The Japanese Society For Surgery Of The Foot

The Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) is a scientific organization compared of orthopaedic surgeons engaged in musculoskeletal medicine and clinical or basic research of foot and ankle surgery. The JSSF was launched as a study group in 1976 when there were many arguments about clubfoot , which was one of the most difficult to treat among orthopaedic disease. Over time there has been an increase in specialized care for foot and ankle disease and trauma in Japan similar to that in Europe and the United States. In connection with this, the study group became a society in 1991 and now has 1,850 members.

The JSSF changed its organizational structure in 2009 to establish a board of directors to address the needs of the time.

The JSSF has contributed to national health improvements and medical education through annual scientific meetings held every autumn. The number of the presentation was over 400, which included several symposia, instructional course lectures, free papers and posters related to foot and ankle surgery. The JSSF has also focused on postgraduate training through educational lectures and cadaver seminars held every year.

The Society has also been interested in international contributions. Professor Takakura was the leader in establishing the AFFAS (Asian Federation of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) in 1993 and served as the chair of the founding meeting of IFFAS (Asian Federation of Foot and Ankle Societies) held in Kyoto in 1999. The JSSF also has a close collegial relationship with Korea Foot and Ankle Society and the two societies have biannual travelling fellowships.

Today Japanese lifestyle changed significantly due to the aging population and low birth rate and this has had a significant impact on JSSF. The Society will work to develop new knowledge and technology in foot and ankle surgery and share this from Japan to the world.