The #BeHeard campaign was created to encourage all AAOS Members to share their input to help AAOS better meet members’ needs and shape the future of the organization. The online survey is short and takes minutes to complete. Members are encouraged to complete the survey as soon as possible.
Study: Differences in Cause-specific Revision Risk in Cemented versus Cementless THA
A retrospective study published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty found age-based differences in revision risk after total hip arthroplasty (THA) among females according to stem fixation method. In total, 88,830 THA cases were assessed, including 5.1 percent hybrid THA (cemented stem with cementless acetabular implant). Remaining cases were cementless THA. No risk differences were identified among males. In female patients, hybrid THA increased loosening risk across all ages For those aged ≥75 years, cementless THA had an excess periprosthetic fracture risk of 0.8 percent and hybrid THA had an excess loosening risk of 0.2 percent.
Study: Improvements and Outcomes of Allograft ACLR in Patients Older than 40
A retrospective study published in Arthroscopy reported an 8.0 percent failure rate among 201 patients older than 40 undergoing allograft ACL reconstruction (ACLR) at a mean follow-up of six years. Ninety percent of patients evaluated reported postoperative satisfaction. Sixteen patients experienced graft failure, including 10 who underwent revision. Compared to successful cases, graft failure was associated with lower International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) patient acceptable symptoms state (PASS) scores (66.7 versus 86.2). In total, 72.4 percent of intact cases achieved an IKDC PASS score, compared to one quarter of failed cases.
Study: Long-term Outcomes of Endoprosthetic Osseointegration of the Femur
In a retrospective study of patients who underwent oncologic reconstruction with a compressive endoprosthetic osseointegration femur implant, researchers reported low rates of late revisions at 10 years of follow-up. The findings were published online in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. Twenty-five patients younger than 50 were assessed. Five patients were lost due to disease progression. Three patients had spindle fracture or loosening, while the remaining patients maintained the device through final follow-up. The implant had a competing risk estimation for revision of 12 percent at 10 years, with most complications occurring within 29 months.
Study Identifies Trends in Leadership at Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship Programs
A study published online in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery assessed education and demographics trends among current leadership of 31 accredited shoulder and elbow fellowship programs in the U.S., including 26 fellowship directors, 13 codirectors, and one associate director. The majority (97.5 percent) of leadership were male and white. Among the 2.5 percent of female leaders, 80.0 percent were white and 20.0 percent were Asian and/or Pacific Islander. The mean Scopus H-index was 24.63 ± 16.43. The authors noted that programs retain high numbers of former trainees as future leadership and that leaders graduate more frequently from certain fellowship programs, while there was less correlation between leaders’ residency institutions.
Reminder: Add Digital Contact Information to NPPES by Year End
As part of the Interoperability and Patient Access Rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires healthcare providers’ digital contact information to be input into the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) to improve efficiency and security of electronic health information exchange. The rule also requires CMS to publicly report providers missing digital contact information at the end of the year. New or updated provider contact information can be added by provider organizations in bulk via the NPPES Electronic File Interchange (EFI) process.
Outpatient Joint Replacement since COVID-19: AAOS Course Highlights the Changing Paradigm
On Nov. 19, AAOS will host a single-day virtual course, “AAOS Outpatient and Rapid Recovery in Total Joint Replacement.” It addresses the current landscape of same-day discharge and outpatient total joint replacement (TJR), including the changes that have emerged as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Course directors R. Michael Meneghini, MD, FAAOS, of the Indiana University School of Medicine, and William G. Hamilton, MD, FAAOS, of the Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic in Alexandria, Va., discuss recent changes in outpatient TJR and what attendees can expect to gain from participating in the course.
