Today’s Top Story

Presidential Update from Joseph A. Bosco III, MD, FAAOS

In his latest message, AAOS President Joseph A. Bosco III, MD, FAAOS, discussed recent advocacy updates, including the nationwide In-District Advocacy Event, which has connected the orthopaedic community with lawmakers to provide them with a better understanding of the issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The event concludes on Aug. 31. Dr. Bosco called on members to take action regarding payment policy changes. Also, the Office of Government Relations is working with Anthem to garner more information on its new policy pertaining to setting of care for certain musculoskeletal procedures. The Academy believes physicians in consultation with patients—not payers—should be in charge of the proper venue to perform surgery.

Read Dr. Bosco’s message…

 
 
 
 
In Other News

Study Analyzes ORIF in Older Ankle Fracture Patients

A retrospective study published in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of the AAOS ® evaluated complications and mortality in older ankle fracture patients treated with ORIF. Patients were stratified into two age groups: 65 to 79 years (n = 1,877) and 80 to 89 years (n = 476). The 80 to 89 years cohort had higher risks for 30-day mortality and complications. However, when adjusting for American Society of Anesthesiologists class, mortality and complications no longer differed between the groups.

Read the abstract…

 
 
 
 
Study: Does Postoperative IV Iron Supplementation Improve Bilateral TKA Transfusion Rate?

A study published in the September issue of The Journal of Arthroplasty did not observe improved hemoglobin levels or transfusion rates in primary staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients with acute bleeding who received postoperative IV iron supplementation. A total of 126 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Patients received iron IV immediately after surgery (n = 65) or did not receive iron after surgery (n = 61). They underwent the second surgery at a week’s interval. Hemoglobin levels and transfusion rates did not largely differ between the groups, but the iron group had improved serum iron profiles.

Read the abstract…

 
 
 
Study Compares Periportal Versus Interportal Capsulotomy in Hip Arthroscopy

A retrospective study published online in Arthroscopy compared periportal versus interportal capsulotomy in hip arthroscopy patients. Two-year patient-reported outcomes (PROs) included Hip Outcome Score (HOS), 12-item international outcome tool (iHOT-12), visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and patient satisfaction. Both groups presented significant two-year postoperative improvements for all PROs, with mean changes observed for the periportal and interportal groups in HOS-activities of daily living (24.7 and 23.5, respectively), HOS-sport (30.2 and 31.3, respectively), iHOT-12 (41.9 and 40.2, respectively), and VAS (–40.9 mm and –34.5 mm, respectively). Patient satisfaction was similar between the groups.

Read the abstract…

 
 
 
Study Assesses Effect of Postoperative Stiffness on Superior Labral Repair Outcomes

According to a study published online in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, early postoperative stiffness was correlated with improved two-year outcomes in superior labral repair patients. Sixty-five cases were retrospectively reviewed. They were stratified into a stiff (20 degrees or less of external rotation) or nonstiff group based on six-week external rotation. There were 16 stiff patients who had more pain and difficulty with overhead activities during the early postoperative period. At two years, the stiff patients had less difficulty and pain with overhead activities, reported stiffness, and severe pain at night compared to the nonstiff group.

Read the abstract…

 
 
 
AAOS Now

POHs Would Benefit from Less Restrictions During the Pandemic and Beyond

Recent government data show that physician-owned hospitals (POHs) are centers of excellence, yet current law prohibits the construction or expansion of such hospitals to meet growing community demand. A critical need has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The anticompetitive policy is bad for the healthcare system; bad for Medicare; and, most importantly, bad for patients.

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Your AAOS

District Event: Payment Policy Changes

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 members are raising with policymakers is the payment policy changes being proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. If finalized, they will have drastic consequences for Medicare patients seeking surgical services at a time when physician practices are struggling to stay afloat. Without congressional intervention, these policies will result in significant cuts to physician payment, destabilize health system financing, and drastically diminish the opportunity for physician offices to recover financially from COVID-19. Follow the In-District Advocacy Event on social media with the hashtag #OrthoAdvocacyinAction.

Take action on this issue…

Learn more about the In-District Advocacy Event…