Julie A. Switzer, MD
Research Investigator
About

HealthPartners Medical Group title: Director, Geriatric Trauma Program, Regions Hospital; orthopedic surgeon.

Education and training: MD, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California; residency in orthopaedic surgery, University of Washington; fellowship in Vail in sports medicine and trauma, Vail, Colorado.

Overview/research interests: Dr. Switzer’s clinical and research interests include trauma, geriatric orthopedics and diseases of bone metabolism.

Current research activities and funding:

  • Geriatric Fracture Program Quality Improvement and Assurance
  • Geriatric Mobile Outreach, an intervention in a prospective cohort of patients
  • Development of a Geriatric Fracture Registry
  • Asymptomatic shoulder function in elderly individuals
  • Elder abuse awareness and physician education
  • Morbidity and mortality of geriatric proximal humerus fracture
  • The role of palliative hip fracture surgery and family caregiver satisfaction
Affiliation
positions
  • Research Investigator, Orthopedic trauma
  • Research Investigator, TRIA Research and Education Center
    • Publications While At HealthPartners
    Highlights
    selected publications
    Journal Article
  • Functional outcomes after nonoperative management in older adult low-energy stable and unstable ankle fractures: a retrospective review of 158 patients. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2024
  • Hip fracture patterns, hospital course, and mortality differ between males and females. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2024
  • Iatrogenic open humeral shaft fractures following functional bracing. 
    Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery. 2024
  • Exposing the care conundrum of low-energy pelvic ring fractures in older adults: a review of 322 patients. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2023
  • A quality improvement project addressing the underreporting of delirium in hip fracture patients. 
    International journal of orthopaedic and trauma nursing. 2022
  • AAOS management of hip fractures in older adults evidence-based clinical practice guideline. 
    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2022
  • Creative bracing: a descriptive overview of an alternative technique for non-operative fracture management of frail older adults. 
    International journal of orthopaedic and trauma nursing. 2022
  • High rates of imminent subsequent fracture after femoral neck fracture in the elderly. 
    Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American Volume). 2022
  • Hip fracture care in Parkinson disease: a retrospective analysis of 1,239 patients. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2022
  • Low-energy suspiciously open proximal humerus fracture management in older adult patient: a case report. 
    Trauma case reports. 2022
  • Outcomes after revision fixation with cement augmentation for failed intertrochanteric fracture fixation in older adult patients. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2022
  • Low-energy pelvic ring fractures: a care conundrum. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2021
  • Medial femoral circumflex artery pseudoaneurysm following intramedullary nailing for intertrochanteric fracture. 
    Trauma case reports. 2021
  • Minimizing nonessential follow-up for hip fracture patients. 
    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews. 2021
  • Outcomes of COVID-19 negative hip fracture patients during the acute and subacute pandemic. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2021
  • Own the fall: AOA critical issues. 
    Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American Volume). 2021
  • Arthroplasty versus internal fixation for the treatment of undisplaced femoral neck fractures: a retrospective cohort study. 
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2020
  • Clockwise torque of sliding hip screws: is there a right side?. 
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2020
  • Development of a questionnaire to assess patient priorities in hip fracture care. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2020
  • Early radiographic union score for hip is predictive of femoral neck fracture complications within 2 years. 
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2020
  • Factors associated with mortality after surgical management of femoral neck fractures. 
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2020
  • Geriatric fracture patients require special care during the pandemic. 
    AAOS (American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons) Now. 2020
  • Predictors of loss to follow-up in hip fracture trials: a secondary analysis of the FAITH and HEALTH Trials. 
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2020
  • The FAITH and HEALTH Trials: are we studying different hip fracture patient populations?. 
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2020
  • Venous thromboembolism in hip fracture patients: a subanalysis of the FAITH and HEALTH Trials. 
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2020
  • Femoral neck shortening after hip fracture fixation is associated with inferior hip function: results from the FAITH Trial. 
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2019
  • Loss of independence after operative management of femoral neck fractures. 
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2019
  • Mobile outreach: an innovative program for older orthopedic patients in care facilities. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2019
  • A prospective look at the link between frailty and shoulder function in asymptomatic elderly individuals. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2018
  • Frequent 911 fall calls in older adults: opportunity for injury prevention strategies. 
    Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2018
  • Ten years of EMS fall calls in a community: an opportunity for injury prevention strategies. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2018
