Call for Applicants: Social Media Ambassador Program Member-at-Large
The AAOS Social Media Ambassador Program is seeking new members. Are you an AAOS member who is active on social media? AAOS wants to connect with highly engaged and influential orthopaedic surgeons on social media to help promote important initiatives in orthopaedics and other opportunities from AAOS. The deadline to apply is Feb. 8.
Study Evaluates Effectiveness of Progressive Early Active Exercise Therapy After RCR
A randomized, controlled trial published online in The American Journal of Sports Medicine compared 12 weeks of progressive early active exercise therapy (PR) versus limited passive exercise therapy (usual care [UC]) following rotator cuff repair (RCR). Each group consisted of 41 patients, all of whom participated in the 12-week assessment; 74 completed one-year follow-up. At 12 weeks and one year, Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index score; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire score; pain; range of motion; and strength did not largely differ between the groups. At one year, there were 13 retears: six in the PR group and seven in the UC group.
Study: Predictive Utility of Activity Measure for Post-acute Care ‘6-clicks’ Short Forms on Discharge Disposition, Readmissions
A retrospective study published online in BMJ Open measured the predictive utility of the Activity Measure for Post-acute Care “6-clicks” daily activity and basic mobility functional assessment short forms on inpatient discharge disposition and 30-day inpatient readmissions. The year before 6-clicks implementation, there were 10,316 patients with 12,314 hospital admissions; the year after, there were 10,931 patients with 13,241 admissions. The areas under the receiving operating characteristic curve for discharge to home or skilled nursing facilities were 0.82 to 0.92 (daily activity) and 0.87 to 0.94 (basic mobility); the highest values were in patients with trauma and spinal fusion
Study Analyzes 20-year Trends in Medicare Reimbursement in Trauma Surgery
A study published in the February issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma observed a decline in Medicare reimbursement for some trauma procedures from 2000 to 2020. The Physician Fee Schedule Look-up Tool from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services was searched for the 20 common CPT codes in orthopaedic trauma. When adjusting for inflation, there was a 30 percent decrease in the average reimbursement for all procedures from 2000 to 2020. Total relative value units increased by an average 4.4 percent. The most significant mean decrease was observed in foot and ankle procedures, with the smallest mean decrease in shoulder and upper extremity.
Study Assesses Cases of Hindfoot Trauma with Concomitant Talar Head Injury
A retrospective study published online in Foot & Ankle International evaluated management and outcomes for patients with hindfoot trauma with concomitant talar head injury. A total of 21 patients with acute fractures of the talar head were assessed; mean follow-up was 4.9 years. The Foot Function Index (FFI) and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score were used to analyze functional outcome. All 21 patients had additional ipsilateral foot and/or ankle injuries. Surgery was required in 15 patients, with no postoperative wound infections or cases of avascular necrosis reported. Overall, the mean FFI score index was 34.2, and mean AOFAS score was 70.7.
Study Compares Plate Versus Lag Screw Only for Lateral Malleolus Fractures in Adolescents
A retrospective study published in the February issue of the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics compared fixation of lateral malleolus fractures in adolescents performed with lag screw versus plate fixation. Patients were stratified into plate fixation (n = 51) and lag screw fixation groups (n = 32). The main outcome was fracture union without loss of reduction, which all patients achieved. The plate group had a 15-minute longer mean surgical time and was almost four times more likely to have symptomatic implants than the screw group. About half of the cohort was available at a mean 50 months of follow-up; outcome scores were similar between the groups.
With the recent FDA approval of two COVID-19 vaccines, hope for an in-person AAOS 2021 Annual Meeting is renewed. While the Academy’s primary focus is the health and safety of the AAOS community, the organization is forging ahead with plans for the Annual Meeting, scheduled to take place from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3 in sunny San Diego. Joseph A. Bosco III, MD, FAAOS, AAOS president, and Andrew H. Schmidt, MD, FAAOS, chair of the AAOS Annual Meeting Committee, provide an update on what attendees can expect from the AAOS 2021 Annual Meeting.
