Do Beta-blockers Influence Risk of Undergoing TKA in Patients with Osteoarthritis?
According to a case-control study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, the use of nonselective beta-blockers was associated with a lower risk of undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with osteoarthritis. Three hundred patients with beta-blocker usage were matched with 300 nonusers. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to compare the risk of TKA between groups. The adjusted odds ratios for the likelihood of undergoing TKA with use of beta-blockers for less than one year, one to five years, and five or more years were 0.41, 0.52, and 0.36, respectively.
Study: Postoperative PROMs Monitoring Leads to Improved Quality of Life after Joint Replacement
A randomized controlled trial in JAMA Network Open found postoperative patient-reported outcome measure (PROM)–based remote monitoring after joint replacement resulted in improvements in health-related quality of life and fatigue. Overall, 6,807 patients were included in the study. The PROMs group completed PROMs at one, three, and six months postsurgery in addition to the standard of care and PROMs at hospital admission, discharge, and 12 months postsurgery. Patients in the PROMs group had significantly better Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score–Physical Function Shortform and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System–fatigue scores than the control group.
Study Evaluates Association between Mental Health and Pain Levels after Shoulder Arthroplasty
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research published a retrospective study that investigated the pain levels and magnitudes of capability associated with mental health in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. The mental component summary (MCS) scores of the Veterans RAND 12 were collected from 755 patients preoperatively and two weeks, six weeks, three months, six months, and one year postoperatively. Patients in the two lowest MCS quartiles had greater pain intensity at baseline than patients in the highest quartile; however, the rates of change in recovery from pain intensity were not different among groups. Patients undergoing revision surgery had slower rates of recovery.
What Risk Factors Are Associated with Fixation Failure of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures?
A study in the Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery found that additional fixation of comminuted fractures using cerclage reduced the risk of treatment failure in patients with midshaft clavicle fractures. The incidence of fixation failure and the effects of demographic variables on the risk of fixation failure and nonunion were retrospectively evaluated in 325 patients. Forty patients experienced fixation failure. Comminution as well as number of screws were identified as risk factors for fixation failure.
Adam J. Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOA, chair of the AAOS Advocacy Council, spoke to Healio about the future of alternative payment models and how it could feature medical specialists, specifically orthopaedic surgeons, through the entire episode of care. If you are interested in working with media and serving as an AAOS spokesperson or orthopaedics subject matter expert, email media@aaos.org.
Then and Now: Residency Has Certainly Changed in 40 Years
Orthopaedic surgery has come a long way in the past few decades, and the way surgeons are trained has evolved along with it. For AAOS Now, two orthopaedic surgeons discuss the similarities and differences in their residency experiences: Thomas Fleeter, MD, MBA, FAAOS, who completed residency in 1984, and Janice Bonsu, MD, MPH, who is currently a second-year resident. Drs. Fleeter and Bonsu shed light on the ways in which orthopaedic surgery residency has changed over the 40 years between them—and what has stayed the same over time.
AAOS Leaders Advocate for Musculoskeletal Care at NOLC/Fall Meeting
On Tuesday, AAOS leaders, including members of the Board of Councilors and Board of Specialty Societies, made their annual trek to Washington, D.C., to meet with nearly 350 Congress members and senators for the Combined National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC)/Fall Meeting. Four policy issues were raised during these meetings: reducing the burdens of prior authorization, tying Medicare reimbursement to inflation, protecting healthcare professionals from assault/intimidation, and lifting the ban on physician-led hospitals. The Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons also hosted several bipartisan members of both the Senate and House at its annual Capitol Club reception, where AAOS members continued to develop relationships with their elected officials.
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