A unifying annual event
Enabling families to be better informed and equipped


The 2024 edition of the MUSCO annual event on congenital malformations of the lower limbs in pediatrics took place on March 23, joining the previous editions, all of which had a different theme, but with one thing in common: they were entirely dedicated to families. When the Initiative was launched, the aim was to bring together expertise for the benefit of families, and to organize an annual event bringing together professionals from different sectors and establishments, representatives of community organizations, and patients and families who came to talk about their experiences.
The following topics have been addressed: cerebral palsy, bone dysplasia, adapted sports and, more recently, congenital malformations of the lower limbs in pediatrics.
Five editions later, the cumulative results speak for themselves:
- Nearly 600 participants, including families, caregivers and professionals from all walks of life, attended the event;
- Nearly 100 speakers sharing their expertise on medical, social and rehabilitation topics;
- 45 booths were set up by community organizations on various themes;
- Nearly 70 committee members have been involved over the years to build a rich and varied program;
- An average participant satisfaction rate of 89% with the programming of these events.
Why create an event for families?
The aim was to create a special moment for families, encouraging exchanges and disseminating knowledge through conferences, workshops, panels and testimonials. In this way, families have access to a wide range of information on a specific subject, and can come into contact with a multitude of speakers from different backgrounds. Ultimately, the aim is to encourage patients and their families to become more involved in their care experience by providing them with tools and information about the healthcare system and its players.
As project leaders Dr Reggie Hamdy and Dr Peter Glavas, both pediatric orthopedic surgeons at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada and CHU Sainte-Justine respectively, explain:
Creating an event aimed entirely at families is a novelty in the industry, and we’re delighted that the project was able to get off the ground at MUSCO. We wanted to open up dialogue, bring together cutting-edge expertise in one place, reassure families about certain questions they may have…and along the way we realized that we could also become aware ourselves, as healthcare professionals, of what makes up families’ daily lives and what concerns them!
And indeed, professionals are not left out: as they are invited to join families at conferences, MUSCO editions enable them to exchange views and benefit from sharing information with other teams, as well as discovering non-profit organizations working in the field. One of the advantages of bringing together such diverse profiles, noted by Dr Glavas and Dr Hamdy, is “the collaboration and inter-institutional exchanges at the service of patients that can gradually be built up”.
[My aim was to] learn more about different orthopaedic conditions. It’s very difficult to get several orthopedic surgeons together, so this event is really great! The proximity offered by the event also helps to create links for families as well as practitioners from centers in more distant regions. Despite [the fact] that this day is aimed at families, it’s interesting [as a professional] to see how orthopaedic surgeons present injuries to families.
Participant in the 2024 edition of the event.
An inclusive event
MUSCO is designed to be accessible to all, which is why it is entirely free of charge. What’s more, a childcare service for children with complex conditions and siblings is available at every face-to-face edition, so that parents can attend the activities in complete peace of mind. In fact, Saturday has always been the preferred day to hold the event, chosen specifically to facilitate attendance by families whose weekdays are often very busy with visits to the various centers, and confirmed in post-event surveys. What’s more, the day has been organized in hybrid mode since the pandemic, and the videos of the conferences are rebroadcast on the MUSCO website, in the Resources section.

During the event, exchanges can take many forms: whether through short 10-20 minute conference formats, forums and panels bringing together several experts on the chosen theme, or visiting the information kiosks… but the key element has always been to bring together speakers from a variety of backgrounds, both from partner centers and from organizations with solid expertise in the diagnoses and conditions addressed. In addition, in 2023, the concept of guests of honor sharing their own experiences with their condition was introduced, with the aim of inspiring the audience. Since then, a dozen guests have offered their perspective and touched the hearts of participants.
For the last edition to be organized within the MUSCO Initiative, the event will focus on the spine and will take place in the spring of 2025. It’s a safe bet that the committee assembled for the occasion will come up with a new program just as captivating as previous years.