Using VAC doesn’t buy extra time

Annie Hayashi

Don’t delay flap procedure, even with vacuum-assisted closure Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) devices are commonly used in the treatment of open tibia fractures—providing soft-tissue wound coverage to protect the patient from infection for up to 7 days. But does use of the VAC device allow the free-flap coverage procedure to be delayed more than 7 days?

CT angiography identifies arterial bleeding

Annie Hayashi

Study finds CT angiography for pelvic trauma identifies arterial bleeding When critically injured patients are brought to a trauma center, the trauma team needs to identify sources of blood loss quickly and efficiently. Among the existing protocols for patients with pelvic trauma, computed tomography (CT) scanning has been widely used to detect the presence of a hematoma that can indicate arterial bleeding.

PTH works for osteoporosis, but does it heal fractures?

Annie Hayashi

Study demonstrates fracture healing enhanced by pharmacologic intervention A large body of clinical data exists to support the efficacy of bisphosphonates and parathyroid hormones (PTH) in treating osteoporosis. Whether these same medications could be equally effective in treating fractures in those with osteoporosis, however, is not well-researched. Jose B. Toro, MD “PTH has become a very popular substitute when alendronate cannot be used,” Dr. Toro told the OTA audience.

When one leg is better than two

Annie Hayashi

Single-leg stance helps diagnose pelvic instability Diagnosing late pelvic instability in patients can be quite challenging. Using standard radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans to identify pelvic instability and displacement is difficult when the patient is in a supine, unstressed position. Paul Tornetta III, MD Double vs.

Can surgeons win the fight against osteolysis and implant wear?

Jennie McKee

Symposium probes clinical issues In the next 5 to 10 years, orthopaedic surgeons can expect to see a jump in the number of patients who require implant revision surgery, according to Wayne G. Paprosky, MD, FACS, associate professor of orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center. Although the number of individuals who receive total joint arthroplasty is skyrocketing, the increase in revisions isn’t tied just to population growth. Dr.

Patient safety: Preventing falls after a recent fracture

Carolyn Rogers

Fall risk factors predict patients at greatest risk Healthcare providers can identify which patients are at greatest risk of falling after a fracture by examining activities of daily living (ADL) scores in all patients and polypharmacy (use of 5 or more pills per day) in women, according to a study published in the open-access journal BioMed Central (BMC) Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Patient Safety Member Alert

Stryker issues voluntary recall of Trident® Hemispherical Shells On Jan. 28, 2008, the AAOS issued the following Patient Safety Member Alert: Stryker Orthopaedics has issued a voluntary recall of all Trident® Hemispherical Shells manufactured at their Cork, Ireland, facility between January 2000 and December 2007.

Meetings and Course Listings

Listed below are upcoming continuing medical education (CME) courses and orthopaedic meetings through August 2008. For more information about AAOS-sponsored courses, contact the AAOS customer service department at (800) 626-6726, visit the CME course section of the AAOS Web site at http://www.aaos.org/courses, or contact the source listed. For more information about listings, contact the source provided.

Leveling the playing field

Annie Hayashi

How neuromuscular training gets girls back in the game Sophia was a very talented volleyball and basketball player. By the time she was age 16, college scouts were already recruiting her. Then she played the volleyball game that ended all games. She went up for a spike, hit the ball just right, and landed hard on her left leg. She heard the “pop” as her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptured. Her scholarship prospects were gone as quickly as her ACL was torn.