In this issue …President’s Perspective ....................... 1,2

Specialty Day 2018 .............................. 1,3

Surgical Complications Recap ................ 2

Submit Annual Meeting Abstracts .......... 4

New ABOS Foot and Ankle Exam .......... 5

Fellowship Match Update ....................... 6

Educational Opportunities ...................... 7

New FAI and FAO Features .................... 9

Foundation Update ............................... 10

Apply for Traveling Fellowships ..............11

OFAR Enrolls Sites ................................11

Meet a Grant Recipient .........................12

Resident Scholarship Deadline ..............12

Thank You, Corporate Donors ................13

Consumer Campaign Toolkit ..................14

Coding Corner .......................................15

Advocacy Victory ...................................15

Membership Matters .............................16

IN~STRIDEVolume 31, Issue 4 ~ Fall 2017

R E C O N S T R U C T I O N • S P O R T S M E D I C I N E • T R A U M A • T E C H N O L O G Y

Registration and housing are now open for AOFAS Specialty Day 2018 on Saturday, March 10, 2018, at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Registrants will attend the AOFAS program from 7:00 am to 2:20 pm and a combined session with the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society (LLRS) from 2:30 to 4:45 pm. The AOFAS program consists of five symposia and three scientific paper sessions, and includes a boxed lunch. Symposia topics include: • Healthcare in the New Era (Early Bird Symposium)• Controversy in Sport OCD/Instability• Forefoot: Hallux Rigidus - Help with

Surgical Decision Making• Procedures You Started With • Release the Hounds: “Magic” and

Arthrodesis

“This Specialty Day program features experienced senior clinicians discussing foot and ankle problems we all face, offering their historical perspectives on current procedures, and exploring osteobiologic adjuncts to arthrodesis,” said Sheldon S. Lin, MD, program chair.

“I am on the east coast with undriveable roads and no power… it was like an atomic bomb had been deployed and our neighborhoods ceased to exist.

Streets we had driven on our whole lives were totally unrecognizable.”

That’s Sophia E. Deben, MD, of Miami, Florida, describing the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. We had a chance to chat by email when the AOFAS extended an offer of help and support after the devastating hurricanes last fall. Through the many responses from our members in the affected areas, I was reminded of the community of surgeons we’ve created locally, nationally, and internationally.

Sophia continued, “I am grateful to the surgeons in my area who happen upon any of my displaced patients and welcome them back to our office once the shingle lights up again!” That’s what neighbors do — they have each other’s backs.

Another community within the AOFAS is the army of volunteers who serve on our 17 different committees. Each one

is led by a tireless chair and vice chair who are committed to making sure we get the best of research, education, and advocacy for our common interests.

In mid-September, these leaders had an opportunity to meet in Chicago at a Board and Committee Chair Retreat to discuss better ways to serve our members. As our Society grows larger, the way we work together must become more structured and organized than when we were a smaller band of brothers. This collaboration will provide for more inclusion, diversity, and transparency in serving our members. Our leaders for tomorrow will be trained in the science of organizations that includes technology and budgets, as well as tested methods of communication. That’s what neighbors do — volunteer their time to make the community better.

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Thomas H. Lee, MD

continued on page 2

As our Society grows larger, the way we work together must become more structured and organized. This collaboration will provide for more inclusion, diversity, and transparency in serving our members.

Register now for Specialty Day 2018

continued on page 3

AMERICAN ORTHOPAEDIC FOOT & ANKLE SOCIETY2

IN~STRIDE Volume 31, Issue 4Fall 2017 © 2017 AOFAS

9400 W. Higgins Road, Suite 220 Rosemont, IL 60018-4975phone 800-235-4855 and 847-698-4654fax 847-692-3315email aofasinfo@aofas.orgwww.aofas.org • www.footcaremd.org

Christopher W. DiGiovanni, MD, EditorJessica Dornfeld, Managing Editor

AOFAS 2017-18 Board of DirectorsThomas H. Lee, MD, President

J. Chris Coetzee, MD, President-Elect

William C. McGarvey, MD, Vice President

Christopher W. DiGiovanni, MD, Secretary

Bruce E. Cohen, MD, Treasurer

Jeffrey E. Johnson, MD, Immediate Past PresidentMark E. Easley, MD, Past President

