Thermal Damage in Orthopaedics : JAAOS – Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
used to a surgeon’s benefit, most commonly for hemostasis and local control of tumors. It is simultaneously one of the most dangerous by-products of orthopaedic techniques as a result of burring, drilling, cementation, and electrocautery and can severely damage tissues if used improperly. Similarly, cooling can be used to a surgeon’s advantage in some orthopaedic subspecialties, but the potential for harm to tissues is also great. Understanding the potential of a given technique to rapidly alter local temperature—and the range of temperatures tolerated by a given tissue—is imperative to harness the power of heat and cold. In all subspecialties of orthopaedic surgery, thermal damage is a relevant topic that represents a direct connection between preclinical and clinical practice….