Resource Utilization is High in Patients Undergoing TKA Revision for Infection

Maureen Leahy

A study that examined whether risk adjustment is necessary in value-based reimbursement models for infected total joint replacement found that patients who undergo revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for infection utilize more resources in a 30-day episode of care than patients who undergo aseptic revision TKA.

Understanding Patient Perceptions Regarding Unused Opioid Medication

T.K. Miller, MD; Susan Giampalmo, BS; Malek Bouzaher, BS, MS; Joseph T. Moskal, MD

The Virginia Orthopaedic Society (VOS) has an opioid prescribing policy for its membership and works closely with the Medical Society of Virginia to update and promote it. While opioid analgesics play an essential role in the care of acute musculoskeletal injuries and postoperative management of pain, orthopaedic providers must balance this appropriate use with the risks if their patients misuse or divert these medications.

Culture of Safety

David Ring, MD, PhD

This feature is the next installment in a series of dialogues among members of the AAOS Patient Safety Committee. This dialogue focuses on how to establish and maintain a culture of safety within an environment in which everyone is expected to err but also champions the teams and systems that catch errors before they cause harm. Dr. Ring: Let’s talk about ideas for creating a culture of safety. Dr.

A Closer Look at ACL Tears in Male and Female Athletes Reveals Interesting Data

Kwadwo Owusu-Akyaw, MD

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are a dreaded injury for athletes at all levels and are a leading cause of knee instability and dysfunction. For athletes, an ACL tear may mean surgical reconstruction followed by up to 1 year of focused rehabilitation prior to return to sport. Unfortunately, for many athletes, an ACL rupture can affect future athletic performance as well as collegiate and professional opportunities.

Culturing PJI: How Many Samples; How Long to Grow?

Peter Pollack

"Periprosthetic joint infection [PJI] can be very difficult to diagnose. Isolating the organism is crucial in directed treatment; however, an organism’s virulence may impact the culture growth,” explained Michael M. Kheir, MD, who presented findings from the paper, “Culturing PJI: A 15-year Study of Samples, Growth Duration, Outcomes, and Organisms,” at the 2017 annual meeting of the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS). With their study, Dr.

In Search of Long-term TSA Success

Sharon Johnson

Long-term success after total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) remains elusive for patients with advanced glenohumeral arthritis or severe bone loss. The main culprit is loosening of glenoid implants, which accounts for a 7 percent revision rate within 15 years after primary surgery. In recent years, multiple device manufacturers have introduced augmented glenoid implants to address the problems and the need for revision TSAs.

Physician-Directed Use: Leadership from the Orthopaedic Device Forum

William M. Mihalko, MD, PhD; Katherine Sale, MPH; S. Raymond Golish, MD, PhD, MBA

The Orthopaedic Device Forum is a unique venue in which multiple stakeholder groups meet twice annually to debate and shape the future of orthopaedic device technology and policy. Surgeons are represented by the AAOS and its Board of Specialty Societies. Orthopaedic device manufacturers are represented by the Orthopedic Surgical Manufacturers Association (OSMA). Federal agencies are represented by senior officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Getting the Most out of AAOS CPGs

Kaitlyn S. Sevarino, MBA

In 2006, the AAOS Board of Directors approved the creation of a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) program at the Academy. Since then, the AAOS has been developing and publishing CPGs to serve as educational tools for its membership. The AAOS has allocated resources to the in-house assessment of current published scientific and clinical information, as well as the formation and function of dozens of member volunteer groups.