New AUC Addresses Vascular Injury in Pediatric Humerus Fracture

Terry Stanton

Vascular injuries accompanying pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures are relatively uncommon but potentially devastating. A newly issued Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) application from the Academy (www.aaos.org/auc) provides surgeons with guidance in diagnosing and managing these injuries. “Orthopaedists are generally comfortable in handling humerus fractures,” said James O. Sanders, MD, chair of AAOS AUC within the Committee on Evidence-Based Quality and Value.

Sex-Specific Data in Clinical Studies

Laura M. Bruse Gehrig, MD

Over the years, clinical research has shown that certain medical devices elicit different responses in females compared to males. For example, according to study data on metal-on-metal (MoM) implants and resurfacing presented at the June 2012 meeting of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Devices Advisory Panel, women have higher revision rates after MoM total hip arthroplasty and hip resurfacing than men. (See “Men, Women, and MoM.”

Tackling Surgical and Patient Safety NOW

William J. Robb III, MD; Dwight W. Burney III, MD

None of us comes to work intending to harm patients. Yet, our work is inherently dangerous to our patients, our coworkers, and ourselves. Is a safe surgical environment something we can assume? If not, what can we do to make surgery safer for all? The Institute of Medicine defines safety as “freedom from accidental injury.” The National Patient Safety Foundation expands this to include “ ...

OREF Grant Recipient Scopes the Effects of Meniscal Tear “Repairs”

Sharon Johnson

Does meniscal injury increase the likelihood that osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee will develop and if so, how? A University of California, San Francisco research team led by Christina R. Allen, MD, associate clinical professor of orthopaedic surgery, is grappling with that question. A 1-year research study, made possible by a 2012 Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF)/Goldberg Arthritis Research Grant funded by the Dr. Victor and Mrs.

What’s New With AJRR?

Lori Boukas

For the second consecutive year, the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR) has been designated a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR). AJRR is one of 49 organizations in the United States that has received the designation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide expanded, comprehensive medical procedure outcome information, including patient safety data.