Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Orthopedics for May 2015. 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.
AMA: Physicians Driving the Slowing of Health Care Costs
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Low physician spending is contributing to an overall slowing of health care costs, according to a viewpoint piece published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Teens More Satisfied Than Adults With Lumbar Disc Herniation Sx
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Adolescent patients are more satisfied with surgery for lumbar disc herniation than younger or older adults, according to a study published in the June 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
Fruit, Vegetable Intake Linked to Hip Fracture
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fruit and vegetable intake is associated with hip fracture, with a higher rate of hip fracture for intake below five servings/day, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
14.9 Million New Cancer Cases Worldwide in 2013
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Between 1990 and 2013, the proportion of deaths worldwide caused by cancer rose from 12 to 15 percent. During that time, years of healthy life lost to cancer increased 29 percent, according to data on 28 types of cancer in 188 countries published online May 28 in JAMA Oncology.
Review: Fracture Risk Up With Subclinical Hyperthyroidism
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Subclinical hyperthyroidism ups risk for hip and other fractures, according to a review published in the May 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Return to Sports Starts at Three Months Post Scoliosis Surgery
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), surgeons are allowing return to sports starting at three months after corrective surgery, according to research published in the May 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
Caution Urged When Using EHR Shortcut Features
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Caution should be exercised with use of electronic health record (EHR) documentation short cuts, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Diet and Exercise May Not Be Enough to Ward Off Sarcopenia
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — It’s not clear whether diet and exercise can prevent muscle loss as people age, according to a new review published online May 11 in Clinical Interventions in Aging.
DXA Screening Found to Be Underused and Overused
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Too few women at high risk for osteoporosis are being tested for the condition, while too many women at low risk are being screened, according to new research published online May 19 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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Large Practices Focused on Small Selection of EHR Products
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Sixty percent of clinicians in practices with 26 or more clinicians report use of one of 10 electronic health record (EHR) products, according to a report published by AmericanEHR Partners.
Front Desk Staff Has Key Role in Managing Practice Cash Flow
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Three steps that can be implemented by front desk staff can help increase practices’ cash flow, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Lean Six Sigma Approach Ups Quality of Hip Replacement Sx
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The Lean Six Sigma approach can be implemented to improve quality of care and reduce costs in prosthetic hip replacement surgery, according to a study published online May 11 in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.
AMA: Avoiding Distress in Medical School
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Understanding the key drivers underlying medical students’ distress can help address the issues and enhance student well-being, according to an article published by the American Medical Association.
School Scoliosis Screening Has Sustained Effectiveness
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — School scoliosis screening can have sustained clinical effectiveness in identifying patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, according to a study published in the May 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
Complication Rate Relatively Low for Anterior Lumbar Surgery
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing anterior lumbar surgery (ALS), complications occur relatively infrequently, with a complication rate of 14.1 percent overall, according to a review published in the May 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
Prednisone for Sciatica No Better Than Placebo
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Oral prednisone is no more effective than placebo for sciatica pain and provide only modest improvement in function, researchers report in the May 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Pain Med Rx + Medical Cannabis Doesn’t Seem to Up Abuse Risk
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical marijuana users don’t appear to increase their risk for drug or alcohol abuse if they also take prescription pain medications (PPMs), according to research published in the May issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
Tips Provided for Doctors Who Want to Move to Private Practice
MONDAY, May 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For physicians who want to transition to private practice, several factors need consideration, including finances, legal matters, and insurance, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Guidance Offered to Help Doctors Deal With ‘Dr. Google’
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Good communication is the key to resolving conflicts between the tests and treatment a patient may want based on online searches and those a physician believes are necessary, according to an article published online in Medical Economics.
Disc Degeneration Tied to Severe Abdominal Aortic Calcification
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Greater abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) severity, faster AAC progression, and higher mortality are seen for older men with severe disc degeneration, according to a study published in the May issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
New Health Care Index Reports Increases in Consumer Costs
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new Health Care Index shows increases in consumer costs, according to a report published by U.S. News & World Report.
Nondisclosure Clauses Often Used in Malpractice Settlements
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nondisclosure clauses are frequently used in malpractice settlement agreements, according to research published online May 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
FDA: Senza Device Relieves Spinal Pain Without Paresthesia
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The Senza spinal cord stimulation system has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat chronic intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs, including pain associated with failed back surgery syndrome, low back pain, and leg pain. The device can reduce pain without the paresthesia that characterizes more traditional pain-relieving methods, according to a news release issued by the agency.
AMA: Six Traits of Financially Prepared Female Physicians
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The traits of a financially prepared female physician include having a retirement portfolio that is on track or ahead of schedule for age and career stage, having a liquid emergency fund, and feeling adequately protected in the event of a disability, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Muscle Inflammation Susceptibility Predicts THA Recovery
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Muscle inflammation susceptibility (MuIS) status seems to be able to predict recovery after total hip arthroplasty (THA), according to research published in the April 15 issue of the American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism.
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Shortened Fasting Feasible for Children Undergoing Surgery
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of pulmonary aspiration is low in children undergoing elective surgery, even when allowed free clear fluids until called to the operating suite, according to research published online May 4 in Pediatric Anesthesia.
Medical Students Want to Focus Learning on Preparing for Future
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical students report wanting to learn more about topics that are not currently being taught, including leadership training, health policy, health economics, and experiential learning, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
ACA Tied to Nearly 17 Million Gaining Health Coverage
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — As a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), nearly 17 million previously uninsured Americans now have health coverage, according to a 2013 to 2015 report from the Rand Corporation.
Strategies Provided for Maximizing Payment
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should use standard billing practices, including regular statements, to maximize accounts, and know that collection agencies and lawyers can help collect payment when necessary, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
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Texting Cuts Patients’ Need for Pain Meds During Surgery
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Texting during minor surgery cuts the need for pain relievers among patients receiving regional anesthesia, according to a brief research report published in the April issue of Pain Medicine.
High-Value Research of 2014 Presented for Geriatric Medicine
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Articles relating to overtreatment of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and dementia care, as well as reduction of polypharmacy and adverse drug effects, are included in a special update summary published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Concussion in Football Often Occurs During Practice
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Data on more than 20,000 young football players across the United States reveal that more than 57 percent of concussed high school and college players were injured at practice, not games. Among youth football players, almost half of concussions were sustained during practice. These findings were published online May 4 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Five ‘Top Issues’ to Be Discussed at AMA Medical Student Forum
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Issues that will be at the forefront of the National Medical Student Meeting include vaccinations, health care economics, Medicaid expansion, medical education loans, and the nationwide opioid epidemic, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
FDA Approves Raplixa to Help Control Surgical Bleeding
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Raplixa (human fibrin sealant) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help control bleeding during surgery, the agency said in a news release.
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