The AAOS Now Editorial Board is pleased to announce that it is currently recruiting two member-at-large positions with a focused interest and competency in subject matter related to diversity, as well as their subspecialties and other topical areas. These members of the Editorial Board will contribute to the development and vetting of diversity-related content. The application deadline is March 22.
Study: Demographics of Leadership in Orthopaedic Education
A study published in the Feb. 15 issue of the Journal of the AAOS ® evaluated demographics and characteristics of current orthopaedic chairs and program directors in the United States. In total, 161 residency programs from 2018 to 2019 were identified from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, comprising 153 chairs and 161 program directors. Almost all chairs (98.0 percent) were men compared to 88.8 percent of program directors. Chairs had more average years in practice than program directors (26.4 versus 16.8 years), more years in their position (9.1 versus 7.1 years), more publications, and were more likely to be professors.
Study: Risk Factors of GT Cutting-through in Arthroscopic Suture-bridge RCR
A retrospective study published online in Arthroscopy determined risk factors and outcomes of cutting-through at the greater tuberosity (GT) in arthroscopic suture-bridge rotator cuff repair (RCR). Seventy-eight patients were grouped by cutting-through (n = 46) versus without (n = 32). All patients were radiographed within one month of surgery and were followed for a minimum of two years. GT bone mineral density and rotator cuff tear size were both independent predictors of cutting-through.
Study: High Infection Risk After Revision TKA with DFR
A study published online in Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy compared distal femoral reconstruction (DFR) to hinged total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for revision of periprosthetic joint infection. In total, 97 patients were included, of whom 41 received DFR. At a median 59 months of follow-up, 24 percent of patients required revision for infection. Infection-free survival of hinged revision TKA was 93 percent at five years compared to 50 percent for DFR. Length of megaprosthesis and higher BMI were risk factors for infection. Ten percent of the DFR cohort (n = 4) required amputation to treat recurrent infection.
Study: Comparison of TAA Outcomes Between Patients with OA and RA
A study published online in Foot & Ankle International compared outcomes after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) in 45 patients with end-stage osteoarthritis (OA) and 19 with end-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Postoperative follow-up was three years. Functional evaluations included the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). No significant differences were found in rates of complications, revision, or overall functional scores between the two groups, although patients with OA scored significantly higher in the FAOS sports and leisure and FAAM sports activity subscales than patients with RA.
Study Evaluates Effect of Parathyroid Hormone Analog on Fracture Healing
A meta-analysis published online in Osteoporosis International assessed the benefit of using parathyroid hormone (PTH) analog in fracture healing. Randomized, controlled trials of treatment of acute fractures with PTH analog from Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases through August 2019 were included. Most studies involved older patients with osteoporosis. Use of PTH was found to improve functional outcomes but did not improve fracture healing rate or reduce pain. There was no evidence of PTH treatment hindering outcomes.
Do We Need to Worry About Methyl Methacrylate Exposure?
Orthopaedic surgeons are exposed to myriad occupational hazards, including ionizing radiation and blood-borne viral infections, as well as the volatile fumes of acrylic bone cement. In this article, Ayesha Abdeen, MD, FAAOS, FRCS(C), reviews the current literature regarding the cause-effect relationship between exposure to methyl methacrylate (MMA), the solvent used in acrylic cement, and birth defects or infertility in female surgeons, as well as the limitations of current research.
