AAOS releases new statement on antibiotics after arthroplasty

Mary Ann Porucznik

Comprehensive “information statement” puts patient safety first In February 2009, the AAOS Board of Directors approved the release of the information statement “Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Bacteremia in Patients with Joint Replacements.”

Patients connect orthopaedic research, funding

Erin L. Ransford

Research Capitol Hill Days put patients face-to-face with Congress More than 70 orthopaedic surgeons, researchers, and patient advocates went face-to-face with members of Congress during the 2009 AAOS Research Capitol Hill Days. While thanking Senators and Congressional representatives for their support of a $10.

The impact of orthopaedic research

Erin L. Ransford

Orthopaedic patients share life-changing experiences, inspiring stories One reason for the success of Research Capitol Hill Days is the inspiring stories of the patients who participate. Here’s a closer look at four patients who were part of the 2009 advocacy teams. Their willingness to advocate for orthopaedic research funding underscores the “patient-first” commitment of their treating physicians and the importance of ongoing research to overcome musculoskeletal diseases.

AAOS connects with NIH directors

Christy M.P. Gilmour; Erin L. Ransford

Discusses opportunities open to orthopaedic researchers On March 20, 2009, Stephen Katz, MD, PhD, director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS); Robert Carter, MD, NIAMS deputy director; and other NIAMS senior leadership met with members of the AAOS Board of Directors and Research Development Committee as part of the AAOS 2009 Research Capitol Hill Days. The annual meeting with Dr.

Investigations show new link between trauma and arthritis

Kathleen Louden

OREF-funded study indicates different processes are at work Posttraumatic arthritis (PTA) can develop after acute joint injury, a meniscal or ligament tear, or an intra-articular fracture, even with optimal treatment. Despite its frequency—an estimated 10 per­cent to 15 percent of patients diagnosed as having osteoarthritis actually have PTA—this painful condition has not attracted much attention from researchers. One investigator who is focused on PTA is Joseph Borrelli Jr.

Challenging orthopaedics to reduce osteoporotic hip fractures

Laura L. Tosi, MD; Richard M. Dell, MD

New programs show orthopaedic surgeons can reduce hip fractures in men and women Recent epidemiologic data demonstrate that almost 2 million osteoporosis-related fractures occur each year in the United States. Of these, nearly 300,000 are hip fractures. Although hip fractures represent approximately 15 percent of all osteoporotic fractures, they represent 72 percent of fracture costs—approximately $12 billion in 2005.

Nailing the entry point

Michael T. Archdeacon, MD

Problem-specific entry portals for lower extremity IM nailing Intramedullary (IM) nail stabilization has become the gold standard for treating most femoral shaft fractures and a large percentage of tibial shaft fractures. IM nailing can be used in patients with multiple injuries as well as in patients with isolated injuries. With increased usage, the indications for IM stabilization of the lower extremity have expanded.

Seeking treatment for rare bone diseases

Michael J. Econs, MD; Craig B. Langman, MD

The first “Advances in Rare Bone Diseases” meeting, held last October at the National Institutes for Health and organized by the U.S. Bone and Joint Decade and the Rare Bone Disease Patient Network, brought together a unique group of individuals and organizations to create new opportunities, further understanding of rare bone diseases, and explore specific applications to the unique diseases and conditions represented.

Evidence-based medicine in practice: The M&M conference

David Jevsevar, MD, MBA

Use M&M conferences for enlightenment, rather than support The evaluation of patient care and complications in surgery was first proposed by Ernest Codman, MD, at Massachusetts General Hospital in the early part of the last century. Since then, hospitals, physicians, and accrediting organizations have formalized the process of these assessments, now called morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences.