Study: Cost-effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery Prior to THA
According to a study published in the July issue of The Journal of Arthroplasty, bariatric surgery was a cost-effective strategy in morbidly obese patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). Morbidly obese patients with end-stage hip osteoarthritis underwent THA either immediately or two years after undergoing bariatric surgery (combined protocol). From a societal perspective, the combined protocol was more effective and less costly than immediate THA. More than 95 percent of the time, the combined protocol was considered the cost-effective strategy from a societal and payer perspective.
Study Identifies Predictors of Dissatisfaction After TKR
A systematic review published online in International Orthopaedics identified factors associated with dissatisfaction following total knee replacement (TKR). A total of 181 relevant articles were included in the review. When considering the results of the quality assessment, the following factors were considered the most important in terms of improving postoperative TKR satisfaction: a negative history of mental health problems, use of a mobile-bearing insert, patellar resurfacing, severe preoperative radiological degenerative change, negative history of low back pain, no/less postoperative pain, good postoperative physical function, and preoperative expectations being met.
Study: Do Baseline Pain Levels Affect Reverse TSA Outcomes?
A retrospective study published online in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery compared reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) patients with minimal preoperative pain versus higher baseline pain. Patients with at least moderate baseline pain (n = 195) were matched 3:1 to patients with minimal pain (n = 65). Recent postoperative function, overall improvement in functional scores, and active motion did not largely differ between the groups. Only patients with moderate pain had improved pain scores. Patients with minimal preoperative pain were less satisfied than those with moderate pain.
Study: Association Between Smoking and ICU LOS in Spine Trauma Patients
According to a retrospective study published in the July issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, a history of smoking significantly increased the intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) among spine trauma patients. Among 181 spine trauma patients with an ICU stay, 96 were smokers and 85 were nonsmokers. The smoking cohort had a significantly longer LOS (11.0 days versus 8.01 days). When adjusting for confounders, the following factors independently increased ICU LOS: smoking, age ≥ 65 years, body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m 2, and American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale score Smoking did not largely impact pneumonia or adult respiratory distress syndrome.
HHS Announces Additional Funding for Healthcare Providers
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced additional COVID-19 relief funding for healthcare providers. About $3 billion will be distributed to hospitals that service a significant percentage of vulnerable patients on thin margins, and about $1 billion will go to specialty rural hospitals, urban hospitals with specific rural Medicare designations, and hospitals located in small metropolitan areas.
AAOS Now Special Edition: Academy Award Recipients Honored
Each year, AAOS bestows its Humanitarian Award, Diversity Award, and Tipton Leadership Award on members during the Annual Meeting. This year, the recipients were recognized in the AAOS Now Special Edition, which provides virtual content from the Annual Meeting Virtual Experience. This year’s award recipients were:
