AOFAS explores orthobiologics and beyond

Jennie McKee

Experts discuss current data, clinical experience with biologics and other cutting-edge technologies Malunions, delayed unions, and wounds that are difficult to heal pose challenges to physicians who treat patients with foot and ankle conditions. But panelists at the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) 2009 Specialty Day noted that biologics and cell-based therapies offer exciting new possibilities for promoting healing.

Pediatric orthopaedic trauma care is in crisis

Annie Hayashi

Solutions must address complicated issues The crisis in emergency care in the United States is especially significant for children with orthopaedic trauma, according to James H. Beaty, MD, who spoke at the 2009 POSNA Annual Meeting. “For the practicing pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, trauma is a significant part of what we do—whether at a Level I trauma center in a children’s hospital or at an outpatient clinic,” Dr. Beaty said.

SCFE leads to symptomatic FAI

Annie Hayashi

Swiss study finds even mild SCFE with in situ pinning can produce early damage “Data have shown that slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) treated with pinning in situ can develop into symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) over time,” said Harish S. Hosalkar, MD. “Even mild cases of SCFE can cause intra-articular damage to the labrum and acetabular cartilage,” he said. Dr.

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.

Meetings and Course Listings

Listed below are upcoming continuing medical education (CME) courses and orthopaedic meetings (August through December 2009). 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.

OMeGA awards first grants

Rhonda Taira

The OMeGA Medical Grants Association recently awarded 45 fellowship grants in 9 orthopaedic specialties. In addition, 21 residency/general education grants were awarded for the 2009–2010 academic year.

“A failure of the trauma system equals failure in disaster care”

Peter Pollack

Former DHS leader discusses the need to plan for mass-casualty events “Is your community ready for a large-scale disaster?” Jeffrey W. Runge, MD, asked members of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society during their 2009 Specialty Day meeting. “Do you understand the requirements of your healthcare assets in your community during and after a disaster? Do you have plans, training, and equipment, and how often have you exercised the plan?

Understand MOC—and make it work for you

Jennie McKee

Tips from the ABOS about navigating the MOC process Maintenance of Certification™ (MOC) is far from being a pointless chore or record-keeping exercise, says Shepard R. Hurwitz, MD, executive director of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS). Instead, he notes, MOC plays a pivotal role in ensuring that orthopaedists provide excellent care. AAOS Now recently sat down with Dr. Hurwitz to discuss MOC. AAOS Now: Why did the ABOS make the move to MOC? Dr.

Clinical trials in orthopaedics: Not the oxymoron it seems

Mary Ann Porucznik

AAOS/ORS-sponsored symposium explores challenges, implications for clinical practice “Randomized clinical trials are the accepted gold standard methodology for evaluating treatment effectiveness, but we don’t have as many as we need in orthopaedics,” said James G. Wright, MD, MPH, FRCSC, in his opening address at the 2009 AAOS/Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Clinical Trials in Orthopaedics Research Symposium.

Bridging the gap: Policy implications for clinical practice

Mary Ann Porucznik

Policy makers, researchers, and industry look to the future of orthopaedic clinical trials The AAOS/ORS Clinical Trials in Orthopaedics Research Symposium concluded with a panel discussion on bridging the gap between policy makers, researchers, and sponsors of clinical trials. Participants included James G. Wright, MD, MPH, FRCSC, cochair of the symposium; Marc F.

Obesity puts children at risk for serious health issues

Annie Hayashi

Childhood obesity associated with endocrine factors, orthopaedic problems “More than half of obese children had low enough vitamin D levels to have mild bone health effects and a high rate of thyroid hormone dysregulation. This may be partially due to the obesity itself but also might be due to the diet that the children have,” said Benjamin Alman, MD, during his presentation at the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America annual meeting.

Fracture management of unstable pelvic fractures

If a patient has an unstable pelvic fracture, do you transfer or apply an external fixator first? The 2009 Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) Specialty Day addressed a variety of fracture management controversies, including current surgical indications and techniques for problem pelvic and acetabular fractures. Michael T. Archdeacon, MD, MSE, and Alexandra K.

Ruby slippers for foot and ankle surgeons

Judy Datz

AOFAS celebrates 40 years of growth “The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) has been an integral part of my adult life. The intellectual gratification and the friendships that we have established are immeasurable.” These words from Mark S. Myerson, MD, a past president of the AOFAS, summarize the emotion and excitement of AOFAS members as they culminate the celebration of the society’s 40th anniversary at the AOFAS annual summer meeting in Vancouver this month.