total Knee Arthroplasty, with plans to meet at the 1983 AAOS Annual Meeting. The main goal of this group was to bring together the scientific information related to total knee arthroplasty. Over the ensuing months, Chit and Don composed a list of interested members. By November 1982, the initial group included Clement Sledge, Norman Scott, Richard Scott, David Hungerford, John N. Insall, Lawrence Dorr, Charles Townley, Paul Lotke and Thomas Sculco. In final preparations for the inaugural meeting at the 1983 AAOS Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA, Chit also sent invitations on January 11, 1983, to James Rand, David Murray, Lester Borden, Alan Wilde, J. Allen Lacey, S. David Stulberg and Richard Bryan. The initial responses from the invited members were mixed: while many were enthusiastic, some felt this new knee arthroplasty “club” should be a subsection of the International Society of the Knee. Yet, there was enough overall interest in this concept of a social and academic club with focus not only on total knee arthroplasty, but also on reconstructive surgery of the knee. The Knee Society then had its beginning.