Wait before ordering routine post surgical fever evaluation after TJA

Mary Ann Porucznik

Award-winning study evaluates cost, effectiveness; outlines guidelines Is a postsurgical fever after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) a sign of an infection or simply the body’s natural response to tissue injury? Are there ways to tell the difference? At the 2009 annual meeting of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, Erik Hansen, MD, presented the results of a study showing that, in most cases, a postsurgical fever work-up after TJA is neither necessary nor cost-effective.

In memoriam

James J. Klobucar, MD March 2009 Whittier, Calif. Francis X. Plunkett, MD Oct. 26, 2009 Charleston, W.Va. Guy T. Vise Jr., MD Dec. 14, 2009 Jackson, Miss. Burton S. Wollowick, MD Nov. 29, 2009 Boca Raton, Fla. Ira J. Woodstein, MD Dec. 14, 2009 Harahan, La. A pioneer in arthroscopy: Robert W. Jackson, MD Robert W. Jackson, MD, MS, FRCS, FRCSC, lauded for introducing arthroscopy to the Western world, passed away on Jan. 6, 2010, at the age of 77. Dr.

Surgeon volume, femoral head size are factors in reducing dislocation risk

Mary Ann Porucznik

Age, comorbidities increase risk of early dislocation after primary THA During the past decade, orthopaedic surgeons have increased their use of large-diameter femoral heads in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). But this shift—although it has reduced the incidence of dislocation after primary THA—hasn’t eliminated the problem, reported Arthur L. Malkani, MD, at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Dr. Malkani, co-author of the Lawrence D.

How do your practices compare to others?

Mary Ann Porucznik

AAHKS symposium provides information on how members practice For nearly half an hour, Daniel J. Berry, MD, asked questions. The audience—members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons—used a touchpad audience response system to answer. The result was an informative look at how orthopaedic surgeons practice hip and knee arthroplasty. “By my calculations, this might be the largest poll ever taken of orthopaedic surgeons on these questions,” noted Dr.

What’s your diagnosis?

Last month, Stephen A. Albanese, MD, submitted three images and challenged AAOS Now readers to identify the condition. Dr. Albanese provided the following patient information: “The radiograph and magnetic resonance images are of a 10-year-old boy who was seen in the office. The patient said he had been experiencing pain in his left hip since a minor trauma that occurred 12 days before the appointment.

Making the transition to percutaneous plating for humeral fractures

Annie Hayashi

Outcomes maintained, no increased complications Displaced proximal humerus fractures can be surgically managed in several ways—from the traditional open deltopectoral approach to a less invasive deltoid-splitting approach. Each technique has its own distinct benefits and disadvantages. “A standard deltopectoral approach has traditionally been used for locked-plate fixation of proximal humerus fractures,” said Jeffrey S.

How sex influences joint contractures

Carolyn M. Hettrich, MD, MPH; Jo A. Hannafin, MD, PhD

Why do men get Dupuytren’s contracture and women get adhesive capsulitis? The myofibroblast is implicated in several superficial (fascial) fibrosing disorders that occur at different ages and are more likely to be found in specific areas of the body depending on the sex of the patient. These conditions have common histopathologic features and are characterized by inflammation, myofibroblast proliferation, and dense scar formation.

After the Bone and Joint Decade, what’s next?

Mark Wieting

United States hosts world Bone and Joint Decade conference More than 325 Bone and Joint Decade delegates from 56 countries met in Washington, D.C., in late October 2009 to educate U.S. lawmakers and international diplomats about the growing burden of musculoskeletal disease. Hosted by the U.S. Bone and Joint Decade, (USBJD), the multi-disciplinary Global Network Conference also addressed the question, “What’s next after the decade ends?”

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. Studies find greater risk in CT scans Two studies published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (Dec.

Meetings and Course Listings

Listed below are upcoming continuing medical education (CME) courses and orthopaedic meetings (March through July). 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.