“Rebooting” Orthopaedic Resident Education

Jennie McKee

Virtual reality, robotics, and computer simulation are becoming increasingly popular ways for orthopaedic residents to learn and practice surgical skills in a nonclinical environment.

OMeGA Revises Residency Application Schedules

Rhonda Taira

The OMeGA Medical Grants Association (OMeGA) has adjusted its residency application timetables in response to requests by applicant programs for earlier grant notification. The schedule changes not only provide more notice, but also give applicants for both residency/core competency innovation grants and residency/general education program grants the full academic year to complete their projects.

Second Look—Clinical

Impact of rhBMP-2 on fracture healing time Data in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (JBJS) (Dec. 4, 2013) suggest that the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in combination with injectable calcium phosphate matrix may not significantly reduce healing time for patients with closed tibial fractures who are treated with reamed intramedullary nailing.

Vive la Différence! THAs in France, United States

Charles Riviere, MD

Surgical cultures vary between countries for many different reasons. Countries have different surgical histories and local traditions; the ability of surgeons to perform and their interest in research activities may differ. In addition, the quality of orthopaedic teaching for residents, the organization of academic centers, the organization of public healthcare systems, and healthcare budgets all have an impact on surgical cultures.

How Successful Is Spine Surgery?

Mary Ann Porucznik

According to the results of a Canadian study presented during the 2013 annual meeting of the North American Spine Society, routine spine surgery is neither more prone to “fail” nor to be more dangerous than popular knee and hip replacement surgeries. The study, “Comparative Outcomes and Cost Utility Following Surgical Treatment of Focal Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Compared with Osteoarthritis of the Hip or Knee: Part 1. Long-Term Change in Health-Related Quality of Life and Part 2.

Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty: What, Why, and How

A roundtable discussion with members of the ASES The number of shoulder arthroplasty procedures performed each year in the United States is increasing rapidly; estimates range from 55,000 to 80,000. Of these, about half are “reverse” shoulder arthroplasties (RSAs), in which the normal anatomy of the shoulder is switched. Rather than having the ball (top of the humerus) fit into the cup (glenoid socket) (Fig.

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 Trey Nichols, DO, primary care sports medicine fellow at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Nichols writes that an 11-year-old boy was seen for complaints of left leg pain and a nonhealing fracture.

A Shift to Digital: Creating an Orthopaedic Library

Orrin I. Franko, MD

Paradoxically, recent increases in the availability of digital and online orthopaedic literature have made it harder for many surgeons to find the most relevant and interesting articles in their specialty. The transition to digital journals has made it easier to access information anywhere and anytime, but the proliferation of new journals has simultaneously expanded the pool of available papers to read. I use iPad and Android tablets as my primary educational reading platforms.

Are Biologics the Future of Orthopaedics?

Maureen Leahy

Previous advances in orthopaedics have centered largely on surgical techniques. But biologics—including platelet-rich-plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate (BMA), and stem cells—are emerging as therapies due to their regenerative properties. An overview of the use of these techniques in the treatment of the rotator cuff, meniscus, cartilage, and osteoarthritis appears in the February Journal of the AAOS (JAAOS). To learn more, AAOS Now spoke with principal author Adam W. Anz, MD. Adam W.