2026 Journal CME: Complications after low-velocity ballistic femur fractures a series of 104 patients at a level 1 trauma center

Accreditation Statement: The Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation:  OTA designates this journal-based CME for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, learners will be able to:

1. Describe the rates and types of complications after surgically treated low velocity civilian femur fractures.
2. Explain which injury- or treatment-specific factors are associated with increased complication rates.
3. Classify the most common bacteria identified in fracture-related infections of ballistic femur fractures.

Faculty

• Authors: Madhav A. Karunakar, MD; Brianna R. Fram, MD; Nainisha Chintalapudi, MD; Rachel B. Seymour, PhD

Read this on the OTA International Journal site

Original release date: 01/02/2026

Expiration date: 01/02/2027

Estimated time to complete activity: 1 hour

Statement of Need/Description/or Summary of Gap Analysis:

While blunt open fractures have been studied extensively, complications after ballistic fractures have been less well reported. The correlation between injury characteristics, patient factors and treatment factors, has not been well delineated. For ballistic femur fractures, which are typically treated operatively, modifiable factors such as operative debridement and administration and timing of antibiotic prophylaxis have not been studied in relation to complications such as nonunion and infection. There is a need to better understand how these factors affect risks of complications to optimize treatment of these injuries. 

Instructional Format: This Orthopaedic Trauma Association International Journal CME activity consists of a journal article, a quiz, and an evaluation.

Method of Participation: There are no fees for members to participate in this activity. Non-members must pay $30. This online activity consists of an article, a self-assessment exam, and an evaluation. To receive AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ credit, participants must read the journal article, successfully complete the post-test quiz, and achieve a minimum score of 75% on the quiz. The quiz includes 4 multiple choice questions. Learners will be asked to read each question, select an answer, and review the section of the article where the answer is found. Learners will be able to review the content and repeat the quiz as many times as needed. Upon achieving a score of 75% or higher, learners will be asked to complete a post-activity evaluation. A certificate of credit or participation will be available upon successful submission of the post-activity evaluation.

Disclosures:

The Orthopaedic Trauma Association has implemented a policy to comply with the current Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education requiring mitigation of all conflicts of interest. Faculty declaring a relevant commercial interest must be identified in the activity syllabus and/or program.

In accordance with disclosure policies of OTA and the ACCME, every effort has been made to ensure all CME activities are balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous. These policies include complying with ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education and mitigating all relevant conflicts of interest for all individuals in control of content.  

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated

All disclosures are available on the "Disclosure" tab.

Disclaimer: The information in this educational activity is provided for general medical education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient's medical condition. The viewpoints expressed in this CME activity are those of the authors/faculty. They do not represent an endorsement by the OTA.  In no event will the OTA be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance upon the information provided through this CME activity.

Commercial Support: There is no commercial support for this activity