A study published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty assessed the safety of same- and next-day discharge after revision total joint arthroplasty (TJA). A total of 183 early discharge revision TJAs in 178 patients were matched to 183 later discharge cases in 165 patients; 62 percent of the cohort was female, the average age was 63 years, and the average body mass index was 32 kg/m 2. There were no significant between-group differences in 90-day emergency department visits or hospital admission rates.
Study Measures Effect of Orthopaedic Oncologists on Education
A study published in the July issue of the Journal of the AAOS: Global Research & Reviews ® evaluated the impact of orthopaedic oncologists on resident operative case volume and performance on in-training examinations. The authors assessed three academic years of data from the William Beaumont Army Medical Center and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center of El Paso before and after the arrival of an orthopaedic oncology faculty member. The addition of the orthopaedic oncology faculty member was associated with a significant increase in the program’s Orthopaedic In-Training Examination ® overall correctly answered questions and oncology subsection percentile, as well as resident oncology case volume.
Study Identifies Predictors of Revision Rotator Cuff Repair
A study published in the August issue of Arthroscopy evaluated factors associated with symptomatic failed rotator cuff repair requiring revision following primary arthroscopic repair A total of 98 patients who sustained retear within two years after primary surgery were stratified into two groups: patients who underwent revision surgery within two years (group 1; n = 44) and patients who did not require further treatment and had minimal discomfort (group 2; n = 54). Group 1 had significantly poorer outcomes than group 2 at the time of revision. The strongest independent predictor of symptomatic failed rotator cuff repair was relative change in anteroposterior tear size.
Study: Does Chronic Ankle Instability Affect Muscle Activation Patterns When Walking?
A study published online in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders compared muscle activity and activation during backwards walking between patients with versus without chronic ankle instability (CAI). CAI and non-CAI patients (n = 16 in each cohort) walked backward and forward on a treadmill. The researchers gathered surface electromyography (EMG) data for the peroneus longus, tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, and gluteus medius muscles. They also determined the EMG amplitude normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) throughout the gait cycle. The %MVIC amplitude and activation variability did not largely differ between the groups during forward or backward walking
Surviving Orthopaedic Residency in a Pandemic Via Technology
Technology has made many things possible. The United States has been overwhelmed with the coronavirus in every aspect of life. Social distancing by staying at home has its benefits, especially to help flatten the curve. However, the pandemic has affected those in orthopaedic training programs. To understand what programs are doing, Jaime L. Bellamy, DO, attended a webinar titled “Virtual Resident Education Challenges and Opportunities During Global Crisis” and interviewed Claudette Lajam, MD, FAAOS. During the webinar, the panelists, including Dr. Lajam, discussed how programs adapted, new ideas that emerged, and how the pandemic may affect the future of training programs.
AAOS Concerned About Unintended Consequences of Drastic CMS Proposal
AAOS President Joseph A. Bosco III, MD, FAAOS, issued a statement in response to the newly released Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) proposed rule, which would eliminate the inpatient-only list beginning with nearly 300 musculoskeletal-related services, adjust the criteria for procedures covered in the ambulatory setting, and remove certain restrictions on the expansion and development of physician-owned hospitals (POHs). “While we are cautiously optimistic about the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) attempt to offer these flexibilities by promoting site neutrality and lifting restrictions on high-value POHs, we are concerned about the potential for unintended consequences associated with eliminating the inpatient-only list,” Dr. Bosco said. He emphasized that setting of care is best determined by physicians through the lens of patient safety and peer-reviewed evidence and strongly encourages CMS to carefully reassess this aspect of the proposal.
