THE OFFICIAL NEWS PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA ORTHOPAEDIC SOCIETY
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
Winter 2020 Issue
VCU Medical School News
By Nirav K. Patel, MD, FRCS
It is once again a pleasure to update the society on news from The Department of Orthopaedics at VCU Health, regarding research, clinical, teaching and expansion.
Research wise, we have had two recent publications in JBJS. The first, is by Adult Reconstruction Surgeon Dr. Niraj Kalore, MD, titled ‘Automatic Characterization of Pelvic and Sacral Measures from 200 Subjects’. He and his co-authors created an algorithm to determine acetabular and pelvic orientation from CT scan data. They found their measurements were accurate and reproducible, thus essential to helping with clinical diagnosis and preoperative planning. The second is by our Chairman Dr. Stephen Kates, MD, titled ‘Lack of Humoral Immunity Against Glucosaminidase Is Associated with Postoperative Complications in Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis’.
He and his co-authors compared endogenous anti-glucosaminidase antibody levels to those with operatively treated staphylococcus osteomyelitis. They found patients with antibody deficiency had a significantly higher risk of adverse outcomes, and their presence significantly helped with infection control. Congratulations to both for publishing two important studies in our premier orthopedic journal, that will positively influence patient care.
Clinically, COVID-19 continues to be a challenge for the institution and world, with some uncertainty ahead during the winter months. However, our in-person clinics are returning to near normal capacity with screening and social distancing measures. In addition, our canceled elective surgery backlog has been cleared, with now an increasing caseload of inpatient and outpatient cases. This involves routine testing of all surgical patents and full personal protective equipment for surgeons to maintain high levels of patient and staff safety.
Teaching wise, Dr. Matthew Provencher, MD, from the Steadman Clinic, Vail, CO, is scheduled to be our virtual speaker at the annual Medarva Lecture next month. He will be joined by our residents and fellows for case presentations. Our trainee recruitment process moves into new territory this year due to COVID-19, with virtual interviews for our residency and fellowship programs. Despite restrictions in observer and acting intern roles, these have occurred on a limited basis with a virtual medical student teaching program for prospective residency applicants by our faculty. Needless to say, we still expect the standard of applicants to be high as ever.
Finally, the improvement and expansion of Orthopaedic Surgery at VCU Health continues to advance steadily in multiple locations. These include ongoing updates to our new Colonial Heights offices including dedicated imaging facilities; progressive construction of our new Ambulatory Surgery Center at the NOW Building in Short Pump and; finalization of the contract with William and Mary University to provide care for their students and staff.
VOS 74th |
 |
April 30 - May 1, 2021 Please visit our website at vos.org for updates as they become available. |
JOIN VOS TODAY!
