AAOS Act introduced in Congress

Stuart Burns; Lindsay Law

AAOS members encouraged to contact representatives for support On July 10, 2008, the historic “Access to America’s Orthopaedic Services Act of 2008” (AAOS Act) was introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Hilda L. Solis, D-Calif., and Michael C. Burgess, MD, R-Texas. The bill (HR 6478) seeks to raise awareness of musculoskeletal diseases and conditions among legislators, healthcare professionals, and the public.

PEDs, supplements—harmful or not?

I am thrilled that AAOS has decided to address the critical issue of [performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs)] affecting so many of our society. The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine symposium on PEDs will deal with the problem and ask that we, as a society, step up to the plate and stand against the use of these dangerous drugs by athletes. Everyone enjoys being a member of a winning team, but for many years team physicians have turned a blind eye to the use of these drugs by players.

Online housing for 2009 Annual Meeting opens Aug. 14

Anita R. Cooper, CMP

Las Vegas, the site of the 2009 AAOS Annual Meeting, offers more than 135,000 hotel rooms throughout the city. So why should you book your hotel room now—online—through the official AAOS housing bureau (Wyndham Jade)? Here are 10 good reasons: No full prepayment—A one-night room/tax deposit is all it takes to hold a reservation. It’s easy to change your reservations—Changes to your reservation can be made online 24/7.

West African physicians look forward to ACE initiative

Peter Pollack

Visiting surgeons believe program will improve patient care “The rate of orthopaedic illiteracy is very high, even among doctors,” explains Henry Holdbrook-Smith, MD. “Most of them, apart from the basics, have very little knowledge as to what to do with most orthopaedic cases, so they tend to refer them all to the big hospitals.” That’s why he believes the Academy’s Africa Cooperative Education (ACE) initiative is so important. With an estimated one orthopaedic surgeon for every 1.

From tykes to Tiger

Frank B. Kelly, MD

AAOS media efforts address childhood obesity and much MORE! With childhood obesity at epidemic levels, the AAOS and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) are working together to help overweight and obese children manage their growing waistlines and the effects on their bones and joints. The AAOS and the AAP have produced a joint print public service announcement (PSA) to help parents encourage their children to eat healthier and exercise more.

Ready-to-go presentations promote you, your practice, and orthopaedics

Addy Kujawa

Scripts on more than a dozen topics ready to personalize and present How many presentations do you make in a year? If the answer is none, you’re missing out on an easy way to market your practice, expand your patient base, and increase awareness of orthopaedic conditions. And it is easy—especially when you take advantage of the AAOS Community Orthopaedic Awareness Program (COAP) presentations.

What does change take?

Tony Rankin, MD

Tony Rankin, MD On the one hand, with the stroke of a pen, the president can ensure that sweeping changes will occur. FDR gave the country a “New Deal” and created an alphabet soup of agencies; Lyndon Johnson’s signature on the Civil Rights Act of 1965 had an incredible impact on the lives of African-Americans, just as George H.W. Bush’s signature on the Americans with Disabilities Act opened doors and improved conditions for thousands of individuals.

Lessons from history

Carolyn Rogers

AAOS past presidents recall challenging times Does history repeat itself? When asked to recall the key leadership challenges of their individual tenures, many past presidents said their term was dominated by a challenge or crisis unique to the time. Among the past presidents, several recurring themes emerged—such as medical liability, reimbursement issues, or the need for orthopaedic unity—that still resonate today. “Keeping it all together” By the time Roby C. Thompson Jr.

Telling the whole truth?

Bronwyn Barrera; Lewis Jenkins

Sign up now for a free Webinar on SOPs Orthopaedic surgeons are frequently called upon to provide medical testimony in legal or administrative proceedings. To establish minimum levels of acceptable conduct for AAOS members who provide such testimony, the Academy adopted the Standards of Professionalism (SOPs) on Orthopaedic Expert Witness Testimony in April 2005.

Setting the Barr high

G. Jake Jaquet

Surgeon-sailor races for relaxation In this era of record gas prices, would you be willing to share fuel costs for a 650-mile, fast-as-we-can-go road trip? If the ride is with AAOS fellow Joseph S. Barr Jr., MD, it would be a bargain, although you might need to allow a little extra time. The cost of the fuel is minimal (the engine is used only to charge the batteries), but the trip—racing from Newport, R.I. (or nearby Marion, Mass.) to Bermuda by sailboat—takes 4 to 5 days. Dr.

The 1970s: Research + innovation = better outcomes

Carolyn Rogers

This month’s journey through the annals of orthopaedic history centers on the orthopaedic milestones of the 1970s. Thanks to constant research on innovative products and materials, this decade saw major advances in joint replacement surgery and trauma fixation, as well as new techniques that led to more predictable outcomes. The indisputable orthopaedic “star” of the seventies was the total hip replacement, with more than 250,000 procedures being performed annually by decade’s end.

Pat on the back

New officers and members of the board of directors of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS): Robert B. Anderson, MD, president; Charles L. Saltzman, MD, president-elect; Keith L. Wapner, MD, vice president; Lew C. Schon, MD, treasurer; Jeffrey E. Johnson, MD, and Naomi N. Shields, MD, members-at-large; and continuing board members Judith F. Baumhauer, MD, secretary; Steven D.K. Ross, MD, immediate past president; Lowell H. Gill, MD, past president; and Brian G.

Enhance your skills with Academy monographs

Meghan Jacobs

The AAOS has released three new additions to its acclaimed Monograph Series. The Young Adult with Hip Pain, The Athlete’s Elbow, and Surgical Management of Pediatric Long Bone Fractures contain contributions from renowned experts in their respective fields. Each book is a concise, portable resource that draws upon current literature to support diagnosis, initial treatment, and management decision-making in its topic area. Each monograph costs $40 for Academy members and residents.