On-Call Solutions Need to Balance Patient, Physician Needs

Terry Stanton

Many orthopaedic surgeons have misgivings or trepidation about taking call because of concerns about liability. Although tort reform might address a number of these concerns, another important step would be to improve the call system by removing barriers to good care, according to James F. Kellam, MD, of Charlotte, N.C. Dr.

PIM Development Is Underway

Stuart J. Fischer, MD

What are Performance Improvement Modules (PIMs)? They are a new way for us as orthopaedic surgeons to assess what we are doing in practice. Additionally a PIM can be part of a performance improvement continuing medical education module (PI CME) that enables us to receive CME credit for this process. The PIM relates to the chart review process while the PI CME module ties the PIM to CME. And we can do it without leaving our offices.

Tablet Orthopaedics Increasing in Popularity

Orrin I. Franko, MD

Physicians and surgeons are beginning to recognize the unique role mobile devices such as smart phones and tablet computers can play in health care. In response to these new devices the term “mHealth” is now used to describe the functions that mobile communications devices can serve as health information tools. The current market leader in the tablet format is Apple’s iPad, the most recent version of which includes a 9.

Second Look- Clinical

Obesity and medical costs Research in the Journal of Health Economics (January) suggests that obesity may account for as much as 21 percent of all U.S. medical costs. The authors drew data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey for 2000–2005, and focused on genetic variation in weight to eliminate the impact of other factors—such as back injury—that could affect both weight gain and medical costs.

Meetings and Course Listings

General JULY 18–21 Southern Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Website: soaassn.org SEPT. 13–15 Clinical Orthopaedic Society Annual Meeting The Palmer House, Chicago Website: www.cosociety.org SEPT. 21–22 Musculoskeletal Tumor Society/AAOS Residents Musculoskeletal Oncology Review: Clinical Radiographic and Pathologic Overview and Treatment Principles Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown Convention Center, Tampa, Fla.

Arthroplasty in Patients with Sequelae of SCFE

Maureen Leahy

Most patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) do well after treatments such as pelvic osteotomies or in situ pinning. A small group, however, may continue to experience joint pain and eventually require additional surgical treatment to manage end-stage hip arthritis, osteonecrosis, or chondrolysis, said Rafael J. Sierra, MD, during the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America 2012 Specialty Day.

Orthopaedic Trivia Quiz

AAOS Now tests your knowledge of orthopaedic trivia. Take a minute and see how well you know your orthopaedic trivia—but don’t peek at the answers! Which orthopedic surgeon won the Nobel Prize for Medicine? Robert Salter Frederick Banting John Charnley Marius Smith-Petersen Sterling Bunnell X-rays dramatically changed the practice of orthopaedic surgery. What year did Wilhem Röntgen produce the first x-rays?

MOC Myths—BUSTED!

In this feature, AAOS Now explores common misconceptions about the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery’s (ABOS) Maintenance of Certification™ (MOC) process. MYTH: MOC doesn’t apply to some orthopaedic surgeons. FACT: If you have a time limit on your board certification, you need to be aware of your MOC requirements and deadlines and should be working toward meeting them, according to ABOS Executive Director Shepard R. Hurwitz, MD.

Manage MOC with the Learning Portfolio

Online tool helps you track your progress Looking for an effective way to track your progress online as you fulfill the requirements of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery’s (ABOS) Maintenance of Certification™ (MOC) process? Try the Learning Portfolio, a new member benefit from the Academy.

When Is SLAP Repair Appropriate?

Jennie McKee

There are good reasons not to surgically repair everything that looks like a superior labral anterior posterior (SLAP) tear,” said Stephen C. Weber, MD, of Sacramento (Calif.) Knee & Sports Medicine, during the 2012 Arthroscopy Association of North America Specialty Day Program. One reason is that accurate diagnosis can be challenging. According to Dr. Weber, separating normal plicae variants from pathologic conditions can be difficult.

Motocross, ATV Popularity Leads to Rise in Pediatric Injuries

Peter Pollack

“Our home region of Rochester, Minn., is blessed with a number of motocross tracks,” began Anthony A. Stans, MD, speaking to members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA). “I suspect many in the audience also live near one. This motorcycle racing sport is growing in popularity, and children as young as 4 years old are competing.” Dr.

All I Need Is a Match

Geoffrey I. Watson, MD

“How long could Long Island be?” I remember asking myself just before I realized that it would take a 2-hour train ride to make it to my orthopaedic residency interview on time. The cab fare for missing that train (which ran a different schedule on the weekend) was extra punishment for saving a few dollars by staying with a friend. This was just one of the lessons I learned while on the interview trail.

Why I Choose to Practice in Rural America

James B. Stiehl, MD

About 3 years ago, I closed my orthopaedic specialty practice in adult reconstructive surgery in Milwaukee, Wisc., and moved to a remote farming community in southern Illinois. I was 59 years old and beginning to think about my future options. Although I was not ready to make major changes, my wife had inherited a home and farm and dreamed of living there.