A study found that surgeons' expectations were more accurate than patients' expectations in predicting patient-reported outcomes two years after lumbar spine surgery. Surgeons predicted a higher degree of improvement, while patients had higher expectations for complete recovery.
Researchers from HSS presented studies on renal disorders, venous thromboembolism after total knee replacement, and pediatric patients with rheumatologic diseases. The surveys also explored perceptions of COVID-19 risk among rheumatologists and the use of clinical disease activity indexes in telemedicine.
A new rapid test has shown solid diagnostic performance in distinguishing between patients with and without periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), a serious complication of total joint replacement. The test, which measures alpha-defensin levels in synovial fluid, achieved high sensitivity and specificity rates.
Researchers found lower utilization and higher complication rates among African American patients for unilateral knee replacement, but no significant differences for bilateral knee replacement. The study suggests physicians may offer bilateral procedures less often to African American patients or they may choose not to have the procedure.
Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that younger patients are more likely to require revision surgery after knee replacement due to higher infection rates and mechanical complications. Smoking cessation efforts may be key to improving outcomes for this age group.
A multidisciplinary team of specialists at Hospital for Special Surgery successfully performed microsurgery to repair damaged nerves and restore muscle strength and movement to patients with Parsonage-Turner Syndrome. The surgery allowed 11 out of 24 patients to regain function of their arm.
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal - Acute Cardiovascular Care reveals that one in five high-risk patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery will develop one or more heart complications within a year. The study found that patients are at risk for a longer period than previously thought and that measuring troponin...
A survey of 250 women orthopaedic surgeons found that 68% reported experiencing sexual harassment during their training, with common types including obscene images, unwanted touching, and invitations. Despite efforts to recruit more women and increase leadership positions, the problem persists, emphasizing the need for targeted trainin...
A study published in Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma found that Medicare reimbursement for common orthopedic trauma procedures has decreased by 30% over the past two decades. This decline is largely due to inflation adjustments, with costs increasing by 52.8% but average reimbursement rising only 4.9%.
A study published in Physiological Reviews suggests that elevated plasmin levels may contribute to COVID-19 susceptibility. Researchers propose using a drug that inhibits plasmin to reduce the virus's infectivity and virulence, with an ongoing clinical trial testing this hypothesis.
A study found that patients with Medicaid expansion plans receive joint replacement surgery significantly faster than those without, highlighting an unmet need. The results suggest a 'surge in demand' rather than gradual increase, and policymakers must consider access to care.
The article discusses the importance of peak performance in surgical training, citing the need for perseverance, stoicism, and grit. HSS physicians offer practical advice on achieving peak performance, including growing self-awareness through mindfulness activities and refining physical skills through deliberate practice.
A study analyzing over 650,000 hip replacement patients found that consistent use of reliable implants is a key factor in long-term success, not surgeon skill. The findings suggest that patients should ask their surgeons about the long-term evidence of an implant's effectiveness.
A retrospective study from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that vertebral body tethering (VBT) is a promising alternative to posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for treating scoliosis in pediatric patients with growth remaining. VBT yields a high success rate, preserving mobility and correcting curves in 74% of patients.
A recent study published in The Lancet Rheumatology found that nearly 90% of shoulder replacement implants last more than ten years. Patients reported continued benefits from the operation, with a sustained positive effect on their lives for at least a decade.
After a 5-year follow-up, bone-anchored leg prostheses show significant improvements in daily functioning, mobility, and quality of life for patients with above-knee amputations. Despite initial stoma problems, these prostheses lead to permanent benefits, including increased prosthesis use and improved health-related quality of life.
A study published in The Lancet found that plaster casts are as effective as surgery in healing scaphoid waist fractures in the wrist. Patients who received a plaster cast showed similar outcomes to those who underwent surgery, with no significant difference in pain, function, or complications.
A new study analyzed national data on women's representation in surgical specialties, finding little progress made in equal representation for women over the last 11 years. The research projects that many specialties will take decades to reach equal female representation if current progress continues.
A new study published by the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics found that ibuprofen does not hinder bone fracture healing in children. Six weeks after surgery, 92% of patients taking ibuprofen had healed fractures, compared to 82% in the control group.
Expert panel recommends criteria for resumeing elective orthopedic surgery, including local COVID-19 trends and personal protective equipment availability. Guidelines also emphasize patient education, social distancing, and postoperative safeguards.
