Study: PROMIS Versus Legacy Scales in Knee and Shoulder Arthroscopy Patients
A study published online in Arthroscopy compared the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) and Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) versus traditional legacy scales in shoulder and knee arthroscopy patients Fifty-nine active duty military arthroscopy patients completed the DVPRS, PROMIS, and legacy scales preoperatively and three months postoperatively. Several PROMIS scores presented acceptable concurrent validity with American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores. DVPRS and several PROMIS scores had acceptable concurrent validity with International Knee Documentation Committee scores. PROMIS and DVPRS scores and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, Marx Activity Rating Scale, Shoulder Activity Scale, and RAND Veterans 12-Item Health Survey had poor correlation.
Study Compares Foot and Ankle PROMs by Health Insurance Coverage
A study published in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of the AAOS ® evaluated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in foot and ankle patients based on type of health insurance coverage. Electronic medical records were evaluated for 10,745 adult foot and ankle patients treated between 2015 and 2017 who completed the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, PROMIS Global-Mental, PROMIS Global-Physical, and PROMIS Physical Function Short Form 10a. Outcome scores were consistently highest for patients with commercial insurance and lowest for patients with workers compensation/motor vehicle and Medicaid. Commercially insured patients had significantly higher PROMs compared to the pooled scores of all other patients.
Study Assesses THA in Osteogenesis Imperfecta Patients
A retrospective study published in the August issue of The Journal of Arthroplasty analyzed survivorship and clinical outcomes in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA). Between 1969 and 2018, 11 patients (13 hips) with a history of OI and a mean follow-up of 13 years underwent primary THA. One patient (one hip) was not available for final follow-up. At a mean nine years, four hips (31 percent) required revision surgery. The 20-year survivorship free of component revision rate was 52 percent. Mean Harris Hip Score at final follow-up was 75—a significant improvement compared to available preoperative scores.
Study Analyzes Hand and Forearm Injuries in Multiple Trauma Patients
A study published in the July issue of Injury assessed registry data on missed hand and forearm injuries in multiple trauma patients. The TraumaRegister DGU® of the German Society for Trauma Surgery was queried for data on 139,931 multiple trauma patients. About a third of patients (n = 50,459; 36.1 percent) had hand or forearm injuries. Hand injury diagnosis times were recorded in 10,971 cases Missed hand injuries were recorded in 727 patients (6.6 percent). Carpal fractures/dislocations, nerve injuries, and tendon injuries were the most commonly missed injuries.
Medicare Providers Can Now Apply for Second Round of HHS Relief
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced that certain providers who missed the June 3 deadline to apply for the Provider Relief Fund are now eligible to apply for funding from the phase two general distribution. Medicaid, CHIP, and dental providers with low Medicare revenues, as well as providers who were previously ineligible for phase one funding, may be eligible to apply for financial relief. The deadline for phase two is Aug. 28.
Women in Orthopaedics Discuss What Influenced Their Specialty Choices
Female orthopaedic surgeons are in residency during prime childbearing years. The influences on female orthopaedic surgeons differ from those on men, given the choices they have to make regarding work-life balance, pregnancy, and family. Lisa K. Cannada, MD, FAAOS, spoke with four female orthopaedic surgeons who specialize in fields with the lowest percentages of women about their fellowship choices and influences on their choices.
AAOS members across the United States are engaging with members of Congress this month as part of the monthlong In-District Advocacy Event. One of the issues they are raising with legislators is the need for increased medical liability protections. As states begin to reopen, risks to orthopaedic surgeons and the facilities in which they work remain. The Coronavirus Provider Protection Act (H.R. 7059) has been introduced in the House of Representatives to protect pandemic responders acting in good faith from the serious threat of substantial medical liability lawsuits and to protect patient access to care. The bill would grant targeted, limited liability protections to healthcare professionals on the front lines of the COVID-19 response.
Follow the In-District Advocacy Event on social media with the hashtag #OrthoAdvocacyinAction.
