Delay Spells Difficulties for Children with SL Injuries

According to the results of a study presented during the 2016 annual meeting of the American Association for Hand Surgery, early diagnosis and surgical treatment of scapholunate (SL) ligament injuries in patients younger than 18 years results in better outcomes, compared to patients who underwent surgery a year or more after the injury. SL injuries may result from a fall or a sudden load on the wrist. They are not uncommon in athletes, but are rarely diagnosed in pediatric patients.

Looking to the Future of MOC

Shepard R. Hurwitz, MD; David D. Teuscher, MD

By now, diplomates of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) are familiar with the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process. The ABOS instituted the process—which first went into effect for diplomates whose board certification expired in 2010—in response to a directive from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), of which the ABOS is a member.

Arthroscopically Aided Ankle Ligament Repair Shows Promising Results

Vincent J. Sammarco, MD

Ankle ligament instability is a frequent source of ankle pain in adolescents and adults. Although most patients will respond to a nonsurgical plan of strengthening exercises, proprioceptive training, and bracing, some patients will continue to have pain and recurrent sprains that require surgery. Surgical techniques are evolving, and high success rates have been reported with both ligament repair-type procedures and tendon graft ligament reconstruction.

Face-Off: Smart Phones in the OR

Recently, patient deaths and other adverse events in the operating room have been attributed to distraction among physicians and operating room staff when they use their own smart phones for non–patient-care-related activities in the operating room. Should they be banned? and Bopha Crea, MD, face off with their views on the issue. Point: Recognize the Risks Dwight W.

Decline in HACs Associated with Cost Savings and Fewer Deaths

Julie B. Samora, MD, PhD, MPH; David B. Bumpass, MD

All too often, patients enter a hospital with one condition and acquire others during treatment. These hospital-acquired conditions (HACs), as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), are common and costly medical complications that could reasonably have been prevented through the application of evidence-based guidelines.

Assessment Program Improves Surgical Safety

Michael S. Pinzur, MD

In 1998, AAOS initiated an innovative patient safety program called Sign Your Site to help prevent wrong site surgery. The program expanded the focus of surgical patient safety from a retrospective evaluation of adverse events to a proactive implementation of safety processes intended to prevent them. Lessons learned from aviation safety demonstrate that use of proactive initiatives such as surgical checklists can improve safety.