AAOS Leaders Advocate for MSK Care at Combined NOLC/Fall Meeting
Today concludes the first-ever combined AAOS National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference (NOLC) and Fall Meeting in Washington, D.C. During the three-day event, Board of Councilors and Board of Specialty Society members raised three healthcare policy issues to legislators: Medicare payment policy changes; prior authorization reform; and funding for orthopaedic research. Following the Congressional meetings, the Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (Orthopaedic PAC) hosted more than 40 bipartisan members of Congress from both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for a Capitol Club reception. It also recognized winners of the new AAOS 2021 Congressional Bipartisanship Award, including U.S. Sens. Joseph Manchin III (D–W. Va.) and Susan Collins (R–Maine) and U.S. Reps. Ami Bera, MD (D–Calif.) and Fred Upton (R–Mich).
Study: Hyaluronate versus Physiotherapy for Supraspinatus Tendinopathy Management
In women aged 20 to 55 years, low molecular weight hyaluronic acid outperformed physiotherapy for supraspinatus tendinopathy (ST) treatment, according to a randomized study published in the Oct. 1 issue of the Journal of the AAOS ®. Patients received either a 2 mL hyaluronate injection (n = 28) or 12 weeks of shoulder-related physiotherapy (n = 23). Both interventions decreased patients’ disability at one, four, and 12 weeks. Hyaluronate significantly reduced pain at rest and during activities compared to physiotherapy and was also associated with improved shoulder motion and World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire scores.
Study: 90-day Adverse Events with Same-day Discharge after TJA in High-risk Patients
A retrospective study published online in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery reported that same-day discharge total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification of ≥3 (high-risk) does not increase the risk of 90-day ED visits, readmissions, and complications compared to inpatient TJA. In total, 5,250 total hip arthroplasties (THA) and 9,752 total knee arthroplasties (TKA) were identified from a national registry. Same-day discharge rates were 33.2 percent and 33.7 percent, respectively. For TKA, same-day discharge was noninferior to inpatient regarding mortality, but not in THA.
Study: Patient-reported Outcomes of In-office Arthroscopy for Anterior Ankle Impingement
A retrospective study published online in Arthroscopy reported favorable outcomes, pain relief, and patient satisfaction with in-office needle arthroscopy for anterior ankle impingement. Prospective data on 31 patients were assessed. Mean follow-up was 15.5 months. A minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores was achieved for pain in 84 percent of patients, symptoms in 77 percent, quality of life in 75 percent, and sports in 74 percent. MCID for patient-reported pain interference and intensity were achieved in 65 percent and 42 percent, respectively. Ninety-four percent were willing to undergo the same procedure again.
Meta-analysis of Impact of Antihypertensive Drugs on Hip Fracture Risk
A meta-analysis published online in Injury reported very low certainty of evidence that antihypertensive drugs are associated with a reduced risk of hip fracture compared to nonuse. Twenty-two studies were included. The antihypertensive drugs assessed were restricted to thiazides; beta-blockers; calcium-channel blockers; angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors; and angiotensin receptor blockers. The researchers reported low certainty of evidence of a protective effect against hip fracture risk for thiazides and beta-blockers. One study reported a protective effect associated with angiotensin receptor blockers, while conflicting findings were found regarding calcium-channel blockers and ACE inhibitors.
AAOS members will soon receive the print edition of the September issue of AAOS Now, but the electronic edition is already available on the AAOS Now website. This month’s issue highlights the proposed Medicare payment policy changes for 2022, the impact of physician-industry relationships, representation of Black women in orthopaedic surgery, and more.
OrthoInfo, the Academy’s patient education website, is here to provide your patients with in-depth information—all written, reviewed, and regularly updated by orthopaedic experts. This includes a full range of articles about knee replacement to help patients better understand their surgical options.
