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| Today’s Top Story
Study Highlights Need for Additional Efforts to Ensure Equal Reimbursement for Female Orthopaedic Surgeons
A study in the Journal of the AAOS® utilized Medicare data on a national sample of orthopaedic surgeons to evaluate reimbursement differences between sexes. The cross-sectional analysis included 19,006 orthopaedic surgeons, of which 1,058 were female and 17,948 were male. Multivariate linear regression analysis was employed while accounting for years in practice, practice diversity, clinical productivity, and subspecialty as controlling factors. Female surgeons billed an average of 1,245.5 services per provider compared with 2,360.7 per male provider. The mean difference in payment between male and female orthopaedic surgeons was $59,748.70.
Read the abstract… |
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| In Other News
Study Evaluates Complications and Safety of Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty
According to a study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) had a 2.13-fold increased risk of pulmonary embolism postsurgery. After retrospectively comparing the postoperative outcomes and complications between patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral (n = 21,044) versus unilateral TKA (n = 126,264), simultaneous bilateral TKA patients were also found to be at increased risk of 90-day readmission. In addition to pulmonary embolism, simultaneous bilateral TKA patients were also more likely to experience stroke, acute blood loss anemia, and blood transfusion.
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| Study: High Rates of Complications Associated with Patients Aged >70 Years with Fragility Fractures
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery published a retrospective study investigating the morbidity and mortality associated with patients aged >70 years who had sustained fragility fractures. The primary outcomes were discharge modality and Barthel Index (BI) difference, and secondary outcomes included complication rates and in-hospital mortality. Overall, 555 patients were included in the study. The in-hospital mortality rate was 8.6 percent. The rate of nonsurgical complications was 44.5 percent. Patients without dementia were 4.5 times more likely to increase their BI >19 points than patients with dementia.
Read the study… |
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| Study Finds Rapidly Increasing Out-of-pocket Costs of Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Procedures
From 2010 to 2020, the median out-of-pocket (OOP) cost for common outpatient foot and ankle surgical procedures increased by 102 percent, according to a study in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. Assessing the OOP costs and trends of foot and ankle procedures, the demographic, procedural, and financial data were retrospectively reviewed in 427,879 patients. Trauma surgical procedures had higher median OOP costs compared with elective procedures, and OOP costs were lower for procedures performed in ambulatory surgery centers than in hospital-based outpatient departments. In terms of insurance plans, high-deductible health plans were associated with the highest median OOP costs.
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| Study: Five-year Outcomes of Pseudarthrosis after Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion
A retrospective study in the Spine Journal examined the outcomes of pseudarthrosis detected two years after anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF). Overall, 249 patients who completed a five-year follow-up were included in the study. Radiographic outcomes were assessed via MRI, and clinical outcomes were assessed via the neck pain visual analog scale (VAS), arm pain VAS, and neck disability index (NDI). After five years, the fusion rate in patients who had pseudarthrosis at two years postoperatively was 32.6 percent. Patients with pseudarthrosis had significantly worse arm pain VAS and NDI scores after five years than patients who achieved union.
Read the abstract… |
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| AAOS Now
Health Care Systems Committee Updates Its Strategic Goals after Assessing Its Roles Related to Quality and Advocacy
The AAOS Health Care Systems Committee (HCSC) is tasked with staying abreast of the evolving healthcare environment and responding to the impact it has on the AAOS membership and orthopaedic surgery. Given the constantly changing landscape of the healthcare system and its advocacy needs, the HCSC periodically assesses its strategic direction and goals in parallel. In 2022, the HCSC undertook a comprehensive process of reassessing goals and setting new strategic priorities and goals, which were finalized at the Annual Meeting in March 2023.
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| Your AAOS
Join AAOS Aug. 22 for the AAOS Virtual Career Fair
This free online event connects orthopaedic surgery professionals with private practice employers, group practices, hospitals, and health systems recruiters and representatives from around the country. Whether you are actively looking for a new job or considering making a change, connect with employers, expand your network, discover new opportunities, and take the next step in your professional career at the AAOS Virtual Career Fair.
Secure your spot at this member-exclusive event… |
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| New CME! Hot Topics in Orthopaedics from AAOS Annual Meeting
Explore new packages and secure instant access to the most highly rated educational content from recent AAOS Annual Meetings, now available OnDemand. Earn more than 36 CME credits for up to two years for only $399 each. Package topics include: trauma, total joint reconstruction, sports medicine, and shoulder and elbow care.
Explore packages… |
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