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: High Failure Rate of Interim Spacer Exchange for PJI
A study published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty found high failure rates with interim spacer exchange for treatment of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in revision total joint arthroplasty. The researchers identified 182 patients from two institutional databases. The overall failure rate was 49 percent, and 60 percent of failures occurred <2 years. Failure was more common in patients with higher comorbidity scores, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation, non-white race, immunocompromised conditions, and previous revision arthroplasty. Advanced host grade C was the only factor associated with treatment failure.
Randomized Study Assesses Erector Spinae Plane Blocks in Arthroscopy for FAI
A randomized study published online in Arthroscopy found erector spinae pane blocks (ESPB) significantly decreased immediate pain after arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Sixty-eight patients received either an ESPB with 30 ml of 0.375 percent ropivacaine or placebo, followed by standard postoperative oral medication. The ESPB group experienced significantly reduced numeric pain scores in the first 24 postoperative hours compared to the control group. Between-group rates of opioid use or postoperative nausea were comparable and no associated complications (e.g., falls, hematomas, muscular weakness) occurred.
Study: Subtalar Arthrodesis with Supramalleolar Osteotomy for Advanced Ankle Arthritis
A study published online in Foot & Ankle International found favorable two-year outcomes of repositional subtalar arthrodesis combined with supramalleolar osteotomy for late-stage (Takakura stage 3b) varus ankle arthritis with hindfoot valgus. Sixteen patients were included. Visual Analog Scale and Foot Function Index scores, talus center migration, and Meary angle significantly improved after surgery. Mean talar tilt angle improved from 12.8 ± 2.8 degrees to 3.9 ± 3.1 degrees. Fifteen ankles (93.8 percent) demonstrated radiographic stage improvement postoperatively.
Study: Social Media Use among Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Programs
A study published online on Current Orthopaedic Practice reported an increase in orthopaedic surgery residency programs with an Instagram account between 2019 and 2020. The researchers evaluated 190 U.S. residency programs from September to October 2020. Ninety-one programs (47.9 percent) had an active Instagram account. The median number of posts per account was 22 (range, 1 to 2,727) and median number of followers per account was 773 (99 to 2,882).
Several Studies Support Nonsurgical Management of Clavicle Fractures in Adolescents
At the recent Annual Meeting of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, the topic of clavicle fractures in adolescents was the subject of several presented studies—three arising from the Function after Adolescent Clavicle Trauma & Surgery (FACTS) group—and generated robust discussion. The common message, with some variation, was that operative treatment did not lead to improved outcomes versus nonsurgical management.
AAOS Expands Podcast Offerings with New Show on Professional Development
AAOS recently launched a new professional development-focused podcast, the “AAOS Career Podcast.” It is produced by the Resident Assembly and housed under the “The Bone Beat Orthopaedic Podcast Channel,” alongside AAOS’ advocacy-focused podcast and the “JAAOS Unplugged ®” series. This new podcast covers professional development topics relevant to the musculoskeletal community, like financial literacy, research opportunities, surgical skills, networking, and more. Conversations between early-career surgeons and experienced attendings offer practical tools for guided growth in orthopaedics. In a special episode “Resident Involvement in Advocacy,” recorded live at the AAOS 2021 Annual Meeting, Advocacy Council Chair Douglas Lundy, MD, MBA, FAAOS, discussed the value of resident engagement in advocacy at the federal and state level.