Researchers have discovered a way to soften a cell's nucleus, allowing it to move through dense connective tissues and promote injury repair. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutics for healing dense connective tissues with poor natural repair capacity.
Researchers found that 45% of patients had low levels of pain effectively managed by a non-opioid regimen, with no reported side effects. Patients who required opioids were more likely to have anxiety/depression and higher pain scores, highlighting the potential for reduced opioid use in surgical settings.
A nationwide study in South Korea found that elderly patients with hip fractures are nearly three times more likely to die by suicide within the first six months following surgical treatment. The study also suggests that mental stress and emotional status evaluation are crucial for management.
A new framework for assessing and managing serious spinal pathologies has been developed by the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT). The framework provides a clinical-reasoning pathway to recognize red flags in spinal injuries and disease, enabling early identification and management.
A new study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine finds that human growth hormone (HGH) treatment after ACL reconstructive surgery may prevent the loss of muscle strength in the knee. Researchers found a 29% higher knee extension strength in patients who received HGH injections compared to those in the placebo group.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that it may take between seven and 16 months for surgeons to complete the backlog of elective orthopaedic surgeries suspended during COVID-19. The US is facing over a million delayed surgeries for spinal fusion and knee/hip replacements.
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery shares update on COVID-19 evidence and strategies for managing the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus. The review analyzes available evidence and identifies critical lessons from past pandemics to inform orthopaedic surgeons' responses.
Surgically treated patients fared better than those with functional bracing, showing faster recovery and improved outcomes one year after the injury. However, problems were observed in bracing-treated patients, including 30% requiring reoperation due to fracture union failure.
Researchers at Saarland University developed a personalized therapeutic concept that creates tailored implants to accommodate each individual fracture. This approach improves the fracture healing process by predicting precise load patterns and optimizing implant shape and structure.
A new study found that Rivaroxaban significantly reduces the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after lower limb orthopedic surgery by 75%, compared to heparin, without increasing the risk of bleeding. This breakthrough has significant implications for patients undergoing non-major orthopedic surgeries.
A study in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that a fracture liaison service improved bone quality and function for patients with fragility fractures. Patients managed with the service had high rates of osteoporosis treatment and low risk of subsequent fractures.
A nationwide study found that racial/ethnic minorities and individuals with lower incomes are less likely to receive office-based care for musculoskeletal conditions, while those with public insurance status are more likely to use emergency department care. This disparity contributes significantly to healthcare expenditures.
Lehigh University MechE professor Hannah Dailey has received a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation's Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program. Her virtual mechanical test approach holds promise for identifying nonunions, which can lead to depression and opioid abuse, and may enable earlier surgical intervent...
Researchers evaluated patient characteristics after introduction of bundled payment program, finding no significant changes in access to hip and knee replacement for sicker patients or those at higher risk of complications. The study provides reassurance that the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement program has not led to 'cherry-p...
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that virtual physical therapy after knee replacement surgery is safe and effective, with similar outcomes to traditional in-person PT. Virtual PT also resulted in lower healthcare costs, with patients completing more exercises and having fewer hospital readmissions.
The Mount Sinai Diversity Innovation Hub has been named among the Top 50 Leaders in Digital Health for 2020, recognizing its efforts to improve healthcare through technology. The hub aims to diversify the pipeline for career paths in healthcare innovation and technology.
Researchers have developed a minimally invasive procedure to treat chronic Achilles tendon disorder, reducing pain and recovery time. The percutaneous Zadek osteotomy (ZO) technique has shown significant improvement in functional outcomes and faster recovery times compared to traditional open surgery.
Research found that obesity and smoking can lead to slower fracture healing and higher disability in patients with wrist fractures. However, the study also showed that clinical and radiographic outcomes are achievable with surgery for displaced wrist fractures in obese and smoking patients.
A new treatment using whittled sheep and dog bones has been found to be an effective alternative to metal pins for stabilizing fractured wings in pigeons. Pigeons with the bone implants were able to fly as well as before the operation, with no rejection of the implanted bones.
A new clinical trial at Marshall University is investigating the use of biologic augmentation in ACL reconstruction surgery. The study aims to assess improvements in pain, failure rates and clinical outcomes using a minimally invasive technique combining bone marrow concentrate, autograft bone and demineralized bone matrix.
A new study conducted at Hospital for Special Surgery found that race and poverty are not risk factors for total knee replacement revision or failure. Factors associated with a higher risk of revision included younger age, male sex, and use of constrained prosthesis.
