Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Orthopedics for December 2017. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Tips Offered for Patient-Provider Opioid Tapering Talks
THURSDAY, Dec. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Helping patients understand individualized reasons for opioid tapering and encouraging them to provide input into the process are key for patient-provider communications, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Pain.
Calcium, Vitamin D Don’t Seem to Reduce Fracture Risk in Seniors
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For community-dwelling older adults, supplementation with calcium, vitamin D, or both does not reduce the incidence of fractures, according to a review published in the Dec. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Bone Fragility Variants Linked to Concordant Pediatric Skeleton
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Established bone fragility variants are associated with a concordant phenotypic model of the pediatric skeleton but not with discordant phenotypic models, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
C7 Nerve Transfer Improves Function in Spastic Arm Paralysis
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — C7 nerve transfer is beneficial for patients with unilateral arm paralysis for more than five years, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Male U.S. Doctors Receive Higher Values of Industry Payments
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Male physicians in the United States received higher values of general payments from industry than females in 2015, according to a research letter published online Dec. 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Yogurt, But Not Milk, May Lower Hip Fracture Risk
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — High intake of fermented milk products, like yogurt, in combination with a high intake of fruits and vegetables, is associated with lower hip fracture rates in women, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Year One Results Out for Value-Based Payment Modifier Program
MONDAY, Dec. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Almost 30 percent of eligible practices failed to register and report data in the first year of the Physician Value-Based Payment Modifier program, according to a report published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
Doctors Must Report on at Least 1 Patient, 1 Measure for MACRA
FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In order to meet the 2017 Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) participation reporting deadline and avoid a Medicare payment penalty in 2019, physicians must report on at least one patient and one measure by Dec. 31, and submit to Medicare no later than Feb. 28, 2018, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Making Insurers Participate in Marketplace Could Cut Volatility
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Requiring insurers that participate in Medicare or Medicaid to also participate in Marketplaces in the same geographic area could improve access to insurance, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
Telemedicine Facilitates Diabetes Foot Ulcer Care
THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Telemedicine follow-up enables more comprehensive diabetes foot ulcer care, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Paramedic-PCP Protocol Can Cut ER Visits for Assisted Living Falls
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A protocol involving collaboration between paramedics and primary care physicians could help prevent transport to the emergency department for residents of assisted living facilities who have fallen, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Amount of Opioids Prescribed After Hospital Discharge Varies
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For postoperative patients there is considerable variation in the amount of opioids prescribed at hospital discharge, according to research published online Dec. 13 in JAMA Surgery.
Allopurinol Rx More Likely With Eligibility at Diagnosis
TUESDAY, Dec. 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Allopurinol prescribing is more likely if patients meet eligibility criteria at diagnosis, according to a research brief published in the November/December issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
High-Intensity Treadmill Exercise Feasible in Parkinson’s Disease
MONDAY, Dec. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with Parkinson’s disease, high-intensity treadmill exercise seems feasible and safe, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in JAMA Neurology.
Deceleration in Health Care Spending Growth in 2016
MONDAY, Dec. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Health care spending growth slowed in 2016 following faster growth in 2014 and 2015, according to research published online Dec. 6 in Health Affairs.
CVS-Aetna Merger Has Implications for Doctors’ Offices
TUESDAY, Dec. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — CVS Health’s planned purchase of insurance giant Aetna, a $69 billion deal, was announced Sunday.
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Antithrombotics Deemed Safe in Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery
TUESDAY, Dec. 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing wide-awake carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgery, antithrombotic (AT) agents may be safely continued, according to a research letter published online Nov. 29 in JAMA Surgery.
Relevant Health Care Price Info Hard to Find Online
MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Overall, 17 percent of websites provide geographically relevant health care price estimates relating to specific interventions, according to a research letter published online Dec. 4 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Risk of Surgical Complications Up for Overlapping Hip Surgery
MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture or total hip arthroplasty (THA), overlapping surgery is associated with increased risk of surgical complications, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Risk of Persistent Opioid Use a Concern for Youth After Surgery
MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Adolescents and young adults are at risk for persistent opioid use after surgery, and this represents an important pathway to consider in the epidemic of prescription opioid misuse, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in Pediatrics.
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