PE is ‘ill-defined’ with no ‘clear-cut’ answers

G. Jake Jaquet

The new clinical guidelines present a unique opportunity to determine the true incidence of symptomatic pulmonary embolism says Michael F. Schafer, MD. The new clinical guidelines on the prevention of symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty may be useful in changing protocols in some hospitals. But will they change behavior if hospitals don’t have mandated guidelines? AAOS Now Executive Editor G. Jake Jaquet spoke with Michael F.

Don’t get caught short on MOC required exams

The Odd Couple Orthopaedic Group tackles self-scored and scored and recorded exams Seven years ago, after completing a fellowship and passing his board certification examinations, Isaac M. Neat, MD, joined Ulysses R. Knott, MD, to form the Odd Couple Orthopaedic Group. Now, both must complete the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process—and their approaches are completely different. Dr.

PE guidelines are a ‘needed, timely alternative’

G. Jake Jaquet

John R. Tongue, MD In May, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons adopted a new set of clinical guidelines addressing the prevention of symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty (see page 10). To help assess the impact of the new guidelines, AAOS Now Executive Editor G. Jake Jaquet spoke with John R. Tongue, MD, a member of the Council on Education who is in private practice in Portland, Ore. Jaquet: Dr.

AAOS Clinical Guideline on Prevention of Symptomatic Pulmonary Embolism (PE) in Patients Undergoing Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty

Summary of Recommendations The following recommendations are based on a systematic review of the literature and are evidence-based: Recommendation 3.3 Chemoprophylaxis of patients undergoing hip or knee replacement Recommendation 3.3.

AAOS Clinical Guideline on Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Summary of Recommendations Recommendation 1.1 The physician should obtain an accurate patient history. (Level V, Grade C) Recommendation 2.

How the guidelines came to be

Norman A. Johanson, MD; Michael W. Keith, MD; Janet Wies

Year-long process took two approaches The construction of the new clinical guidelines adopted by the AAOS Board of Directors last month began nearly one year ago with the formation of the Guidelines Oversight Committee (GOC), chaired by William C. Watters III, MD. The topics—prevention of symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty and the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)—were selected at the first meeting of the GOC in July 2006.

Is it osteogenesis imperfecta or child abuse?

Jennie McKee

Because a misdiagnosis can be so devastating, orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of clues that indicate the potential presence of OI. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) should always be part of the differential diagnosis of a suspected victim of child abuse, contended Mininder S. Kocher, MD, MPH, when he presented the results of his study, “Osteogenesis Imperfecta Misdiagnosed as Child Abuse” at the 2007 annual meeting of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. According to Dr.

Will your implant put you on a ‘no-fly’ list?

Cobalt-chromium and titanium lower extremity implants top the list of “most liketly to trigger a metal detector.” Increased security measures in U.S. commercial airports have found passengers shedding belts, change purses, shoes and jewelry as they walk through metal detectors before proceeding to the gate. With the increased security, orthopaedic patients are increasingly concerned that their implants will set off alarms.

Music therapy helps calm young patients

Peter Pollack

Procedures such as cast application and removal, pin removal, and suture removal are often a source of anxiety for young children. But playing soft music in the cast room can be a simple and inexpensive way to decrease anxiety in young children, according to a team of researchers from Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.

Second Look

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