National joint registry legislation introduced

Annie Hayashi

Intent is positive, but proposal has drawbacks A bill to create a government-run joint registry program has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The “National Knee and Hip Replacement Registry Act of 2009,” sponsored by Reps. William Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.) and Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), would establish the registry within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

AAOS adopts new clinical guidelines

At its meeting on June 19, 2009, the AAOS Board of Directors adopted new clinical guidelines on the treatment of pediatric diaphyseal femur fractures. The new guidelines are available on the AAOS Web site (www.aaos.org/guidelines). The guidelines were developed by a work group led by Mininder Kocher, MD, and Ernest Sink, MD. AAOS Guideline Oversight chairs William C. Watters III, MD, and Michael Keith, MD, congratulate their efforts.

ACL research helps surgeons deliver better results

Kathleen Louden

Efforts of OREF Award recipient effect shift in treatment With approximately 100,000 ACL reconstruction surgeries performed each year in the United States, the need for ACL revision surgery is problematic. Although success rates for ACL reconstruction range from 80 percent to 90 percent of patients, a significant number of ACL reconstructions performed each year fail and require revision procedures. Dr.

OREF promotes resident research

CAPT Dana C. Covey, MD

Resident Research Competition showcases young investigators On May 13, 2009, as part of the 13th Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) Resident Research Symposia, the 1st Annual Southwest Region Resident Research Competition was held in San Diego. This event showcased resident research projects from training programs in California and Arizona, and was hosted by the Naval Medical Center, San Diego.

Four societies endorse AAOS CTS Guidelines

Last year, the AAOS introduced two clinical practice guidelines, one on the diagnosis and the other on the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

ORS hopes to link research with DOD

Partnership goal is accelerating the pace of regenerative medicine Improvements in personal body armor and critical care have reduced the percentage of fatal casualties in combat, but raised the number of serious extremity injuries that require limb salvage surgery or amputation to an all-time high. To meet this challenge, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has established the Center for the Intrepid (CFI), a 65,000 sq.ft.

Can you admit to being unsure?

Mary Ann Porucznik

Concept of “equipoise” challenges surgeons in clinical trials Although most orthopaedic conditions can be treated in a variety of ways, practicing orthopaedic surgeons often believe they can recommend the “best” treatment for a patient, based on their understanding of the patient’s condition and history and their personal experiences.