Patient Stories Personalize the Need for Research Funding

Erin Lynn Ransford; Stephanie Hazlett

Nearly one in every three Americans has a musculoskeletal condition requiring medical attention. On April 14, orthopaedic surgeons, patients, and researchers visited Capitol Hill to raise awareness about these debilitating and costly diseases and disorders to emphasize the need for research funding. Advocacy teams urged Congress to appropriate $34.

Biomechanical Study Supports Early Weight Bearing After Ankle Fracture Fixation

Terry Stanton

A biomechanical analysis of a cadaveric model of early weight bearing in unstable ankle fractures following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) found no occurrence of significant fracture displacement, hardware failure, or new fracture. The authors of the study, presented by of the University of Southern California, at the 2016 Specialty Day Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society in Orlando, Fla.

The Relationship Between Tibia-Femur Length Ratio and OA

Maureen Leahy

Results of a study presented at the 2016 AAOS Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla., revealed that a tibia-femur (T/F) length ratio greater than 0.80 was a significant predictor of osteoarthritis (OA) in the hip and knee. According to Raymond W. Liu, MD, who presented the research findings, this can be important information for orthopaedic surgeons who perform limb-lengthening procedures.

Treating Septic Arthritis, Knee Instability after ACL Reconstruction

Peter Pollack

Septic arthritis is a rare complication that can occur after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, with incidence rates estimated to be between 0.14 percent and 1.8 percent of cases. However, the consequences can be devastating, affecting functional outcomes through instability, laxity, chondrolysis, and stiffness.

Massive Rotator Cuff Tears Improve with Partial Repair

Peter Pollack

Arthroscopic partial rotator cuff repair may benefit patients with large and massive rotator cuff tears, according to data presented at the annual meeting of the Arthroscopy Association of North America by Stephen C. Weber, MD. Although the results may not approach those of complete arthroscopic repair, the researchers argue that the technique represents a reasonable, low-morbidity, low-cost salvage option for rotator cuff tears that may not be completely repairable.

Treating Severe Open Tibial Fractures

Terry Stanton

The use of circular hexapod devices was found to provide a safe, minimally invasive surgical alternative method to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in patients with severe open tibial fractures, achieving high bony union rates and excellent limb salvage results, according to research presented in a scientific poster at the 2016 AAOS Annual Meeting. The study, led by Dr.

Examining Patient Risk Factors that May Affect Outcomes

Jennie McKee

"There has been more and more published on patient-related issues that may affect outcomes. This is of particular importance as we move forward with the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) Model and bundled payments," said Samir Mehta, MD, chief of the Orthopaedic Trauma & Fracture Service at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr.

Acronyms 101: Sifting Through Alphabet Soup, Part 3

Douglas W. Lundy, MD, MBA; Thomas C. Barber, MD

In this third article of our series, we cover acronyms and abbreviations pertaining to quality measures espoused and promulgated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), specifically the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). Because CMS has driven many of these initiatives through Medicare, we begin with a brief discussion of that federal health insurance program.

Reminder: Your Input is Requested in the AAOS 2016 Census

There is still time for Academy members to take part in the AAOS 2016 census of orthopaedic surgeons. The census is taken to ensure AAOS members are accurately represented in advocacy, funding, and reimbursement efforts. The information also helps AAOS tailor programs, products, and services to address professional needs and interests of its members. All individual responses are kept confidential. AAOS will be sending reminders to those who have not responded yet.

Research Awards: Call for Papers

July 1, 2016, is the deadline for receipt of manuscripts submitted for the 2017 Kappa Delta Awards and the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) Clinical Research Award. Up to two $20,000 Kappa Delta awards (Elizabeth Winston Lanier Award and Ann Doner Vaughan Award), one $20,000 Kappa Delta Young Investigator award, and one $20,000 OREF award will be bestowed, provided manuscripts of requisite quality are submitted.

OREF Welcomes New Board Members

Sharon K. Mellor, PhD, CAE

The board of trustees of the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) is pleased to announce these new trustees and executive committee members: began his term as president this year, succeeding John J. Callaghan, MD, who remains on the board as past president. Michael L. Parks, MD, is OREF's new president-elect. Richard F. Kyle, MD, will serve as chair, corporate development, succeeding Thomas P. Schmalzried, MD in that role.

Measuring Quality in Orthopaedics: What Lies Ahead?

Gerald R. Williams Jr, MD

Orthopaedists and other medical professionals are keenly aware of the shift that has been occurring in recent years from volume-based to value-based care—a shift that gained even more attention with the repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) and the creation of its replacement, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015.

AJRR, AOA, and AAHKS Announce New Collaboration

Under this new collaboration, the three organizations will cooperate in offering the AJRR Orthopaedic Quality Resource Center for eligible professionals (EPs) and group practices interested in submitting Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) measures. The new collaboration with the AOA and AAHKS will result in additional measures to be included in the AJRR Orthopaedic Quality Center platform in 2016.