I would like to start with a deep sense of gratitude for having bestowed me, your faith and unanimously electing me to lead Indian Foot and Ankle Society for the year 2022-2023. It is indeed and honour and privilege. I feel humbled to see my name among the big stalwarts who have been my predecessors and led this prestigious organization.

Today Foot and Ankle is a proudly growing baby amongst the various subspecialities in Orthopaedics in India. We can steadily see the growing interest of youngsters in this speciality. I am privileged to have a young team to take Foot and Ankle in India to another level. As a team leader, my goal is to work tirelessly and to further develop foot and ankle subspeciality and at the same time develop world class academics along with patient care Pan India. I am fortunate to have an able Secretary in Dr Inderjeet Singh along with a vibrant set of executives who already have drawn their plan for the various academic and scientific programs through the year. Amongst the need of various fellowship programs we hope to create various fellowships in both eastern and western sectors along with inland fellowships soon.

The plan of action includes having a common IFAS score and IFAS case sheet helping everyone to have a common recording of the file. India being a diabetic capital of the world, we are now exposed to the plethora of problems due to underdiagnosed Charcot foot. The main aim today is to diagnose and save the Charcot foot from amputation. Seeing the stupendous amount of patients being missed due to lack of diagnosis, and mis management, I decided to take my Theme of the Year as DIAGNOSE AND SAVE CHARCOT FOOT FROM CATASTROPHE. This along with a white paper of management of Charcot foot in India is the goal for this year.

This year we have planned various academic extravaganza starting from BOFAS-IFAS course, fellowship programs in various parts of India, Indo Asian Foot and Ankle Congress along with the other regular meetings. Indian foot and ankle was registered on November 2nd and hence from this year onwards, we are planning to celebrate the IFAS day on Nov 2nd and IFAS week on 1st week of November. Various programs have been planned across India.

This mammoth task is not what a person or a small team can do but needs involvement of all our young and senior colleagues. TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE AND TAKE IFAS TO GREATER HEIGHTS

Jaihind
Dr. Rajesh Simon