Readership Survey: AAOS Headline News Now Needs Your Help
AAOS Headline News Now (HNN) is an e-newsletter published three times a week by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). It is an exclusive member benefit and each issue is distributed to 28,000 orthopaedic surgeons. To ensure HNN continues to meet readers’ needs, AAOS is asking readers to fill out a five-question survey that should take less than five minutes to complete. More specifically, AAOS is seeking to better understand what readers think about HNN’s overall format and presentation. Please complete and submit the survey by end of day Monday, May 31. If you have questions, contact HNN Publisher Dennis Coyle at headlinenewsnow@aaos.org.
Study: Platelet and INR Thresholds for Increased Complications Risk in Hip Fracture Surgery
A study published in the April 15 issue of the Journal of the AAOS ® evaluated risk of 30-day morbidity and mortality after hip fracture surgery in patients with thrombocytopenia or elevated international normalized ratio (INR). The researchers used 2012–2017 data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program to analyze 72,306 and 56,027 patients with preoperative platelet and INR level data, respectively. Patients with platelet counts ≤100k/μL had increased risk of bleeding events. Platelet count was negatively correlated with mortality risk. Elevated INR led to increased risk of reoperation, readmission, and death, with the largest effect observed at INR >1.5.
Study: Characteristics and Outcomes of Periprosthetic Shoulder Infection after RTSA
A retrospective study published online in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery measured the incidence and outcomes of periprosthetic shoulder infection (PSI) after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). Thirty-six patients treated between 2004 and 2018 were identified via an RTSA database. Median follow up was 36 months. The most common causative pathogens were staphylococcus epidermidis (31 percent) and Cutibacterium acnes (25 percent). Four patients (11 percent) had infection recurrence, and all four were initially treated with a debridement and implant retention approach
Study: Autologous Microfat Injection with Platelet-Rich Plasma for Knee OA
A randomized study published online in Arthroscopy compared abdominal microfat injections mixed with low- or high-dose platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat knee osteoarthritis (OA). Thirty patients were enrolled: 10 patients each received microfat injection with low-dose PRP, high-dose PRP, or without PRP. Knee function and symptoms improved at three and six months across all groups. T2 mapping sequences (T2max) for cartilage relaxation time did not change significantly in any group. High-dose PRP led to more responses at three months than low-dose PRP. Half of patients receiving low-dose PRP displayed red blood cell contamination >8 percent, which correlated with T2max impairment.
A study published online in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders determined the impact of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) on bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with newly diagnosed osteoporosis treated with ibandronate. Eighty-three patients treated for osteoporosis alone were compared to 76 who were treated for both osteoporosis and LSS. Outcomes were assessed annually for three years. Patients treated for osteoporosis only had higher average annual BMD and average change in BMD compared to those treated for both osteoporosis and LSS. Symptomatic LSS was independently associated with continuous BMD improvement.
In his May President’s Message, AAOS President Daniel K. Guy, MD, FAAOS, wrote about starting his presidency with a project he considers “near and dear” but also critical to shaping the future of orthopaedics. He discussed Orthopaedic Advocacy Week, which is being hosted by the AAOS Office of Government Relations with the support of key AAOS leaders and members from May 24 to 28 to amplify yearlong advocacy efforts in a new and innovative way. Each day of Orthopaedic Advocacy Week will offer members quick and simple opportunities to raise important issues with lawmakers. The highlight of Orthopaedic Advocacy Week is the Virtual Capitol Hill Day with Lawmakers on May 27, when interested orthopaedic surgeons will be able to attend Zoom meetings with members of Congress to make critical requests and advocate for several issues from the 2021 Unified Advocacy Agenda. Registration for the Virtual Capitol Hill Day will be open until May 10, however members can continue signing up to participate in the daily advocacy activities or find them on the webpage throughout the event.
Orthopaedic and Podiatric Surgeons Joint Task Force Announce Consensus Statements
Since 2018, the Joint Task Force of Orthopaedic and Podiatric Surgeons has worked on mutually beneficial policy goals. The four participating organizations are the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), and the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). Now after years of thoughtful discussion and deliberation, the task force has unanimously endorsed a white paper, which addresses the goal of equivalency in education pathways and certification. The next step in this process is a resolution that was recently submitted for consideration at the June 2021 Special Meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates. Both the white paper and resolution demonstrate the goal shared by orthopaedists and podiatrists in standardizing education and accreditation for care of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. The Task Force is proud of its efforts to date and looks forward to continued valuable collaboration between the professions to benefit members and patients in the future.