A new study published in Annals of Surgery found that high-risk patients who underwent general or vascular surgery at major teaching hospitals had significantly lower 30-day mortality rates (15.9% vs 18.2%) and reduced costs compared to non-teaching hospitals. Orthopedic surgery patients showed similar outcomes at both types of hospitals.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that an increased risk of pulmonary embolism persists for several years after six types of surgery among cancer-free middle-age adults. The research analyzed data from a French national inpatient database and followed 60,000 participants to determine the duration of this increased risk.
A study of 3,275 surgeons found female surgeons earned less per hour and were less likely to perform lucrative procedures. The study also identified significant earnings differences between specialties, with women earning up to $60/hour less than men in cardiothoracic surgery.
A new study found that partial replacement, or hemiarthroplasty, is a viable alternative to total hip arthroplasty for treating displaced femoral neck fractures in patients over age 50. The study reported similar rates of outcome measures between the two techniques, with no significant difference in the incidence of secondary procedures.
A large clinical study of 1,495 patients in 10 countries found that those who had a total hip arthroplasty reported better function but also higher incidence of serious complications. The study suggests the advantages of total hip replacement may not be compelling.
A new report highlights the limitations of cell-based therapies for treating musculoskeletal diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis due to insufficient clinical evidence. The task force recommends specific guidelines for preclinical and clinical investigations to develop more effective treatments.
A new study finds that kids who specialize in a chosen sport tend to engage in higher levels of vigorous exercise, increasing their risk of injuries such as stress fractures, tendinitis, and ACL tears. The study suggests moderating the amount of time young athletes spend engaging in vigorous physical activity can help mitigate this risk.
A study published in Health Economics found that orthopaedic surgeons are less likely to schedule surgeries for patients who meet them at the end of their shift. This suggests that decision fatigue affects medical decision-making, leading doctors to rely on simplistic processes and avoid big decisions when tired.
A recent survey found that half of key hospital doctors in the UK are ill-prepared to respond to major incidents. The study, published in Emergency Medicine Journal, suggests that the situation hasn't improved since 2006, with many doctors lacking knowledge of their organization's major incident plans.
A comprehensive study from Aarhus University finds that conservative treatment with a sling is as effective as surgery for shoulder fractures. The study involved 88 patients over 60 who were either treated with surgery or a sling, and found no significant difference in function, pain, or quality of life between the two groups.
A study by University of Oxford researchers found that the Best Practice Tariff scheme saved up to 7,600 lives in England between 2010 and 2016. The scheme led to improved standards of care for hip fracture patients, including increased surgeries within 36 hours and reduced hospital readmissions.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that spaying or neutering large-breed dogs can lead to a higher risk of obesity and nontraumatic orthopedic injuries. Dogs spayed or neutered before 6 months of age were at a significantly greater risk of sustaining these injuries.
Researchers found that young athletes who fail to achieve a 90 percent score on quadricep strength tests are at increased risk for second knee injuries. Those who failed individual return-to-sport criteria were three times more likely to suffer contralateral ACL tears.
A study by researchers at New York University Langone Health found that mandatory headgear use in women's lacrosse significantly reduces the rate of head and face injuries as well as concussions. The study showed a 76% lower injury rate compared to non-headgear wearing teams.
Professional baseball players with low-grade elbow injuries on the humeral side have a higher chance of returning to play and lower risk of ulnar collateral ligament surgery. Lower MRI grade and humeral location are associated with better outcomes.
Non-traumatic fatalities in football are often linked to over-exertion during conditioning sessions, which can be prevented with standardized workout design and accountability. The NCAA's acclimatization model has been ineffective in reducing exertional heat-related fatalities.
A new surgical technique significantly reduces graft failure and persistent anterolateral rotatory laxity in young athletes after knee surgery. The study, presented at the American Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Society Annual Meeting, used a lateral extra-articular tenodesis to restore pivot control.
Patients receiving a hamstring graft have twice the risk of an ACL graft revision compared to those who received a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft. The risk is increased by five percentage points for low-risk patients and 15 percentage points for high-risk patients.
A recent study suggests that all-inside arthroscopic repair technique is more effective than non-operative management in treating posterior meniscal root tears in older patients. The study found a significant improvement in clinical outcome scores and lower rates of total knee surgery among those who underwent surgery.