Board approves VTED prevention guidelines

Michael A. Mont, MD

Guidelines address identification of at-risk patients and prophylaxis against VTED At their meeting on Sept. 24, 2011, the AAOS Board of Directors approved a new clinical practice guideline (CPG) on the prevention of venous thromboembolic disease (VTED) in patients undergoing elective hip or knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA).

Speaking up—on behalf of orthopaedic patients and physicians

Although I’ve always tried to measure my words, I’ve never been one to hold back from sharing my thoughts, especially when it comes to our profession of orthopaedic surgery. We teach our residents and fellows to scrutinize studies carefully to ensure that the methodology is appropriate, the analysis is accurate, and the underlying assumptions are sound.

Industry News

FDA approves ceramic-on-metal implant for THR The PINNACLE® CoMplete® Acetabular Hip System (A) from DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., is a ceramic-on-metal artificial total hip replacement (THR) system. According to the manufacturer, the durability, stability, and enhanced low-wear characteristics of the CoMplete system provide orthopaedic surgeons with a new bearing combination option for THR patients with severe osteoarthritis. For more information, visit www.depuy.

Readers respond to editorial, articles

I really appreciated Dr. Canale’s editorial (“A 12-step program for politicians,” AAOS Now, July 2011). Politicians work hard at making governing “rocket science” and, although they all claim to be working toward the same end (a balanced budget, lower taxes), their actions say otherwise. I wonder where all of the common sense and personal responsibility went in our society. James B. Benjamin, MD Tucson, Ariz. I applaud your editorial. Our political system is broken.

AAOS creates a legacy to honor an educator

Edward Akelman, MD

Alan M. Levine, MD, Education Fund supports resident education My predecessor as chair of the AAOS Council on Education was Alan M. Levine, MD, a friend and colleague, director of the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute for Sinai Hospital and Northwest Hospital Center, and an internationally known orthopaedic oncologist. Dr. Levine died suddenly in 2009 at the age of 61.

Have you disclosed in the AAOS Orthopaedic Disclosure Program?

Richard N. Peterson, JD; Donna Malert

It’s easier than ever to meet disclosure requirements AAOS developed the AAOS Orthopaedic Disclosure Program to promote transparency of potential conflicts of interest for volunteers who are involved in continuing medical education (CME) activities and governance groups for the AAOS. Modifications to the program, rolled out in 2010, have made disclosure an even easier process for orthopaedic surgeons and others.

AAOS, AMA leadership meet

On Aug. 30, AAOS leadership met with members of the American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees to discuss issues of common concern. Pictured are the AAOS Presidential Line (left to right, rear): AAOS Second Vice-President Joshua J. Jacobs, MD; AAOS President Daniel J. Berry, MD; AAOS First Vice-President John R. Tongue, MD. AMA representatives included (left to right, front) Chair-elect of the AMA Board of Trustees Steven J. Stack, MD; AMA President Peter W.

Pat on the back...

Seeing Patients: Unconscious Bias in Health Care by Augustus A. White III, MD, and David Chanoff, received a Highly Commended rating in the Basis of Medicine category at the 2011 BMA medical book awards. Thomas H. Mallory, MD, recipient of the Hip Society’s 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award Clyde L. Nash Jr, MD, MS, MedEd, recipient of the Sociolis Research Society’s 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award David D.

Meeting your year-end CME deadlines

Natalie K. Vakhovsky

Take advantage of these online options from the AAOS As 2011 winds down, it’s time to check the number of continuing medical education (CME) credits you have for the year. If you’re facing a year-end deadline for maintenance of certification or licensure, the AAOS can help you accumulate the credits you need. The Academy offers a number of online options to make earning CME credits easy and efficient and minimize disruption to your practice.

In Memoriam

Henry H. Bohlman, MD May 27, 2010 Cleveland, Ohio David N. Bosacco, MD Dec. 6, 2010 Media, Pa. Walter H. Brent Jr, MD Nov. 30, 2008 Gretna, La. Ronald K. Bunten, MD Jan. 28, 2011 Des Moines, Iowa Kipp W. Kennedy, MD July 1, 2011 Gainesville, Fla. Gregory B. Krivchenia, MD Aug. 24, 2011 Marietta, Ohio Charles A. McAdams, MD May 21, 2011 Denton, Texas Lawrance S. Miller, MD July 27, 2011 Kingwood, W.Va. Charles S. Neer II, MD Feb. 28, 2011 Vinita, Okla.