Study: Supplemental Home Oxygen Use Is Associated with TKA Complications in Patients with Respiratory Disease
In total knee arthroplasty patients with respiratory disease, supplemental home oxygen use is associated with greater risk of postoperative surgical and medical complications compared with no oxygen use, according to a study published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty. The researchers compared 41,418 patients with respiratory disease on home oxygen and 138,685 patients with respiratory disease but no home oxygen. Incidence of periprosthetic joint infection, pneumonia, venous thromboembolism, and periprosthetic fracture were significantly higher with home oxygen use.
Study: Leukocytosis Does Not Predict Infection, Mortality after Hip Fracture Surgery in Older Patients
A retrospective study published online in Current Orthopaedic Practice reported that preoperative leukocytosis was not independently associated with adverse outcomes after hip fracture surgery in patients aged ≥65 years. In total, 1,007 patients were included. Leukocytosis was not significantly associated with surgical site infection or 30-day or one-year mortality. Dementia and delayed surgery (>48 hours) were independently associated with infection and one-year mortality. Male gender and anticoagulant or antiaggregant medication use were associated with 30-day and one-year mortality. Hypoalbuminemia was also associated with one-year mortality.
Study: Recreational Athletes Are Less Likely to Return to Activity after Revision ACLR
Among patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction (rACLR), those who participate in recreational-level sports were twice as likely to not return to activity (RTA) than those playing at higher levels, according to a study published online in The American Journal of Sports Medicine. In total, 862 patients with two years of follow-up were included. Fifteen percent of patients did not RTA. Current smokers, female patients, and patients with a previous medial meniscal excision had higher odds of not returning to activity. Not returning to activity was associated with worse patient-reported outcomes.
Study: Rates of Metalwork Failure, Nonunion after Hindfoot Charcot Reconstruction with Intramedullary Nailing
In a study of patients who underwent hindfoot Charcot reconstruction with an intramedullary nail and had a mean follow-up of 54 months, hindfoot union and intact metalwork were present in 83 percent and 81 percent, respectively. This retrospective study was published online in The Bone & Joint Journal. Seventy patients were included. Seventy-two percent and 74 percent were fully weightbearing at one year postoperatively and at final follow-up, respectively. An intact medial malleolus was present more frequently in patients with intact metalwork and union than in patients with metalwork failure and/or nonunion.
On Tuesday, members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act, which would criminalize assault or intimidation of hospital employees. Reps. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) and Lary Buschon, MD (R-Ind.), introduced the bill. The proposal comes after a series of violent acts on hospital campuses across the United States, including the recent murder of four people, including an orthopaedic surgeon and a sports medicine physician, at the Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa Okla.
AAOS Commits $1 Million to Support Diversity Initiatives
AAOS continues to expand and extend its commitment to diversity with the launch of the AAOS IDEA Grant Program™, a multiyear initiative to “Inspire Diversity, Equity, and Access” across the field of orthopaedics. This four-track, $1 million initiative is designed to encourage more women and underrepresented minorities to choose orthopaedics as a profession. The application period for AAOS IDEA grants opened in May and continues through July 15.
Do you have timely research or an interesting story to tell? AAOS Now is seeking editorial submissions from orthopaedic surgeons and orthopaedic- and practice-related product and service providers that qualify as subject matter experts. The magazine features various formats and opportunities to highlight your information or topic. AAOS Now encourages interested authors to contact staff prior to writing in order to review suggestions and provide feedback. Submit an article suggestion online or email AAOS Now Publisher Dennis Coyle at coyle@aaos.org.
