AAOS adopts clinical practice guidelines on OA Knee

John C. Richmond, MD

Recommendations focus on less invasive treatments Approximately 10 million adults in the United States are estimated to have symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Although joint replacement remains one of the most cost-effective treatments available for end-stage OA knee, a myriad of treatment alternatives are available for less severe cases. But which are the most effective? Which have the best evidence supporting their use?

AAOS takes position on ED orthopaedic care

Mary Ann Porucznik; Lindsay Law

Ensuring access to emergency orthopaedic care in the United States continues to challenge communities, hospitals, orthopaedic surgeons, and patients. At its December 2008 meeting, the AAOS Board of Directors approved a new position statement on Emergency Orthopaedic Care.

Infections, certification, and opinion

As a chief of orthopaedics at an urban country hospital where we already use routine vancomycin for surgical prophylaxis, and as an assistant high-school basketball coach, I was very interested in the article on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in the October 2008 issue (“Preventing MRSA in the locker room”). The article recommends that “athletes shower with soap immediately after workouts.”

Time to submit abstracts, applications for awards

Andrew J. Weiland Medal

The American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) honors the work of Andrew J. Weiland, MD, with the creation of the Weiland Medal, an unrestricted award of $20,000 for a surgeon in mid-career who is less than 55 years old or is less than 15 years from hand fellowship training. Nominations and/or applications are now being accepted.

Pat on the Back

Jeffrey S. Fischgrund, MD, has been selected as the new editor-in-chief of the Journal of the AAOS (JAAOS). Dr. Fischgrund previously served as a deputy editor (spine) for JAAOS. Nelson F. SooHoo, MD, was named the inaugural recipient of the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation/Current Concepts in Joint Replacement Award, recognizing completed investigations focusing on health care policy, clinical outcomes, or translational research.

Gladden luncheon

The J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society (JRGOS) Annual Luncheon will take place on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, during the AAOS Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. The luncheon will be held in the Scenic Room of the Flamingo Hotel at 12:30 p.m. Cato T. Laurencin, MD, PhD, will be the keynote speaker. Registration forms and information can be found on the JRGOS Web site (www.gladdensociety.org).

A salute to orthopaedics and the military

Tony Rankin, MD

Recently, I attended the 50th anniversary of the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons (SOMOS). As a former Army officer who received my orthopaedic training in the military at Walter Reed General Hospital (now Walter Reed Army Medical Center), I felt a sense of homecoming. It was a privilege and an honor to have received my orthopaedic training in the military and to have served my country at home and abroad.

NVOS aid key to 2009 playground build

Addy M. Kujawa

Local contacts find site, partners, support Without the assistance of the Nevada Orthopaedic Society (NVOS) and its president Fred C. Redfern, MD, there almost wouldn’t be a playground build at the 2009 AAOS Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. Dr. Redfern’s business and personal contacts in the community were key both in identifying a site and in finding partners and support. Dr.

Nominating Committee announces slate

Mary Ann Porucznik

New procedure enhances transparency Under new Bylaws adopted after the 2008 AAOS Annual Meeting, the AAOS 2009 Nominating Committee released its recommended slate of officers and a complete explanation of the process of selection on Dec. 26, 2008 via a Member Alert e-mail and fax-blast to all fellows. According to Stuart L.

Tips for Tackling the Media in 2009

Frank Kelly, MD

Have you ever wondered how Dr. Jones made it to the “Today” show? Or how Dr. Smith was quoted as an “expert” on playground injuries? Have you ever imagined yourself in their place? All media—radio, television, print, and Internet—are looking for interesting orthopaedic topics to cover and experts to quote. You can establish yourself and your practice as those very “experts” starting at the local level and building from there.

Board members named for Center for Orthopaedic Advancement

Mary Ann Porucznik

Seven AAOS fellows have been named to the board of directors of the recently established Center for Orthopaedic Advancement (Center). They are Stefano A. Bini, MD (San Francisco); G. Paul DeRosa, MD (Durham, N.C.); Charles H. Epps Jr., MD (Washington, D.C.); Lynn T. Staheli, MD (Seattle); Edward A. Toriello, MD (Jamaica Estates, N.Y.); Richard B. Welch, MD (Napa, Calif.); and John J. Williams, MD (Austin, Texas).

The coming manpower shortage in medicine

John C. Nordt III, MD

Manpower shortages in medicine are anticipated in the next 10 or 15 years because fewer qualified people are entering the field. In Florida, where I practice, 801 graduates finish medical school annually; more than half of them leave the state for postgraduate training and never return. Our two university orthopaedic residency programs produce 11 residents a year. The past 2 years, all these graduates have left the state. Why? Perhaps because they can’t afford to practice medicine here.

AAOS, OTA bring trauma education to Ghana

Lynne Dowling

Program whets appetites of attendants “hungry for education” During the past several years, AAOS has been developing a curriculum and planning for a major educational venture in the West Africa region. Although the Africa Cooperative Education (ACE) Program—originally targeted for launch in November 2008—did not achieve an appropriate level of initial outside funding, AAOS made the commitment to conduct an education program in the West Africa region before the end of 2008.