Share the Academy’s safety information
As orthopaedic surgeons, our job is to repair broken, torn, and damaged bones and tissue. But as compassionate physicians, we are also committed to helping our patients, their families, and all Americans avoid musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.

In 2000, the Academy launched the Prevent Injuries America! (PIA) campaign to teach our patients and the public how to build and maintain strong bones, and avoid injury while living an active life.

Since that time, AAOS has distributed more than 100 PIA news releases. In the past year alone, these releases have provided tips on preventing injuries while golfing, gardening, wearing a backpack, and trick-or-treating, as well as preventing falls during the holidays, avoiding back pain while doing chores or traveling, improving flexibility, pain medication safety, and fireworks safety.

The PIA news releases consistently result in prominent print, online, and broadcast stories. They’re also posted on the Academy’s website and social media pages, and can be easily shared with your patients, your community, and on your practice website and social media pages.

You also can reach out to your local media, share a PIA news release, and offer your availability for an interview. And remember that our Academy’s public relations staff is always available to help prepare you for a media opportunity!

The following are a few ideas on how you can stay on top of, and regularly access, PIA news and tips:

• Follow AAOS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at: Facebook.com/AAOS1, Twitter.com/AAOS1 and Instagram.com/aaos_1. If you post or link to a PIA news release, tag us and use hashtag #PreventInjuriesAmerica.
• Visit the AAOS Newsroom at: Newsroom.AAOS.org/AAOSNews/. New PIA releases are posted regularly.
• Visit the PIA page at: Newsroom.AAOS.org/Patient-Resources/Prevent-Injuries-America/. There are 43 PIA news releases. If you don’t immediately see the topic you’re looking for, simply type it or the name of the sport in the search bar.
• Visit the newly redesigned OrthoInfo.org for patient safety and other musculoskeletal health information.

We want our patients and their families to enjoy life. The Academy’s PIA program enables them to do so safely by providing tips and information that help prevent orthopaedic injuries.

Alan S. Hilibrand, MD, is the chair of the AAOS Communications Cabinet.

Orthopaedic Surgeons Help YOU Prevent Injuries with Safety Tips Year-Round (PDF)