  • Fracture fixation in the operative management of hip fractures (FAITH): an international, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. 
    Lancet (London, England). 2017
  • Geriatric fracture care: future trajectories: a 2015 AOA Critical Issues Symposium. 
    Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American Volume). 2017
  • Geriatric orthopaedics: a new paradigm for management of older patients
    2017
  • Management of acetabular fractures in the elderly. 
    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2017
  • Predictors of mortality in elder patients with proximal humeral fracture. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2017
  • Rethinking orthopaedic decision-making for frail patients with hip fracture: Commentary on an article by Marilyn Heng, MD, FRCSC, et al.: "Abnormal mini-cog is associated with higher risk of complications and delirium in geriatric patients with fracture". 
    Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American Volume). 2016
  • Implant removal after internal fixation of a femoral neck fracture: effects on physical functioning. 
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2015
  • Osteoporosis in acute fractures of the cervical spine: the role of opportunistic CT screening. 
    Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. 2015
  • The use of computed tomography attenuation to evaluate osteoporosis following acute fractures of the thoracic and lumbar vertebra. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2014
  • (Sample) size matters! An examination of sample size from the SPRINT trial study to prospectively evaluate reamed intramedullary nails in patients with tibial fractures. 
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2013
  • Surgical time of day does not affect outcome following hip fracture fixation. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2013
  • Management of high-energy acetabular fractures in the elderly individuals: a current review. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2012
  • Use of a fibular strut allograft in an osteoporotic distal humerus fracture: a case report. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2012
  • Is it osteoporosis or elder abuse?. 
    AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) Now. 2011
  • An opportunity for improving osteoporosis treatment in home health care. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2010
  • The history of the halo skeletal fixator [historical article]. 
    Spine. 2009
  • Strategies for fracture prevention in the elderly US Musculoskeletal Review
    2007
    • Chapter
  • Polytrauma in the elderly. 
    Musculoskeletal trauma in the elderly. 2016
  • Wilderness orthopaedics. 
    Wilderness medicine. 2012
  • Wilderness orthopaedics. 
    Wilderness Medicine. 2007
    • Conference Poster
  • Development of a patient-centered outcome measure for the elderly orthopaedic hip fracture patient [poster]
    2018
  • Development of a patient-centered outcome measure for the elderly orthopaedic hip fracture patient [poster]
    2017
  • Is yoga better than aerobic/strengthening exercises for managing knee osteoarthritis in older adults [poster]?
    2016
  • Three-dimensional gait analysis in a healthy geriatric cohort [e-poster]
    2016
  • Immediate sarmiento bracing for the treatment of humeral shaft fractures [poster]
    2015
  • Non-operative hip fracture management in the elderly: patient characteristics and predictors of mortality [poster]
    2014
  • A comparison of the effect of aging on the presentation and management of acute fractures of the thoracic spine [poster]
    2013
  • A survey of high energy acetabular fractures in elderly patients [poster]
    2013
  • A survey of high energy acetabular fractures in elderly patients [poster]
    2013
  • Advanced age as a factor in acute thoracic spine fractures [poster]
    2013
  • An evaluation of the role of age on resource utilization and outcome in acute fractures of the cervical spine [poster]
    2013
  • Does geriatric status impact the presentation and management of acute fractures of the lumbar spine? [poster]
    2013
  • Geriatric high energy acetabular fractures [poster]
    2013
  • Geriatric status as a factor in acute lumbar spine fractures [poster]
    2013
  • The role of advanced age on outcome and resource utilization in acute fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine [poster]
    2013
  • An opportunity for improving osteoporosis treatment in home health care [poster]
    2010
  • Subtrochanteric femoral fractures associated with alendronate therapy: a case series [poster]
    2008
  • Subtrochanteric femoral fractures associated with alendronate therapy: a case series [poster]
    2008
    • Review
  • AAOS clinical practice guideline summary: management of hip fractures in older adults [systematic review]. 
    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2022
  • Fracture risk assessment: an update [review]. 
    Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American Volume). 2021
  • Hip fracture care during the COVID-19 pandemic: retrospective cohort and literature review [review]. 
    OTA Int. 2021
  • Management of geriatric elbow injury [review]. 
    Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 2021
  • Assessing bone mineral density following acute hip fractures: the role of computed tomography attenuation [review]. 
    Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 2015
  • Elder abuse: an update on prevalence, identification, and reporting for the orthopaedic surgeon [review]. 
    Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2012
  • High-energy skeletal trauma in the elderly [review]. 
    Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American Volume). 2012
  • Overcoming barriers to osteoporosis care in vulnerable elderly patients with hip fractures [review]. 
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2009
  • Resolving controversies in hip fracture care: the need for large collaborative trials in hip fractures [review]. 
    Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2009
  • What's new in orthopaedic trauma [review]. 
    Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American Volume). 2008
    • presentations
    Presentation
  • A comparison of the effect of aging on the presentation and management of acute fractures of the cervical spine [presentation], EuroSpine (Annual Meeting of the Spine Society of Europe)
  • Aging, beauty and the human skeleton [presentation], Women's Health Annual Conference (10th)
  • Autumn and winter of life: falling leaves-broken bones--geriatric trauma [presentation], Trauma Nursing 17th Annual Conference
  • Best practices for managing discharge relationships and emerging technology: mobile outreach programs [presentation], International Geriatric Fracture Society 2017 Annual Meeting
  • Broken bones, osteoporosis and better ways to care for our older patients [presentation], Discovery Showcase: Medicine Reimagined, University of Minnesota
  • Common elbow injuries [presentation], Orthopaedic Update for Primary Care Conference
  • Controversies in geriatric care in orthopaedics [instructional course lecture], American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2016 Annual Meeting
  • Does surgical treatment, hospital admission or discharge facility predict mortality in elder patients with fractures of the proximal humerus [presentation]?, Minnesota Orthopaedic Society Annual Meeting
  • Early radiographic union score for hip is predictive of femoral neck fracture complications within 2 years [presentation], Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting
  • Fracture fixation in osteoporotic bone: principles and techniques [presentation], University of Minnesota, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Fractures in the elderly [presentation]
  • From fracture prevention to innovative injury treatment strategies: bone health across a lifetime [presentation], Minnecollege in Florida
  • Geriatric fracture management [presentation], Sanford 2017 Trauma Symposium
  • Geriatric fracture management [presentation], Sanford Health
  • Geriatric orthopaedic considerations [presentation], Primary Care Update: Pathways to Knowledge
  • Geriatric orthopaedic medicine [presentation], Hennepin County Medical Center, Department of Medicine
  • Immediate sarmiento bracing for the treatment of humeral shaft fractures [presentation], American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2016 Annual Meeting
  • Immediate sarmiento bracing for the treatment of humeral shaft fractures [presentation], Minnesota Orthopaedic Society Annual Meeting
  • Indications and treatment options for proximal humerus fractures: treatment options for difficult fractures [presentation]
  • Management of the geriatric fracture patient [presentation]
  • Men and osteoporosis [presentation], AOA Own the Bone Charlotte Symposium: Fragility Fracture Care Coordination and Secondary Fracture Prevention
  • Non-operative hip fracture management in the elderly: patient characteristics and predictors of mortality [presentation], Mid-America Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting
  • Nonsurgical management of hip fracture in the nursing home [presentation], Minnesota Association of Geriatrics Inspired Clinicians (MAGIC) Annual Conference
  • Opportunistic computed tomography screening for osteoporosis in acute fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine [presentation], Orthopaedic Research Societies 8th Combined Meeting
  • Opportunistic computed tomography screening for osteoporosis in acute fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine [presentation], American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting
  • Orthopaedics in the nursing home [presentation]
  • Osteoporosis in acute fractures of the cervical spine: the role of opportunistic computed tomography screening [presentation], American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting
  • Osteoporosis treatment in a home health care population [presentation], Minnesota Health Services Research 14th Annual Conference
  • Patient function following femoral neck shortening and varus collapse after cancellous screw fixation of isolated femoral neck fractures: a multi-center cohort study [presentation], Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) 23rd Annual Meeting
  • Regions Geriatric Fracture Program (GFP): mobile outreach as an innovative, integral part of comprehensive elder fracture care [presentation], Minnesota Orthopaedic Society 2013 Annual Meeting
  • Regions Geriatric Fracture Program (GFP): mobile outreach as an innovative, integral part of comprehensive elder fracture care [presentation], Mid-America Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting
  • Sex in your orthopaedic practice - AAOS Women's Health Issues Advisory Board [presentation], American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting Scientific Exhibit
  • Surgical time of day does not affect outcome following hip fracture fixation [presentation], Minnesota Orthopaedic Society (MOS) Annual Meeting
  • Ten years of EMS fall calls: an opportunity for injury prevention strategies in the elderly [presentation], IGFS (International Geriatric Fracture Society) 2017 Annual Meeting
  • The effect of age on the frequency of hypothyroidism in patients presenting with acute fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine [presentation], EuroSpine (Annual Meeting of the Spine Society of Europe)
  • Three-dimensional gait analysis in a healthy geriatric cohort [presentation], International Geriatric Fracture Society Annual Meeting
    • Invited Talk
  • Healthy aging [keynote speaker], Healthy Aging: Spotlight on Orthopaedic Research and Care, University of Minnesota
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    full name
  • Julie A. Switzer, MD
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    Publications
    Publications in the past 10 years based solely on publications while at HealthPartners. Publications in prior years appear in grey.
    Collaboration
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