VirtaMed simulators being used in Finland

The Kuopio University Hospital (KUH) in Finland is now using the ArthroS shoulder simulator created by VirtaMed, a company based in Schlieren in the canton of Zurich, for training. According to a press release from VirtaMed, the Microsurgery Center is the only location in Finland where a physician can practice rotator cuff repair using a simulator. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that come together as tendons to form a rough cap surrounding the shoulder joint. The new ArthroS was introduced for training in October.

Today, it is possible to treat many types of shoulder pain without surgery according to the VirtaMed press release. However, there are situations where surgery is indicated, such as large tears to the rotator cuff as a result of trauma or to other shoulder structures. According to Joonas Sirola, KUH's Chief Physician for Orthopedics and Traumatology, the VirtaMed ArthroS shoulder simulator was acquired because training is also needed for these orthopedic procedures: “The simulator provides a safe and fast-paced way to acquire the necessary arthroscopic skills.”

The Microsurgery Center purchased the simulator with the knee model just over a year ago, which was the first in Finland. The shoulder model was then also added to the simulator this fall. According to the press release, the simulator is used both by specialist orthopedic surgeons and physicians who are in their specialization phase in orthopedic surgery at KUH. Residents from the main hospitals in Finland will also take part in the shoulder course that is scheduled to take place in January 2022.

VirtaMed has its headquarters at the IJZ Innovations- und Jungunternehmerzentrum Schlieren [Innovation and Startup Center Schlieren] and is a member of Start Smart Schlieren.