Orthopedics
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Orthopedic surgeons frequently encounter medical malpractice claims. The purpose of this study was to assess trends and risk factors in lawsuits brought against orthopedic surgeons using a national legal database. A legal research service was used to search publicly available settlement and verdict reports between 1988 and 2013 by terms "orthopaedic or orthopedic" and "malpractice." Temporal trends were evaluated, and logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for case outcomes. ⋯ When analyzing data by state and region, adjusted for population, northeastern states had a higher frequency of lawsuits. Malpractice liability has increased during the past 3 decades while orthopedic surgeons continue to win most of the cases making it to court. As patients search for medical care via publicly available information, it is important for orthopedic surgeons to understand what aspects of their own practice carry different risks of litigation. [Orthopedics. 2019; 42(2):e260-e267.].
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Comparative Study
Pain After Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Versus Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.
As anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) become increasingly common, differences between the 2 procedures are of importance. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in acute pain levels between patients undergoing aTSA and rTSA. Sixty patients undergoing aTSA or rTSA were assessed for participation. ⋯ However, after 4 hours postoperatively, no significant differences in pain scores or opioid consumption were found. These findings suggest that patients undergoing aTSA or rTSA have similar postoperative pain profiles. Patients who are prescribed narcotics before shoulder arthroplasty are at an increased risk for postoperative opioid demand. [Orthopedics. 2019; 42(2):e247-e252.].
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Two major forms of physician reimbursement include Medicare (MCR; federally funded) and Medicaid (MCD; state funded). The only oversight provided to individual states for setting MCD reimbursement is that it must provide a standard payment that does not negatively affect patient care. The goals of this study were to determine the variability of MCD reimbursement for patients who require orthopedic procedures and to assess how this compares with regional MCR reimbursement. ⋯ Disparities were found between MCR and MCD when comparing identical procedures. Further research is necessary to understand the impact of these significant differences. It is likely that these discrepancies lead to suboptimal access to necessary orthopedic care. [Orthopedics. 2019; 42(2):e193-e196.].
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There is a paucity of data on how racial disparities may affect early outcomes following shoulder arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in 30-day complications and readmission rates after shoulder arthroplasty based on race. White and black patients who underwent hemiarthroplasty, anatomic or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (Current Procedural Terminology codes 23470 and 23472) between 2006 and 2015 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. ⋯ There was a significant disparity with underutilization of shoulder arthroplasty for black patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Black and white patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty experienced similar rates of 30-day complications, readmissions, and discharge to facility. However, black patients experienced greater operative time, total length of stay, and mortality compared with white patients. [Orthopedics. 2019; 42(2):95-102.].