Samuel B. Adams Jr., MD, Member-at-LargeJohn G. Anderson, MD, Member-at-Large

Gregory P. Guyton, MD, Member-at-Large

Sandra E. Klein, MD, Member-at-Large

AOFAS Staff

Elaine Leighton, MPH, CAE Executive Director

Michelle Adams Director of Education

Michael Bates, MS, CFRE Director of Development

Katherine Wochos, MA Director of Quality Initiatives

Jessica Dornfeld Marketing Communications Manager

Krista Stewart Membership Manager

Christine Johnson Fellowship Senior Coordinator

Natasha Roman, MA Accounting Senior Coordinator

Ann Farrell Education Coordinator

Mary Feller Office Coordinator

James Walwark IT Coordinator

Pat Heiberger Executive Assistant

Finally, our largest community is the International Federation of Foot & Ankle Societies (IFFAS), of which the AOFAS is an active member. On September 29-30, 68 countries met in Lisbon, Portugal, to share the latest in science and research. Eighty-five active AOFAS members took time out of their practices to meet with more than 1,000 surgeons from around the world.

In his 2005 book, Thomas Friedman declared that “The World Is Flat” — meaning that innovations in science, communication, and travel have leveled the playing field between established societies and the emerging market. It was evident at IFFAS that our world of foot and ankle truly has shrunk from flat to tiny, as innovation could be seen coming from every corner of the world.

For the AOFAS to continue to thrive in this rapidly competitive environment, we must focus on creativity, diversity, and innovation through our open community. Our leadership in the global community will rely on our ability to create new ideas and share them with all our partners.

Another example of the AOFAS’ international involvement is the upcoming joint meeting between the AOFAS and the Chinese Orthopaedic Association (COA) and its 60,000 members. In mid-November, 10 AOFAS members will participate as faculty to teach and share their thoughts on the changing science of foot and ankle. This is a valuable opportunity for our Society to engage with our global community. The COA is the largest orthopaedic association in the world, and China ranks second in number of submissions to Foot & Ankle International and accounts for a substantial amount of the international nonmember attendees at our Annual Meeting.

Requests for future joint meetings are being evaluated to determine if they may bring value to our membership as well as new members into our community. Because that’s what neighbors do — we share. I believe this spirit of collaboration is one of our Society’s greatest strengths.

Respectfully,Thomas H. Lee, MD

President Perspective continued from page 1

Austin, Texas, was the site of the 2017 AOFAS Surgical Complications of the Foot and Ankle Course, held October 26-28 at the Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol. Through lectures and case discussion, the course offered practical solutions to the most challenging surgical problems. The course drew more than 125 attendees from 13 countries. Attendees were encouraged to bring their own difficult cases and had ample opportunity to analyze them with the faculty and colleagues. “The smaller course size enabled attendees to have direct interaction and meaningful discussion with the faculty,” said Course Chair William C. McGarvey, MD. “We covered complex scenarios and solutions that attendees can

apply to their own needs and practice dilemmas.”

In addition to Dr. McGarvey, faculty included Course Co-Chair Gregory C. Berlet, MD; Robert B. Anderson, MD; Michael E. Brage, MD; Bruce E. Cohen, MD; Scott J. Ellis, MD; Steven L. Haddad, MD; James R. Holmes, MD; Carroll P. Jones III, MD; Jeremy J. McCormick, MD; Murray J. Penner, MD, FRCSC; and W. Bret Smith, DO, MSc.

Surgical Complications Course tackles challenging conditions

IN~STRIDE • FALL 2017 3

Dr. Lin added, “Significant time is built in for case presentations and discussion during each session to engage audience participation.”

Joint session takes on controversial issuesThe afternoon wraps up with a joint session between AOFAS and LLRS. Co-chaired by Scott J. Ellis, MD, from AOFAS and Austin T. Fragomen, MD, from LLRS, this debate-style session will cover controversies in foot and ankle surgery. Topics include:• Failed TAR• Post Traumatic Arthritis• Charcot Midfoot• Ankle Deformity and Osteoarthritis

“The session will stir controversy as to whether these complex problems should

be approached with external or internal fixation,” Dr. Ellis shared. “Perhaps more importantly, we can learn how to work together with our LLRS colleagues to salvage limb threatening pathology and maximize patient outcomes.”

CME hoursSpecialty Day will offer 8.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ through accreditation from AOFAS for both programs. For updates on the program agenda and speakers, visit www.aofas.org/specialtyday.

Make your plans to attendSpecialty Day 2018 registration and housing are now open. Register and reserve housing through the AAOS by visiting www.aaos.org/annualmeeting.

