The deadline to apply to serve on one of the many AAOS Councils and Committees is Aug. 1. Members who have an interest in contributing to the mission and vision of AAOS are encouraged to visit the link below to view and apply for available volunteer positions. Consider applying for the following committees:
Study: Blood Transfusions in Patients with Anemia Associated with VTE after TJA
According to a study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, patients with acute blood loss anemia who received a transfusion were at an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The rates and risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and VTE were compared between the control group (n = 1,078,507), anemia without transfusion group (n = 198,233), and anemia with transfusion group (n = 14,075). Patients in the anemia without transfusion group were not at an increased risk of VTE, DVT, or PE compared with the control group.
Does Preoperative Grip Strength Predict Shoulder Strength after RSA in Patients with Sarcopenia?
A prognostic study in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery investigated the relationship between preoperative grip strength and postoperative outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) in patients with sarcopenia. Grip strength and appendicular relative skeletal muscle mass index (aRSMI) were measured in 58 patients prior to surgery, and postoperative clinical outcomes were evaluated at the 12-month follow up. There was no association found between preoperative grip strength and aRSMI. Increased preoperative grip strength was associated with a significant increase in postoperative shoulder strength and Constant-Murley shoulder scores.
Study Assesses Clinical Outcomes after Acetabular Microfracture during FAI Surgery
The American Journal of Sports Medicine published a prospective cohort study evaluating the clinical outcomes following acetabular microfracture performed during femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) surgery. Fifty-four FAI patients with microfractures were matched with 162 control hips to compare postoperative outcomes. Further analyses of patients aged ≤35 years and those aged >35 years were performed. Patients treated with microfracture showed similar modified Harris Hip Scores and Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores but higher likelihood of total hip arthroplasty (THA) than controls. Microfracture performed at or before 35 years of age indicated better outcomes without increased THA risk.
CMS Responds to Data Breach Affecting 600K Medicare Beneficiaries
The personal information of 612,000 Medicare beneficiaries was accessed in a sweeping data breach that took place in May and affected what could be hundreds of organizations, including the government contractor Maximus Federal Services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in a press release Friday that it is notifying people affected by the data breach and no CMS or Health and Human Services systems have been affected. The data breach targeted a security vulnerability in the MOVEit software, a third-party application Maximus uses to facilitate the transfer of files during the appeals process.
Recent Advancements and New Techniques Contribute to the Increase in Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasties
Part two of a three-part series on advancements in shoulder replacement surgery covers new techniques in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), including medial versus lateral offset, inlay and onlay implants, and more. The use of RSA has increased as indications for this procedure have expanded to include ailments like rotator cuff arthropathy, failed anatomical shoulder replacements, and more. “The safety profile for RSA continues to improve as pain relief and advanced functional outcomes of the procedure have been established at long-term follow-up,” the authors write.
AAOS Releases New Guidance to Further Bring PROMs in Practice
To facilitate the effective implementation of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in orthopaedics, AAOS has developed a portfolio of tools and resources as part of its “PROMs in Practice” initiative. This initiative aims to raise awareness and understanding of PROMs usage at the point of care, offer solutions to enhance access to technological solutions, and advocate for improved legislative and payer support on behalf of AAOS members and their patients. Orthopaedic care teams across the United States are urged to take note, as PROMs are increasingly being used as a crucial quality measure by both public and private payers to determine reimbursement and publicly report outcomes.
