The research team at OFAC had a tremendous showing at the annual scientific meeting of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) recently in Washington, D.C. This international meeting is the largest orthopedic foot and ankle specialty meeting of the year and has physicians from all across the globe presenting their research and learning new techniques.

OFAC by far had the strongest research presence with 22 poster presentations and 2 abstracts presented on the main stage. Congratulations go out to all the OFAC physician authors including our out-going fellows Drs. DeVries, Cuttica and Ringus. OFAC’s research committee is led by Drs. Berlet and Hyer, but our research success would not be possible without the hard work of Emily Stansbury, our research assistant.

Special Congratulations to Dr. DeVries for winning 3rd Place Award for his poster presentation on Predictive Factors for Major Amputation in Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis with a Retrograde Intramedullary Nail- Utilization of the RAIN Database

Part of our mission at OFAC is heavily rooted in the education and training of future physician leaders in foot and ankle. In addition to our graduating fellows, we had several surgical residents and medical students actively involved in research as well. Congratulations also to resident Drs. Granata and Swiatek and student Dr. Granata for their work and success.

Two abstracts were presented on the national stage: (1) Interpositional Arthroplasty of the First Metatarsalphalangeal Joint Using a Regenerative Tissue Matrix for the Treatment of Advanced Hallux Rigidus: 5 year Case Series Follow-Up, and (2) A Retrospective Comparative Analysis of Charcot Ankle Stabilization Using an Intermedullary Rod with or without Application of Circular External Fixator.

OFAC's Dr. DeVries presenting at AOFAS national meeting

Our 22 academic posters that were presented included:

1. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus Following Arthroscopic Drilling

2. Autogenous Bone Graft Harvest Using Reamer Irrigator Aspirator (RIA) Technique for Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis

3. Outcomes of Treatment in Osteochondral Lesions of the Distal Tibial Plafond

4. Bi-Plane Chevron Medial Malleolar Osteotomy for Increased Exposure of the Medial Talar Dome

5. Wound Complications in Operative Treatment of Calcaneal Fractures

6. Revision Total Ankle Replacement: Agility ™ to INBONE ™ – Anterior and Posterior Approaches to the Difficult Revision.

7. Comparative Analysis of the Union Rate of Revisional Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis with Intramedullary Nailing with or without Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 – Utilization of the RAIN Database

8. Predictive Factors for Major Amputation in Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis with a Retrograde Intramedullary Nail – Utilization of the RAIN Database

9. Evaluating Two Types of Fixation for a 1st Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis: A retrospective comparative cohort

10. Comparative Analysis of the Union Rate of Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis with Intramedullary Nailing with or without Implantable Bone Stimulation – Utilization of the RAIN Database

11. Retrograde Intramedullary Nail Arthrodesis for Avascular Necrosis of the Talus – Utilization of the RAIN Database

12. The Use of Bone Growth Stimulators in Diabetic Patients: A Retrospective Case Series of Ankle Fusions

13. Subchondral Drilling of Full-Thickness Cartilage Defects of the First Metatarsal Head: A Retrospective Case Series

14. Ankle Arthrodesis in High Risk Patients: A Retrospective Review of Implantable Bone Growth Stimulators

15. Lower Extremity Implant Registries: Has the time come in the US?

16. Cannulated Screw Fixation of Jones 5th Metatarsal Fracture: A Comparison of Titanium and Stainless Steel Screw Fixation

17. Porcine Dermal Matrix for Tendon Augmentation, Prospective Multicenter Series

18. Xenograft Soft Tissue Scaffold for Tissue Augmentation in Foot & Ankle Surgeries

19. Surgical Technique: Retrograde Drilling of Medial Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

20. A Retrospective Review of Insertional Achilles Tendinosis Treated with the Dual Incisional Surgical Technique

21. Retrospective Review of First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis Using a Locked Plate and Compression Screw Technique

22. Retrospective Comparison of Four Plate Constructs for First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Fusion: Static Plate, Static Plate with Lag Screw, Locked Plate, Locked Plate with Lag Screw.

