Study: Superior Outcomes of RTSA for GHOA versus RTSA for RC Tear Arthropathy
A retrospective study published in the Feb. 1 issue of the Journal of the AAOS ® reported superior outcomes in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) with an intact rotator cuff (RC) compared with RTSA for RC tear arthropathy. In total, 311 patients with more than two years of follow-up were included (GHOA, n = 198; RC tear, n = 113). The GHOA group demonstrated greater postoperative range of motion, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores, and lower pain scores than the RC tear group.
Study: Tourniquet Use in Revision TKA Is Associated with Less Blood Loss, Fewer Reoperations
Tourniquet use in aseptic revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) led to significantly less blood loss and fewer reoperations compared with revision TKA with no tourniquet, according to a study published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty. Of 1,212 patients, 83 percent received a tourniquet. From baseline to three months, there were no significant differences in Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement scores between those with and without tourniquets. The reoperation rate was 20.5 percent in patients with no tourniquet, compared with 15 percent in those with a tourniquet.
Study Finds Significantly Improved Survival after Pelvic Ring Injuries since 1999
There has been significant improvement in the mortality rate of pelvic ring injuries between 1999 and 2018, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. The researchers compared outcomes of 3,314 patients treated at a single center between 1999 and 2006 and between 2007 and 2018. The mortality rate decreased from 9.1 percent to 4.9 percent between the earlier and later groups, or a reduction of 4.1 percent. After adjusting for age and injury severity, the mortality reduction rose to 6.4 percent.
Study: Anxiety Is Associated with Problematic Recovery after Carpal Tunnel Release
A retrospective study published online in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research reported that greater baseline anxiety is associated with “problematic” recovery following carpal tunnel release (CTR). In total, 156 patients who underwent in-office CTR were assessed. Twenty-four percent of patients had a problematic recovery, noting distress regarding persistent symptoms or wound issues Greater baseline anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder score of ≥1.5) was the only factor associated with problematic recovery.
Study: Improved Activity and Work Productivity with Tanezumab for Moderate-to-severe OA
A study published online in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found that treatment with tanezumab significantly improved health status and work productivity in patients with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis (OA). Researchers pooled data from 576 patients enrolled in one of two phase 3, placebo-controlled studies. At week 16, tanezumab 2.5 mg was associated with greater improvements in EQ-5D-5L scores and activity and work impairment compared with placebo. Tanezumab 5 mg led to similar improvements as the 2.5 mg dose, but with significantly greater work time missed than the lower dose.
Surgeons Successfully Manage Their Own Medical Conditions
Trying to manage a surgical career with a medical condition or disability can be challenging. Training and working environments should be more accessible and assistive technologies, modified training/work schedules, and easily navigable environments should be standard practice in orthopaedics. In a recent webinar cosponsored by AAOS, several orthopaedic surgeons who have contended with medical conditions and/or disabilities spoke about creating a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment in orthopaedic surgery.
AAOS is seeking volunteers to participate on a Key Informants Panel for the Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Clinical Practice Guideline. While not a voting member of the workgroup, a key informant would still be charged with reviewing introductory material, submitting guideline recommendation topics via survey, reviewing the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) list after it has been developed by the workgroup, and acting as a peer reviewer once this guideline has been developed.
