Annual Meeting Offers Something for Everyone

The 2013 AAOS Annual Meeting in Chicago promises to be an exciting mix of education, networking, and exhibits. The scientific program began yesterday and includes the following:

29 symposia on cutting-edge orthopaedic topics presented by leading experts
825 paper presentations and
578 posters on the latest orthopaedic research
216 instructional courses—including 11 surgical skills courses, the Orthopaedic Review course, and a course designed for those planning practice transitions
more than 85 scientific exhibits on extended studies or complex procedures
Specialty Day, featuring 14 orthopaedic specialty societies.

In addition, more than 550 technical exhibits will be on display today through Friday in the Exhibit Hall.

Steven L. Frick, MD

At the Orthopaedic Video Theater attendees can view a range of surgical videos.

During the Guided Poster Tours, poster presenters have the opportunity to discuss their research and answer questions.

Symposia
“This year’s scientific program covers all areas of orthopaedics. In addition to clinical topics, symposia topics are designed to inform attendees about issues of quality, compliance, and diversity,” said Steven L. Frick, MD, chair of the Central Program Committee. “The following are among my picks for top symposia.”

Debates on the Use of BMP in Spine Surgery (March 21, 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., McCormick Place Room S406)—An evidence-based update on the risks of using bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in the spine, a review of the controversy in the literature regarding the reporting of adverse events, and a debate on the merits/indications of BMP usage in the spine will highlight this symposium.
Women as Surgeons and Patients: Obstacles and Solutions for Increasing Diversity and Improving Care (March 22, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., McCormick Place Room S105)—Coordinated by the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, this symposium will look at communication differences, sex-specific medical and social issues, and ways to overcome gender disparity in the orthopaedic profession.
Best of the AAOS (March 22, 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m., McCormick Place Room S406)—Moderated by Annunziato Amendola, MD, and Brian J. Cole, MD, this interactive symposium will feature the best papers and posters in each classification as chosen by the Annual Meeting Program Committee chairs. “Plan to attend this symposium, especially if you’ve missed some of the paper sessions,” said Dr. Frick.
New Concepts Regarding Athletic Induced Mild Traumatic (Concussion) and Catastrophic Brain Injuries (March 22, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., McCormick Place Grand Ballroom)—Best practices, policies, and education will be discussed with particular attention paid to return-to-play guidelines.

New this year
Every AAOS Annual Meeting strives to bring attendees the latest in clinical and business topics, and the 2013 meeting is no exception. “We are excited to offer a new workshop that focuses on generalists who handle many different orthopaedic maladies along with running their practice,” said Robert A. Hart, MD, chair of the Central Instructional Course Committee.

Moderated by Dwight W. Burney III, MD, the Community Orthopaedist workshop, which was held yesterday, focused on the orthopaedic surgeon who handles a variety of conditions, whether in the emergency department or in the office. The session provided current “best practices” information for commonly encountered orthopaedic conditions and included sessions on organizational issues associated with a general orthopaedic practice.

Returning favorites
Innovations introduced in 2012 will be even better this year, and participants will also be able to enjoy standard favorites of the Annual Meeting, many of which have been enhanced. For example, the Poster Awards Breakfast (March 22, 7 a.m., McCormick Place, Academy Hall B) includes a special ceremony honoring the winners of the best posters in each classification and the overall winner.

The Guided Poster Tours are also back. “After last year’s very successful debut, we are increasing the number of tours offered this year,” said Dr. Frick. Participants include Kenneth E. DeHaven, MD, Franklin H. Sim, MD, and Joseph D. Zuckerman, MD. The schedule of tours is available in the final program and at the Poster/Scientific Exhibit Help Desk in Academy Hall B. (A list of today’s tours can be found on
page 27.)

iPosters—electronic versions of posters or scientific exhibits that include narrative from the presenters—were a hit last year and are anticipated to be even more popular this year. The enhanced website (http://aaos.posterview.com) offers a blog allowing the viewer to question the authors, creating an ongoing dialogue. The Poster/Scientific Exhibits area in Academy Hall B features workstations with personal computers so that attendees can view the exhibits, hear the audio, and participate in the blogs.

The Orthopaedic Video Theater, also in Academy Hall B, features a wide array of peer-reviewed videos and multimedia programs. The unique environment of the Orthopaedic Video Theater enables participants to learn at their leisure.

Instructional courses
“The 11 surgical skills instructional courses offer a unique opportunity for small group learning as well as hands-on training on bone models. Among the topics covered in surgical skills courses are shoulder replacement, shoulder instability, and pediatric spinal deformities. The knee arthroplasty course uses a new knee model. And all surgical skills courses have a strong faculty to registrant ratio,” said Dr. Hart.

“In addition, we are offering a wide array of 2- and 3-hour instructional courses on topics ranging from assembling an orthopaedic team to hip replacement to bone tumors; there will certainly be something for everyone,” he noted.

The Orthopaedic Review Course (March 22, 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m., McCormick Place, Lakeside, Room E354a) is an opportunity for attendees to update their knowledge and sharpen their skills. On-site registration is available.

The free Faculty Development series (see page 31) includes informal sessions that offer attendees an opportunity to improve their presentation skills. Session topics include how to write an abstract and how to improve PowerPoint presentations. Sessions are interactive and participants are encouraged to bring laptops; no registration is
required.

2013 Annual Meeting News
Tuesday through Friday, February 19 – 23, 2013.
http://www.aaos.org/news/acadnews/2013/AAOS3_3_20.asp