Ambulating Five Feet within 72 Hours after Hip Fracture Surgery Associated with Independent Ambulation
A retrospective study in the Journal of the AAOS Global Research & Reviews® investigated the association between ambulation distance in acute postoperative settings and ambulatory capacity three months postsurgery for hip fractures. A total of 170 patients aged ≥65 years were divided into two groups: early (ambulated five feet within 72 hours after surgery) and minimally ambulatory. Factors associated with ambulatory status included the ability to ambulate five feet in 72 hours, ambulatory distance at discharge, and time from presentation to surgery. Patients with femoral fractures were more likely to independently ambulate than those with pertrochanteric fractures.
Study: Does Cannabis Use Disorder Affect Opioid Usage and PROs after ACLR?
According to a study in Sports Health, there were no significant differences in terms of opioid use following ACL reconstruction (ACLR) between patients with and without cannabis use disorder (CUD). In total, 104 patients with CUD were matched with 104 without. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and total opioid refills and days’ supply up to one-year postoperatively were retrospectively compared. The rate of opioid prescription was 82.7 percent and 83.7 percent in the CUD and control groups, respectively, and there were no differences in total days’ supply. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed regarding pain intensity, pain interference, or mobility improvements between groups.
Study: Higher MMA Emissions in ORs with Conventional Ventilation versus Laminar Airflow Systems
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery published a prospective study comparing methylmethacrylate (MMA) vapor levels emitted during mixing among cement-mixing systems in an OR with conventional ventilation (CV) and an OR with laminar airflow (LAF). Five different vacuum cement-mixing systems were used to mix the same cement type according to the manufacturer’s instructions. MMA vapor concentrations were measured during five mixing phases, with each system used randomly 10 times in each case. Emissions remained generally higher in the CV setting for every system and in nearly every phase.
Study Evaluates Complications after Bone Marrow Aspirate Harvest from the Calcaneus
A retrospective chart review in Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics evaluated the efficacy of harvesting bone marrow aspirate from calcaneus bone as a surgical augment for healing injured tissue. Patient satisfaction, pain level, fusion rates, and complications were reviewed in 45 patients. Thirty-two patients reported having no pain at the final follow-up, and the remaining patients reported having only minimal pain. There were no reported incidences of infections, wound complications, or nerve injuries. Ten patients experienced arthrodesis, which healed by the final follow-up.
Study: Pediatric Patients with Sickle Cell Disease at Increased Risk of Postoperative Complications
Pediatric patients with sickle cell disease had an increased risk of complications following orthopaedic surgery, a study in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics reported. The retrospective review examined 92 patients. The main outcome was postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery requiring an emergency department (ED) visit or hospital admission. More than half (51 percent) of surgeries required a preoperative blood transfusion. Nineteen surgeries with postoperative complications required an ED visit or hospital readmission within 30 days of surgery. Patients with >4 ED visits in the past year had a 5.7-fold increased risk of a complication.
Pregnancy and Orthopaedic Surgery Practice: Experts Discuss Challenges and Solutions
During the AAOS 2023 Annual Meeting, a panel of female orthopaedic surgeons led a discussion on the challenges associated with pregnancy in the orthopaedic profession Panelists shared their expertise on topics such as fertility and pregnancy complications, occupational hazards during pregnancy, and parental leave. They also offered their advice for orthopaedic surgeons who may be the first one in their practice to require accommodation due to pregnancy or to have to negotiate the terms for leave.
ROCK and ResStudy Team Up to Form a Comprehensive Path to the OITE®
Make sure your residents have the study tools they need to excel on the Orthopaedic In-Training Exam® (OITE). U.S.-based Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–accredited programs with an existing or new subscription to ResStudy will receive access to the Resident Orthopaedic Core Knowledge (ROCK) program for free through June 30, 2024 To activate your program’s ResStudy subscription, contact AAOS customer service at 800-626-6726.
Four New Curated Packages Available from AAOS Annual Meeting OnDemand
Package topics include: Trauma, Total Joint Reconstruction, Sports Medicine, and Shoulder & Elbow Care. Instant access to the most highly rated educational content from recent AAOS Annual Meetings is now available OnDemand. Earn more than 36 CME credits for up to two years for only $399 each.
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