Displacement drives treatment of clavicle fractures

Annie Hayashi

Nonsurgical treatment effective in most pediatric cases Most clavicle fractures in pediatric and adolescent patients can be effectively treated without surgery—even if the fracture is displaced. But adolescents who sustain fracture displacements of more than 2 cm may require surgical treatment. Those were the findings of two studies on the treatment of pediatric and adolescent clavicle fractures, one presented by Jeffrey I. Kessler, MD, and the other presented by Kelly L.

OREF awards 50 fellowship grants

The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) Educational Grants Board has completed the process of awarding OREF Clinician Development Program fellowship grants for the 2009–2010 academic year. Fifty grants in 8 orthopaedic subspecialties were made, using the random selection process developed by OREF and approved by monitors appointed by the Department of Justice for three orthopaedic device companies. All applicants have been notified of their selection.

When shoulder tears go full circle

Annie Hayashi

Military study has important lessons for managing pan-labral tears Successful treatment of circumferential labral tears depends on a comprehensive physical exam, the right imaging, and a pre-established surgical and repair strategy, according to Matthew T. Provencher, MD, LCDR, MC, USN. Dr. Provencher and his colleagues identified these key factors through a prospective study conducted at The United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.

OMeGA announces grant recipients

Rhonda Taira

The OMeGA Medical Grants Association has awarded 44 fellowship grants of up to $75,000 each in 9 orthopaedic specialty areas. Grants were offered to 30 percent of fellowship programs that applied. In addition, 21 residency/general education grants for amounts of up to $5,000 each were presented for the 2009–2010 academic year. This represents 19 percent of the residency programs that requested grants.

Meetings and Course Listings

Listed below are upcoming continuing medical education (CME) courses and orthopaedic meetings (September through January 2010). For more information about AAOS-sponsored courses, contact the AAOS customer service department at (800) 626-6726 or visit the CME course section of the AAOS Web site at www.aaos.org/courses For more information about other CME courses or orthopaedic meetings listed, contact the source provided.

Use the rod and spare the cast

Annie Hayashi

Flexible rods found safe, effective for femoral shaft fractures in younger children Should flexible intramedullary fixation for femoral shaft fractures be offered to parents of children as young as 3 years old? That question was addressed by Joseph P. Davey, MD, in a study presented at the POSNA Annual Meeting that compared the efficacy and safety of two treatment modalities: flexible rods and the spica cast.

Can wrist fracture predict hip fracture?

Daneca DiPaolo, MD; Laura L. Tosi, MD

Clinton, Thatcher fractures were lost opportunities to educate the public Upper-extremity fractures made news this summer: two of the world’s most powerful women demonstrated that serving in high office does not protect a woman from commonplace fractures. Margaret Thatcher, 83, former prime minister of Great Britain, fell in her home and fractured her wrist. Hillary Clinton, 61, U.S. Secretary of State, fell in a State Department parking lot and fractured her elbow.

Speaking of children: Engagement is not enough

Donna P. Phillips, MD

The importance of educating and enlisting children in their health care Communicating with children and their families presents challenges that are different than those faced in interactions with adult patients. Physicians tend to do well engaging the pediatric patient initially, but frequently fall short when it comes to sharing information. In fact, studies show that less than 20 percent of the relevant information is shared directly with the child.

It’s a small world at IPOS 2009

Annual event addresses unique challenges of pediatric orthopaedic care Recognized as the premier educational event for pediatric orthopaedists, the 6th Annual International Pediatric Orthopaedic Symposium (IPOS) is set for Dec. 2–5, 2009, in Orlando, Fla. Presented by the AAOS and the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA), the 4-day IPOS program is dedicated to the treatment of orthopaedic conditions in children and young adults.

In Memoriam

Jon S. Davis, MD June 19, 2009 North Bend, Ore. James B. Fish, MD July 6, 2009 Watertown, N.Y. Jeffrey T. Haimes, MD June 4, 2009 Coral Springs, Fla. James P. Hsu, MD June 19, 2009 Cincinnati, Ohio Devendra M. Jani, MD Jan. 17, 2009 Pennsville, N.J. Matthew M. Mischinski, MD May 9, 2009 Pinehurst, N.C. T. David Sisk, MD July 9, 2009 Germantown, Tenn. Andrew N. Swanson, MD June 11, 2009 Mankato, Minn. Peter F.

Treating pediatric femoral fractures: A roundtable discussion

Moderated by James H. Beaty, MD

Pediatric orthopaedists discuss the new AAOS clinical practice guidelines The first set of pediatric clinical practice guidelines—on the treatment of diaphyseal femoral fractures—are included in this issue of AAOS Now (see cover story). Because little Level 1 evidence exists, resulting in just two recommendations of grade A or B, several experienced pediatric orthopaedists—including James H. Beaty, MD (moderator); Stephen A. Albanese, MD; John M.

Football players shouldn’t fear ACL reconstruction

Meniscectomy is more damaging to a player’s career Knee injuries are a common problem in collegiate and professional football, and may raise fears of a shorter playing career. Although players may be concerned that a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and subsequent reconstructive surgery will affect their long-term careers, a study presented at the AOSSM annual meeting suggests that a meniscectomy may be more damaging to their professional careers.

Second Look

If you missed these Headline News Now items the first time around, AAOS Now gives you a second chance to review them. Headline News Now—the AAOS thrice-weekly, online update of news of interest to orthopaedic surgeons—brings you the latest on clinical, socioeconomic, and political issues, as well as important announcements from AAOS. Ropivacaine infusion after cuff surgery?

Who can find a happy physician?

Stuart J. Fischer, MD

Around the world, physicians are under attack Have modern health care changes affected the doctor-patient relationship in your practice? A new book by a private research group may give you something to think about. Physician Disempowerment: A Transatlantic Malaise is based on a symposium put together by a nonprofit think tank, The Center for Medicine in the Public Interest.