Today’s Top Story
Study: Sagittal spinal deformity may be linked to increased risk of THA instability.
According to a study published in the June issue of The Journal of Arthroplasty concomitant spinal deformity may be linked to total hip arthroplasty (THA) instability. The researchers used standing stereoradiography to evaluate spinopelvic parameters, acetabular cup anteversion, and inclination of 139 THAs among 107 patients with sagittal spinal deformity. They found that the rate of THA dislocation was 8.0 percent, with a revision rate of 5.8 percent for instability. Overall, patients who sustained dislocations had significantly higher spinopelvic tilt, T1-pelvic angle, and mismatch of lumbar lordosis and pelvic incidence. The researchers note that among dislocating THA, 80 percent had safe anteversion, 80 percent had safe inclination, and 60 percent had both parameters within the safe zone. Read the complete study…

Other News

Study: Is postoperative motion influenced by change in composite patellar thickness following TKA?
The authors of a study published in the June issue of The Journal of Arthroplasty recommend maintaining 12 mm of patellar bone stock for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and for whom native patellar bone is less than 18 mm. The authors reviewed data on 3,655 TKAs performed by three surgeons over a 28-year period. All knees had caliper measurement of patellar thickness prior to the patellar cut, after component implantation, and postoperative motion recorded 1 or 2 years after TKA. They identified a weak but significant relationship between change in patellar thickness and motion, with an increase in composite patellar thickness of 10 mm linked to a 3° loss of knee motion. The authors also identified significant differences between change in patellar thickness and manipulations, ruptures, and patellar clunk/crepitus. Read the complete study…

Study: Allograft cartilage ECM may help improve function and pain for certain patients with OLT.
Findings from a study published online in the journal Foot & Ankle International suggest that use of allograft cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) may improve ankle function and pain for certain patients treated surgically for primary osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). The research team conducted a prospective, comparative study of 30 consecutive patients who received allograft cartilage ECM at their microfractured OLT of 1.5 cm2 or smaller after failing nonsurgical treatment. At mean 20.2-month follow-up, the investigators found that mean Foot and Ankle Ability Measure increased from 51.4 of 100 at baseline to 89.3 of 100, and mean visual analog scale decreased from 8.1 of 10 at baseline to 1.7 of 10. The research team notes that at 6 months after surgery, two patients (6.7 percent) received computed tomography scans that revealed incomplete chondral formation at their OLT, and at 19 months, a separate patient (3.3 percent) developed ankle arthritic changes. Read the abstract…

Study: Younger male athletes may be less likely to report concussion symptoms.
Data from a study published online in the Journal of Athletic Training suggest that male high school athletes may be less likely than females to report symptoms of sport-related concussion. The authors surveyed 288 athletes across seven sports. They found that male and female athletes had similar sport-related concussion symptom knowledge. However, female athletes were more likely to report their concussive symptoms to an authority figure. Read more…
Read the abstract…

Florida.
A study published online in the International Journal of Emergency Medicine finds that few emergency medicine providers in Florida routinely check the state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) database every time they prescribe opioids. The researchers surveyed 88 prescribers, including 54 attending physicians, 13 residents, and 21 extenders. Overall, 3 percent of respondents reported using the PDMP every time they prescribed opioids, 51 percent used it only when they suspected possible misuse, and 21 percent reported rarely using the database. The researchers note that 70 percent of prescribers reported receiving no formal education on identifying individuals at increased risk of opioid misuse. Read more…
Read the complete study…

Fellows elect 2018 Nominating Committee; adopt resolutions and bylaw amendments.
The members of the 2018 AAOS Nominating Committee have been identified. The AAOS fellowship elected six members of the 2018 Nominating Committee in May, and the AAOS Board of Directors appointed the chair at its meeting in March. In addition, the fellowship adopted two AAOS resolutions (each up for its 5-year review and three bylaw amendments; 15.6 percent of eligible fellows cast ballots. The 2018 Nominating Committee members are:

  • Frederick M. Azar, MD (Tenn.), Chair
  • James H. Beaty, MD (Tenn.)
  • Andrew R. Burgess, MD (Texas)
  • Serena S. Hu, MD (Calif.)
  • Alexandra (Alexe) Page, MD (Calif.)
  • David D. Teuscher, MD (Texas)
  • Joseph D. Zuckerman, MD (N.Y.)

Alexander R. Vaccaro, MD, PhD, MBA, (Pa.), was elected as the alternate member of the committee.

The 2018 Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates for the positions of:

  • Second vice-president
  • Treasurer-elect
  • Board member-at-large (age 45 or older)
  • Board member-at-large (younger than age 45 on March 8, 2018)
  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) Board of Directors—4 nominees and 2 alternates

The 2018 Nominating Committee will soon solicit suggestions for individuals who might serve in these positions. An announcement will appear in AAOS Headline News Now and will be sent via email to all fellows.

Nominate a colleague for the AAOS Diversity, Humanitarian, or Tipton Leadership Award!
Friday, June 9, 2017, is the last day to submit nominations for the 2018 Diversity and Humanitarian Awards and the William W. Tipton Jr, MD, Orthopaedic Leadership Award. These awards are presented annually at the AAOS Annual Meeting. The respective award recipients are recognized for their endeavors to further encourage diversity or culturally competent care, participation in humanitarian activities, or leadership activities in the orthopaedic profession. Read more…