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Submit abstracts for Annual Meeting 2018The AOFAS Program Committee invites you to submit an abstract for presentation at AOFAS Annual Meeting 2018, to be held July 11-14 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Abstracts may be submitted for oral or poster presentations. Note that authors may be offered an alternate presentation format if the preferred format is not accepted.

Abstracts must be submitted electronically to be considered. All authors must complete their disclosures of conflicts of interest via the AAOS Orthopaedic Disclosure Program for the abstract to move on for review. The abstract submission site will close January 9, 2018, at 11:59 pm Central Time. The AOFAS Program Committee will review submissions in a blinded fashion and send notifications to the submitting author in late February.

Submissions are limited to 500 words, and one figure or table may be included with the text. The submitting author will serve as the corresponding author for all notifications.

For full author submission guidelines, access to the abstract submission site, and additional information about Annual Meeting 2018, visit www.aofas.org/annualmeeting.

Credit: Boston Harbor Association Credit: Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau

IN~STRIDE • FALL 2017 5

In 2016, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) announced changes to the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process, including

the introduction of a written Practice Profiled Examination in Foot and Ankle. This change will allow surgeons to earn recertification through a test that is focused on foot and ankle as opposed to the general recertification exam.

The development of this exam has involved a collaboration between the AAOS and AOFAS. As a first step, the organizations selected subspecialists who could assist psychometricians from the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) in identifying content that accurately reflects the current state of clinical practice.

The ABOS Practice Profiled Examination Blueprint Development Advisory Committees initially met in Philadelphia at the NBME in February of 2017. This group of foot and ankle fellowship-trained practitioners served as subject matter experts to determine the content of the exam and the areas of knowledge it should cover to best represent our specialty. It is important that this exam measure the necessary knowledge for surgeons to safely and effectively perform within specialized practice areas.

From this meeting came an examination “blueprint” that reflected the relevant foot and ankle knowledge in the appropriate proportions. This blueprint was subsequently distributed to a larger group to develop a consensus in terms of content. Based on this feedback, the NBME prepared an initial form of the examination utilizing the ABOS question bank.

On July 23, 2017, the ABOS Foot and Ankle Practice Profiled Recertification Examination Review Committee convened in Chicago to evaluate the proposed bank of questions. The ABOS selected Ned Amendola, MD, as the committee chair with Patrick B. Ebeling, MD, James R. Ficke, MD, Simon Lee, MD, Sheldon S. Lin, MD, and myself as committee members.

Prior to the meeting, each committee member reviewed all 150 questions proposed for inclusion in the first offering of the examination. In addition, each member was assigned 30 questions from the bank to evaluate in-depth for their content, accuracy, and relevance to clinical practice. Ms. Tricia Manning, managing editor of the NBME, and Dr. David Martin, executive medical director of the ABOS, also attended this meeting.

At the meeting, each question was read aloud by its assigned member, discussed by the committee, and either approved or denied for inclusion. Most questions were accepted in their submitted form while others were slightly edited for grammar and clarity. Some questions were set aside and will be replaced with new questions or with questions from the ABOS question bank.

Thanks to the efforts of the ABOS, AAOS, and AOFAS, as well as the AOFAS members who volunteered their time to participate in this detailed process, the Practice Profiled Examination in Foot and Ankle will offer an additional pathway by which ABOS Board-certified orthopaedic surgeons who practice foot and ankle surgery can demonstrate their continued competency in their subspecialty.

For more information about the Practice Profiled Examination or the MOC process, visit www.abos.org.

New Practice Profiled Examination in Foot and Ankle takes shapeBrian C. Toolan, MD, ABOS Foot and Ankle Practice Profiled Recertification Examination Review Committee New

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AMERICAN ORTHOPAEDIC FOOT & ANKLE SOCIETY6

Attention residents! Submit your application now for the 2018 AOFAS-sponsored Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Fellowship Match for 2019-20 positions. Although many programs are accepting applications through March 5, 2018, some have earlier deadlines, and programs may begin interviewing applicants as of December 1.

This year 49 programs are participating in the match, offering a total of 78 fellowship positions. As of November 1, 69 applications for foot and ankle fellowship positions had been completed and distributed, while an additional 19 applications were in process.

The Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Fellowship Match is designed to be a transparent, unbiased process in which applicants are matched to foot and ankle fellowship programs on a competitive basis. Interested applicants must register and apply through SF Match, a fellowship

matching service. After receiving the application, SF Match processes it and distributes it to the selected programs. SF Match also administers the matching process.

The AOFAS Executive Office handles all overarching administrative functions and supports the programs and applicants by addressing questions or concerns, and managing communication, data collection, and statistical analyses.

