Twitter as a communication tool for orthopedic surgery.

Twitter is a social networking Web site that has changed the way information is communicated. This study involved identifying, categorizing, and reviewing orthopedic Twitter profiles. A total of 412 profiles were identified. Of those, 176 (50.3%) were surgeons; 89 (50.5%) were based in the United States and 77 (43.8%) were not (10 unclassified). Most surgeons were young; 66% of surgeons were board certified within the past 10 years. Only a small percentage of orthopedic surgeons and practices currently use Twitter, but the use of social networking for orthopedic communication is likely to play an increasing role in future clinical practice. Copyright 2011, SLACK Incorporated.