The late 1970s and early 1980s marked a renaissance in the world of orthopaedics. What had once been an essentially conservative discipline, relying heavily on prolonged immobilisation and limited surgical options, began to transform. A deeper understanding of the biology of bone, joints, and the spine ushered in an era of innovation, where science and surgery merged to redefine possibilities.

The Bombay Orthopaedic Society (BOS) was quick to absorb this wave of change. Among the most remarkable global developments were the AO principles from Switzerland; a revolutionary philosophy that changed the way fractures were fixed. The new techniques emphasized stable internal fixation, early joint mobilisation, and early weight-bearing; ideas that liberated patients from the age-old confinement of plaster casts.

At the heart of this transformation in Mumbai was the visionary Prof. N. S. Laud. With an inquisitive mind and a passion for continuous learning, he recognised the potential of these advances and took the initiative to bring them home. Under his leadership, international experts from AO Switzerland were invited to Mumbai to share their knowledge of surgical principles, instrumentation, and implants. This not only elevated the standards of fracture care but also positioned BOS as a forward-looking academic society that embraced change with enthusiasm.

While trauma care evolved rapidly, another revolution was quietly taking shape; the rise of orthopaedic subspecialization. The founding members of BOS had been consummate general orthopaedic surgeons, adept in every domain of musculoskeletal surgery. Yet, a younger generation of talented surgeons began to pursue focused interests, shaping the future of Indian orthopaedics in the process.

The field of spine surgery saw the rise of stalwarts such as Prof. V. T. Ingalhalikar, Prof. V. J. Laheri, and Dr. Shekhar Bhojraj. In sports medicine, the energetic and athletic Dr. Anant Joshi led the way, while the tireless and methodical Prof. Ashok Johari pioneered paediatric orthopaedics. These visionary surgeons became the founding fathers of subspecialty orthopaedics in India; mentors, role models, and torchbearers for generations to come.

Some among them honed their skills through training abroad, while others learned by relentless self-study, dissecting anatomical specimens, poring over scarce international literature, and meticulously following their patients’ progress to refine their techniques. Their dedication and curiosity laid the groundwork for structured subspecialty practice in India.

As the sub-specialists carved their identities, the idea of forming subspecialty societies began to take shape. A defining moment arrived on December 18, 1985, during WIROC, when Prof. V. T. Ingalhalikar formally announced the formation of the Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI). The founding office bearers were a distinguished group; Prof. K. T. Dholakia as President, Prof. K. V. Chaubal and Prof. A. V. Bavdekar as Vice Presidents, Dr. S. D. Mehta as Treasurer, and Prof. Ingalhalikar himself as Secretary.

It was a historic day; the foundation stone of a national association was laid at a regional meeting, and within just two hours, nineteen members had joined. From that moment onward, Indian orthopaedics would never be the same again.