Today’s Top Story

Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes Are Associated with Dislocation, Reduced Implant Survival after THA

A study published in the Feb. 15 issue of the Journal of the AAOS ® found that patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) have higher rates of perioperative dislocation and reduced implant survival after total hip arthroplasty (THA) than patients without EDS. The researchers compared 354 THA patients with EDS with 3,518 matched controls. Ninety-day dislocation rates were 4.2 percent for the EDS group, versus 1.7 percent of controls; EDS was significantly associated with 90-day dislocation. Five-year implant survival was 92.7 percent for patients with EDS and 96.1 percent for controls.

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In Other News

Study: Factors Associated with Success of Chronic Antibiotic Suppression of PJIs

Factors such as gram-negative infections and multiple changes to the antibiotic regimen were associated with failure of chronic antibiotic suppression (CAS) for prosthetic joint infections (PJIs), according to a retrospective study published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty. PJIs in 31 knees and 14 hips were included, with a median follow-up of 50 months. Failure was defined as reoperation or infection-related mortality. The overall success of CAS was 67 percent (n = 30). Hip arthroplasty patients were less likely to require reoperation after CAS than knee arthroplasty patients. Severe antibiotic side effects were rare.

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Study: Lower Velocity, Greater Joint Load during Throwing in Baseball Players with Early Trunk Rotation

Early trunk rotation (ETR) during throwing in elite baseball players was associated with lower ball velocity and higher shoulder joint loading compared with non-ETR throwers, according to a study published online in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Fifty-seven athletes were divided according to ETR status. Ball velocity was 120 km/h in the ETR group and 127 km/h in non-ETR athletes. Shoulders of throwers with ETR demonstrated horizontal adduction lag and dropped elbow, the authors noted. ETR shoulders also had increased maximal posterior force, inferior force, horizontal abduction moment, and vertical adduction moment compared with non-ETR shoulders.

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Study: History of Opioid Misuse Is Associated with Greater Resource Utilization after Spinal Fusion

A retrospective study published in Current Orthopaedic Practice found that a history of opioid misuse or abuse (OMA) prior to thoracolumbar spinal fusion was associated with increased postoperative resource utilization. The researchers assessed data on 73,442 spinal fusion patients, including 1,332 patients with a history of OMA. Prior OMA was associated with a longer length of stay (4.5 days versus 3.8 days), higher healthcare costs ($129,264 versus $118,065), and greater odds of readmission within one year, including a greater incidence of hospitalization for OMA-specific issues (16.3 percent versus 0.8 percent), compared with patients without a history of OMA.

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Robert Califf, MD, Confirmed by Senate as FDA Commissioner

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert Califf, MD, as the new commissioner of the FDA. Dr. Califf previously served as FDA commissioner under President Barack Obama from February 2016 to January 2017. He is expected to address issues such as the authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine, opioid approvals and labels, and oversee negotiations on the Medical Device User Fee Amendments (MDUFA) reauthorization.

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AAOS Now

February Issue of AAOS Now Is Online Now

Due to supply chain issues and labor shortages negatively impacting paper supply, AAOS Now’s printer, and the U.S. Postal Service, the delivery of the February issue’s print version will be delayed. We anticipate these delays will continue and impact future issues of AAOS Now. However, the February issue’s content is available on the AAOS Now website. This month’s issue includes highlights from the AAOS Diversity Town Hall, a review of the best treatment for biceps tendonitis, and information on selecting between “tail” and “nose” medical liability insurance for surgeons.

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Your AAOS

New Podcast Episodes: Personal Finance; Plus, Consolidation in Healthcare

In the latest “AAOS Career Podcast” episode, James M. Dahle, MD, FACEP, founder of The White Coat Investor, offers advice on personal finances, investments, and retirement plans for surgeons balancing residency training and early clinical practice. The new “AAOS Advocacy Podcast” episode is part one of a three-part series on the trend of consolidation in healthcare and its impact on musculoskeletal care.

Listen to “Exploring Personal Finance with The White Coat Investor”…

Listen to “Consolidation in Healthcare: Trends, Impact & Outlook”…