Setting AAOS Now straight

It was with great interest that I began to read “BMPs and cancer: Is the risk real?” in the May 2008 issue of AAOS Now. It was with tremendous disappointment that I completed it. The article failed to give a thorough overview and explanation of this important issue, neglecting to present important scientific details and not even presenting the most current information. An opportunity to educate orthopaedic surgeons about the actions of these recombinant proteins has been missed.

Orthopaedics: The tie that binds

Annie Hayashi

AAOS cosponsors first joint meeting in Turkey Medicine, like music and art, transcends geographic borders. The dedication of doctors to their patients serves as a universal language and a bridge between different ethnicities. When four AAOS members—Daniel J. Berry, MD; Michael R. Baumgaertner, MD; Kristy L. Weber, MD; and Stuart L. Weinstein, MD—travelled to Turkey, they found their international colleagues shared their zeal for orthopaedic knowledge and excellence.

Using PSAs to enhance the image of orthopaedics

Frank B. Kelly, MD

AAOS materials take the orthopaedic message public “Victories in Orthopaedics: Special Patients, Special Doctors,” the 75th Anniversary public service advertising PSA) campaign, focuses on orthopaedic surgeons and the impact they have on their patients’ lives. These posters and postcards are perfect vehicles for enhancing your image and enriching your patients’ and your community’s knowledge of the difference that orthopaedics makes.

A Pat on the Back to…

Newly elected officers and directors for the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA): J. Tracy Watson, MD, president; David C. Templeman, MD, president-elect; Timothy J. Bray, MD, second president-elect; Brendan M. Patterson, MD, and David J. Stephen, MD, members-at-large; Daniel S. Horwitz, MD, membership chair; David C. Teague, MD, education chair, David P. Barei, MD, membership committee. Continuing OTA board members include Robert A. Probe, MD, secretary; Alan L.

Industry News

New system for vertebral compression fractures DePuy Spine, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, has launched a novel treatment for vertebral compression fractures, the Confidence Spinal Cement System™. According to the company, the system consists of “a proprietary hydraulic-based delivery system that provides precise placement of a specially formulated high viscosity polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement directly into vertebral bodies to stabilize fractures and to potentially reduce pain.”

In Memoriam

Samuel A. Black, MD unknown Dalzell, S.C. Lawrence S. Cohen, MD February 2008 Lutz, Fla. Carl M. Friesen, MD May 20, 2008 Lexington, Ky. Richard S. Goodman, MD May 20, 2008 Smithtown, N.Y. Robert W. Higgins, MD March 27, 2008 Amarillo, Texas Edward E. Kimbrough III, MD Jan. 24, 2008 Columbia, S.C. Theodore C. Lewis Jr, MD July 19, 2007 Sherman, Texas Robert R. Oden, MD May 18, 2008 Aspen, Col. Thomas J. Pojunas, MD May 18, 2008 Santa Barbara, Calif.

Too hot to handle?

S. Terry Canale, MD

S. Terry Canale, MD As orthopaedic surgeons, we are committed to advancing patient care, and we may often have to serve as advocates of total joint replacement for our patients. The orthopaedic industry is also interested in advancing patient care through total joint replacement. You could argue, I suppose, that their motives are different than ours. Maybe they are…but maybe they’re not. We do share at least one similar motive—to improve the lives of patients through orthopaedics.

Will reimbursement policies create an access crisis?

Jeffrey R. Binder

As of this writing, Congress is working on legislation to forestall a 10.6 percent cut in physicians’ fees under the Medicare program. Although the reprieve is welcome, it is hardly the end of the war. Without a permanent solution to fix the formula by whi­ch Medicare calculates physician fees, planned cuts will simply be delayed.

Increasing diversity, one medical student at a time

Jennie McKee

Diversity Advisory Board reaches out to minority medical students Richard Haynes, MD, and Toni McLaurin, MD, were on a mission when they arrived at the Student National Medical Association’s (SNMA) Annual Medical Education Conference: to encourage minority medical students to consider a career in orthopaedics. Dr. Haynes, chair of the AAOS Diversity Advisory Board, and Dr. McLaurin, who serves as a member-at-large, represented the Academy at the SNMA conference this past March.

The 1960s: Decade of change affects orthopaedics

Carolyn Rogers

This month’s trek through orthopaedic history focuses on the tumultuous 1960s. For the field of orthopaedics, this decade saw the emergence of new orthopaedic societies, continuing advances in technology, and sweeping changes to the nation’s healthcare system. Events in this timeline are taken from the Digital Timeline—a feature of the 75th Anniversary Project that allows users to travel through more than 1,500 events in the history of orthopaedics.

AAOS expands membership to all residents

Hassan R. Mir, MD

“GET INVOLVED NOW” To encourage young orthopaedic surgeons-in-training to become involved in AAOS earlier in their careers, the Academy recently expanded its resident membership to include all orthopaedic surgery residents—postgraduate years (PGY) 1–5. Previously, only PGY-4 and PGY-5 residents were eligible. Resident membership is provided automatically to all physicians enrolled in an approved allopathic or osteopathic orthopaedic surgery residency program in the United States or Canada.

AAOS, AANA introduce new video series

Arthroscopic surgical techniques provide a Masters Experience For the first time, the Arthroscopy Association of North America is partnering with the AAOS to present a comprehensive selection of arthroscopic demonstrations. The new video education series, The Masters Experience: Arthroscopic Surgical Techniques, features detailed arthroscopic demonstrations to help viewers evaluate treatment options and learn procedures. The first DVD set in the series, Hip Arthroscopy, is now available.