Study: Favorable Outcomes with Remimazolam versus Propofol in Elderly Hip Replacement Patients
According to a study published online in BMC Anesthesiology, remimazolam had equivalent analgesic effects in elderly patients receiving hip replacement compared with propofol and significantly relieved respiratory and circulatory suppression, stress response, and cognitive dysfunction. Thirty patients received remimazolam and 29 received propofol. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure were significantly decreased after anesthesia in the remimazolam group and significantly higher in the propofol group. The remimazolam group had higher Mini-Mental State Examination scores with less adverse events than the propofol group. Postoperative visual analog scales scores were similar between groups.
Study: Worse Symptom Severity and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Knee OA and Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased inflammation markers and symptom severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to a study published online in The Knee. In total, 124 patients with mild to moderate OA and 65 healthy controls were assessed. Compared with controls, patients with knee OA had lower vitamin D levels and higher inflammatory marker levels. Patients with OA and vitamin D deficiency had significantly higher inflammatory markers and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index total and physical function scores than patients with OA without deficiency.
A retrospective study published in the May issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma found that subacromial erosion occurred in all cases of hook plate fixation for acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury, with a mean erosion depth of 53 percent of acromial thickness. Preoperative acute AC slope and larger AC-anteroposterior (AC-AP) distances were associated with higher rates of erosion. Thirty-five patients were evaluated via CT. AC slope and AC-AP distance had significant influence on postoperative subacromial erosion, and the AC slope was negatively correlated with erosion amounts. The AC-AP distance had a positive correlation with erosion.
Study: 3D Weightbearing CT Is a Reliable Measure of the M1-M2 Intermetatarsal Angle in Hallux Valgus Patients
A retrospective study published online in Foot & Ankle International found very strong intraobserver reliability for measuring the M1-M2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA) with 3D weightbearing CT compared to digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRR) in patients with hallux valgus. Eighty-three feet were examined, including 41 with hallux valgus. IMA was measured via DRR and 3D and 2D weightbearing CT. Intramethod correlation between the three modalities in patients with hallux valgus ranged from moderate (DRR versus 3D and DRR versus 2D) to very strong (2D versus 3D).
Study: Gender Disparities in Faculty Appointments and Publications among Women in Academic Spine Surgery
A study published in the May issue of The Spine Journal found a low rate of women in academic spine surgery and a high rate of gender disparity in publication volume and impact. Spine faculty across orthopaedic residency, spine fellowship, and neurosurgical spine fellowship programs in the United States were evaluated. Women made up 5.6 percent of faculty and had an average 40 percent fewer publications compared with men. Women also had half the number of senior and high-impact author publications than men and were less likely to occupy higher academic ranks. Leadership appointment rates were similar between genders.
California Surgeon Recognized with Humanitarian Award
Keith S. Feder, MD, FAAOS, of Manhattan Beach, Calif., was awarded the AAOS 2022 Humanitarian Award. Dr. Feder has worked for more than 25 years to serve economically challenged student athletes and bring healthcare access to underserved communities. “It is an honor to be recognized by AAOS as a humanitarian,” Dr. Feder said. “My sincere hope is that this award will increase awareness of the young, underserved student athletes in the United States who do not receive the high-quality orthopaedic sports medicine care and core services that they need and deserve.”
Reimagining Prior Authorization for Musculoskeletal Care
AAOS and Cohere Health have formed a partnership to improve the prior authorization process for musculoskeletal care at a national scale. The organizations have coauthored a whitepaper (link below) that explores how combining technology and clinical expertise has transformed a historically burdensome process into a strategic asset for health plans, enabling better patient outcomes without delays.