The Fellowship Match Committee, chaired by James R. Holmes, MD, oversees the process to ensure the continued integrity of the Match.

For more information, visit www.aofas.org/fellowshipmatch. Any questions on the Fellowship Match Program may be directed to the AOFAS Executive Office at 800-235-4855 or +1-847-698-4654 (outside US) or aofasinfo@aofas.org.

Fellowship Match update: Program interviews begin soon

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• March 26, 2018 (noon): Rank lists due to SF Match

• April 3, 2018: Match Day

IN~STRIDE • FALL 2017 7

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I n t r o d u c i n g D y n a F O R C E T M

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December 12, 2017 AOFAS LIVE WEBINAR: ONLINE JOURNAL CLUB: BEST OF FAI 2017Moderator: J. Kent Ellington, MD, MSwww.aofas.org/webinars

March 10, 2018 • New Orleans, LouisianaAOFAS SPECIALTY DAY 2018President: Thomas H. Lee, MDProgram Chair: Sheldon S. Lin, MDwww.aofas.org/specialtyday

July 11-14, 2018 • Boston, MassachusettsAOFAS ANNUAL MEETING 2018President: Thomas H. Lee, MDProgram Chair: Sheldon S. Lin, MDPre-meeting Chair: W. Bret Smith, DOwww.aofas.org/annualmeeting

MOC SCORED AND RECORDED CMETwo FAI CME exams available • Earn 10 credits each

• AOFAS Members: Log into www.aofas.org and access through the Members

Only page

• Non-member FAI Subscribers: journals.sagepub.com/home/fai

ONLINE RECORDINGSSubscribe for one-year access

• COMPLETE FOOT CARE COURSE (2014) www.aofas.org/completefoot

AOFAS MembersTo receive reduced member pricing, log into your member account at www.aofas.org before registering for courses, meetings, and webinars, or before purchasing an online subscription to recordings.

AOFAS® EDUCATIONA M E R I C A N O R T H O PA E D I C F O O T & A N K L E S O C I E T Y®

www.aofas.org • aofasinfo@aofas.org 800-235-4855 or +1-847-698-4654 (outside US)

NEW DATE

AMERICAN ORTHOPAEDIC FOOT & ANKLE SOCIETY8

FAI is a benefit of AOFAS membership!Dues-paying AOFAS members receive the monthly print edition

of the journal plus online access to current and past issues.

• Earn up to 10 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ per exam

• Multiple-choice exams based on each volume year

• May complete exams on multiple devices over time

• Unlimited retakes to pass

• Each exam fee only $100

Open to individual FAI subscribers

Earn MOC Scored and Recorded Credits

FAI CME Exams2016 • 2015

www.aofas.org • aofasinfo@aofas.org • 800-235-4855 or +1-847-698-4654 (outside US)

2016 exam now available!

AOFAS Members: Access the journal and FAI CME exams through the Members Only section of www.aofas.org.Not a member? Discover all the benefits of membership and apply at www.aofas.org/membership.

IN~STRIDE • FALL 2017 9

Foot & Ankle OrthopaedicsEditor-in-Chief: L. Daniel Latt, MD, PhDFreely available, open access sister publication to FAI, with the same reviewers and rigorous editorial standards.

• Now available! Cutting-edge research: Abstracts from the 2017 AOFAS Annual Meeting

• Coming soon! Review articles from top experts in the field covering the fundamentals of foot and ankle surgery.

• Submit your work! FAO is accepting submissions for original research, novel techniques and hot topics, systematic reviews, and case reports. Articles are freely available worldwide at the time of publication.

Online access: journals.sagepub.com/home/fao

Submit to FAO: mc.manuscriptcentral.com/fao

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Foot & Ankle InternationalEditor-in-Chief: David B. Thordarson, MDFAI is the highest-rated journal of all foot and ankle journals worldwide (based on Impact Factor).

• Listen! Podcast interviews with the authors from the top featured article in each issue: footandankle.sage-publications.libsynpro.com

• Watch! Surgical technique videos featured with select articles with an operative technique:

journals.sagepub.com/page/fai/suppl/video-data-supplements

• Learn! FAI CME Exams offering scored and recorded self-assessment credits with up to 10 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ per exam:

www.aofas.org (Members Only section)

Online access:• AOFAS Members: Access through the Members Only section of www.aofas.org

• Nonmember subscribers: Visit journals.sagepub.com/home/fai

Submit to FAI: mc.manuscriptcentral.com/fai

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Foot&Ankle I n t e r n At I o n A l ®FAI

journals.sagepub.com/home/fai

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Official journal of the AOFAS®

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VolumE 38 - NumbEr 11 - NoVEmbEr 2017

Have you visited the Foot & Ankle International® (FAI) and Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics® (FAO) journal websites lately? Take advantage of the latest content and features from the official journals of the AOFAS.

