COVID-positive Hip Fracture Patients Had Significantly Higher Costs during Pandemic
A retrospective study in the Journal of the AAOS® investigated the impact of COVID-19 on the cost of hip fracture care in patients aged >55 years. COVID status and healthcare costs were compared between patients prepandemic (Oct. 2014 to Jan. 2020) and during the pandemic (Feb. 2020 to Jan. 2022), as well as between COVID-positive and COVID-negative patients. Total admission costs for all patients were not significantly different between groups; however, higher costs of emergency department, laboratory/pathology, radiology, and allied health services were observed during the pandemic. Additionally, high-risk COVID-positive patients had higher total costs than high-risk COVID-negative patients.
Study: Younger Age, Higher Level of Sport Associated with Reduced Time to RTS after ACLR
International Orthopaedics published a prospective study that assessed the impact of individuals factors on return to sport (RTS) in 1,274 athletes who underwent ACL reconstruction (ACLR). A survey on individual factors and RTS was completed during the second year postsurgery. Factors such as younger age and participation in higher-level sports were associated with a significantly higher frequency and shorter time to RTS. Compared with female athletes, male athletes had a faster RTS for both training and competition. There were no significant differences observed in RTS between hamstring and patellar tendon autograft.
Study: Does Achieving MCID after First TSA Predict Outcomes of the Contralateral TSA?
The Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery published a retrospective study evaluating whether exceeding the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) after primary total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) predicted similar outcomes for subsequent contralateral TSA. Overall, 134 patients were included in the study The primary outcome was exceeding MCID in the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score after the first TSA as well as the predictive success of the contralateral TSA. Exceeding the patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) after the first TSA was associated with 5.9-times greater odds of exceeding the PASS after the contralateral TSA.
Anterior versus Posterior Plating for Distal-third Humerus Shaft Fractures Result in Similar Outcomes
According to a retrospective study in the Journal of Hand Surgery, estimated bleeding and operative times were similar when comparing anterior versus posterior approaches for plating in distal-third humerus shaft fractures. Twenty patients and 30 patients comprised the ORIF with anterior plating and ORIF with posterior plating groups, respectively. Clinical and radiological outcomes were compared between groups. Four patients in the anterior plating group experienced postoperative radial nerve palsy compared with no patients in the posterior plating group.
Study Identified Patient-related Risk Factors for Worse Outcomes after TAA
Risk factors for poor outcomes after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) included younger age (21 studies) and rheumatoid arthritis (17 studies), as reported by a scoping review in the Bone & Joint Journal. The review examined a total of 94 studies reporting 101,552 cases of TAA in 101,177 patients and evaluated the patient-related factors associated with worse patient-reported outcome measures, perioperative complications, and failure. In addition to younger age and rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes (16 studies) and increased BMI (eight studies) were identified as a risk factor for worse outcomes.
Gun Violence Claims the Life of Another Orthopaedic Surgeon
In this month’s President’s Message, Kevin J. Bozic, MD, MBA, FAAOS, calls for action to address the rising threat of workplace violence in healthcare settings, including grassroots advocacy from AAOS members to promote legislation to protect physicians, healthcare workers, and patients. “More work is needed to protect the large percentage of the healthcare workforce, including most orthopaedic surgeons, who work outside of a hospital setting,” Dr. Bozic writes. “We need your help to advocate on behalf of your practices and patients.”
Preview Your #AAOS2024 Experience: Preliminary Program Now Available
The AAOS 2024 Annual Meeting is happening Feb. 12 to 16 (Monday through Friday) in San Francisco. You can register for the meeting, download the Annual Meeting Mobile App, and browse the education program beginning Oct. 18. In the meantime, the Preliminary Program offers you a sneak peak of your AAOS 2024 experience.
AAOS/FDA Town Hall: Orthopaedic Medical Devices Innovation
This provocative and interactive forum, recorded during the 2023 AAOS Annual Meeting, reimagines how we can work together to create innovation in the 21st century. Orthopaedic surgeons and industry professionals will learn about the latest developments in the field of orthopaedics, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and reliable data to improve patient outcomes and shape the future of the field. Access the recording on the AAOS Orthopaedic Video Theater.
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