Speaker: New classification system will simplify periprosthetic fracture management in joint replacementTwo surgeons have developed a new classification system called the UCS, or Universal Classification System, which will help simplify existing joint replacement periprosthetic classification systems, according to a presenter, here.
“It is a system that attempts to unify the classification systems available to us around the world that are somewhat counterproductive because they are, for reasons that are difficult to understand, different from each other,” Clive P. Duncan, MB, FRCS(C), stated in his presentation at the Current Concepts in Joint Replacement Winter Meeting. Duncan developed the Universal Classification System with Fares Haddad, MB, FRCS.
“The goal of this project that we have been involved in to take what some would characterize as the ‘Tower of Babel’ of orthopedics and convert it instead into a system so we can approach these fractures that have very common features, common principles, [and] talk the same language when we are trying to measure outcomes,” Duncan said.
According to Duncan, the UCS applies the Vancouver Classification System and applies it to all periprosthetic fractures “regardless of the joint involved or the bone that is broken, with proven excellent agreement among independent observers.”
Duncan said the classification system will appear in an introductory chapter of the upcoming AO Foundation manual on the management of periprosthetic fractures
Reference:
Duncan CP. Paper #1. Presented at: Current Concepts in Joint Replacement Winter Meeting; Dec. 12-14, 2013; Orlando, Fla.
Disclosure: Duncan receives a remuneration for teaching from and is a paid consultant for DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction and receives a remuneration for teaching from Zimmer.