Study: Plate Fixation for Clavicle Fractures Reduces Risk of Nonunion, Increases Risk of Complications

Maureen Leahy

A study examining clinical and functional outcomes after internal plate fixation of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures found that although the treatment reduces the risk of nonunion, it is associated with a significant risk of a secondary surgery. Results also revealed that, compared to conservative treatment, plate fixation does not improve shoulder function. Clavicle fractures have traditionally been treated nonsurgically with good results.

Patient-reported HRQL Following Surgical Management of Open Fractures

Maureen Leahy

A study presented at the 2016 Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) annual meeting found that patients who had undergone surgical treatment for open fractures had not yet returned to their pre-injury health-related quality of life (HRQL) at 1 year follow-up. Additionally, HRQL scores were similar regardless of the irrigation solution or irrigation pressure used. The study was based on data from the Fluid Lavage in Open Fracture Wounds (FLOW) trial.

International Teams Are Making Advances in Scoliosis Research

Paul D. Sponseller, MD

With more than 1,500 attendees, the 51st annual meeting & course of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) was an opportunity to learn about the newest developments in both pediatric and adult deformity. The 3-day meeting, held in the Soviet-era Congress Centre in Prague, Czech Republic, included more than 130 podium presentations by researchers from all parts of the globe.

Keeping the Lifeblood of Orthopaedics Flowing

Sariah Khormaee, MD, PhD

For the past 13 years, the AAOS/Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF)/Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Clinician Scholar Career Development Program (CSCDP) has brought together promising residents, fellows, and early-career attending surgeons for a 2-day workshop that inspires and prepares them to meet the unique challenges facing clinician scholars. The most recent program (Sept.

Turning Obstacles into Opportunities

Lisa Applegate

In his career as a radiologist and clinician scientist, Chao Xie, MD, has often been just as inspired by limitations as by opportunities. Three decades ago, medical technology was very limited in his home country of China. As a first-year medical student, Dr. Xie experienced personal frustration when his father received a late diagnosis of cancer because computed tomography scans were not widely available in China.

AAOS Featured at 2016 G-I-N Conference

Nicole Nelson, Patrick Donnelly; Nilay Patel

AAOS members and staff from the Academy's department of research, quality, and scientific affairs (RQSA) were among the featured participants at the Guidelines International Network (G-I-N) conference this past September in Philadelphia, an event that drew 511 conference delegates from 36 different countries. G-I-N is an international group that aims to advance the field of guideline development and implementation.

BOC Recognizes State Participation in AAOS 2016 Census

Hazel Oreluk, MA

Every 2 years, the AAOS gathers practice data from U.S. orthopaedic surgeons, which it uses to help tailor plans, services, and products for members. This year (2016), the census questionnaire was sent out in April; data collection closed in June. Currently, the data are being cleaned and analyzed by the AAOS department of research, quality, and scientific affairs, and the results will be released in January 2017.

AJRR Expands TJA Data Collection

Each year, the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR) releases its Annual Report on Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Data at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) Annual Meeting. The AJRR published and distributed its 2016 report on Friday, Nov. 11, at the meeting in Dallas, Tex. The AJRR has seen significant growth in the past year, leading to this year's report being the most comprehensive representation of data from an American orthopaedic registry to date.