Nerve Blocks Reduce Opioid Use in Children with SCH Fractures

According to a paper presented during the 2016 annual meeting of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA), using a regional nerve block can reduce opioid use in children with supracondylar humerus (SCH) fractures who are treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP).

Study: Longer Initial Reduction Time a Risk Factor for Repeat Procedures in Pediatric Forearm Fractures

Terry Stanton

A study to determine what factors may predict instability in pediatric diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures found that patients requiring lengthy initial reduction times are at greater risk of having a repeat procedure than those with short initial reduction times. Age, initial translation, complete fracture of the radius, and residual translation on follow-up were highly predictive of the need for a second closed reduction and casting or an open surgical stabilization.

Recertification Examinations That Fit Your Practice

J. Lawrence Marsh, MD; Douglas W. Lundy, MD

The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) have a long, successful partnership. Each organization has separate, important missions in improving the practice of orthopaedic surgery. The ABOS establishes educational standards for orthopaedic residents and evaluates the initial and continuing qualifications and competence of orthopaedic surgeons.

Pediatric ACL Revision Linked to Suboptimal Results

Peter Pollack

"ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] reconstruction is on the rise in pediatric and adolescent populations," said who presented findings from scientific paper SS-10, "Revision ACL Reconstruction in Children and Adolescents," at the annual meeting of the Arthroscopy Association of North America. "The purpose of our study was to assess demographics, techniques, and outcomes of ACL revision in children and adolescents." Patient profiles Dr.

Hip Arthroscopy—What Happens after Revision?

Peter Pollack

At 2-year follow-up, patients who undergo revision hip arthroscopy may be twice as likely to have undergone either total hip arthroplasty (THA) or hip resurfacing (HR) than those who undergo a primary hip arthroscopy procedure. In addition, patients undergoing primary arthroscopy tend to see improved outcomes compared to those undergoing revision. Parth Lodhia, MD, FRCSC, presented these findings at the annual meeting of the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Dr.

Beyond the Technique: Patient Safety and the Core Competencies

Terry Stanton

In an Annual Meeting symposium focusing on surgical safety core competencies for orthopaedic residents, asked how many residents in the audience had  nontechnical" surgical skills education and whether their programs had an identified safety expert. "Unfortunately," he said, surveying the result, "everyone's hand should be in the air." Dr.

Measuring Up: Defining Performance Measures

David R. Chandler, MD

Medical care reimbursement in the United States is currently transitioning from a strictly fee-for-service volume basis to a value-modified volume basis. With the passage of the 2015 Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), programs such as meaningful use, the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), and Value-based Modifier are being combined into the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Methods (APMs).

When TAA Fails

Jay D. Lenn

End-stage ankle arthritis results in severe pain, deformity, and functional disability. Although both ankle fusion and total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) are effective treatment options for the condition, TAA has become more common because it preserves mobility in the ankle and may protect surrounding joints from increased wear.

CMS and Performance Measure Implementation: Understanding the Impact of the "2-Year Look Back" and "Capping Out"

Kent Jason Lowry, MD; Adolph J. Yates, MD

As health care changes, performance measures are playing an increasing role in the care provided, how that care is perceived, and how orthopaedic surgeons get reimbursed. The 2015 Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) did away with the Sustainable Growth Rate formula and the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), but replaced the latter with the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).

AJRR User Group Network Connects Orthopaedic Registry Community

The registry world can be complex, and it can be a challenge to sift through the myriad of materials to find what's important. Guides are helpful, but sometimes it's better just to discuss the situation with someone who's already "been there, done that." That's one reason the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR), the national hip and knee arthroplasty registry, maintains a User Group Network.

AAOS to Participate in Guidelines International Network Conference

Ryan Pezold, MA

This fall, when the Guidelines International Network (G-I-N) holds its annual meeting, AAOS will be well-represented, showcasing its exemplary evidence-based program and portfolio. The yearly event is an opportunity to network, learn, and share information with guideline developers, performance measures developers, policy makers, researchers, and others interested in evidence-based research methodology and dissemination.