From the Editor's Desk: A Focus on Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Ronald G. Amedee

While preparing the table of contents for this winter 2016 issue, it became apparent to me that once again I was looking at a collection of excellent papers that focus on a specific specialty. It is with great pride that we publish this issue with a focus on orthopedics/sports medicine. A total of 8 manuscripts in this focus area are included in this issue: 7 are original research articles and 1 is an interesting case report. Our Featured Contributors for this issue, Drs George Chimento and Mark Meyer, are coauthors on the Sumarriva et al original research article “Preoperative Acute Inflammatory Markers as Predictors for Postoperative Complications in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.” Another interesting original research article by Vansadia et al highlights “Neurectomy Outcomes in Patients with Morton Neuroma: Comparison of Plantar versus Dorsal Approaches.” The collage of photos on the cover of this issue encapsulates the surgical progression of an “Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Femoral Trochlear Dysplasia.” I'd like to acknowledge Drs Vansadia and Jones who took these remarkable photographs.

Additional original research articles in this issue include “The Penumbra 5MAX ACE Catheter Is Safe, Efficient, and Cost Saving as Primary Mechanical Thrombectomy Device for Large Vessel Occlusions in Acute Ischemic Stroke” by Drs Vidal and Milburn and “Validation of the Patient Global Impression of Improvement for Penile Prosthesis” by Douglas et al.

Four reviews and contemporary updates are included in this issue, including one from Drs Yaxley and Pirrone that offers a “Review of the Diagnostic Evaluation of Renal Tubular Acidosis.” Another by Dr Bazzano et al provides “A Review of Herbal and Pharmaceutical Galactagogues for Breastfeeding.” Dr Re presents “Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Intracrine Biology,” and Dr Amin looks at “Choosing Nonvitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants: Practical Considerations We Need to Know.”

Finally, this issue contains 6 case reports on various topics, including hemorrhagic stroke at 20 weeks of pregnancy due to venous malformation, sarcoid uveitis, serotonin syndrome with fluoxetine, and esophageal granular cell tumor.

As we close out 2016 and anticipate all that 2017 will have in store for each of us, I would again like to thank all who make this publication possible. The list begins with the many authors who have submitted their scholarly products for peer review in the Journal. Calendar year 2016 has resulted in the largest number of submissions for consideration for publication in the Ochsner Journal in its 17-year history. Our outstanding reviewers and production team at Ochsner represent the “special sauce” that makes everything happen. Thank you to all, and I wish you and yours the best in the New Year!

In fall 2017, we are planning to publish a special celebratory issue that will help to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the founding of Ochsner. We are currently looking for the highest quality articles for inclusion in this issue. Manuscripts that help us recall the rich history of our organization are of particular interest. The deadline for submissions to be considered for possible inclusion in this issue is April 15, 2017.