Today’s Top Story

AAOS 2023 Advance Registration Ends this Friday, Jan. 27

Secure the best rates on AAOS 2023 Annual Meeting registration when you sign up before this Friday’s Advance Registration deadline. The meeting registration process has been streamlined to help you complete the necessary steps in just a few minutes. More than 6,000 orthopaedic professionals are already signed up to experience AAOS in Las Vegas, March 7 to 11. If you’re not one of them, now’s the time to register.

Register now…

 
 
 
 
In Other News

Prospective Study Assesses Multimodal Risk-stratified Approach to Thromboprophylaxis in Hip Arthroplasty Patients

A prospective cohort study assessed the efficacy of a risk-stratified approach, which included pharmaceutical and mechanical agents recommended by AAOS, for thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR) and hemiarthroplasty (HA). Published in Current Orthopaedic Practice, the study included 45 THR patients and 21 HA patients. Patients were assessed for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) at two, six, and 12 weeks postsurgery. The AAOS-recommended risk-stratified approach of thromboprophylaxis by combined use of soluble aspirin and various other mechanical measures was effective and cheaper than other methods in the prevention of DVT in moderate-risk patients undergoing hip replacement surgery.

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Randomized Controlled Trial: Primary Wound Closure Associated with Faster Healing after External Fixator Removal

The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery published a randomized controlled trial comparing primary wound closure with secondary wound healing of pin sites after external fixator removal. Seventy-two patients (241 pin sites) were included in the study. Of these, 123 pin sites were treated with primary closure and 118 with secondary wound healing. The primary outcome measurement was pin-site infection, and secondary outcomes included all other complications and time to pin-site wound healing. No pin-site infections occurred in either group. Patients in the primary group had significantly faster wound healing time (two weeks versus six weeks).

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Study: Higher Rate of Complications after Nail Compared with Plate Fixation in Elderly Ankle Fracture Patients

According to a randomized controlled trial in the Bone & Joint Journal, patients aged >60 years who underwent nail fixation for unstable ankle fractures had higher rates of complications compared with those who underwent plate fixation. Patients (n = 120) were randomized to fixation with either a nail or a plate. The primary outcome measurement was the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score. Secondary outcomes included complications and secondary operations. After 24 months, the median AOFAS was comparable between groups (nail = 90 versus plate = 95). Nail fixation resulted in statistically more complications and secondary surgery.

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Does Pelvic Obliquity Correction during Spinal Fusion Affect Hip Displacement in Children with Cerebral Palsy?

A retrospective study evaluating the impact of posterior spinal fusion (PSF) on the change in hip displacement for 67 pediatric cerebral palsy patients without previous reconstructive hip surgery was published in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. The change in hip displacement was quantified by the migration percentage (MP). Patients were followed for a mean time of 4.1 years. The mean preoperative major curve angle and pelvic obliquity were 77 degrees and 21 degrees, respectively. At the final follow-up, there was no statistically significant change observed in MP after PSF.

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AAOS Now

Nonpartisanship Is Key to Improving Access to High-quality Musculoskeletal Care

The December edition of Advocacy 201 offers a look into the nonpartisan approach the AAOS Advocacy Council follows in its efforts to create and pass legislation to improve musculoskeletal healthcare. “Regardless of which political party is in the majority, there are many policy agenda items that can be advanced into law,” wrote Douglas W. Lundy, MD, FAAOS, chair of the Advocacy Council. “It is critical to the Council’s continued success that we work well regardless of the balance of power, and we will always find the most effective methods to advocate for our patients and our profession in a nonpartisan manner.”

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Your AAOS

New Hands-on Surgical Skills Course from AAOS and ASSH Happening in April

On April 14 and 15, AAOS and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) will present a brand-new course, titled “Wrist and Elbow Arthroscopic and Open Procedures: Techniques and Innovations,” led by Julie E. Adams, MD, FAAOS, and Dawn LaPorte, MD, FAAOS. This hands-on surgical skills course will take place at the state-of-the-art OLC Education & Conference Center cadaver lab, delivering cutting-edge approaches and novel techniques for treating a variety of wrist and elbow conditions. Practice open and arthroscopic procedures, participate in dynamic lectures, debates, and panels, and network with peers and renowned faculty.

Early-bird savings end February 14…