The AAOS Now Editorial Board is currently recruiting one member-at-large position and is specifically seeking applicants that are either specialists in Pediatric Orthopaedics, Spine, or Trauma or subject matter experts in Research & Quality or Residency. 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 Aug. 9.
Study: Novel Pain Assessment Does Not Correlate with Post-THA Analgesic Prescriptions
A study published in the June issue of the Journal of the AAOS: Global Research & Reviews ® found the novel Activity-based Checks of Pain (ABCs) scale correlates with the numeric rating scale for pain after total hip arthroplasty, but not milligram of morphine equivalents (MMEs) prescribed at discharge. Thirty-nine patients showed improvement in both pain rating scales at two weeks postoperative. Specific ABC functions (“sitting up,” “walking in room,” “walking outside room”) on day of discharge were correlated to MMEs taken.
Study: Risk Factors of Osseous Lesions in Septic Shoulder Arthritis Treated via Arthroscopy
A retrospective study published online in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery found that risk factors for osseous lesions in septic shoulder arthritis were female sex, lower C-reactive protein levels, and more time between symptom onset and MRI. Of 44 patients treated via arthroscopy for septic shoulder arthritis, 21 had osseous lesions, with 12 patients experiencing bone erosion. At 12 months, infection recurrence was 22.7 percent. Culture results and duration from symptom onset to surgery were significantly associated with recurrent infection.
Study: Visual Appearance of the Foot after Osteotomy Is Associated with Patient-reported Outcomes
Visual improvements in cosmetic appearance of the foot were associated with patients’ perception of pain and functional improvement after osteotomy for hallux valgus, according to a study published online in Foot & Ankle International. At 24 months after surgery, 52 patients were shown preoperative foot photographs. Their functional and pain scores were compared to those of 53 patients who were not shown photographs. Radiological parameters were similar in both groups, both those who were shown preoperative photographs reported lower pain scores and higher physical functioning and mental health scores.
Study: Radiologic Criteria Alone May Overpredict Patients Appropriate for UKA for Knee OA
A study published online in Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy suggests that unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) candidacy determined via isolated radiologic criteria for patients with knee osteoarthritis is “misleadingly” high when compared to patients selected based on AAOS appropriate use criteria (AUC) that use both radiologic and clinical criteria. Three hundred consecutive patients (397 knees) with knee OA were assessed. Based only on radiologic criteria, 41 percent of knees were suitable for UKA, compared to 13.3 percent of knees based on the AUC criteria.
HHS Announces Interim Final Rule Banning Surprise Billing
Yesterday, following the passage of legislation in December 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services released the first part in a series of regulations to prevent patients from receiving surprise medical bills. The rule follows more than two years of AAOS advocacy to remove patients from the middle of out-of-network billing disputes and ensure that physicians can access an independent dispute resolution (IDR) process in place of a federal rate-setting benchmark. Additional rulemaking later this year will address the details of the IDR process.
The Advocacy 101 series, launched in January by AAOS Now and penned by Advocacy Council chair Douglas W. Lundy, MD, MBA, FAAOS, aims to introduce key advocacy concepts to members. In part four of the series, published in April, Dr. Lundy shared his expertise on best practices for meeting with members of Congress to advocate on behalf of orthopaedic surgeons. In May, he offered tips and guidance on hosting and attending a political fundraiser. Part six, published this month, explains grassroots organizing and how AAOS utilizes this technique to advocate for its membership.
