Patients with Hypothyroidism Undergoing THA Have Increased Risk of Postoperative Complications
According to a case-control study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, patients with hypothyroidism undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) had a higher risk of short-term complications. In total, 533,762 THAs were identified via the National Inpatient Sample database, and postoperative complications, length of stay, and hospital costs were compared between patients with and without hypothyroidism. The overall rate of hypothyroidism was 12.97 percent. Patients with hypothyroidism had a 1.15 times higher risk of postoperative acute anemia. Additionally, hypothyroid patients had significantly increased average total hospital costs ($51,306.89 versus $49,928.41).
Is Arthroscopic Repair or Debridement More Effective for Partial Subscapularis Tendon Tears?
A randomized controlled trial in the American Journal of Sports Medicine compared the outcomes of patients with partial subscapularis (SSC) tendon tears treated via arthroscopic repair versus debridement. Thirty-three and 32 patients comprised the arthroscopic debridement and repair groups, respectively. Range of motion (ROM), pain visual analog scale (VAS), and SSC muscle strength were evaluated presurgery and six months, one year, two years, and five years postsurgery. No significant differences were observed between groups in terms of ROM and VAS; however, the repair group saw significantly increased SSC muscle strength than the debridement group after five years.
Study: Kinesiophobia Is Associated with Worse PROMs in Patients with Achilles Tendinopathy
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy published a systematic review assessing the effects of kinesiophobia on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and physical performance in patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Six studies, comprising 705 patients, were reviewed. The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), Pain Catastrophizing Score (PCS), visual analog scale (VAS), Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment Achilles (VISA-A), and Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores Quality of Life (FAOS-QoL) were analyzed. TSK scores >35 points were strongly correlated with increased PCS and VAS scores and decreased VISA-A and FAOS-QoL scores. Kinesiophobia was also associated with worse physical performance measurements.
Study Investigates Osteolysis Risk after PEEK Suture Anchor Use in Hand and Wrist Surgery
A prognostic study in the Journal of Hand Surgery found polyetheretherketone (PEEK) suture anchor implantation may be associated with the development of osteolysis in hand and wrist surgery. Suture anchor tunnel sizes were measured on sequential radiographs in 14 patients with PEEK suture anchors. The anchor tunnel size was recorded as percentage change. On average, tunnel sizes increased by 19.1 percent in all anchors. At the final follow-up, 27 percent of anchors demonstrated osteolysis which was defined as a tunnel size enlargement >30 percent.
Study: Implant Removal Is a Risk Factor for Mechanical Complications after Fusion Extension Surgery
The European Spine Journal published a retrospective study that compared the outcomes of patients with and without implants during fusion extension for adjacent segment disease (ASD). Risk factors for postoperative mechanical complications were also examined. Clinical outcomes and surgical complications were compared between 43 patients whose previous implants were removed (R group) and 26 patients whose implants were preserved (P group) The R group saw significantly longer operation time (260 minutes versus 207 minutes) and mechanical complications (12 patients versus 1 patient). Risk factors for mechanical complications included: implant removal, index fusion surgery including L5-S1, and postoperative sagittal malalignment.
Does Antibiotic Prophylaxis Decrease Infection Rate in Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures?
A randomized, controlled trial presented at AAOS 2023 Annual Meeting evaluated the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infections after closed reduction and percutaneous Kirschner wire pinning in children with supracondylar humerus fractures. Eighty-two patients aged <10 years were included. Study coauthor Sumit Gupta, MD, MPH, reported that “the use of antibiotic prophylaxis did not affect the risk of infection in pediatric patients,” adding that “surgeons can safely reduce antibiotic usage in this patient population without increasing infection rates.”
AAOS Toolkit Offers Resources to Make Orthopaedic Workplaces Safer
The newly launched AAOS Workplace Violence Toolkit was developed with the goal of educating Academy members on violence in the healthcare field and facilitating improved workplace environments. This toolkit will provide the orthopaedic community with tools and resources to help improve the safety of care for both orthopaedic patients and care teams. AAOS Toolkits aim to offer resources and enable readers to learn about an issue and identify methods for addressing them. They can be used to inform and guide implementation for individuals and facilities alike.
New Virtual Course on Oct. 13: Diagnostic and Treatment Dilemmas in Periprosthetic Hip and Knee Infections
Get up to speed on current knowledge in periprosthetic infection following total hip and total knee arthroplasty without leaving home. Tune in to this new single-day virtual course on Oct. 13 for lectures, live Q&A sessions, and case discussions, brought to you by AAOS, the Musculoskeletal Infection Society, and the International Consensus Meeting on Infection.
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