SAN DIEGO SHOULDER INSTITUTE PRESENTS:

40th Annual Shoulder Course
Arthroscopy • Arthroplasty • Fractures
- Arthroscopy
- Arthroplasty
- Fractures
June 14-17, 2023
San Diego Shoulder Institute presents:
Providing a Platform for Excellence in Shoulder Surgery
San Diego Shoulder Institute is recognized for providing he undisputed best shoulder course in the world.
Types of Activities
SDSI brings together recognized experts in the field of shoulder care to offer education on best practices, current research, and technological advances. The annual course combines various educational strategies and may be comprised of:
- Didactic lectures
- Interactive case studies
- Panel discussions
- Individualized instructional course breakout sessions
- Elective hands-on arthroscopic motor skills laboratories using cadaver specimens
- Elective open surgical treatment of the shoulder including arthroplasty and reverse arthroplasty.
- Distribution of an annual enduring material in online format comprised of course lectures, case studies, and panel discussions
- Individualized instructional course breakout sessions
About Our Course
James C. Esch, founded the San Diego Shoulder Course in 1983. Having a passion to educate, mentor, and positively cultivate the standard of shoulder care, he continually pursued opportunities to advance shoulder educational offerings. Beginning with a small group of like-minded individuals meeting to discuss evidenced-based and best-practice modalities related to arthroscopy, the course expanded throughout the years to incorporate arthroplasty, fracture management, instability, sports medicine, and complex shoulder care. The course has continued to grow and is now recognized world-wide for quality and comprehensive education, being proclaimed as the best shoulder course in the world. As President and C.E.O., Dr. Esch continues to oversee the annual course to ensure fulfillment of our mission: to improve the competence, performance, and patient outcomes of shoulder care.

A letter of invitation from our Chairman
On behalf of San Diego Shoulder Institute’s (SDSI) Board of Directors and Program Planning Committee, I would like to invite you to register for our 40th Annual Shoulder Course: Arthroscopy, Arthroplasty, and Fractures. Course dates are June 14-17, 2023 at the beautiful Hotel Del Coronado on San Diego’s scenic Coronado Island. The Hotel Del Coronado has just completed an extensive renovation, blending its historical reputation with a modern influence in a one-of-a-kind beachfront setting. In addition, SDSI is planning a very special tribute to celebrate James C. Esch, M.D., SDSI President and C.E.O. on his historic 40th course anniversary! We are confident that our robust expanded program, combined with this exciting venue, will offer an educational experience that is second to none and perpetuate SDSI’s reputation as the best shoulder course in the world.
I believe we have assimilated a dynamic and diverse program that is our best offering to date. Whether you are beginning your career or are an advanced practitioner, our comprehensive four-day curriculum offers educational opportunities of interest to all. Key topics and offerings include:
NEW! A first-of-its-kind tendon transfer cadaver lab: “Tendon Transfer Techniques Around the Shoulder”
Directed by world renowned Bassem Elhassan M.D. and staffed with tendon transfer masters from the United States and around the world! This opportunity promises a unique hands-on chance to work directly with these expert surgeons to learn cutting-edge open and arthroscopically assisted tendon transfer techniques.
Expanded Multi-Professional Advanced Practitioner Program
This Saturday morning course is open to Orthopaedic physicians and surgeons, Physician Assistants, Physical Therapists, Allied Health Practitioners, and Primary Care Physicians. This expanded program focuses on shoulder clinical diagnosis, objective testing, patient care, and practice management using an integrated team approach.
Interactive Topical Lecture Sessions
- Tendon Transfer
- Arthroplasty
- Avoiding Complications
- Instability
- Rotator Cuff Repair
- Fracture Management
Keynote Lectures
Is There a True Alternative to RTSA on the Horizon?
Christian Gerber, M.D.
Glenohumeral Instability Associated with Bone Loss: What We Know and Don’t Know
Hiroyuki Sugaya, M.D.
My Innovation Odyssey: Successes, Failures, and Lessons I Can Share
Lanny Johnson, M.D.
New Solutions for ORIF of Proximal Humerus Fractures
Christian Gerber, M.D.
Engaging faculty debates, case controversies, and panel discussions
Individualized instructional course breakout sessions
- The Future is Now: Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) Technology has Arrived and Will Change Everything in Shoulder Surgery
- Revision Shoulder Arthroplasty: Challenges and Controversies
- How Do I Decide? From Augmentation to Capsular Reconstruction to Interposition and Beyond. A Rotator Cuff Case-Based Journey
- Orthopaedic Business Strategies: How to Stay Ahead of the Career Curve
- Proximal Humerus Fracture Management in 2023: Proven Techniques and Recent Innovations
- Shoulder Instability: An International Perspective
Cadaveric Focus Demonstrations
- When and How to Do a Tendon Transfer Around the Shoulder
- Arthroscopic Latarjet and Distal Tibial Allograft
Skills Workshops and Cadaveric Laboratories
Our faculty represent the leading experts in shoulder care, with national and international expertise. No other shoulder course offers the depth and breadth of shoulder education as does ours. You won’t want to miss this invaluable learning experience! I am confident you will identify specific measures you will be able to implement immediately into your practice to improve your performance and patients’ outcomes. I look forward to seeing you in June. Register today!
In the spirit of exceptional learning,
Larry D. Field, M.D.
Course Chair
Program Planning Committee
What Makes Us Unique?
- We have been recognized as the undisputed best shoulder course in the world for 40 years!
- No other course captures the depth and breadth of shoulder care as does ours
- We bring together the leading experts in the field who present the most pressing dilemmas facing shoulder care today in a dynamic, interactive, case-based approach
- We provide an opportunity to network with over 400 peers from across the globe
- We offer customized on-demand break-out sessions lead by the key thought practitioners known today
- We offer surgical demonstration videos with commentaries by the best surgeons in the world
Testimonials
“Absolutely the best course I have ever attended!”
“Stimulating and thought-provoking”
“Not only is this the best shoulder course in the world; this is the best sub-specialty course in the world, bar none!”
“The best part of this course is hearing the experts discuss how they manage complex cases in panel discussions.”
“Wonderful contribution to my and others education”
“Your course is a service to the world”
“Strong work/ Great legacy!”
“Great course! The best!”
Scheduled Activities
Lecture Series

Our leading faculty present cutting edge topics, followed by panel discussions and question and answer periods.
Cadaveric Laboratories

Individualized, hands-on learning experience based on identified learning goals through instruction in a mock surgical environment.
Breakout Sessions

Held in small–group settings, these customized sessions are specifically designed to allow participants to achieve individualized learning goals.