June 17, 2020 | Today’s News

Fellows Elect AAOS Nominating Committee

The members of the AAOS Nominating Committee have been identified. The AAOS Fellowship elected five members to the AAOS Nominating Committee, and the AAOS Board of Directors appointed the chair at its meeting in March. One additional member was jointly elected by the Board of Councilors (BOC) and the Board of Specialty Societies (BOS). The AAOS Nominating Committee will present its slate of nominees to the Fellowship by Nov. 11, 120 days prior to the Business Meeting at the AAOS 2021 Annual Meeting. The AAOS Nominating Committee members are William J. Maloney, MD, FAAOS (CA), chair; James R. Andrews, MD, FAAOS (FL); Daniel J. Berry, MD, FAAOS, (MN); Cassim M. Igram, MD, FAAOS (IA), BOC/BOS representative; Douglas W. Lundy, MD, FAAOS (GA); Mark D. Miller, MD, FAAOS (VA); and Ken Yamaguchi, MD, FAAOS (MO). Wilford K. Gibson, MD, FAAOS (VA), was elected as the alternate member of the committee.

AAOS Fellows voted on three proposed bylaws amendments and recommendations to retain the five-year review of AAOS resolutions. Balloting concluded on June 4. Bylaws amendments 1, 2 and 3 were not approved. The five AAOS resolutions were retained.

Study Assesses Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Surgery Training Module

A study published in the June 15 issue of the Journal of the AAOS ® evaluated the Fundamentals of Arthroscopy Surgery Training workstation in terms of increased proficiency and retention of basic arthroscopy skills in first-year medical students. Over a six-week period, the average module completion time significantly decreased. The total workstation time improved most significantly from week one to week two. After a 12- and 24-week interval of inactivity, the mean workstation time and errors did not significantly differ compared to the initial six-week study.

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A study published online in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders assessed the correlations between physical function and lean body mass (LBM) and loss of bone density and strength in hip fracture patients. Eighty-one patients aged older than 60 years were assessed for distal tibia total volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD TOT ) and compressive strength index (BSI) and mid-tibia cortical vBMD and bending strength index in both legs at baseline and one year. Predictors of distal tibia vBMD TOT and BSI decline in both legs were a lower Short Physical Performance Battery score and difficulty walking outdoors. Lower LBM also predicted distal tibia vBMD TOT decline.

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A study published in the June issue of The Journal of Hand Surgery compared clinical deficits between above- versus below-elbow nerve injuries. Fourteen above- and 16 below-elbow patients with unrepaired ulnar nerve injuries were included. The rate of clawing and proximal interphalangeal extension lag, or its occurrence in the ring or little finger, did not largely differ between above- and below-elbow ulnar nerve lesions. In the below-elbow injury group, grasping, key pinch, and pinch-to-zoom in the normal hand decreased by 62 percent, 51 percent, and 75 percent, respectively, compared to 59 percent, 61 percent, and 76 percent, respectively, for above-elbow injury patients.

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A study published online in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics observed an increased risk for acute compartment syndrome (ACS) in patients with pediatric Monteggia fractures (MF) or Monteggia equivalents (ME) compared to type 3 supracondylar humerus (T3-SCH) fractures. Among 59 MF/ME patients (age range, two to 12 years) requiring operation, nine (15.3 percent) sustained ACS compared to 0.9 percent (n = 2/230) of T3-SCH fractures. Sex, Bado type, and MF versus ME were not correlated with ACS risk. ACS risk factors included MF/ME with preoperative vascular deficits and intramedullary fixation of the radius; a trend was observed between MF/ME with preoperative neurological deficits and ACS.

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Accepting DOs into Medical and State Societies

This year is exciting for the allopathic and osteopathic residency programs, with the implementation of a single Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accreditation system. Osteopathic physicians have been associate members of AAOS, and now that they can become full members, more may consider joining. What this means for residents and orthopaedic organizations remains to be seen. Terrence M. Philbin, DO, FAOAO, president of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics, provided input on possible implications.

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