A new definition for periprosthetic joint infection

Javad Parvizi, MD, FRCS

By Javad Parvizi, MD, FRCS Workgroup proposes a standard definition for universal adoption Both the orthopaedic community and the surveillance authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to be frustrated by the lack of a standard definition for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Interpretation of available literature is becoming increasingly difficult because centers and investigators use different—and at times conflicting—definitions for PJI.

Upcoming deadlines for Maintenance of Certification

For complete information, refer to the website of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, www.abos.

Autologous blood donation may not benefit AIS surgery patients

Terry Stanton

Study finds preoperative donors far more likely to receive transfusions A study of patients who provided autologous blood donation prior to surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) found that they were more likely to receive transfusions than patients who did not donate blood. In addition, researchers found that more than half of the autologous blood donation was not used.

Meetings and Course Listings

Listed below are upcoming continuing medical education (CME) courses and orthopaedic meetings (December 2011 through March 2012). 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 website at www.aaos.org/courses For more information about other CME courses or orthopaedic meetings listed, contact the source provided.

Early skeletal fragility not easy to spot

Maureen Leahy

By Maureen Leahy Study supports development of new clinical models to identify young women at risk for osteoporosis Current osteoporosis management strategies focus on identifying postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD) who are at increased risk for fractures.

The role of biologics in rotator cuff repairs

T. Sean Lynch, MD

By T. Sean Lynch, MD Do cell-based therapies hold the key? An orthopaedic surgeon doesn’t have to be a sports medicine specialist to be familiar with rotator cuff disease, which accounts for more than 4.5 million physician visits annually—a figure that may increase as the population ages. Based on a cadaveric study, 3 of every 10 adults older than age 60 may sustain a full-thickness rotator cuff tear.

Percutaneous release is safe, effective for trigger thumb

Maureen Leahy

Provides an alternative to cortisone injection as in-office procedure Initial management of trigger thumb in the office setting typically involves either cortisone injection into the flexor tendon sheath or percutaneous release of the involved pulley. However, both procedures have shortcomings, as reported in the literature.

Meeting the “lifelong learning” MOC requirement

Jennie McKee

By Jennie McKee ABOS expands opportunities to meet SAE requirement An important aspect of maintenance of certification (MOC) is the requirement for lifelong learning and self-assessment. To meet this requirement, orthopaedic surgeons must obtain a minimum of 120 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™ during the 3 years prior to the MOC credentialing exam. At least 20 of those credits must be in the self-assessment arena.

New abstract system scores high

Kathie Niesen, CMP

Submitters and graders enjoy its flexibility, ease of use Introducing new technology is often difficult—especially when the users are spread across the world. Will they understand it? Is the system intuitive enough? Is it flexible enough to meet multiple needs? Questions like that concerned the AAOS 2012 Annual Meeting Program Committee when it introduced a new abstract system earlier this year.

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. Complication and mortality factors after spine surgery A study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery—American (JBJS-A) (Sept.

What’s your Diagnosis?

In this feature, AAOS Now publishes a series of images, challenging readers to diagnose the condition depicted. The images for this month’s challenge were submitted by Valerae O. Lewis, MD, who provided the following information: The patient is a 36-year-old male with a 1-year history of progressive knee pain.

IV acetaminophen found beneficial in pediatric spine surgery

Terry Stanton

Intravenous administration improved analgesia but did not lower opioid use Acetaminophen given to children and adolescents after major spine surgery provided improved pain relief and appears to be safe and effective, according to a Finnish study presented at the 2011 annual meeting of the Scoliosis Research Society. However, the use of ace-taminophen did not reduce the use of oxycodone.