August 2011 Update: Ongoing reports in the media may heighten concerns among patients about joint replacements using metal-on-metal bearing devices. Any concerns — before or after surgery — should be addressed with your orthopaedic surgeon. Nearly 400,000 hip replacement surgeries are performed each year, and the overwhelming majority are uneventful procedures that restore mobility and enhance quality of life for patients.

In July 2011, the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR) completed its pilot data collection program and is now preparing strategies to begin collecting data nationally. Patients will benefit from a joint registry database because it will:

• Track implant devices and enable the initial procedure to be linked to subsequent events
• Enable patients to access their own information while maintaining patient confidentiality
• Identify poorly performing implants, so that physicians can be alerted, allowing earlier interventions
• Allow data to be linked to other databases, providing a better context for research questions
• Build on the data collected to permit risk adjustment, measure outcomes and patient satisfaction, and provide information needed to analyze why and how implants and procedures fail
• In conjunction with clinical studies, improve patient outcomes and ensure patient safety

The AJRR is currently working with federal agencies to clarify the data points that can be released under current legislation. Its goal is to achieve 90 percent participation by hospitals by Oct. 1, 2013.

In February 2011, the FDA issued a communication about metal-on-metal hip replacements.

• Read the media advisory
• Read Questions and Answers About Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants
• Read patient information from the AAOS, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, and the Hip Society about metal-on-metal implants.

Knee: Total Knee Replacement


Hip: Total Hip Replacement


Shoulder: Shoulder Joint Replacement


Foot and Ankle: Care of the Diabetic Foot

Diabetic (Charcot) Foot

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle

Adult Acquired Flatfoot

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction

Lisfranc (Midfoot) Fracture


Hand and Wrist: Arthritis of the Wrist


Sports Medicine: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

Creatine Supplements

Avoid Injury When Clearing the Snow this Winter
Orthopaedic surgeons offer tips to ensure safe shoveling, snow blower use

Safely Skate, Slide and Glide through Winter
Orthopaedic surgeons offer winter sports safety tips

Orthopaedic Surgeons Urge Drivers to Share Stories of Distraction
"Decide to Drive" Campaign Aims to Reduce Car Crashes, Trauma