Today’s Top Story

Study: Patients with Preexisting Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing TJA Experience More Postoperative Complications

A study in the Journal of Arthroplasty found patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA) who had preexisting atrial fibrillation (AF) were at an increased risk of experiencing postoperative complications. A total of 225 total knee (TKA) and 320 total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients with AF were included in a 1:3 propensity match. TKA patients with AF saw increased postoperative AFs and acute kidney injuries. THA patients with AF experienced increased postoperative AFs, pulmonary embolisms, and estimated blood losses and required more blood transfusions. TKA patients with AF experienced increased 30-day readmissions whereas THA patients with AF experienced longer lengths of stay.

Read the abstract…

 
 
 
 
In Other News

Study: Single-dose Chemoprophylaxis Protocol Associated with Fewer Wound Complications after rTHA

International Orthopaedics published a retrospective study of 295 patients that compared the efficacy and safety of a postoperative, single- or multiple-dose chemoprophylaxis protocol in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) after revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA). Those who were in the single-dose cohort received 40 mg low-molecular-weight heparin once, and those in the multiple-dose cohort received 40 mg low-molecular-weight heparin once and oral rivaroxaban for 10 days. The incidence of VTE was comparable between prophylaxis protocols; however, the sing-dose chemoprophylaxis group had significantly lower transfusion rates and wound complications within three months.

Read the abstract…

 
 
 
 
Is MPFL Reconstruction with Gracilis Tendon More Effective than Quadriceps Tendon Autograft?

Comparing the outcomes in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation after medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using a gracilis tendon (GT) or quadriceps tendon autograft (QT), a case-control study in Arthroscopy found significantly more patients treated with GT reported a lower-leg sensitivity deficit compared with those treated with QT. Clinical and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were retrospectively collected from 64 patients. After two years, PROMs were comparable between groups. Occasional patellar instability events occurred in 12.5 percent of the GT group and 6.3 percent in the QT group.

Read the study…

 
 
 
Economic Analysis Examines Catastrophic Health Expenditures Associated with ORIF of Distal Radius Fractures

According to a study in the Journal of Hand Surgery, patients who were uninsured had a six-fold increased risk of catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs) after ORIF of distal radius fractures than patients with employer-sponsored health insurance. CHE was defined as out-of-pocket expenses of ≥40 percent of postsubsistence income. Of the 394 patients included in the study, 30.7 percent were at risk of CHE. Patients aged 26 to 34 years were 5.7 times more likely to be at risk of CHE, and patients who were not white were at a higher risk of CHE.

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Study: Radiological Aggressiveness Score Is an Accurate Method to Predict the Grade of Primary Chondrosarcomas in Long Bones

The Bone & Joint Journal published a retrospective study of 113 patients with primary chondrosarcoma of a long bone that evaluated the efficacy of a Radiological Aggressiveness Score (RAS) to predict the grade of primary chondrosarcomas. The optimal parameter thresholds for predicting the ultimate grade of chondrosarcoma postresection were determined via a receiver operating characteristic curve, which was then correlated with the biopsy grade. RAS of ≥4 parameters was 97.9 percent sensitive and 90.5 percent specific in predicting resection-grade chondrosarcoma. When patients were analyzed based on surgical management, the initial biopsy was able to differentiate low-grade from resection-grade chondrosarcomas in 82.9 percent of biopsies.

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AAOS Now

Wayne A. Johnson, MD, Enthusiastically Steps into New Role as the Chair of the OrthoPAC Executive Committee

The Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoPAC) is the only national PAC solely dedicated to representing orthopaedic surgeons before Congress. In March, Wayne A. Johnson, MD, FAAOS, FACS, took on the role of chair of the OrthoPAC Executive Committee. In an interview for AAOS Now, Dr. Johnson discusses the PAC’s recent successes, the importance of AAOS member participation, and advocacy goals for the upcoming year. The video of the full interview is also available.

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Your AAOS

Now Available: 2023 Biologics Symposium OnDemand

If you were not able to attend the AAOS Biologics Symposium, “The Next Generation of Biologics,” this year, you can now get all the presentations from the symposium delivered straight to your computer or mobile device! The 2023 Biologics Symposium OnDemand recording will feature the latest updates, insights, and unique perspectives from the leading names in orthobiologics.

See the complete list of presentations…

 
 
 
Register by Sept. 11 to Save: Reverse and Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Course

AAOS and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons will present “Reverse and Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: Concepts and Techniques from Basic to Advanced,” a two-day, in-person course, taking place Nov 10 through 11 in Rosemont, Ill. Return to practice refreshed with new insights and options. Save $200 when you register by Sept. 11.

Register now…