AAOS releases first pediatric clinical practice guidelines

Ernest L. Sink, MD

Recommendations focus on treating pediatric diaphyseal femur fractures Pediatric diaphyseal femur fractures account for 1.4 percent to 1.7 percent of all pediatric fractures. Of every 100,000 children who sustain a fracture annually, approximately 19 will have femoral shaft fractures. Many different options for treating femoral shaft fractures exist, and treatment is dictated by patient age, fracture characteristics, and the social situation.

AAOS adopts ‘off-label’ statement

Mary Ann Porucznik

Supports use in “the best interest of patients,” advises counseling and reporting The orthopaedic community faces many complex challenges in navigating and reconciling changing regulatory requirements and technological and scientific developments. One area of regulatory focus and ambiguity is the intersection of the practice of medicine and a physician’s legal use of products that may be unapproved for certain indications or “off-label” when in the best interest of the patient.

Something’s always new at the Annual Meeting

Joseph D. Zuckerman, MD

I hope you’re making plans to attend the 2010 AAOS Annual Meeting in New Orleans. And I am excited to share with you news of a recent—and very important—change in the timing of the meeting. Even I have to admit, however, that there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do or see everything you’d want to at the AAOS Annual Meeting.

Build a Web site for your group

Jim Ogle

If your group doesn’t have an Internet presence, the new AAOS group practice templates make it easier than ever for you to establish one. Recently, based on feedback from members, these templates have been significantly improved and enhanced. They look better and they’re easier to create and maintain. What’s changed…what’s new You can now choose from eight different “looks” for your site.

AAOS helps complete “a circle of life”

Jane Ranshaw

Remembrances of polio epidemic mean African babies will breathe easier You may recognize her from the AAOS public service announcement (PSA), “Last year, it hurt too much to stand. Today, she carries a nation on her shoulders.” The story of Dr. Olabisi Claudius-Cole was featured as part of the AAOS 75th anniversary PSA campaign. She was also among the “Moving Stories” included on the Academy’s 75th anniversary Web site.

Cover my back, Michael

I have never considered myself a Michael Jackson fan. I grew up in the Elvis era. I couldn’t sing a lick, was a fair dancer, and my drug of choice was “Miller Lite.” But because of the fanfare and media coverage, I have been watching with interest how the situation with M.J. (only his close friends call him Mike) and his “in-house” physicians is developing.

AAOS announces new dates for 2010 Annual Meeting

Charles T. Price, MD

See you in New Orleans, March 9–13, 2010 The 2010 Annual Meeting officially begins on Tuesday, March 9. This change was recommended by the Annual Meeting Committee and approved by the AAOS Board of Directors during their June 2009 meeting. As anyone who has ever attended the AAOS Annual Meeting knows, the educational content is rich, varied, and deep! Although the breadth of the programming means there’s something for everyone, it also means you have to make hard choices.

Spreading the word with tweets and fans

Frank B. Kelly, MD

AAOS is now on Twitter and Facebook If you think that superstars like Lindsay Lohan, Anderson Cooper, and Oprah are the only ones making news with social media such as Twitter or Facebook, think again. According to a recent survey by the Online Research Corporation, more than 60 percent of Americans interact with companies on a social media site. More than 200 million people use Facebook, and more than 14 million are “tweeting” in the United States.

Battlefield orthopaedics: Civil War style

Elaine Fiedler

John M. Rathgeb, MD, brings history alive Imagine being a doctor in the midst of the American Civil War. You might find yourself at a field station near the battlefield or at a general hospital treating the men in your charge. You are overwhelmed with shocking numbers of casualties, but you do your best to help others survive. Although many of the soldiers die from disease, an endless array of battle injuries confront you.

Surgeon on the street

Do you use physician extenders? If so, how do they help you? On July 9–12, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine held its annual meeting in Keystone, Colo. One of the most popular sessions explored the roles that physician assistants and athletic trainers play in treating patients with sports-related orthopaedic conditions. AAOS Now asked attendees about how they work with physician extenders. Here’s what they said:

AAOS takes home “Academy Awards”

CEO, Playground Builds Honored For her “outstanding service and accomplishments in association management, AAOS Chief Executive Officer Karen L. Hackett, FACHE, CAE, was recently honored with the 2009 Samuel B. Shapiro Award for CEO Excellence. The annual award from the Association Forum of Chicagoland was presented to Ms. Hackett at a gala attended by AAOS leadership and staff.

Pat on the back…

2009 Inductees into the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Hall of Fame: William A. Grana, MD, MPH; William G. Clancy, Jr., MD. New chair of the AOSSM Medical Publishing Board of Trustees, Douglas W. Brown, MD. Eugene J. Dabezies, MD, named professor emeritus in the department of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation at Texas Tech University. Winners of the 2009 AOSSM grants and awards: Brian Feeley, MD; David Kovacevic, MD, Asheesh Bedi, MD, Russell F.