Today’s Top Story

Academy Reschedules AAOS 2021 Annual Meeting

The AAOS 2021 Annual Meeting will now take place Aug. 31, 2021, to Sept. 4, 2021, at the San Diego Convention Center. Registration will open in April 2021, and the meeting will include both in-person and online educational programming. The AAOS Board of Directors approved the recommendation to reschedule the meeting, originally slated to occur in March 2021, after significant evaluation and scenario planning focusing on the health and safety of all meeting participants.

For those who have reserved housing already, an email will be sent confirming your room cancellation from onPeak, AAOS’ official housing provider. If you have any additional questions, email meeting@aaos.org.

Learn more…

 
 
 
 
In Other News

Study Measures Cost-effectiveness of Robotic Arm-assisted Versus Manual THA

According to a study published online in the Journal of the AAOS ®, robotic arm-assisted total hip arthroplasty (THA) was more cost-effective than manual THA. The researchers made a Markov model to assess robotic arm-assisted and manual THA interventions for osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disorder. Outcomes were assessed in one-year cycles over a five-year period. Robotic arm-assisted THA, relative to manual THA, saved an average $945 for Medicare and $1,810 for private insurance and generated slightly more utility. Robotic arm-assisted THA was cost-effective in 99.4 percent of cases.

Read the abstract…

 
 
 
 
Study: How Does the Contralateral Foot Fare in Charcot Arthropathy?

A study published online in Foot & Ankle International evaluated midterm outcomes for the contralateral foot in Charcot arthropathy. Medical records for 130 consecutive unilateral Charcot arthropathy patients were identified. At a mean 2.5 years, contralateral Charcot arthropathy presented in 19.2 percent of patients. Females were significantly more likely to sustain contralateral Charcot arthropathy. Just under half of patients (46.2 percent) developed a contralateral ulcer. Among patients who developed contralateral Charcot arthropathy, 60 percent developed an ulcer. Twenty-five amputations were performed in 22 patients (16.9 percent), of whom three (2.3 percent) required major amputation.

Read the abstract…

 
 
 
Study Compares Industry Payments Between Male Versus Female Orthopaedic Surgeons

According to a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis published in the July issue of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research ®, even when controlling for confounding factors, female orthopaedic surgeons only received 29 percent of industry payments received by their male counterparts. Final analysis included 2,939 academic orthopaedic surgeons from 126 programs: 2,620 males (89 percent) and 319 females (11 percent). Male surgeons had a higher median payment than females ($1,027 versus $177). When adjusting for factors including faculty rank, years since residency, H-index, and subspecialty choice, female faculty members still obtained 29 percent of payments received by comparable male orthopaedic surgeons.

Read the abstract…

 
 
 
COVID-19 Updates

CMS, CDC Announce Payment for Counseling Patients on Self-isolating After COVID-19 Testing

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that physicians and healthcare providers may be eligible for reimbursement for counseling patients on self-isolation after undergoing a COVID-19 test. Counseling includes discussing the immediate need to isolate, explaining that the patient’s household members should also be tested, and reviewing signs and symptoms and available services while self-isolating.

Read the CMS press release…

 
 
 
AAOS Now

Perfection Is Not Required to Talk About Race

Gary W. Stewart, MD, FAAOS, FAOA, discusses how orthopaedic surgeons can move the discussion forward about racism. According to Dr. Stewart, “As a fellowship of surgeons, we can move forward with nuanced discussions among our peers and colleagues within AAOS. An expectation of perfection in those discussions is unrealistic. With grace and understanding, progress can and will be made.”

Read more…

 
 
 
Your AAOS

Apply for Volunteer Opportunities

Consider applying for the following positions:

  • Adult Reconstruction Hip Instructional Course Committee member position—applications are accepted until Aug. 10
  • Adult Reconstruction Knee Program Committee member position—applications are accepted until Aug. 10
  • International Committee member position—applications are accepted until Aug. 10
  • Education Assessments and Examinations Committee member position—applications are accepted until Aug. 10
  • Foot and Ankle Program Committee member position—applications are accepted until Aug. 10
  • Hand and Wrist Program Committee member position—applications are accepted until Aug. 10
  • Trauma Instructional Course Committee chair position—applications are accepted until Aug. 10

Learn more and submit applications…(member login required)