OrthoClips Podcast Series

Welcome to Ortho Time Machine episodes where we explore pivotal moments and game-changing innovations in orthopaedic surgery. In this episode, we’ll journey through the life and legacy of Dr. Paul Harrington, whose work in spinal instrumentation changed the field forever.

You’ve probably heard of the Harrington Rod. It was the first widely successful spinal implant, designed to treat severe scoliosis and spinal deformities. But the story of how it came to be, and the man behind it, is as remarkable as the device itself.

Before Dr. Harrington’s innovation, scoliosis was often managed with rigid body casts, prolonged bed rest, and traction. These methods were not only uncomfortable but also largely ineffective for severe cases. It was clear that a transformative solution was needed.  

Enter the ingenuity and unwavering commitment of Dr. Harrington. Let’s dive in.

The Ortho Time Machine episodes continue with the remarkable journey of Total Knee Arthroplasty, or TKA—a procedure that has transformed the lives of millions suffering from debilitating knee arthritis.

In this episode, we’ll focus on the significant contributions of Dr. John Insall, whose innovative designs and surgical techniques elevated TKA to the gold standard it is today. From early prosthetic designs to complex revision systems, Insall’s work revolutionized how we treat degenerative knee diseases.

Join me as we unpack the fascinating evolution of knee arthroplasty, including the setbacks, breakthroughs, and the visionary leadership of Dr. Insall.

In this chapter of the Ortho Time Machine episodes, we’re focusing on a game-changing innovation that transformed the way surgeons diagnose and treat joint disorders. Masaki Watanabe and many others helped to pioneer arthroscopic surgery and gave orthopaedic surgeons a new way to see and treat inside joints without large incisions.

It’s hard to imagine modern orthopaedics without arthroscopy. Whether it’s repairing a torn meniscus, reconstructing an ACL, or repairing a rotator cuff, arthroscopy has become a cornerstone of our field. But how did it all begin? Who were the pioneers that made it possible? And what were the challenges along the way?

Join me as we dive into the fascinating story of arthroscopy, its early skeptics, and the visionary surgeons who saw its potential.

Welcome back to Ortho Time Machine episodes where we uncover the most transformative moments and figures in the history of orthopaedic surgery. In this episode, we’re delving into the extraordinary life and work of Gavriil Ilizarov—a man who, against all odds, revolutionized limb reconstruction and deformity correction. (Note that some of the character voices are computer-generated acting and not actual footage.)

Season 6 of the OrthoClips Podcast Series features a new mini-series entitled “Ortho Time Machine”, where we travel through the fascinating history of orthopaedic surgery, exploring the game-changing moments that shaped our field. In this first episode, we’re stepping into the operating theater of one of the most brilliant minds in orthopaedics: Sir John Charnley, the father of modern total hip arthroplasty, or THA. (Note that some of the character voices are computer-generated acting and not actual footage.)

We cover two recent review papers on the topic: “An Update on Spinal Cord Injury and Current Management” by Carroll et al in the October 2024 JBJS Reviews, and “Updates in the Early Management of Acute Spinal Cord Injury” by Lambrechts et al in the September 1, 2023 issue of JAAOS. Urgency of spinal decompression, controversies with methylprednisolone, emerging neuroprotective and regenerative therapies, and optimizing spinal cord perfusion are covered.

We review the results of the recent RCT published in the September 4, 2024 JBJS entitled “Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Versus Sham in the Treatment of Operatively Managed Scaphoid Nonunions: The SNAPU Randomized Controlled Trial” by White and coauthors from the Wrist and Elbow Research Group of Canada (WECAN).

We review “Integrated Dual Lag Screws Have Higher Reoperation Rates for Fixation Failure Than Single Lag Component Cephalomedullary Nails: A Retrospective Study of 2,130 Patients with Intertrochanteric Femoral Fractures” from the September 18, 2024 JBJS. This compared patients treated with the Trigen InterTAN with DPS TFNA and Stryker Gamma 3. The authors are Christian Gonzalez and the Hip Fracture Nail Study Group.

Does far cortical locking improve healing for management of distal femur fractures, compared to standard locked plating? We discussed the findings from the randomized control trial entitled “Far Cortical Locking Versus Standard Constructs for Locked Plate Fixation in the Treatment of Acute, Displaced Fractures of the Distal Femur” by Dr. Kelly Lefaivre and colleagues from the Canadian Orthopaedic Trauma Society in the October 2, 2024 edition of the JBJS. This was a multi-center international randomized control trial performed across 16 centers on adult patients with AO type 33A and 33C fractures. This technology has been around for a while, but these are some long-awaited results so tune in to find out more.

We are discussing three papers from the August 2024 volume of the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, all from the Young Femoral Neck Fracture Working Group. This includes 26 North American trauma centers with over 500 young adult patients with femoral neck fractures. The first paper focuses on optimal fixation strategies, the second focuses on isolated femoral necks versus neck/shaft fractures, and the third focuses on how treatment failure appears to increase with age.