Study Finds Objective Test for Preoperative Pain Predicts Postoperative Opioid Use

A study that used an objective method to measure preoperative pain threshold (PPT) demonstrated that total joint arthroplasty patients with higher preoperative pain tolerance required less narcotic medication after surgery. The study also revealed that one-fifth of the patients received opioid prescriptions from physicians other than their orthopaedic providers in the postoperative period.

Genetics of Late-onset Idiopathic Scoliosis: Where Are We?

Nancy Hadley Miller, MS, MD

Late onset idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is a fixed lateral rotatory curvature of the spine that affects approximately 2 percent of prepubertal and adolescent individuals who are otherwise normal. The incidence, potential relentless progression, and morbidity surrounding current treatment modalities have frustrated both physicians and families.

Quality Initiative Results in Practice Changes, Cost Savings

A quality improvement project aimed at increasing the use of removable braces instead of casting to treat distal radius buckle fractures (DRBFs) at two pediatric centers changed minds and resulted in significant savings, according to a report presented at the 2017 annual meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

Tips for Successful Fixation of Upper Extremity Fragility Fractures

Maureen Leahy

The prevalence of fragility fractures is high, particularly among individuals with low bone mineral density (BMD). The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that more than 54 million people in the United States have low BMD and more than 200,000 distal radius fractures are sustained yearly.

Second Look – Clinical News and Views

These items originally appeared in AAOS Headline News Now, a thrice-weekly enewsletter that keeps AAOS members up to date on clinical, socioeconomic, and political issues, with links to more detailed information. Subscribe at www.aaos.org/news/news.asp (member login required). Hip fracture surgery—According to a study in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA; Nov.

Can 3D Printing Revolutionize Orthopaedic Devices?

S. Raymond Golish, MD, PhD, MBA; Steven M. Kurtz, PhD; Barbara D. Boyan, PhD

3D printing promises to be a revolution in orthopaedic device manufacturing. In 3D printing, parts are built up layer-by-layer by adding to a workpiece using a variety of materials and energy sources. 3D printing is more technically called additive manufacturing (AM) to distinguish it from traditional machining, which “subtracts” material from a solid billet or from a rough part that was cast or forged.