AMERICAN ORTHOPAEDIC FOOT & ANKLE SOCIETY10

WHY? Three letters; one simple word. WHY?At least it seems simple, right? Your kids or grandkids ask “why” all the

time, don’t they? Why do I have to go to my sister’s dance recital? Why do we have to visit Grandma? Why is the sky blue and the grass green? Why do I have to practice the clarinet today? If “because I said so” is not your default answer, “why” is not so simple to answer, am I right? As president of the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation, I’m often asked by my colleagues — Why? Why should I give to The Foundation? Why should I support Campaign 50? So, borrowing from former late-night talk show host David Letterman, here are my top 10 reasons why:

10. You were the beneficiary at one time of an AOFAS program or project. Traveling Fellowship, Resident Scholarship, fellowship dues grant, humanitarian trip to Vietnam, and

so on.

9. AOFAS and The Foundation are fiscally prudent and financially stable 501(c)(3) organizations.

8. You are proud to be a physician, proud to be a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon, and proud to be a member of the AOFAS.

7. You know many members who have served as leaders of the Society and The Foundation. You have high regard for them and what they have done for the Society and the profession in those volunteer roles.

6. A Society member you know and respect asks you to join him or her in supporting The Foundation and Campaign 50.

5. You have been mentored or trained by one of the many Society icons and wish to honor that individual with a commitment in his or her name.

4. You have a history of being actively and meaningfully involved with the Society or The Foundation as a volunteer committee

member or chair, Board member, webinar presenter, course faculty member, journal contributor or reviewer, etc.

3. You have great interest in a specific priority of Campaign 50 and wish to see it funded through your giving.

2. Individual philanthropy has a very high ceiling; therefore, real growth for the members of AOFAS will come via our collective increased philanthropic support. While we certainly appreciate our industry partners, you should know that, nationwide, 87 cents of every philanthropic dollar come from individuals like you and me. Growing individual philanthropy is crucial to our long-term success.

And, the Number 1 reason why you should support Campaign 50 and The Foundation: You fervently believe in the mission and value of our Society.

So, as I wrote in my Summer column, to those of you who have already given back to the Society and the profession through Campaign 50, I thank you. To those who have not yet given, I ask that when you are contacted, you consider making a commitment. A Campaign 50 commitment is a rock-solid investment in the mission of our Society, and therefore, an investment in our profession as well as an investment in your career. Thank you for your generosity.

Why?Bryan D. Den Hartog, MD, President, Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation and Chair, Campaign 50

Bryan D. Den Hartog, MD

Foundation Gifts and Pledges …Thank you for your support!

Let’s push forward to $3 million!

$3 million

$2 million

$1 million

$0

Goal: $3 million by 2019 • AOFAS 50th Anniversary

Foundation Gifts and Pledges …Thank you for your support!

Let’s push forward to $3 million!

$3 million

$2 million

$1 million

$0

Goal: $3 million by 2019 • AOFAS 50th Anniversary

11IN~STRIDE • FALL 2017

The Traveling Fellowship Program offers a special opportunity for early-career AOFAS members to attend AOFAS Annual Meeting 2018 in Boston and visit

leading institutions in foot and ankle education and research. The program is open to AOFAS Active, Candidate, and International Members who are 45 years old or younger at the time of application.

Funded by the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation with support from DJO Global, the program brings Traveling Fellows to host sites in multiple cities where they observe in operating rooms, learn new surgical techniques, and present their own research. The 2017 Traveling Fellows visited institutions in Seattle, Washington; Salt Lake City, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Submit your application for the 2018 Traveling Fellowship Program by December 1, 2017. To learn more and download the application, visit www.aofas.org/travelingfellows.

Apply now for 2018 Traveling Fellowships

Traveling Fellows observe a calcaneus fracture surgery with Stephen K. Benirschke, MD, at

Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Photo courtesy of Dr. Amgad M. Haleem.

The 2017 Traveling Fellows (left to right): Gillian E. Jackson, MBChB; Sjoerd A. Stufkens,

MD, PhD; Kevin D. Martin, DO; Chayanin Angthong, MD, PhD; and Amgad M. Haleem, MD, PhD.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Haleem.

