PRP an unproven option, agree forum experts

Mary Ann Porucznik

An international group of orthopaedic surgeons, clinician scientists, and researchers agreed that, for many orthopaedic conditions, administration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may be an option, but its efficacy is unproven.

Narrowing the focus on aseptic loosening

Jay D. Lenn

OREF grant recipient examines role of mononuclear cells Aseptic loosening, the most common cause of long-term failure in hip and knee replacements, occurs when normal wear on a prosthetic joint produces microscopic debris particles that trigger an immune system response. This immunologic activity mediates osteolysis, which loosens the bond between the implant and bone.

EBM, CPGs, and OKO

Kevin G. Shea, MD

The AAOS has a wealth of online resources to support EBM The terms ‘evidence-based practice’ or ‘evidence-based medicine’ (EBM) are being used with increasing frequency when discussing health care. Payers, clinicians, and professional societies are placing emphasis on the use of evidence to guide clinical practice and coverage decisions. Many clinicians look at the emphasis on evidence as a powerful analytical tool to further define the best treatment options for our patients.

“Grand challenges” for orthopaedic research

Annie Hayashi

ORS president sees health technology as an opportunity “We are in the midst of a medical research revolution, due to a new generation of engineering and technological innovations and approaches in the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases,” said Clare M. Rimnac, PhD, president of the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS), in her address at the 2011 ORS Annual Meeting in Long Beach, Calif. Clare M.

New TOs examine treatment of ankle arthritis

Kristy L. Weber, MD; Michael J. Goldberg, MD

Ankle arthritis is a degenerative condition that can cause significant pain and functional limitation. In its early stages, a variety of nonsurgical options can be applied, but for end-stage ankle arthritis, fusion has been the traditional treatment. Recently, however, new implant designs for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) have shown promising results.

Sexual dysfunction after pelvic fracture

Sheila M. Algan, MD

Incidences occur in women as well as men Among the studies that report on sexual dysfunction after pelvic fracture, many address problems specific only to male patients, particularly impotence. Although sexual dysfunction after pelvic fracture also occurs in female patients, many of the research tools used to assess outcomes do not address their symptoms. In addition, women may not feel comfortable reporting symptoms related to sexual function.

U.S. joint registry has an “exciting year”

Jennie McKee

David G. Lewallen, MD “So far, three sites have sent us data on more than 1,000 patients as part of our trial, which was designed mainly to test the mechanisms for data reporting and to help us understand the challenges that hospitals may face when using our Web-based system,” he said. According to Dr. Lewallen, after analyzing all the “lessons learned” from the pilot program, the AJRR plans to go live with the final model for national data collection later this year.