Orthopaedic News and Research

RSS

Study shows high cost of defensive orthopaedic care

In a first-ever national survey of orthopaedic surgeons, 96 percent said they have practiced defensive medicine - the ordering of tests, referrals to specialists and hospital admissions primarily to avoid liability and without significant benefit to patients - according to a new study presented today at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

10 Feb 2012

Smith & Nephew introduces POLARCUP Dual Mobility Hip System

Smith & Nephew, the global medical technology business, is introducing the clinically proven POLARCUP Dual Mobility Hip System to orthopaedic surgeons in the US at this year's American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting in San Francisco.

10 Feb 2012

Ultrasound reliable alternative to X-rays for DDH screening in children

Developmental dislocation (dysplasia) of the hip (DDH) is a common congenital condition in which a child's upper thighbone is dislocated from the hip socket. The condition can be present at birth or develop during a child's first year of life. Plain radiography (X-rays) has long been the gold standard screening modality for this condition in 6-month-old children, despite concerns over exposing very young children to ionizing radiation.

10 Feb 2012

RI Hospital to study treatment that may prevent post-traumatic OA

Rhode Island Hospital has received a grant of $2.2 million from the United States Department of Defense to support a research study on a treatment that may prevent post-traumatic osteoarthritis, a common condition in men and women who suffer joint injuries to the knee and hip.

10 Feb 2012

Women less satisfied with pain control after TKR surgery

Increased pain following surgery has long been linked to anxiety and "catastrophizing," an extreme response to stress. In a new study presented today at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), 97 patients - men and women - who were about to undergo minimally invasive total knee replacement (TKR) surgery, completed a brief survey to quantify their level of anxiety, as well as their typical level of anxiety and potential for catastrophizing. Pain data was then collected for seven days following surgery.

9 Feb 2012

Web-based follow-up after TJR may improve physician access for critical care

Patients who have had total joint replacement (TJR) are expected to return to their physician's office or clinic regularly for routine follow-up care. In a new study presented today at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), researchers asked 210 TKR patients to either complete a Web-based follow-up, which included an online survey and an X-ray taken at the nearest Internet-enabled facility; or, to return to the clinic/office for their regular appointment.

9 Feb 2012

Antidepressants make patients feel less satisfied after THR

Patients taking antidepressants up to three years prior to undergoing a total hip replacement (THR) were more likely to report greater pain before and after surgery and less satisfaction with their procedure, according to new research presented today at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

9 Feb 2012

British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery launches new online resource

The British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery, publishers of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (British Volume) announce the launch of Bone & Joint - a major new online resource for the orthopaedic and related communities.

9 Feb 2012

$Bisphosphonates may raise risk of atypical femur fracture$

Bisphosphonates may raise risk of atypical femur fracture

There is growing evidence that supports an association between atypical fractures of the femur- a rare break of the thigh bone, typically without trauma - and the use of bisphosphonates, drugs proven to enhance bone density and reduce fracture incidence caused by osteoporosis.

9 Feb 2012

Patients should limit sporting activities to maintain hip prosthesis

In hip resurfacing the femoral ball in the hip joint is not removed, but instead is trimmed and capped with a smooth metal covering. Young and active patients with arthritis often choose hip resurfacing over total hip replacement to minimize the risk of hip dislocation, and to preserve the bone for a revision surgery should the primary resurfacing fail. However, the long-term effects of sports on a resurfaced hip were unknown.

9 Feb 2012

First comprehensive look at how metal-on-metal total hip replacements fail in patients

A study by Hospital for Special Surgery researchers has provided the first comprehensive look at just how metal-on-metal total hip replacements are failing in patients around the country.

9 Feb 2012

Injuries in overweight and obese children more often from 'low-energy' impact

Obese children are 74 percent more likely to sustain a fracture of the growth plate, the softer end of the bone where growth occurs. A new study presented today at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), involved 224 children visiting a Maryland hospital with a fracture.

9 Feb 2012

New Spine iPad app to be unveiled at AAOS annual meeting

The top-cited, most trusted peer reviewed journal in spinal deformity and dysfunction is now available in a new mobile edition with the launch of Spine for the iPad.

9 Feb 2012

$OATS procedure superior to microfracture in repairing cartilage defects$

OATS procedure superior to microfracture in repairing cartilage defects

A new study has demonstrated that a procedure wherein healthy cartilage is transplanted to fix an area of damaged cartilage (osteoarticular cartilage transplantation or OATS procedure) is superior to the standard of care for repairing cartilage defects. It is thought that fixing such lesions may ultimately help to prevent the onset of osteoarthritis, and get athletic individuals back to sporting activities reliably.

9 Feb 2012

Exercise can reduce pain, improve physical function in individuals with OA

The benefits of exercise in minimizing pain and improving mobility for individuals living with osteoarthritis has been well documented.

8 Feb 2012

Elevated risk of PE occurs within first 7 days after total joint replacement surgery

The elevated risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) - a blood clot that travels from the leg to the lungs - following total joint replacement (TJR) surgery has been well established, yet little is known about the natural course and timing of this potentially fatal condition.

8 Feb 2012

Low-energy handguns can contribute to infection and compartment syndrome

Gunshot injuries are typically categorized as low- or high-energy based on the weapon's missile velocity and mass. Typically, low energy injuries are treated with simple wound care, with or without antibiotics, regardless of the presence of a fracture. In contrast, high energy injuries are treated more aggressively.

8 Feb 2012

Study determines prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among post menopausal women with DRF

Wrist fractures, also called distal radius fractures (DRF), are among the most common osteoporosis-related fractures occurring on average 15 years earlier than hip fractures. As vitamin D deficiency has recently been linked with muscle weakness, increased fall risks, and bone fractures, investigators sought to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among post menopausal women with DRF.

8 Feb 2012

Telephone support can improve outcomes in high-risk TKR patients

Poor emotional health and morbid obesity are associated with less functional gain following total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. In the new study, "Can Telephone Support During Post-TKR Rehabilitation Improve Post-op Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial," presented today at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), approximately 180 patients were categorized by gender, body mass index (BMI) and emotional health.

8 Feb 2012

$Female soccer players more likely to suffer stress fracture or ligament injury$

Female soccer players more likely to suffer stress fracture or ligament injury

In the U.S., there are nearly three million youth soccer players, and half of them are female. New research presented today at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) found that despite reporting appropriate body perception and attitudes toward eating, elite youth soccer athletes (club level or higher) face an increased risk for delayed or irregular menstruation.

8 Feb 2012