Innovative technology, reimbursement, and practice paradigm shifts are redefining the practice of healthcare in the United States. There are a number of strategies important to the long-term viability and success of the specialty and the Society, but high on the list is the need for quality data.

We are pleased to report that the AOFAS Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Outcomes Research Network (OFAR) has begun to enroll Phase I Managerial Board sites and collect data. The OFAR registry has the ability to produce data unlike other registries and reimbursement reporting tools due to the collection of patient-reported outcomes (PRO).

The process to build this registry has been lengthy yet necessary. We anticipate that the long hours spent developing content, road mapping workflows, and negotiating contracts

will ensure rapid recruitment and onboarding of AOFAS member participants. The first site to enroll completed contracts in less than a week and enrolled the first patient a week later.

Currently, pilot sites are actively enrolling patients. These patients will complete outcome surveys at baseline, three-month, six-month, and 12-month intervals. Patients enrolling now will complete their six-month follow-up in March, shortly after AOFAS Specialty Day. The OFAR Managerial Board looks forward to reporting progress at AOFAS Annual Meeting 2018 in Boston.

Healthcare in the United States is changing rapidly and presenting a huge challenge for practitioners. Those medical specialties that are unable or unwilling to adapt will be left behind. At AOFAS, we will not simply

meet this challenge; we will define the future for the next generation based on clinical data. OFAR data will facilitate quality initiatives, optimize reimbursement, spark innovation, and improve shared decision making with patients. “OFAR will allow us to look at the work we do and make sure that we’re performing at a high level and employing the best techniques and technology to make our patients’ lives better,” said OFAR Managerial Board Member Ross A. Benthien, MD, MPH. Visit www.aofas.org/ofar to learn more about this groundbreaking initiative. OFAR is funded by the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation, with a broad, multistakeholder base. For more information about individual or corporate support opportunities, visit www.aofas.org/foundation.

OFAR enrolls first sites

AMERICAN ORTHOPAEDIC FOOT & ANKLE SOCIETY12

The AOFAS, with support from the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation, has been awarding research grants to members for 20 years! AOFAS

Research Grant recipients have had great success, including presentations at meetings, published articles, and additional grants. We asked Amiethab A. Aiyer, MD, recipient of a 2017 AOFAS Small Project Research Grant, to share his insight.Read on and make sure to submit your 2018 cycle grant application by December 1, 2017.

Project Name: Regional Epigenetic Responses of a Human Talar Cartilage to Impact Injury: An Investigation into Mechanisms of Post Traumatic Ankle ArthritisAmiethab A. Aiyer, MD; Chun-Yuh Huang, PhD; Jonathan R.M. Kaplan, MD; Anish R. Kadakia, MD; Spencer Summers, MD; Hayley Ennis, MD

Q: How did you feel about being selected as a grant recipient? A: It solidified that I had an idea worth looking at and could be completed in a reasonable amount of time. I was

humbled to know that some of the brightest minds in our community on the selection committee, including people I look up to and respect dearly, respect my work and ideas. For them to acknowledge the idea with a grant is a big honor.

Q: What is your research question?A: The basic goal of the project is to better understand the mechanism of impact injury on changes to the cartilage and subsequent development of arthritis. We hope to identify the types of injuries that increase susceptibility for early onset of arthritis. We want to more clearly identify how to detect this and how best to treat it.

Q: When did you start preparing your submission?A: We submitted close to the deadline, but I would say that most of the preparation took three months. I talked to the people I wanted to work with in early spring and started piecing everything together in early summer. It took some time to get all individuals involved to complete their pieces of the application. You probably need about six months to determine if you have the resources, equipment, etc. to carry out your project.

Q: Why do you think it is important for the Society to support research? A: In our field, what we do is predicated on our ability to understand the patient’s history, physical exam, and deformities. No two patients are the same. Research is vital to helping one another and aiding our ability to do right by our patients consistently. Research provides data that enables us to guide our patient care to the best of our abilities. As part of the grant process, winners are encouraged to present their findings at AOFAS meetings and submit manuscripts to AOFAS journals. Be on the lookout for Dr. Aiyer’s results! The 2018 AOFAS Research Grants cycle is currently open. AOFAS members are encouraged to apply and spread the word to their interested colleagues, from early-career researchers through experienced investigators. As eligibility for grant awards is an AOFAS membership benefit, the principal investigator or co-investigator must be an AOFAS Active, Candidate, or International Member. To learn more about the Research Grants Program and access the online application portal, visit www.aofas.org/researchgrants.

