Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor Clay Spitler, M.D., was selected to co-chair an American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Clinical Practice Guideline Committee on trans-tibial amputations.

Clinical practice guidelines are generated using the best available evidence in the literature on a particular topic that is of interest to the entire AAOS. Sponsored by the AAOS and DOD, this particular committee has important practice implications for civilian and military orthopaedic surgeons treating or performing trans-tibial amputations.

Clinical practice guidelines created by the committee will be logged as an official Ortho Guideline of the AAOS. AAOS Guidelines take twelve to twenty-four months to prepare. This includes the peer review process, period of public commentary and the final approval process. This project is currently underway and will be completed in early 2021.

Spitler is delighted to serve as co-chair of this committee.

“To be nationally recognized as an advocate for continuing education and research in orthopaedic surgery is an honor,” said Spitler. “I look forward to advancing our understanding of trans-tibial amputations and improving patient experiences and outcomes.”

Spitler’s board-certification as an orthopaedic trauma surgeon will support his leadership and expertise on the committee. After finishing medical school at the Medical College of Georgia in 2008, Spitler completed a surgery residency at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga and an orthopaedic trauma fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle. Spitler joined the faculty at UAB in July 2018.