Emphasising the need to push beyond conventional boundaries in clinical practice, Dr Raja Sabapathy, Chairman, Division of Plastic Surgery at Ganga Hospital and President of the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand, said, “Real impact comes from going beyond the expected,” at the SRM International Hand Conclave 2026 themed Re-Hand.

Hosted by the SRM College of Physiotherapy under the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, the conclave brought together over 1,000 delegates from across India and internationally. With participation from more than 40 institutions, the event served as a dynamic platform for clinical exchange, academic dialogue, and global collaboration in the field of hand rehabilitation.

The conclave focused on advancing hand therapy through evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary integration, and patient-centred care—reflecting the evolving landscape of rehabilitation sciences.

Welcoming the participants, Prof Shantharam, Professor and Head, Department of Plastic Surgery at SRMMCHRC Kattankulathur, highlighted the academic significance of the event. He noted that the conclave brings together current, evidence-based practices in hand rehabilitation, equipping students and therapists to enhance patient outcomes.

In his Presidential Address, Prof C Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor of SRMIST, underlined the expanding role of physiotherapy in modern healthcare. “Healthcare today is not just about survival, but about improving quality of life, and physiotherapy plays a central role in enabling that transition,” he said.

Offering a multidisciplinary perspective, Dr Nitin M Nagarkar, Pro Vice Chancellor (Medical and Health Sciences), stressed the importance of translating knowledge into practice. He remarked that effective clinicians are distinguished not only by their knowledge, but by their ability to apply and communicate it in real-world settings.

Throughout the conclave, national and international experts engaged in case-based discussions, shared clinical insights, and presented emerging practices, ensuring that the knowledge exchange remained grounded in practical application.

The SRM International Hand Conclave 2026 concluded on a strong note, reinforcing the commitment of the SRM College of Physiotherapy and SRMIST to advancing excellence in rehabilitation sciences and fostering platforms that bridge academic learning with clinical impact.