BOA 2023 Hunterian Lecture: Fracture Healing in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Description

In this engaging presentation, Simon Graham, an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Trauma, discusses his research on fracture healing in HIV positive patients. The talk begins with a light-hearted introduction by the moderator, who acknowledges the early start after a long event the previous day and presents the Hunterian Professorship Medal to Graham, who must first earn it with his lecture.



Graham expresses gratitude for the opportunity and candidly shares his experiences, including the surprising realities about common misconceptions in science, like the widely held belief about seeing the Great Wall of China from the moon. He highlights how similar misconceptions persist in medicine, particularly regarding HIV and its perceived impact on fracture healing.



Throughout the lecture, Graham gathers data from his years treating trauma patients in Malawi and South Africa, where the HIV prevalence is significantly higher. He challenges established dogmas in orthopedics by presenting findings from his studies that indicate HIV positive patients do not have a higher risk of delayed healing or nonunion following fractures compared to HIV negative patients. The evidence he shares confronts long-standing notions in medical education and practice.



As he concludes, Graham emphasizes the importance of questioning established beliefs and relying on empirical evidence rather than outdated dogma. His findings suggest that treating HIV positive patients similarly to their HIV negative counterparts is safe and effective. Following the presentation, the audience engages in a thoughtful question-and-answer session, further emphasizing the relevance of his research to current medical practices.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-240924

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