Study: The Efficacy of Bone Wax in Reducing Perioperative Blood Loss in THAs
A randomized controlled clinical trial published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that bone wax on the cut surface of the femoral neck significantly reduced perioperative blood loss (PBL) during total hip arthroplasty (THA) through the direct anterior approach. Bone wax was used in 75 of 152 patients. Primary outcomes included apparent and total PBL on days three and five postoperatively. There were no significant differences in transfusions or complications between groups; however, apparent and total PBL on days three and five were significantly lower in the wax group.
Study: Patellofemoral Arthroplasty Results in Better Patient-reported Outcomes versus TKA for PF-OA
In a study published online in the September issue of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) resulted in better time-weighted patient-reported outcomes after six years than total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PF-OA). One hundred patients were randomized to PFA or TKA. The primary outcome was the Short Form-36 (SF-36) survey, completed 10 times over six years of follow-up. Patients undergoing PFA had larger improvements in SF-36 bodily pain scores compared to TKA patients (35 versus 23). PFA patients reported an 11-point higher mean SF-36 physical functioning score versus TKA patients.
Study: Posterior Glenoid Bone Loss after Posterior Glenohumeral Instability Events
A cross-sectional study published in the September issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine investigated the association between bone loss and posterior glenohumeral instability events. Baseline and postinjury MRI scans were performed on 1,428 prospectively followed shoulders. Over the study period, 10 shoulders sustained a first-time posterior instability event, and three shoulders sustained a recurrent posterior instability event. Posterior glenohumeral instability events were associated with a glenoid bone loss of 5.4 percent. Baseline glenoid retroversion of ≥10 degrees was associated with a significantly greater percentage of bone loss.
Study: Platelet-rich Plasma versus Autologous Blood Injection to Treat Plantar Fasciitis
A study comparing the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and autologous blood injections in the treatment of patients with plantar fasciitis (PF) was published in the September issue of Foot & Ankle International. Included in the analysis were 60 PF patients aged 40 to 65 years. Patients were randomized to either PRP or autologous blood injections. Preinjection and postinjection Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were recorded. Postinjection, both groups had significantly improved FADI and VAS scores when compared to baseline measures. However, both groups showed comparable results, and no significant differences were noted.
On Aug. 19, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury released a final rule on the Requirements Related to Surprise Billing regulation, building on policies set forth in the July 2021 and October 2021 interim final rules. The updated rule was initiated as a result of the passage of the No Surprises Act in December 2020. This rule updates the process for payment determination under the Federal Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process and clarifies information about the Qualifying Payment Amount (QPA). Among the major updates is new language that follows congressional intent and mandates that IDR entities must look at all codified additional factors, along with the QPA, when determining an appropriate out-of-network rate to settle disputes between physicians and insurers.
AAOS’ Response to Medicare Payment Reform Is Nuanced
In this edition of his Advocacy 201 series, Douglas W. Lundy, MD, MBA, FAAOS, addresses Medicare payment reform, particularly AAOS advocacy efforts on this issue from the past year. “The dilemma is as follows: How do orthopaedic surgeons effectively advocate for payment reform, to maintain our revenues, in an environment where the cost of healthcare continues to escalate out of control?” Dr. Lundy writes.
The American Spine Registry (ASR) announced ZimVie as the latest industry sponsor. Support from ZimVie, a global leader in spine innovation, will allow the ASR to continue to evolve as a tool to improve the quality of surgical spinal treatments, in order to better meet the needs of all major stakeholders, including physicians, patients, payers, regulatory groups, and industry partners.
