Today's News
Sunday, February 25, 1996
Arthoscopy advantageous in arthritic knees
Arthroscopic treatment can be beneficial for patients who have arthritic and degenerative meniscal tears in their knees, especially when patients may not yet be candidates for knee surgery.
Study finds partial football equipment removal affects cervical
spine injuries
Football players who may have sustained cervical spine injuries
should not have either their helmets or shoulder pads taken off
while being transported for medical care, because equipment removal
could cause additional injury.
Age, health, mental status affect hip fracture outcome
The author of an outcome study finds that a patient who is under
age 70, in good health and who does not suffer an orthopaedic
complication will likely gain prefracture functional status following
a hip fracture.
Study finds risk factors for hip dislocations
A previous hip operation, the patient's age and excessive
alcohol intake increase the likelihood of hip dislocation after
total hip replacement surgery.
Medicare care reimbursement too low for total hip revisions
Orthopaedic surgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard
University analyzed cost data, reimbursement rates and hospital
charges of 12 revision total hip replacement patients whose primary
insurance was Medicare and found that Medicare reimburses
hospitals little more than half of the hospital's
actual costs of revision total hip arthroplasty.
MRI not needed for scoliosis patients prior to surgery
A study of 140 patients, 12 to 18 years old with adolescent idiopathic
scoliosis who were scheduled for elective surgery to correct their
spinal curves found that routine magnetic resonance imaging evaluation
prior to surgery is unwarranted.
Arthroplasty effective in cutting cost and improving outcomes
A new study demonstrating how arthroplasty improves patients' quality of life, and is extremely cost-effective.
Functional outcomes measure provides insights on recovery
The Functional Recovery Score, a standardized outcome measure,
can help orthopaedic surgeons determine whether elderly hip fracture
patients who have successful clinical treatments can and do regain
their previous functional abilities for daily living. It is based
on the elderly population's view of what is important for
them to do independently.
New technique uses stent for cementing femoral cortex
Orthopaedic surgeons describe a new surgical technique that uses
a stent when cementing the femoral cortex.
Unsupervised trampoline use poses danger to children
More than 40,000 children under age 15 were treated at hospital
emergency rooms in 1994 for injuries related to trampolines.
Patella resurfacing important after total knee arthroplasty
Resurfacing the patella should only be performed in total knee
arthroplasty patients when significant wear is present.
Cigarette smoking slows spine healing
Spinal surgery is more successful in patients who have never smoked
or stopped prior to surgery, than in lifelong smokers, according
to a study of 139 patients.
Study finds violence takes big toll of teens
Of 495 teenage orthopaedic trauma cases admitted to the Level
I trauma centers of eight New York-area hospitals during a two-year
period, 50 percent were the result of violent injuries and 41
percent were due to motor vehicle accidents.
Reports new surgical procedure for tennis elbow problems
A new surgical procedure is proving to be successful in treating
patients with tennis elbow problems. Orthopaedic surgeons are
experiencing successful surgical outcomes by removing the extensor
carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon that helps individuals extend
their wrist.
Total knee replacement beneficial to young patients
The use of a posterior stabilized, posterior cruciate substituting
design prosthesis implant is helping orthopaedic surgeons from
Beth Israel Medical Center - North Division in New York, improve
the success rate of total knee replacement procedures in patients
less than 55 years old.
Venography helps patients avoid hospital readmission
Routine blood clot screening utilizing contrast venography reduces
total joint replacement patients' exposure to outpatient
anticoagulation therapy and the related risk of potentially life-threatening
hemorrhage.
Antibiotic beads reduces risk of infections in open fractures
Using beads impregnated with antibiotics provides an effective way to prevent open-fracture infection in combination with systemic antibiotics.
Nail offers promise for treating humerus fractures
Use of the Mouradian nail offers good results in the treatment of patients who have displaced proximal humerus fractures.
New study spells out cost of traffic accidents
A new study completed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and seven states says automobile accidents cost us more than we think. The study's results were discussed by Ricardo Martinez, MD, president of NHTSA, during a Saturday press conference.
Talk about injury prevention
Orthopaedic surgeons can save lives just by talking with their patients about seat belts, according to Ricardo Martinez, MD, administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a board-certified emergency physician
Academy expands traffic safety campaign
The Academy's public education campaign on traffic safety has been expanded.
Populations grow; resources diminish
Two-thirds of world lacks orthopaedic care
King Constantine II sees roadblocks to peace falling
As we approach the end of this century that has been filled with many wars and much bloodshed, we may be finally inching our way toward peace.
Oversupply of orthopaedists likely in next century
Corporate practice offers surgeons chance to compete with large care organizations
1996 Atwood Convention Publishing Inc.
11600 College Park Blvd.
Overland Park, KS 66210-2785
The on-line version of the Academy News was created by the staff of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Atwood.
Last modified 27/September/1996