Top Stories

  Today's Top Story   Study: General Anesthesia Associated with Higher Complication Rates after TJA   The Journal of the AAOS® published a propensity-matched study that compared the major postoperative complications and pneumonia between spinal anesthesia (SA) versus general anesthesia (GA) in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Overall, 217,267 patients were identified for both the GA and SA groups. The rates of pneumonia for the GA and SA groups were 0.39 percent and 0.25 percent, respectively. Patients [...]

August 29, 2023   Today's Top Story   Does Bone Mineral Density Affect Postoperative Outcomes following THA and TKA?   A study in the Journal of Arthroplasty found that patients with osteoporosis undergoing total hip (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were more likely to experience 90-day readmission and require transfusion. Retrospectively reviewing 1,306 THAs and 1,046 TKAs, postoperative outcomes were analyzed to examine the impact of bone mineral density on adverse events. THA patients with osteoporosis were [...]

August 24, 2023   Today's Top Story   Study Finds Zolpidem Use after THA Is Associated with Increased Complications   According to a retrospective case-control analysis in the Journal of Arthroplasty, zolpidem use immediately after total hip arthroplasty (THA) was associated with a significantly increased risk of medical- and implant-related complications. Querying a national insurance database, 50,328 patients with zolpidem use were matched with 251,286 patients who did not use zolpidem. Ninety-day medical complications, falls, fragility fractures, costs, [...]

  Today's Top Story   Study: Vulnerable Healthcare Markets Less Likely to Have High-performing Joint Replacement Hospitals   A cross-sectional study in the Journal of the AAOS® examined healthcare market- and hospital-level disparities in access to high-quality hip/knee replacement hospitals. A total of 2,682 hospitals and 304 healthcare markets were identified via 2021 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) outcome measures and the 2022 Joint Commission (JC) process-of-care measures. Hospitals in the top quartile for low-income patient [...]

August 17, 2023   Today's Top Story   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 [...]

  Today's Top Story Study Compares Complications Associated with Fixation Methods in Lower Extremity Intercalary Allograft Reconstruction Fixation with an intramedullary nail (IMN) for intercalary allograft reconstruction in the lower extremity resulted in a longer median fracture-free allograft survival versus fixation with an extramedullary plate (EMP; 7.9 years versus 3.2 years, respectively), according to a retrospective chart review in the Journal of the AAOS®. The rate of complications was compared in 51 patients. The incidence of nonunion at [...]

At the center of the West Virginia state Capitol is an area known as The Well. It is the informal gathering place for lobbyists, reporters, constituents and lawmakers. Centrally situated between the chambers of the House of Delegates and Senate, The Well is where information is often shared, alliances are formed, and deals are made.   86th West Virginia Legislature August Special Session Interim Meetings   August 10, 2023   Welcome! Click here to subscribe to HC/GR Morning [...]

  Today's Top Story Study: Patients with Preexisting Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing TJA Experience More Postoperative Complications A study in the Journal of Arthroplasty found patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA) who had preexisting atrial fibrillation (AF) were at an increased risk of experiencing postoperative complications. A total of 225 total knee (TKA) and 320 total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients with AF were included in a 1:3 propensity match. TKA patients with AF saw increased postoperative AFs and acute [...]

  Today's Top Story Study Highlights Need for Additional Efforts to Ensure Equal Reimbursement for Female Orthopaedic Surgeons A study in the Journal of the AAOS® utilized Medicare data on a national sample of orthopaedic surgeons to evaluate reimbursement differences between sexes. The cross-sectional analysis included 19,006 orthopaedic surgeons, of which 1,058 were female and 17,948 were male. Multivariate linear regression analysis was employed while accounting for years in practice, practice diversity, clinical productivity, and subspecialty as controlling factors. [...]

  Today's Top Story Act Now to Nominate Future Leadership The AAOS Nominating Committee is actively soliciting nominees for individuals to serve in the following positions: • Second Vice President • Treasurer-elect • Board Member-at-large [Age 45 and over] (over age 45 on Feb. 19, 2024) • Board Member-at-large [Under age 45] (younger than age 45 on Feb. 19, 2024) • Nominees to the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Nominations close on Aug. 7. Members can review the [...]