Rothman Orthopaedic Institute

DALLAS — Supported by a direct and a network meta-analysis, researchers compiled guidelines focused on the use of tranexamic acid during total joint arthroplasty, which were presented at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Annual Meeting.

Pathogen identification remains a challenge and culture methods have limitations. Novel molecular methods have become clinically available. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry — MALDI-TOF — is a new technology for rapid and cost-effective identification of microorganisms, including those implicated in periprosthetic joint infection. Current methods for identification of pathogens rely upon costly and time-consuming culture techniques. MALDI-TOF exploits the proteome of microorganisms for pathogen recognition. It is efficient for implementation at the large institution-level and can precisely classify microorganisms down to the strain.

PHILADELPHIA — At The Future is Now: Medical Cannabis Symposium, Ari C. Greis, DO, discussed the collaboration between Rothman Institute physicians and Franklin Bioscience on future research opportunities looking at the effect of cannabis use on treatment of leg and back pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain and postoperative pain management.

For decades, many medical specialties have used telemedicine, which is the electronic delivery of pictures or radiographs to diagnose and treat patients. The development of newer and more sophisticated technology, such as smart phones and iPads, has supported the increased use of telemedicine in text, as well as video platforms, making it more accessible to physicians and patients as a tool to continue care after the initial office visit or treatment. Although this is not a new concept in orthopedic surgery, the specialty has yet to truly adopt electronic continuity of care and telemedicine for its follow-up of patients.

It is my pleasure to announce exciting changes to the Orthopedics Today Editorial Board. In an effort to continually evolve in covering orthopedics, we have made significant changes to the Editorial Board. Orthopedics continues to transform and Orthopedics Today has responded to these changes with the addition of up-and-coming innovators, as well as more established professionals.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Several steps can be taken to ensure outpatient spine procedures are done as safely as possible in a way that not only benefits patients, but also adds to the value of care delivered by the hospitals and health systems in which these surgeries are performed, a presenter at the Interdisciplinary Conference on Orthopedic Value-Based Care, said.

Next-generation sequencing, in combination with culture collection, may help identify causative organisms in culture-negative periprosthetic joint infections, according to results published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.

With an increasing number of total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty procedures being performed in the United States, the rate of failure has also increased. In its annual report, the American Joint Replacement Registry listed infection as a leading cause of TKA and THA revisions from 2012 to 2016. Research has also shown failures due to periprosthetic joint infection are expected to increase at an annual rate of between 38,000 cases and 270,000 cases by the year 2030.

The prevalence of mechanically assisted crevice corrosion was higher than researchers expected when they studied patients who underwent non-cemented contemporary metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty.

Despite concerns about reverse shoulder arthroplasty in younger patients, the procedure has been shown to restore function and improve pain in advanced cases of severe rotator cuff deficiency with associated arthritis and/or bone loss, as well as complex fractures and fracture dislocations, according to a presenter at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting.