Christian Martínez, MD
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Hospital Benemérito Maximiliano Peralta Jiménez
Cartago, Costa Rica
How has the AAOS helped you throughout your career?
Being part of a network like AAOS has expanded my treatment options for the day-to-day difficult cases with amazing resources like the outstanding Annual Meeting. Also, the benefits of International Member course discounts, specifically the programs at the OLC in Chicago have changed my practice within Shoulder Arthroplasty and Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty. This knowledge and training has made given me great confidence when applying shoulder prosthesis at my home and to my Costa Rican patients.
As an International Member, which AAOS resources do you use most and why?
With AAOS resources there are several that I utilize. The AAOS Annual Meeting. It gives me the opportunity to meet experts in different orthopaedic fields from all around the word. It’s the best money I have invested in education. The ICL’s are supreme state of the art lectures that apply to my practice and help me to improve my patient management. JAAOS has great review articles as well as clinical pathways papers. OLC offers the best training cadaver experience. OVT provides incredible state of the art videos for surgical techniques.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
The best advice I once received was from Dr. April Armstrong from Penn State Health during a cadaveric reverse shoulder prosthesis at OLC in Chicago. She explained the approach and surgical tips related to the procedure as well as tricks to success with glenoid preparation.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
My trick is to always hear the patient and try to approach it with the best science and evidence available at that very moment.
What’s one thing you’re currently trying to make a habit?
Continue to attend the Annual Meeting in order to continue to visit the great cities and places year to year and take advantage of everything the Academy offers.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?
Playing tennis as well as Pete Sampras!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
During a tennis tournament I finally won the final match but due to happiness forgot to assist at price and the trophy ceremony.