Fellows and Residents Are Encouraged to Apply for Volunteer Opportunities with AAOS Now
The AAOS Now Editorial Board is currently recruiting for several member-at-large positions and one resident-at-large member. Fellows who are sports, trauma, total joint, or hand specialists are especially encouraged to apply, but the position is open to all specialties. For the resident position, PGY-2 and PGY-3 applicants are encouraged, but applicants from all years are welcome. The Editorial Board provides editorial direction for AAOS Now, which is the official news magazine of AAOS and the No. 1 nonpeer-reviewed orthopaedics publication. It also oversees Headline News Now and the AAOS Now Daily Edition. The deadline to submit applications is Jan 28.
Study: Diabetic Patients Are Less Likely to Receive Osteoporosis Evaluation after Fragility Fracture
A study published in the Journal of the AAOS ® found that diabetic patients aged ≥50 years received less osteoporosis evaluation and management after primary fragility fracture than patients without diabetes. However, secondary fractures were more common at two years in patients with diabetes (5.2 percent versus 4.7 percent). The analysis included 27,052 patients with and 27,052 without diabetes. Diabetic patients were significantly less likely to undergo evaluation via dual radiograph absorptiometry after fracture. Osteoporosis was diagnosed in 9.3 percent of diabetic patients and 11.9 percent of patients without diabetes. Diabetic patients were also less likely to initiate osteoporosis pharmacotherapy.
Review Finds Promising Outcomes with Stemless Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
A systematic review published online in the Journal of Shoulder & Elbow Surgery reported “promising” clinical improvement with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty using stemless humeral components. Ten studies comprising 437 procedures were assessed. Patients were treated with either a TESS (Total Evolutive Shoulder System) or Verso implant and mean follow-up ranged from 6.4 to 101.6 months. The authors noted an overall trend of improved clinical outcome scores The overall complications rate was 11.2 percent, and humeral component loosening occurred in 0.2 percent.
Study: Improved Wrist Function after Arthroscopic “Tent Form” TFCC Repair with DRUJ Capsule Imbrication
Arthroscopy-assisted “tent form” triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) repair with dorsal distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) capsule imbrication for posttraumatic chronic DRUJ instability improved wrist function at a mean follow-up of 35.6 months, according to a study published online in Arthroscopy. Thirty-eight patients were evaluated. At 24 months, grip strength and wrist motion were not significantly different from the nonoperated wrist. Average Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores, patient-rated wrist evaluations, and Mayo Wrist Scores all improved from preoperative levels.
Study: Bone Marrow Oedema Is Associated with Back Pain after Thoracolumbar Osteoporotic Compression Fracture
Bone marrow oedema (BME) signals on MRI may predict the degree of back pain after thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, according to a study published online in the European Spine Journal. In total, 119 patients underwent MRI within and after one month post-fracture. The degree of back pain and lamellar bone content were significantly correlated with BME at both timepoints. Fibrous tissue content was lower in patients with BME ≤75 percent compared with those with BME >75 percent at both time points.
Susan Bukata, MD, Joins an Elite Group of Women Who Chair Orthopaedic Surgery Departments
Susan Bukata, MD, FAAOS, was recently named chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and UC San Diego Health. With this career move, Dr. Bukata joins an elite but growing group of women who chair orthopaedic surgery departments. “Becoming chair was not a goal when I started, but multiple experiences in climbing the ladder helped prepare me for the role,” she told AAOS Now.
New Podcast Episodes: ABOS Board Certification; Plus, Physician Advocacy for Patients with Insurers
In the latest “AAOS Career Podcast” episode, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) Executive Medical Director David F. Martin, MD, FAAOS, discusses the evolving process of board certification through the ABOS, its commitment to lifelong learning, and recent initiatives to better connect with residents and training programs. The new “AAOS Advocacy Podcast” episode discusses ways in which orthopaedic surgeons can advocate for and with their patients to overcome insurer challenges as insurer influence on the practice of orthopaedic surgery continues to increase.
