Today’s Top Story
Survey: Many physicians do not routinely make use of prescription drug monitoring programs.
According to a survey of primary care physicians published in the March issue of the journal Health Affairs, despite high awareness of state prescription drug monitoring programs, many physicians do not routinely make use of such systems. The researchers surveyed 4,20 practicing primary care physicians and found that 72 percent of respondents were aware of their state’s prescription drug monitoring program, and 53 percent reported using one of the programs. However, 58 percent reported that the information was too time-consuming to retrieve and 28 percent indicated that the information was not in an easy-to-use format. The authors argue that states should consider legal mandates, prescriber education and outreach, and enhancing ease of access to and use of such programs. Read more…
Read the abstract…
Other News
Study: Pooled evidence suggests IM nailing may be superior fixation strategy for open tibial shaft fracture.
Findings published online in the journal Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research suggest that intramedullary (IM) nailing may be superior to other fixation strategies for open tibial shaft fractures. The authors conducted a network meta-analysis of 14 studies covering 1,279 patients who were surgically treated for open tibial shaft fractures. With moderate confidence, they found that unreamed IM nailing may reduce likelihood of reoperation compared with external fixation, but may not have a similar advantage when compared with reamed nailing. Overall, the authors found only low or low-quality evidence for other treatment comparisons such as internal plate fixation, Ilizarov external fixation, and Ender nailing. Based on reoperation data, they found that unreamed IM nailing had the highest probability of being the best treatment, followed by reamed IM nailing, external fixation, and plate fixation. The authors note that the data did not allow for conclusive results to be made based on pooled estimates of malunion and infection risk. Read the abstract…
Study: ACLR linked to MRI-OA in younger patients.
Data from an Australian study published online in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology suggest that osteoarthritis (OA) associated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may be more common than previously recognized. The research team obtained isotropic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 111 patients (71 men, mean age 30 years) 1 year after ACLR and 20 matched, uninjured controls. They found that, among ACLR patients, 7 met the MRI criteria for medial tibiofemoral OA and 12 met the MRI criteria for lateral tibiofemoral OA. Overall, meniscectomy at the time of ACLR and high body mass index predicted MRI-defined tibiofemoral OA and osteophytes, respectively. Among uninjured controls, no participant had tibiofemoral or patellofemoral MRI-OA and specific OA features were uncommon. Read more…
Read the abstract…
Study: Subneural reconstruction of the transverse carpal ligament may improve grip strength for carpal tunnel patients.
According to a Chinese study published in the February issue of The Bone & Joint Journal, subneural reconstruction of the transverse carpal ligament during carpal tunnel decompression may offer improved hand strength by stabilizing the transverse carpal arch. The researchers conducted a randomized study of 213 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome who underwent either open carpal tunnel release with subneural reconstruction of the transverse carpal ligament (n = 68), isolated open carpal tunnel release (n = 92), or endoscopic carpal tunnel release (n = 53). At mean 24-month follow-up, they found no significant difference between groups in terms of severity of symptoms or lateral grip strength. However, patients in the isolated open carpal tunnel release group had significantly better functional status, cylindrical grip strength, pinch grip strength, and Michigan Hand Outcome score. Read the abstract…
Experts say King v. Burwell decision could increase healthcare disparities and insurance costs.
A number of articles attempt to project the effects of a U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of the plaintiffs in King v. Burwell—a case that has the potential to jeopardize the fiscal foundation of the Affordable Care Act. According to The New York Times, eliminating insurance subsidies from the 34 federally-run healthcare exchanges could increase prices even for consumers who purchase insurance without subsidies, as a more expensive insurance market would likely see an exit of healthier consumers while retaining a higher proportion of sicker patients. “For most people receiving subsidies,” the author writes, “the full cost of insurance plans would be unaffordable, meaning that only people with the most serious health conditions would be likely to keep buying it.” An article in Modern Healthcare argues that a decision in favor of the plaintiffs would likely result in reduced rates of uninsured patients in states with their own exchanges, with the result that “healthcare providers in states with [their own] exchanges will see shrinking uncompensated-care costs and stable finances. The others will suffer the opposite fate.” Oral arguments will be made to the Court on Wednesday. A decision is expected in June. Read more in The New York Times…
Read more in Modern Healthcare…(registration may be required)
Help build a Safe and Accessible Playground in Las Vegas.
Join the AAOS on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, for the 16th annual Safe and Accessible Playground Build. This year’s project will take place at Palabra Viva Las Vegas church, starting at 8:30 a.m., and concluding with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Be a playground build sponsor or register as a build day volunteer. No experience is necessary to take part in this fun and rewarding activity! Learn more and register…
March AAOS Now is online now and in your mailbox soon!
AAOS members will soon receive the print edition of the March issue of AAOS Now, but the online edition is already available on the AAOS Now website. This month’s issue includes a look at the virtual fly-in held by the AAOS last month to support reform of the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula, a roundtable on ulnar collateral ligament repair, an article on measuring radiation exposure from fluoroscopy, and much more! Read more…
Read “AAOS and Medical Specialties Urge Congress to #FixSGR Now”…
Read “‘Tommy John’ Surgeries: Pearls, Pitfalls, and Protocols”…
Read “Measuring Radiation Exposure from Fluoroscopy”…
Call for volunteers: FDA Science Board.
AAOS seeks to nominate orthopaedic surgeons to serve as AAOS liaison to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Science Board. The Science Board advises the FDA commissioner and other appropriate officials on specific complex scientific and technical issues important to FDA and its mission, including emerging issues within the scientific community, regulatory science, and the agency’s research agenda, facilities, and training opportunities. FDA will ask potential candidates to provide detailed information concerning such matters related to financial holdings, employment, and research grants and contracts to permit evaluation of possible sources of conflicts of interest. Applicants for this position must be active fellows, candidate members, candidate members osteopathic, candidate member applicants for fellowship, or candidate member applicants for fellowship osteopathic. In addition, all applicants must provide the following: an online AAOS CAP Application, a current curriculum vitae, a 100-word biosketch, and a letter of interest highlighting his or her expertise in the relevant subject area and a statement that he or she is able to participate in full capacity. All supporting materials must be submitted by Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. CT, to Kyle Shah at shah@aaos.org.
Learn more and submit your application…(member login required)