Meet an AOFAS Research Grant recipient

AOFAS accepting Resident Scholarship applicationsOrthopaedic residents in US and Canadian programs are encouraged to apply for the AOFAS Resident Scholarship Program, an incredible opportunity for PGY-1, PGY-2, and PGY-3 residents to attend AOFAS Annual Meeting 2018 in Boston as guests of the Society, meet future colleagues, and gain insight into the foot and ankle specialty. The program

is funded by the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Foundation.

Scholarships include registration fees for all Annual Meeting activities, lodging at the meeting, and a stipend for travel expenses. In addition, Resident Scholars attend an exclusive gathering where they can meet and network with experienced foot and ankle surgeons who serve as

“mentors” in the program, as well as other Resident Scholars.

Applications for the 2018 Resident Scholarship Program are due March 1, 2018. Recipients will be selected by the AOFAS Awards & Scholarships Committee and announced in the spring. For more information and the application, visit www.aofas.org/residentscholarship.

Amiethab A. Aiyer, MD

13IN~STRIDE • FALL 2017

2017 Corporate DonorsThe AOFAS and The Foundation gratefully acknowledge these companies for their generous support.

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Silver Level: $50,000 to $99,999

Bronze Level: $25,000 to $49,999

Copper Level: $5,000 to $24,999

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A G L O B A L E X T R E M I T Y C O M P A N Y

AMERICAN ORTHOPAEDIC FOOT & ANKLE SOCIETY14

The AOFAS’ new awareness campaign encourages consumers to look for the “O” — Orthopaedic — when choosing a foot or ankle healthcare provider. Through the campaign website, myFootCareMD.com, and other materials, the campaign highlights the specialized training and expertise of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons.

Help spread the word! The AOFAS has developed an online “toolkit” of campaign materials for members. Here are five easy things you can do to promote our specialty and your practice in your community:

1. Link to myFootCareMD.com on your practice website and/or

social media pages. This website provides consumers

with valuable information about what a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon is and the advantages of seeing one. The site drives visitors to locate a physician near them through the “Find a Surgeon” online directory of AOFAS members.

2. Give campaign brochures to prospective patients and

referring physicians. A colorful four-page brochure is

available for members to order from the AOFAS or download and print locally. You can also post the PDF on your practice website as a resource for patients.

3. Share campaign infographics online.

Recently added to the toolkit, vibrant infographics are a great way to educate and engage prospective patients. Post them on your practice website or social media pages.

4. Distribute fact sheets in your waiting room or at community events.

Also new to the toolkit are one-page fact sheets offering information about foot and ankle health for patients. With space to add your practice information, they are effective tools for reaching new patients.

5. Reach out to local media with a press release. The online toolkit includes a press

release that you can customize with your practice information. Simply download the document, add your information in the highlighted areas, and email it to healthcare reporters

at local newspapers and radio and television stations.

To access the materials and find more ways to leverage the campaign, visit www.aofas.org/toolkit (member login required).

Are you using the consumer campaign toolkit?

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The AOFAS online member search is new and improved! Check it out at www.FootCareMD.org and click on “Find a Surgeon.” To update your profile, log into the Members Only page at www.aofas.org and select “My Profile” or email membership@aofas.org.

IN~STRIDE • FALL 2017 15

CODING CORNER

Recommendations for lateral ankle ligament reconstruction proceduresRaymond J. Sullivan, MD, Chair, AOFAS Practice Management Committee

When billing for lateral ankle ligament reconstruction procedures, you have a few different coding options, based on the technique you employ in surgery.

27695: Repair, primary, disrupted ligament, ankle, collateral. RVU 13.6.This code should be utilized for isolated primary repair of single collateral ankle ligament for acute rupture.

27696: Both collateral ligaments. RVU 15.9.This code should be utilized if both the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments are reconstructed primarily for acute rupture.

27698: Repair, secondary, disrupted ligament, ankle, collateral (e.g., Watson-Jones procedure). RVU 18.4.This code should be utilized for secondary ligament reconstruction with augmentation of the reconstruction with Gould modification, split or complete peroneal tendon augmentation.

Common coding mistakes: 1. 27691 should not be utilized for Evans

or Watson-Jones type augmentation utilizing the peroneal tendon.

2. The 27675 code for repair of dislocating peroneal tendons should not be utilized for repair of the peroneal retinaculum when it is incised during a lateral ankle ligament reconstruction. Cases in which there is a previously defined diagnosis of dislocating peroneal tendons are the exception.

