No easy answers on disk herniation surgery

Mary Ann Porucznik

Initial results from the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) study have garnered plenty of publicity—almost as much as speculation about those results before their publication. “So many people were worried about what the results would be and ready to argue with whatever we found,” recalled James N. Weinstein, DO, MS, the study’s primary author.

From Iraq—Back to Iraq: Modern combat orthopaedic care

Carolyn Rogers

At the “From Iraq—Back to Iraq” symposium, a tri-service panel of military traumatologists provided insight on the current treatment of highly complex war injuries. Advances in medical care, improvements in body armor and armored vehicles, and intense training of U.S. military personnel give today’s wounded soldiers a better-than-ever chance of survival. The downside of that encouraging news is that the soldiers are surviving with far more serious injuries than in any previous war.

A brief background of combat injuries

Peter Pollack; Carolyn Rogers

Given the current tensions in the Middle East, treatment of combat injuries has become an increasingly important aspect of orthopaedic surgery—a fact reflected in the programming for the 2007 AAOS Annual Meeting, which featured two symposia and a media briefing addressing the topic. Both military and civilian personnel participated in the sessions. Among the speakers were Capt. Dana C. Covey, MD; Roy K. Aaron, MD; Lt.Col. Romney Anderson, MD; Jason H. Calhoun, MD; Thomas A. Einhorn, MD; Lt.

Panel explored pathway ‘From lab to market’

Mary Ann Porucznik

To develop new therapies for musculoskeletal diseases and injuries, academic and industrial investigators must work together as they navigate the maze of federal requirements, legal hurdles, and manufacturing processes.

Researchers, patients take on Capitol Hill

Christy Gilmour

On March 28-29, 2007, nearly 100 physicians, researchers, and patients participated in the AAOS-sponsored Research Capitol Hill (RCH) Days. The annual event, hosted by the AAOS Research Development Committee (RDC) each spring, brings orthopaedic surgeons, orthopaedic researchers, and patients whose lives have been improved through their efforts to Washington, D.C., for a series of meetings with Congressional representatives and government leaders.

ORS president wonders ‘Whither goes the ORS?’

Mary Ann Porucznik

In his presidential address, Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) President Joshua J. Jacobs, MD, outlined a potential new course for the ORS, focused on a growing trend in healthcare research—translating and applying knowledge gained in basic research to the clinical setting. “The public and policy makers expect that the investment in biomedical research will improve health status and quality of life,” he said.

Will computers replace cadavers?

Peter Pollack

Virtual reality project debuts at Annual Meeting to mixed reviews Surgical training has always depended on using cadavers to enable residents to perfect a procedure before performing it on an actual patient. But at the 2007 AAOS Annual Meeting, a new device debuted that could revolutionize surgical training.

Putting a little sex in your orthopaedic practice

Mary I. O’Connor, MD; Laura L. Tosi, MD

By Mary I. O’Connor, MD, and Laura L. Tosi, MD Women have more hip fractures, so why are more men with fractured hips dying? Great! Made you look! Now keep reading! This column will provide important information for your practice about issues related to sex (determined by our chromosomes) and gender (how we present ourselves as male or female, which can be influenced by environment, families and peers, social institutions, etc.).

AAOS solicits topics for clinical practice guidelines

Jan Wies

The need for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines is critical in today’s era of pay-for-performance and increased scrutiny of medical decision-making. The AAOS has a Guidelines Oversight Committee (GOC) that determines which topics require guidelines and which topics are most critical to AAOS members.