Study: Short Native Tibial Stem Design Associated with Early Aseptic Loosening in TKA
A retrospective study published in the April 1 issue of the Journal of the AAOS ® found that a short native tibial stem (TS) is associated with early aseptic loosening in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A total of 1,350 patients were included. Patients were grouped according to presence or absence of a short, stemmed TS extension. The short TS group had better implant survival at six years compared with the nonstemmed group. BMI <40 was associated with a trend toward superior five-year survival. Mean time to loosening was 2.4 years, with 40 percent occurred within the first two years.
Study: Muscle-in-vein Conduits Are a Good Option for Digital Nerve Reconstruction
Muscle-in-vein conduits are a good option for primary and secondary digital nerve reconstruction, according to a retrospective study published online in The Journal of Hand Surgery, with successful sensory recovery in 91 percent. Forty-three proper palmar digital nerves underwent muscle-in-vein conduits as either primary (n = 22) or secondary reconstruction (n = 21). Median reduction was two levels relative to the contralateral side. Eighty-one percent of patients had excellent or good outcomes, and 9.3 percent had poor outcomes.
Study: Insurance and Socioeconomic Status Not Associated with Diagnosis Delay or SCFE Severity
According to a retrospective study published in the April issue of the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, insurance and socioeconomic status were not associated with diagnosis delay or severity of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). A total of 142 patients were included. Atlas Mapping was used to measure the area deprivation index (ADI), socioeconomic status, employment, education, and housing. Forty-four percent of the group with the lowest ADI had government insurance and 89 percent were white, while 95 percent of the group with the highest ADI had government insurance and 38 percent were white.
Study: Improved Pain, Disability after Cervical Disk Replacement for Degenerative Pathology
In a retrospective review published online in The Spine Journal, patients with degenerative cervical pathology who had greater neck than arm pain improved after cervical disk replacement (CDR). Of 125 patients with predominant neck pain (pNP), predominant arm pain (pAP), and equal neck and arm pain (ENAP), all had significant improvements with no notable minimal clinically important differences in the neck disability index, neck visual analog scale (VAS), Short Form 12-item Mental Health Score, and Short Form 12-Item Physical Health Score. The pAP and ENAP groups demonstrated improvements in arm VAS.
Commentary: Patient Care Is a Top Priority for New AAOS President
In an interview published online in Becker’s Spine Review, AAOS President Felix H. Savoie III, MD, FAAOS, listed the top three goals of his upcoming term: communication between AAOS members and the public; education and unity within orthopedics and other medical groups; and advocacy for patient care. Dr. Savoie argued that there needs to be more empathy from insurance companies when it comes to prior authorization, so physicians can properly treat their patients. He also called for less “surprise billing”—an issue which AAOS is trying to address alongside the American Medical Association—and improved accessibility to healthcare.
Extended Oral Antibiotic Prophylaxis Protocol Is a Cost-effective Tool for Preventing PJI
According to a study presented at the AAOS 2021 Annual Meeting, oral antibiotics reduced the risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA). Of 3,862 patients who underwent surgery between 2011 and 2019, those who didn’t receive antibiotics were 3.1 times and 3.2 times more at risk for PJI after TKA and THA, respectively. According to study author R. Michael Meneghini, MD, FAAOS, “a seven-day course of oral antibiotic can mitigate the risk of PJI to a level even lower than observed in low-risk patients.”
OrthoInfo, the Academy’s patient education website, is here to provide your patients with in-depth information—all written, reviewed, and regularly updated by orthopaedic experts. This includes a full range of articles to help patients understand traumatic and overuse injuries of the elbow.
