Addressing the Opioid Epidemic

Manthan Bhatt

Although many patients may benefit from opioid medications, abuse of prescription opioids is a serious problem responsible for nearly 50 deaths a day and thousands of emergency department visits a year. For example, the number of emergencies related to nonmedical use of opioids increased 183 percent between 2004 and 2011. In response, state governments passed nearly 60 laws in 2015 aimed at curbing the opioid epidemic.

The Arduous Trek to Follow the Evidence

Eeric Truumees, MD

For years, close margins at the time of breast cancer excision led to a return to the operating room to achieve a wider margin. Surgical oncologists were simply not sure of how wide a margin was "enough." Then, in 2014, a meta-analysis of available data showed that as long as the margin was clear, it did not need to be wide. Recently, the impact of this guidance on surgical rates was reported. In just 2 years, a sizable, 16 percent reduction in "take-back" surgery was reported.

MORE Awards Honor Excellence in Orthopaedic Reporting

Alan S. Hilibrand, MD

For the 12th consecutive year, the Academy hosted the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) Awards during the National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC) meeting in Washington, D.C. The annual event honors writers and producers who accurately report on musculoskeletal breakthroughs, treatments, common conditions, safety concerns, and injury prevention efforts.

Wanted: Disaster-Relief Orthopaedists

Maureen Leahy; Crystal A. Wells

Orthopaedic surgeons are often among the first to respond when a disaster occurs and massive relief efforts are needed. In the wake of the Haiti earthquake in 2010, for example, more than 500 AAOS members volunteered their services and many were on the ground within 48 hours. This unparalleled response led to the creation of an AAOS formal disaster preparedness plan designed to enable an effective and efficient volunteer response when future disasters strike.

Setting AAOS Now Straight

I read "After the Error" by and Robert J. MacArthur, MD, in the June 2017 issue of AAOS Now, and found it almost unbelievable. The repercussions Dr. MacArthur suffered are amazing. I have read some statistics about the effectiveness of the "Sign Your Site" protocol and have been surprised that errors still occur. I started practice at a time when this protocol had not been established.

AAOS Now debuts in the AAOS Access app!

Beginning with the June 2017 issue, the Academy's member newsmagazine is available via AAOS Access. This feature-rich content viewing app makes reading, browsing and downloading AAOS Now on your mobile device easy! Now available in the App Store and Google Play, AAOS Access also delivers eBooks, videos and other educational content. Download the free AAOS Access app today! Current users will need to sign out and log back in or refresh app content to view on the AAOS Access app: 1.

Pat on the Back

recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Hospital for Special Surgery. Brian G. Smith, MD, named Orthopaedist of the Year by the Connecticut Orthopaedic Society. David D. Teuscher, MD, appointed Regional Administrator for Intergovernmental and External Affairs for Region 6. In this capacity, Dr. Teuscher will serve as head of the Dallas Health and Human Services regional office for Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and 68 Indian Tribes.

In Memoriam

Richard G. Bertini, MDJan. 27, 2017 Pawtucket, R.I. Liebe S. Diamond, MD May 17, 2017 Pikesville, Md. Bruce Marc Fishbane, MD May 30, 2015 Singer Island, Fla. Terry Glenn Green, MD June 29, 2016 Mountain Home, Ark. Stephen D. Kaster, MD Scottsdale, Ariz. William C. Lyon, MD March 1, 2017 Kensington, Calif. Ernest A. Pellegrino Jr, MD Nov. 25, 2015 Middleton, Wis. David D, Scherr, MD June 3, 2016 Tucker, Ga. Paul A. Schneider, MD Nov.