6th International Symposium on Surgery of the Spastic Upper Limb

We look forward to welcoming you to the 6th International Symposium on Surgery of the Spastic Upper Limb!

21 - 22 May 2026 | Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

For full information on the Symposium, speakers and the programme. Please visit https://www.symposium-spastic-upperlimb2026.com/

Surgery for the spastic upper limb is a complex, challenging and highly rewarding field of medicine, which truly relies on a collaborative multidisciplinary team input. It is gaining in recognition and interest Internationally. Through sharing of knowledge and experience, we hope to increase our collective understanding, enhance skills and improve care for our patients. 

This Symposium will have a specific focus on clinical decision making “What to Do, When to Do and When not to Do”with an expert International Faculty from all disciplines. We want to encourage open questions and robust discussion with input from surgeons, neurologists, rehabilitation physicians, occupational therapy, physical therapy and specialised nursing. 

With demonstrations on Clinical Examination techniques, Interactive Case-based Discussion, Rehabilitation protocols, Patient Input and “Ask the Expert” panel session, we hope this will be a lively and fruitful meeting.

This symposium is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Christy Brown, an iconic Irishman and artist whose life and work continue to inspire people across Ireland and around the world. Born with cerebral palsy, he had no functional use of his upper limbs but taught himself to write, paint, and communicate using the only limb he could reliably control — his left foot.

Christy’s extraordinary achievements were made possible not only by his own determination but also by the unwavering encouragement of his mother Bridget, who recognised his potential at a time when opportunity, treatment and understanding were scarce.

His life story, based on his autobiography portrayed beautifully and accurately by Daniel Day-Lewis in the film My Left Foot, continues to impact and challenge perceptions of disability. It demonstrates that a person’s talent, intelligence, dignity and potential are defined not by physical constraints but by creativity, courage, and their unique human spirit.

Christy Brown’s legacy continues to guide us in our work in Dublin, and reminds us to champion the worth, abilities and contributions of every individual. In that spirit, this Symposium brings together an International Faculty to collaborate, share knowledge, and advance understanding of upper limb disability treatment, promoting improved care and greater opportunity for people with disability worldwide.