3. The codes 27640, 27641, and 28120 should not routinely be utilized for exostectomies during ligament reconstruction or tendon augmentation.

4. Biopsy codes for non-tumor cases should not be utilized in addition to lateral ankle ligament reconstructive codes.

5. Fluoroscopic evaluation under anesthesia can be used with the lateral ankle ligament reconstruction unless arthroscopy is performed simultaneously. If arthroscopy is performed simultaneously, then the fluoroscopic evaluation under anesthesia is considered as part of the arthroscopy code.

Advocacy victory for AOFAS membersAs a result of advocacy by AAOS, supported by AOFAS and other orthopaedic societies, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently withdrew a proposed rule that would have added burdensome requirements for practitioners to fabricate orthotics and prosthetics. The rule, titled Establishment of Special Payment Provisions and Requirements for Qualified Practitioners and Qualified Suppliers of Prosthetics and Custom-Fabricated Orthotics (CMS-6012-P), called for physicians and therapists to obtain licensing in orthotic/prosthetic management. In March 2017, the AOFAS co-signed a formal comment letter from AAOS that urged CMS to maintain the current law’s standards and definitions of qualified providers.

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1. Kevin E Varner, MD, Joshua D Harris, MD The Proximal Fifth Metatarsal Metadiaphyseal Jones Fracture: Intramedullary Screw vs Plantar Plate. Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine, 2017; 25:2: 59-66

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AMERICAN ORTHOPAEDIC FOOT & ANKLE SOCIETY16

Resident MembersDaniel D. Bohl, MD, MPH*Kipp A. Cryar, MD*Jason A. Wiechert, DO*2017 Resident Scholar

Fellow MembersEildar Abyar, MDSteve B. Behrens, MDSherif A. Dabash, MD, MBBSAlex J. Davis II, MDMario I. Escudero, MDYechiel N. Gellman, MD, MScJames Lachman, MD

Candidate Members Camille Connelly, MDDavid M. Walton, MD Active Member Christopher T. Hogg, DO

ELEVATING MEMBERSCongratulations to the AOFAS members who have advanced to the next level of membership.

Fellow to Active Todd B. Smith, MDJerry G. Xing, MD, FRCS

Fellow to International Meshal A. Alhadhoud, MBChBYousef A. Alrashidi, MBBS Manit Arora, MDStefan Clockaerts, MD, PhDDanielle Wadley, MBBS

Fellow to Candidate Michael R. Anderson, DO Gillian A. Bayley, MDKatherine M. Bedigrew, MDTodd R. Borenstein, MDBrandon Bucker, MD

Leroy Butler, DOJustin P. Colanese, MDChristopher M. Diefenbach, MDTonya L. Dixon, MD James I. Dupree, MDJessica A. Faught, MD, MSAnto Fritz, MDDaniel J. Fuchs, MD Kenneth S. Gerszberg, MD Gearin A. Green, MD Stephen Greenfield, MDMatthew J. Griffin, MD Akash Gupta, MDAndrew R. Harston, MDDavid E. Jaffe, MDAashish V. Jog, MD Shaun A. Kink, MDMichal Kozanek, MD, PhDAlec A. Macaulay, MDHelena Hoff Meyer, DO Bryan Monier, MD Allan David Mora, MDRyan P. Mulligan, MDKaitlin C. Neary, MD Natalie M. Nielsen, MDDavid R. Orsini, MD Brian T. Perry, MD Brian Powell, MDGuillermo F. Duarte Prieto, MDSeth H. Richman, MD Jefferson B. Sabatini, MDKatherine Sage, DO Oliver N. Schipper, MDDaniel L. Seidman, MD Thomas I. Sherman, MDMatthew G. Stewart, MDBrandon A. Taylor, MD Jessica J.M. Telleria, MDJustin Tsai, MD Dmitry Tsvetkov, MDEmily C. Vafek, MDJane C. Yeoh, MDDiana S. Young, MD Nicole Zappa, DO, MHA

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

AOFAS recognizes new and elevating membersAs of September 14, 2017, the AOFAS Board of Directors approved 13 new members. We welcome them to the membership and thank them for their commitment to the Society and the specialty.

It’s time to renew your membership!Pay your 2018 dues online quickly and securely by logging into your member account at www.aofas.org. Click on your dues invoice, add it to your shopping cart, and submit payment via the Society’s secure system. Contact the AOFAS at 800-235-4855 or +1-847-698-4654 (outside US) if you need assistance or would like to pay by phone.

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