AAOS adopts CTS clinical treatment guidelines

Fareeha Shuttari-Khan, MPH

During its September meeting, the AAOS Board of Directors adopted a new clinical practice guideline on the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Kristy L. Weber, MD, chair of the Council on Research, Quality Assessment and Technology, presented the guidelines, which were developed by a workgroup appointed by the Guidelines and Technology Oversight Committee. The Guideline Workgroup on the treatment of CTS was chaired by Michael W. Keith, MD, and cochair Victoria Masear, MD.

Readers prefer TC, MD, to TC, MSNBC

My thanks to S. Terry Canale, MD, for the great job on AAOS Now. This is an outstanding publication. Your balanced presentation of the issues is a consistent feature of this work. Kevin G. Shea, MD Boise, Idaho I would like to applaud the AAOS Now for the article by Peter Mandell, MD [“AAOS Board takes professional compliance actions,” August 2008]. This is a great step forward in preventing bad lawsuits and misleading testimony against orthopaedic surgeons.

Ready, set, present!

Frank B. Kelly, MD

Ready-to-go presentations and scripts to personalize and present Are you interested in marketing your practice or expanding your patient base? How about increasing general awareness of orthopaedic conditions? If so, I encourage you to take advantage of the AAOS Community Orthopaedic Awareness Program (COAP).

In Memoriam

Stanley Baer, MD June 5, 2008 Mill Valley, Calif. Martin R. Baker Jr, MD Aug. 15, 2008 Lenoir City, Tenn. Virgil V. Becker Jr, MD July 27, 2008 Auburn, Wash. Harold R. Bicknell, MD July 8, 2008 Shreveport, La. Marvin H. Bloom, MD Aug. 23, 2008 Burlingame, Calif. Thomas C. Bolton, MD July 13, 2008 Medford, Ore. Bernard R. Cahill, MD Sept. 6, 2008 Peoria, Ill. Lawrence J. Cohen, MD Aug. 2, 2008 Portland, Ore. Lawrence W. Coleman Jr, MD Aug.

Pat on the Back

James W. Barber, MD; Charles S. Day, MD; Louis G. Jenis, MD; James C. Krieg, MD; Fraser J. Leversedge, MD; Anand M. Murthi, MD; Alexandra E. Page, MD; Javad Parvizi, MD; Steven J. Svoboda, MD; and Roxanne E. Wallace, MD, members of the 2009 Leadership Fellows Class New Board of Specialty Societies (BOS) committee chairs: William A. Grana, MD, MPH (Education); William R. Beach, MD (Health Policy); Peter C. Amadio, MD (Research); James P.

Improving the image of the orthopaedic surgeon

Tony Rankin, MD

Tony Rankin, MD During the past decade, the AAOS public relations efforts have used the results of that research to develop a variety of strategies, tactics, programs, and events to enhance the image of the orthopaedic surgeon. One very visible component of these efforts is the Academy’s public service announcement (PSA) campaign, introduced each year at the Annual Meeting.

Medicine and Michelangelo

Jennie McKee

Robert C. Klapper, MD, explores the connection between orthopaedics and art According to Robert C. Klapper, MD, orthopaedists have something in common with Michelangelo, the 15th century Italian Renaissance artist who created some of the world’s most breathtaking sculptures. “The reason that a hip or shoulder replacement doesn’t dislocate in the hands of an orthopaedic surgeon is that we understand the third dimension—the z-axis—just as Michelangelo did,” he says.

AAOS joins amicus brief

Richard N. Peterson, JD

Arizona case threatens status of expert witness qualifications The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has voted unanimously to join an amicus curiae brief in a case involving Arizona legislation on the qualifications required for medical expert witnesses. The case, Seisinger v. Siebel, is an appeal supported by the Mutual Insurance Company of Arizona (MICA) of a recent decision of the Arizona Court of Appeals.

“Operation Walk” gives life to damaged joints

Annie Hayashi

Orthopaedic surgeons find volunteering reaps huge rewards Video of "Operation Walk" in Cuba “Operation Walk not only changes the lives of patients, it affects the lives of the orthopaedic surgeons who participate,” says Lawrence D. Dorr, MD, the organization’s founder and winner of the 2005 AAOS Humanitarian Award. “It renews their interest in medicine and makes them better, more compassionate surgeons.”

Avoid ethical pitfalls in advertising

Carolyn Rogers

Advertising online and elsewhere is an effective way to attract new patients to your practice, but as in all communications with patients and the public, physicians are ethically obligated to present a fair and honest representation of their services, as well as the goals, alternatives, expectations, and risks associated with those services. The Nov.

AAOS endorses WHO Safe Surgery Project

Courtesy of Pan American Health Organization At the launch of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) “Safe Surgery Saves Lives” initiative, AAOS President Tony Rankin, MD (center), and AAOS Patient Safety Committee Chair Robert L. Brooks, MD (right) are greeted by Timothy Evans, MD, DPhil, WHO assistant director general.

Nominating committee seeks names

The AAOS Nominating Committee seeks candidates for the following positions: AAOS Board of Directors second vice president member-at-large (younger than age 45 on February 26, 2009) member-at-large (no age designation) American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) four open positions AAOS National Membership Committee one open position Submit your recommendations, including a paragraph outlining the candidate’s unique qualifications for the office to: S