Managing Atypical Femur Fractures

Maureen Leahy

Long-term bisphosphonate use can increase the risk of atypical femur fractures (AFFs). These atypical subtrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures, although rare, can be difficult to treat. "Atypical femur fractures are low-energy fractures that occur mainly in older females on prolonged bisphosphonate therapy," explained Kenneth A. Egol, MD, of NYU's Hospital for Joint Diseases.

Ancillary Services Offer Opportunity for Improved Care, Value, and Pay

Peter Pollack

"Why do we need to understand ancillary services?" asked Peter L. Althausen, MD, MBA, speaking at the annual meeting of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. According to Dr. Althausen, providing ancillary services can help enhance the care orthopaedists provide to patients and can also offer ways for physicians to supplement their incomes. Dr.

Movement Is Life

Laura M. Bruse, MD; Alexandra E. Page, MD

Musculoskeletal healthcare disparities are real. As the population of the United States becomes more diverse, addressing the impact of these disparities is critical to improving the health of our nation. With that in mind, the National Caucus on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health Disparities, sponsored by Movement Is Life (MIL), convenes each year in Washington, D.C.

The Opioid Epidemic and Orthopaedics: Where Do We Stand?

Terry Stanton

Even as the number of prescriptions for opioid pain medication declines from its peak of about 250 million in 2013, the epidemic of opioid use continues to devastate lives. Some 2 million individuals are afflicted with substance use disorders involving opioids, with approximately 500,000 of them addicted to heroin.

Study: Costs of Certain Orthopaedic Procedures Lower at an ASC

According to research recently published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS), direct costs for select orthopaedic procedures were significantly less when these procedures were performed at an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) rather than at a university-based children's hospital (UH).

Wrong-Side Procedure in the Modern Era

Robert J. MacArthur, MD

Bob MacArthur reached out to me with a compelling story of medical error. People often wonder how a wrong-side procedure can occur in the era of Universal Protocol and two decades of "operate through your initials"/"sign your site." This story will demonstrate how. It's a real lesson in the importance of a culture of safety. Bob and I hope that you will learn from this experience. On Feb.

Second Look – Clinical News and Views

These items originally appeared in AAOS Headline News Now, a thrice-weekly enewsletter that keeps AAOS members up to date on clinical, socioeconomic, and political issues, with links to more detailed information. Subscribe at www.aaos.org/news/news.asp (member login required) Spinal cord concussion—Findings from a study published in The Spine Journal (online) suggest limited evidence regarding current practice standards for return to play following spinal cord concussion (SCC).

Are You Ready for SHFFT?

Laura Phieffer, MD; Alexandra E. Page, MD; Douglas W. Lundy, MD, MBA

In a proposed rule announced on July 25, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced three new Episode Payment Models (EPMs) for episodes of care surrounding acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft, and surgical hip/femur fracture treatment, excluding lower extremity joint arthroplasty (SHFFT).