We’ll be showcasing our research posters in front of our office each day. If you have interest, please stop by.

As was mentioned in Dr Decarbo’s earlier link, the physicians of OFAC were awarded an “Honorable Mention” in the Manuscript Competition at the 68th Annual Scientific Conference of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons in Las Vegas, Nevada. Congratulations to Dr Decarbo, lead author of the winning manuscript!

OFAC also presented 2 other manuscripts and 12 scientific poster presentations. The physicians of OFAC continue to lead the charge in education and research in the field of foot and ankle surgery. This was the single largest presence of any group or institution in the entire country.

Our other manuscripts were:

1. Evaluation of Two Types of Fixation for a 1st Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis: A Retrospective Comparative Cohort. Authors: Drs. DeVries, Granata and Hyer

2. Age Stratification of Outcomes for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus. Authors: Drs Deol, Berlet, Hyer, Philbin, Lee

Our scientific posters were:

1. A Retrospective Review of First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis Using a Locked Plate and Compression Screw Technique. Authors: Drs Ringus, Swiatek, Hyer

2. A Retrospective Comparative Analysis of Charcot Ankle Stabilization using an Intramedullary Rod with and without Application of Circular External Fixator. Authors: Drs DeVries, Hyer

3. Xenograft Soft Tissue Scaffold for Tissue Augmentation in Foot & Ankle Surgeries. Authors: Drs Hyer, Berlet, Lee

4. Conversion of Failed Total Ankle Arthroplasty to Tibial Stemmed Prosthesis: Techniques for Anterior and Posterior Approaches. Authors: Drs DeVries, Hyer, Berlet, Lee

5. A Retrospective Comparison of Four Plate Constructs for First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Fusion: Static Plate, Static Plate with Lag Screw, Locked Plate, Locked Plate with Lag Screw. Authors: Drs Swiatek, Ringus, Hyer

6. Surgical Technique: Retrograde Drilling of Medial Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus. Authors: Drs Hyer, Berlet, Lee, Granata.

7. Autogenous Bone Graft Harvest Using Reamer Irrigator Aspirator (RIA) Technique for Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis. Authors: Drs Cuttica, DeVries,Hyer

8. Porcine Dermal Matrix for Tendon Augmentation; A Prospective, Multi-center Series. Authors: Drs. Hyer, Liden

9. Cannulated Screw Fixation of Jones’ 5th Metatarsal Fracture: A Comparison of Titanium and Stainless Steel Screw Fixation. Authors: Drs Hyer, Cuttica, DeVries

10. Interpositional Arthroplasty of the First MTP Joint Using a Regenerative Tissue Matrix for the Treatment of Advanced Hallux Rigidus: 5-year Case Series Follow-up. Authors: Drs Hyer, Granata, Berlet, Lee

11. Wound Complications in Operative Treatment of Calcaneal Fractures. Authors: Drs DeCarbo, A. Granata, Hyer

If you have any questions or interest in these posters or manuscripts, please don’t hesitate to contact OFAC for more information.

In addition to our large research presence at ACFAS, the physicians of OFAC also led educational lab and lecture sessions on the following:

1. Advanced Techniques in Diabetic Reconstruction Workshop: Dr Hyer

2. The Evolution of Surgery: Dr Hyer

3. Surgery in the Advanced Aged Flatfoot: Dr Hyer

4. Curbside Consult Forum: Dr DeCarbo

5. Traumatic Complications-Malunited Ankle Fractures: Dr Hyer

6. Cavus Foot Reconstruction Workshop: Dr Hyer

As you can see, the physicians of OFAC are the leading experts in all aspects of foot and ankle care. If you need the highest level of expert care, don’t hesitate to contact us.

I just returned from the annual American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics meeting in Boston. The lectures and exhibits offered a great forum for education, it was also exciting to catch up with old friends. Boston is a fascinating and historic city. However, the highlight of the weekend was getting to spend time with some of OFAC’s previous fellows. Seeing how these fellows have become successful leaders is truly one of the most rewarding things about running our fellowship program.

Dr. Deol, Dr. Saar and Dr. Smith.