December 14, 2020 | Today’s News

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

In his latest message, AAOS President Joseph A. Bosco III, MD, FAAOS, discussed how the second COVID-19 wave is affecting inpatient elective surgery, including the recent restrictions imposed in Massachusetts. Unlike the first wave, Dr. Bosco noted that the industry has more knowledge about tracing as well as treatments for the virus, thereby lessening the effects of the second wave on patients and the orthopaedic profession. In the healthcare policy space, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized several changes in its 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). To address the decrease in reimbursement scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2021, AAOS is advocating for the Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act (H.R. 8702) as well as a companion Senate bill (S. 5007) introduced late last week. Another development announced late Friday was that Congress has reached a deal on surprise medical billing, which, while not perfect, has been heavily influenced by the principles AAOS has stood for. AAOS will continue to fight to improve the independent dispute resolution process and all of the bill’s provisions at every opportunity.

Read Dr. Bosco’s message…

Visit AAOS’ Advocacy Action Center…

AAOS Board of Directors Continues Focus on Several Strategic Topics

On Dec. 4, the AAOS Board of Directors met virtually and considered a number of recommendations on several topics. The Board took action and received updates on the following matters:

• review of the 2020 membership delinquent dues list and requested the help of the Board of Councilors in contacting members who are delinquent in dues
• approved Specialty Day programming for the AAOS 2021 Annual Meeting since there is not a Specialty Day
• approved change in the Board appointment of the AAOS Nominating Committee chair. The AAOS Second Past President (instead of the AAOS Third Past President) will be appointed by the Board to chair the Nominating Committee. This is effective immediately.
• discussed options for continued support and sustainability of the Orthopaedic Learning Center
• received updates on the Resident Curriculum, registry efforts, and advocacy initiatives to address CMS’ recently published 2021 MPFS
• participated in an environmental, social, governance discussion and will continue to engage in the topic, including a review of its investments to ensure AAOS is compliant with best practices and socially responsible with the mission of AAOS

A study published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty analyzed the current scale and burden of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in the United States. Data spanning 2002 to 2017 were collected from the National Inpatient Sample regarding rates and associated inpatient costs for primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) as well as PJI-related revision TKA and THA. By 2030, the annual hospital costs associated with hip and knee PJI are projected to be about $1.85 billon. The main driver of increases in costs is increased volume.

Read the abstract…

A study published online in PLOS One examined the correlation between the properties of three-dimensional (3D) forearm cortical bone models per CT images and handgrip strength (HGS) in women with a distal radius fracture (DRF). The study consisted of 108 women (mean age, 75.2 years). An independent association was observed between HGS and height and cortical bone density, but HGS was not associated with cortical thickness, age, weight, or lumbar and hip bone mineral densities.

Read the study…

A study published online in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research compared clinical outcomes following biportal endoscopic (BE)- versus open microscopic (OM)-revisional lumbar diskectomy (RLD). OM-RLD (n = 20) and BE-RLD patients (n = 16) were retrospectively reviewed. The BE-RLD group had significantly better visual analog scale scores at two days and two weeks, but after six weeks, there were no significant between-group differences. Per modified Macnab criteria, the excellent or good satisfaction rates reported at two weeks, six weeks, six months, and one year after surgery in the BE-RLD versus OM-RLD groups were 81.25 percent versus 50 percent, 81.25 percent versus 75 percent, 75 percent versus 75 percent, and 81.25 percent versus 80 percent, respectively.

Read the study…

Does a Confidence Gap Represent a Roadblock to Increasing Diversity in Orthopaedics?

Many have described the desire to increase diversity in orthopaedic surgery, but there are clearly obstacles. Perhaps one of the obstacles is a lack of confidence in women. Although the vast majority of people tend to overestimate their abilities, there is a smaller subset who underestimate their abilities. Lisa K. Cannada, MD, FAAOS, spoke with a male and female orthopaedic surgeon regarding their unique personal experiences with self-confidence and imposter syndrome: Mara Schenker, MD, FAAOS, and Mark Baratz, MD, FAAOS.

Read more…

Apply for Volunteer Opportunities

Consider applying for the following positions:

• Education Assessments and Examinations Committee Member position (foot and ankle)—applications are accepted until Dec. 31
• Foot and Ankle Program Committee member positions—applications are accepted until Dec. 21
• Musculoskeletal Tumor and Metabolic Disease Program Committee position—applications are accepted until Dec. 21
• Pediatrics Instructional Course Committee Member positions—applications are accepted until Dec. 21
• Pediatrics Program Committee Member positions—applications are accepted until Dec. 21
• Spine Instructional Course Committee Member positions—applications are accepted until Dec. 21
• Tumor Instructional Course Committee Member positions—applications are accepted until Dec. 21

Learn more and submit applications…(member login required)