Presidential Update: Joseph A. Bosco III, MD, FAAOS, Encourages Members to Vote
In his latest message, AAOS President Joseph A. Bosco III, MD, FAAOS, urged AAOS members to vote in tomorrow’s U.S. general election. He noted that the voter turnout rate for physicians is 10 percent lower than that of the general public and that laws and policies have an increasing impact on health care. Too much is at stake for patients and the profession, and orthopaedic surgeons must engage to ensure that AAOS members have a voice in the future of musculoskeletal care. “No matter who you vote for, you will be fulfilling the commitment that our core values established by ‘leading to serve’ and ‘shaping our future,’” Dr. Bosco said. He also encouraged members to invest in the AAOS Orthopaedic Political Action Committee and reach out to their elected representatives in the new 2021 Congress and beyond.
Study Compares Survivorship for Computer-navigated Versus Conventional TKA
A study published in the Oct. 15 issue of the Journal of the AAOS ® evaluated differences between patients who underwent computer-navigated versus conventional total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Computer-navigated TKA patients (n = 75,709) were matched to conventional TKA patients (n = 75,676). Five-year survival rates did not differ between the computer-navigated (95.1 percent) and conventional (94.7 percent) cohorts. Computer-navigated surgery was correlated with a slight decrease in revisions due to mechanical failure. In a cohort aged younger than 65 years, computer-navigated surgery was correlated with a decreased risk for all-cause revision compared to conventional TKA (91.4 percent versus 896 percent).
Study: Are Normoglycemic Fasting Glucose Levels Predictive of Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis?
A study published in the November issue of the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery identified a correlation between idiopathic adhesive capsulitis (IAC) and normoglycemic fasting glucose levels. A total of 151 patients with IAC and 453 control patients were evaluated. Significant correlations were observed between fasting glucose level, hypercholesterolemia, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and IAC. Patients with fasting glucose levels in the < 85 mg/dL quartile were much less likely to have IAC, while patients whose fasting glucose levels were in the 90 mg/dL to 94 mg/dL quartile or higher were much more likely to have IAC.
Study: Relationship Between Arthroscopic and Radiographic Findings of Deep Deltoid Ligament Injuries in Ankle Fractures
A study published online in Foot & Ankle International sought to determine the medial clear space (MCS) measurement on injury mortise radiographs associated with deep deltoid ligament (DDL) injury in external rotation type four (LSER4) ankle fractures. Eighteen patients with LSER4 ankle fractures who underwent arthroscopy and ORIF were retrospectively reviewed. Per arthroscopic findings, 12 patients had complete DDL injury and six had partial DDL injury. The injury radiograph MCS ranged from 5.5 mm to 29.9 mm in the complete DDL injury group and from 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm in the partial DDL injury group.
Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Stop Physician Pay Cuts Under Medicare
On Friday, U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, MD (D-Calif.), and Larry Bucshon, MD (R-Ind.), introduced bipartisan legislation to provide critical relief to physicians responding to the COVID-19 pandemic who are scheduled to receive Medicare payment cuts next year. The Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act would ensure payments to these providers are kept stable at 2020 levels for the next two years. AAOS is working with Reps. Bera and Bucshon to increase support for the bill as one of several congressional pathways for mitigating the effects of finalized and recently proposed policies from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Now more than ever, physicians need to vote because the outcome of the 2020 election cycle will have a profound impact on the medical community. Continuously changing laws and policies not only affect how physicians care for their patients but also how patients can pay for and access care. Too much is at stake for the physician community not to vote. The AAOS political team has put together a voting resource to help members navigate the patchwork of each state’s voting deadlines and procedures. The resource can be found at www.aaos.org/pac. Members should reach out to the AAOS political team at pac@aaos.org with any questions.
AAOE and the AAOS Registry Program Announce a Collaboration
The American Association of Orthopaedic Executives (AAOE) and AAOS have come together with AAOE Empower and the AAOS Registry Program to benefit orthopaedic surgeons and practicing sites. The collaboration will greatly enhance the data collection, reporting, and benchmarking capabilities available to orthopaedic surgeons and practice executives and support the growth and success of orthopaedic practices in the current healthcare environment.
