AAOS 2023 Program Highlights, Directly from the Top-rated Faculty Presenting in Las Vegas
The No. 1 reason orthopaedic professionals participate in the AAOS Annual Meeting is because of the world-class educational programming. This year’s meeting, March 7 to 11 in Las Vegas, features five days of Symposia, Instructional Course Lectures, Case Presentations, Career Development Sessions, OrthoDome videos, and so much more. Hear directly from some of the meeting’s top-rated faculty about what you can look forward to at their upcoming sessions.
Study Evaluates Effects of Postoperative IV Iron after Staged Bilateral TKA
A retrospective analysis of 418 patients undergoing staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) found that patients with preoperative anemia treated with IV iron showed lower hemoglobin (Hb) level change than those without IV iron treatment. The study was published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. Hb levels and level-change amounts were compared between patients who received IV iron supplementation immediately after TKA and those who did not. The iron group showed comparable outcomes to the no-iron group; however, the transfusion rate was lower in the iron group than in the no-iron group (58.6 percent versus 96.5 percent).
Same-day Discharge: Which THA Approach Is More Effective?
The Journal of Arthroplasty published a study evaluating how different approaches for total hip arthroplasty (THA) impacted the achievement of same-day discharge (SDD). Patients undergoing THA via direct anterior approach (DAA, n = 1,127) and posterior approach (PA, n = 207) were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was failure-to-launch, which was defined as hospital stay extending past one midnight. Secondary outcomes included 90-day readmission and revision rates. Higher rates of failure-to-launch were observed in the PA group (12.1 percent) versus the DAA group (5.9 percent). Both groups had similar readmission (1.7 percent versus 1.4 percent) and revision rates (1 percent vs 1 percent).
Retrospective Study Investigates Long-term Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes after Radiolunate Arthrodesis
According to a study in the Journal of Hand Surgery, preoperative severe ulnar translation deformity was a risk factor for postoperative degeneration of the midcarpal joint. In a long-term (mean follow-up period of 14 years) retrospective analysis of 16 wrists with rheumatoid arthritis treated with radiolunate arthrodesis, range of motion (ROM) and clinical outcomes were assessed. At the final follow-up, clinical scores improved in all patients, though the extension and flexion ROM were significantly reduced compared with presurgery levels. Researchers suggested that pre-existing degenerative changes at the midcarpal joint might lead to loss of ROM in the wrist.
Meta-analysis: Halo-pelvic Traction to Treat Severe Scoliosis Is Effective and Safe
The European Spine Journal published a meta-analysis assessing the efficacy and safety of preoperative halo-pelvic traction on the deformity and pulmonary functions in patients with severe scoliosis. Eight studies, including 210 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Pre- and post-traction, significant differences were observed regarding coronal Cobb angle, sagittal Cobb angle, and height. Additionally, there were statistically significant differences in forced vital capacity (FVC), FVC percentage, forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and FEV1 percentage. The rate of complications ranged from 6.6 percent to 26.7 percent.
Indications and Techniques for Rotator Cuff Repair Augmentation
In this OVT Review, Thomas Fleeter, MD, MBA, FAAOS, discusses a surgical technique video on the use of augmentation to aid in the healing of large rotator cuff tears or tears with healing concerns through three example cases “Augmentation of rotator cuff repair can add mechanical stability to the repair and improve the likelihood of success,” Dr. Fleeter wrote. “This video explores indications and operative techniques and outcomes for allograft and xenograft augmentation.”
Register for a Free Upcoming Webinar Covering 2023 CMS and CPT Coding Updates
Tune in on Jan. 24 to learn about the changes that are made each year to the CPT codes that have a tremendous impact on reporting services rendered and obtaining the appropriate reimbursement. Likewise, annual changes to payment policies published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Outpatient Prospective Payment Schedule (OPPS) significantly affect reimbursement. This webinar will dive into the changes affecting CPT codes related to orthopaedics and equip you with the knowledge needed to ensure the most up-to-date coding information and CMS payment policies.
