Today’s Top Story
Study: Metal ion test may help identify patients at greatest risk of adverse reaction following MOM hip implant.
Data from a study published in the April 20 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery suggest that a blood test may help identify patients who may be at risk of adverse reactions to metal debris associated with metal-on-metal (MOM) hip implants. The authors conducted a prospective study of 598 patients with unilateral hip implants that use one of two common designs. All patients underwent whole blood metal ion sampling at mean 6.9-year follow-up. Overall, 46 patients had adverse reactions to metal debris. The authors found that all ion parameters were significantly higher in patients who had adverse reactions to metal debris compared with those who did not.
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Other News

Study: Simple technique could help measure ROM for patients with ankle arthritis.
According to a study published online in the journal Foot & Ankle International, a simple, standardized technique may help measure functional total range of motion (ROM) for patients with ankle arthritis. The researchers conducted a prospective, comparative study of 10 healthy participants (20 ankles) and 23 patients (25 ankles) with ankle osteoarthritis. Using a digital goniometer, the researchers measured functional total ROM between the tibia and the floor. They found that, among control participants, the median difference for all measurements within an observer was 1.5 degrees, and the intraclass coefficients (ICCs) for inter- and intrarater total ankle ROM were excellent: 0.95 and 0.942, respectively. Among participants with arthritis, the median difference for all measurements within an observer was 0.6 degrees, and the ICCs for inter- and intrarater total ankle ROM were excellent: 0.99 and 0.99, respectively. The researchers write that the technique offers a reliable, standardized method for measurement of total functional ROM between the tibia and the floor that requires no special equipment or training. Read the abstract…

Study: Use of locking intramedullary nails associated with increased complication rate compared to locking plates for PHF fixation.
Findings published in the May issue of the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery suggest that use of locking plates or locking intramedullary nails yields similar outcomes in patients with proximal humeral fracture (PHF), although nails may be associated with increased complication rates. The research team conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled trial of 72 patients with 2- or 3-part surgical neck PHFs who underwent fixation with locking intramedullary nails or locking plates. At 12-month follow-up, they found no significant mean difference between cohorts according to patients’ Constant-Murley scores. In addition, there were no differences in the 3-, 6- and 12-month Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores, visual analog scale scores, as well as range of motion, except for medial rotation at 6 months. In addition, neck-shaft angle was equivalent between the groups at 12 months. However, the research team found that total complication rate and reoperation rate were significantly greater in the nail cohort. There were no significant differences between cohorts in rotator cuff tear rate.
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Just a few weeks left for physicians to review financial interactions reported under CMS Open Payments system.
AMA Wire reminds physicians that they have 3 weeks left to review and dispute reports regarding their financial interactions with manufacturers of drugs and medical devices reported under the Open Payments (Sunshine Act) program. The 45-day review and dispute period concludes on May 15. Disputes filed during this time will be flagged in the Open Payments data before the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes the 2015 payment data and updates to the 2013 and 2014 data June 30.
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Learn more about the Open Payments system…
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Coalition of data registries asks CMS to implement MACRA provision requiring access to claims data.
An article in HealthLeaders Media reports on a letter sent by several medical specialty societies to the acting administrator of CMS. The societies note that the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) requires, in part, that qualified clinical data registries be granted access to Medicare claims data. The societies note that CMS has declined to issue regulations regarding release of that data. The agency’s position is that registries can already obtain Medicare claims data through the Research and Data Assistance Center (ResDAC). The societies argue that the MACRA provision “is primarily intended to allow [qualified clinical data registries] access to Medicare claims data for quality improvement and patient safety purposes, instead of for the discrete research purposes for which the data is already available through the ResDAC processes.”
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Read the letter…

Please complete your 2016 AAOS Orthopaedic Surgeon Census now!
AAOS is asking all members to participate in the AAOS 2016 census of orthopaedic surgeons. The census is taken to ensure that AAOS members are accurately represented in advocacy, funding, and reimbursement efforts. The information also helps AAOS tailor programs, products, and services to address professional needs and interests of its members. All individual responses are kept confidential. Watch your email or postal mail for your census form. In addition, this year, AAOS is holding a census contest, with prizes awarded to the states with the highest per capita level of participation!
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For further information, please contact the AAOS research department, at: aaosresearch@aaos.org.

Call for volunteers: AHRQ National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality.
AAOS seeks to nominate members to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality. The council advises the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the director of AHRQ to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care. AHRQ is seeking individuals with a variety of backgrounds. Applicants for this position must be active fellows, candidate members, candidate members osteopathic, candidate member applicants for fellowship, or candidate member applicants for fellowship osteopathic. In addition, all applicants must provide the following: an online AAOS CAP application, a current curriculum vitae, a 100-word biosketch, and a letter of interest highlighting their expertise in the subject area and a statement that they are able to participate in full capacity. All supporting materials must be submitted by Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. CT, to Kyle Shah at: shah@aaos.org.
Learn more and submit your application…(member login required)