I would like to welcome the readership to Supplement 2 of The
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, which presents, in paper
form, twenty-four selected scientific exhibits (twelve in Part 1
and twelve in Part 2) that were presented at the sixty-eighth Annual
Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, held in
San Francisco, California, this past March. Its purpose is to enhance
the educational process relative to innovative surgical techniques, clinical
series reports, and laboratory investigations. The exhibits, reformatted
into paper form, were selected from among seventy presented at the
Academy Meeting and were subjected to peer review. Each exhibit
was first read by subcommittees who were asked to establish content
innovation and critical value. The exhibits were again reviewed
as presented on the floor of the meeting by the Committee on Exhibits
and these outstanding exhibits were finally selected for publication.
The supplement provides a source of permanence for these works
beyond the meeting, which, it is hoped, will enhance the knowledge
base of the practicing orthopaedic surgeon. The presented material
covers many facets of the practice of orthopaedic surgery, and its
condensed format should provide readable commentary in a timely
manner. Recognizing that the construction of a scientific exhibit
is an arduous undertaking, I hope that this publication end-point
provides an incentive for future submissions.
No undertaking of this size occurs without enthusiastic support,
and this certainly is the case here. I would like to extend thanks
both to The Council on Education and to Dr. Heckman, our Journal
editor, for their encouragement of this pursuit. Lastly, the countless
hours that were unselfishly spent by the Committee members/reviewers
in the pursuit of orthopaedic excellence deserve our recognition.
I would also like to recognize the essential function of our Academy
staff members, Pat Whitaker and Mary Jo Heflin.