Study: Variable Reliability in Leg Length Discrepancy Measures in Total Hip Arthroplasty
A systematic review published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty found wide variability in the intra- and interrater reliability of most measurement techniques for leg length discrepancies in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Forty-two articles, including 2,059 patients, were analyzed. Biplanar radiography demonstrated excellent intra- and interrater reliability. The authors noted that the tape measure method was a valid clinical measure of leg length discrepancy, however, markerless motion analysis and the block method were invalid measures.
Study: Pain and Function after Arthroscopic Partial RC Repair with and without Humeral Head Coverage
A retrospective study published online in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery found that patients with humeral head coverage after arthroscopic partial rotator cuff (RC) repair had better outcomes than patients without coverage. Sixty-three patients treated for massive RC tears were included, and 38 had humeral head coverage. At ≥2 years postoperatively, there were significant overall improvements in pain and functional scores, with significantly higher scores in the coverage group. Partial tears were identified postoperatively in four patients with humeral head coverage and two without.
Study: PROMIS Instruments Reflect Improvements after Trigger Digit Treatment
A retrospective study published online in The Journal of Hand Surgery found that improvements in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference (PI) and Upper Extremity (UE) scores reflected clinical improvements following treatment for trigger finger. Seventy-one patients received corticosteroid injection and 51 underwent A1 pulley release. PROMIS scores were collected at baseline and at six weeks, plus again at three months in the pulley release group. The authors noted that the PI and UE measures were more responsive than the Physical Function subscale for capturing improvement.
Study: Long-term Treatment Costs after Combat-related Orthopaedic Injuries
A study published in the May 18 issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery reported substantial long-term costs associated with orthopedic treatment for active-duty individuals who sustained orthopaedic injuries in both combat and noncombat environments. Combat-injured patients (n = 2,119) were matched 1:1 to a cohort of patients with non-combat injuries and both groups’ healthcare utilization from 2007 to 2011 through 2018 was assessed. Total costs were significantly higher after combat-related injuries, and these injuries were associated with 43 percent higher healthcare expenditures than non-combat-related injuries.
Study: Sit-to-stand Biomechanics Differ Based on Symptom Severity in Patients with Lower Back Pain
A study published online in the European Spine Journal found that patients with lower back pain have different movement biomechanics during a sit-to-stand transfer, and these biomechanics are related to severity of symptoms. In-clinic motion data from 44 nonspecific lower back pain and 42 spinal deformity lower back pain patients was reviewed. Spinal deformity patients had greater dynamic sagittal vertical alignment, peak spine torque, hip torque, and knee torque than patients with nonspecific pain. Anterior and vertical torso velocities were also similar between groups, and were correlated with visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores.
CMS Updates Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Billing
In January, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced guideline changes to its Medicare reporting rules that impact physician assistant and nurse practitioner billing. These changes could require practices to modify how they report split/shared services. Previously, shared services were frequently reported in the name of a physician. Now, new rules determine who can report the services. Failing to comply with the new CMS rules will create compliance risks for physician practices. This article outlines what has changed for split/shared billing, as well as what CMS indicates is ahead for 2023.
Watch the 2022 Resident Rumble Championship on Wednesday
The championship match of the AAOS 2022 Virtual Resident Rumble, sponsored by DePuy Synthes, will be held this upcoming Wednesday, June 1. Join the fun and enjoy this combination of orthopaedic-based trivia, pop culture trivia, and fun competitions. Will defending champions UT Houston make it a three-peat? Or will Mayo Clinic Arizona or William Beaumont Army Medical Center come out victorious? Tune in to find out.
