Pearls and pitfalls: Orthopaedics and obesity

Annie Hayashi

Techniques, instrumentation, and surgical planning are “weighty” issues Obese patients, particularly those who are morbidly obese, present a dilemma for many orthopaedic surgeons. From equipment and instrumentation to the surgical approach, orthopaedic surgeons have to make significant adjustments when treating the obese (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or more) (Table 1).

AVN drives need for THA in patients with SCF

Annie Hayashi

By Annie Hayashi Relatively low incidence of AVN, but condition leads to earlier arthroplasty Avascular necrosis (AVN) was the leading cause for total hip arthroplasty (THA) in young adults with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), according to a study presented by Amy L. McIntosh, MD, at the recent Annual Meeting of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA). Amy L.

Congenital and infantile developmental conditions of the musculoskeletal system

Congenital and infantile developmental conditions of the musculoskeletal system include a variety of defects, ranging from extra fingers or toes to serious and disabling conditions, such as spina bifida. Congenital conditions are present at birth, while infantile developmental conditions present themselves in the first few months of a child’s life.

Evaluations go electronic

J. Lawrence Marsh, MD

“The times, they are a-changin’” In 1963, the AAOS administered the first annual Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (OITE) to evaluate orthopaedic residents and residency programs. That year, 1,118 residents from 171 training centers took the exam, which consisted of 150 multiple-choice questions. Not only was the AAOS the only medical specialty society to begin producing an annual examination for residents, the exam was a first in medical education.

How do sex and gender affect knee OA?

Jennie McKee

Many factors may influence incidence of disease, effectiveness of treatment in women Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee develops at a greater rate in women than in men as they age. In fact, says Mary I. O’Connor, MD, the incidence of knee OA is 1.7 times greater in women overall. Although multiple factors may contribute to this increased prevalence, it’s logical, she says, to consider the influence of hormones and estrogen in postmenopausal women.

Second Look – Clinical News and Views

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.

One fracture, five treatments

Peter Pollack

Shoulder surgeons offer varied approaches to proximal humerus fractures Proximal humeral fracture treatment remains a matter of some debate. During the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Specialty Day, five noted orthopaedists presented five different philosophies and options—ranging from the least to the most invasive—for treating these fractures. Selecting nonsurgical treatment According to Charles A. Rockwood Jr.

Meetings and Course Listings

Listed below are upcoming continuing medical education (CME) courses and orthopaedic meetings (June through November 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. For more information about other CME courses or orthopaedic meetings listed, contact the source provided.