The Search for Arthroplasty Longevity

Maureen Leahy

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) may be the most effective surgical procedure ever developed, yet it has had problems from the beginning,” said David G. Lewallen, MD, during the AAOS and the Orthopaedic Research Society joint symposium “Articulations in Total Joint Replacement: Have We Lost Our Bearings?” at the 2015 AAOS Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.

A New Look at The Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases

Kevin J. Bozic, MD, MBA; Toby King

In the United States, more than half of the adult population (18 years and older) report a chronic musculoskeletal condition. Three of the top four most commonly reported medical conditions are musculoskeletal related—chronic low back pain, joint pain, and disability from arthritis. During the period 2009–2011, average annual direct and indirect (lost work) costs attributable to persons with a musculoskeletal disease were $213 billion.

Risk Stratification, Outcome Assessment, and Online Transparency

Brett Walker, DO; Harvey Smith, MD; Kristen E. Radcliff, MD

Publicly available outcomes data have fostered an increased perception of transparency with respect to results of procedures and patient experiences with healthcare providers and hospital staff. Surgical outcomes measures are inherently affected by the procedure’s technical complexity and the patient’s medical situation. Accordingly, interest in risk characterization and stratification is increasing.

Taking Orthopaedics to the PROMs

Kevin J. Bozic, MD, MBA

The article “Risk Stratification, Outcome Assessment, and Online Transparency” makes important points about the increased interest by consumers, payors, policymakers, and healthcare providers in assessing provider performance.

Which Knee Implant Design Is Better?

Catherine Rategan

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent health conditions worldwide. It causes chronic pain, loss of mobility and loss of function among an estimated 27 million adults in the United States, and as the population ages, the number of people affected is expected to increase to almost 67 million adults by 2030. One of the most prevalent forms affects the knees; among those 55 and older, OA of the knee is three times more prevalent than hip OA.

Randomized Controlled Trials in Orthopaedic Surgery

S. Raymond Golish, MD, PhD; Paul A. Anderson, MD

Well-designed and conducted clinical research can support clinician utilization, regulatory approval, and payer coverage decisions for orthopaedic surgical procedures. Distinct study designs have advantages and drawbacks in each of these three areas. Although experimental designs such as the randomized clinical trial (RCT) may be ideal in principle, well-conducted observational studies also have value, especially with respect to clinically established practice.

Resident Research Symposium Inspired Award Recipient

Dana C. Covey, MD, FACS

Together, the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) and the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) have a long and successful tradition of supporting promising resident investigators through the regional resident research symposia. One case of a promise fulfilled is Simon Görtz, MD, chief orthopaedic surgery resident at the University of California, San Diego, (UCSD). As a junior resident in 2011, Dr.