The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
-
J Am Acad Orthop Surg · Aug 2019
Comparative StudyLower Complication Rate Following Ankle Fracture Fixation by Orthopaedic Surgeons Versus Podiatrists.
Increased overlap in the scope of practice between orthopaedic surgeons and podiatrists has led to increased podiatric treatment of foot and ankle injuries. However, a paucity of studies exists in the literature comparing orthopaedic and podiatric outcomes following ankle fracture fixation. ⋯ Level III-retrospective cohort study.
-
J Am Acad Orthop Surg · Aug 2019
Comparative StudyCurrent Trends in Sex, Race, and Ethnic Diversity in Orthopaedic Surgery Residency.
The representation of minorities among medical students has increased over the past two decades, but diversity among orthopaedic residents lags behind. This phenomenon has occurred despite a recent focus by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons on the recruitment of minorities and women. ⋯ Recruitment efforts have not reversed the sex, racial, and ethnic disparities in orthopaedic residents. Orthopaedics has the lowest representation of women and minorities among residencies studied. The rate of increase in women lags behind all surgical subspecialties, except for urology.
-
J Am Acad Orthop Surg · Aug 2019
Oral Opioids Are Overprescribed in the Opiate-Naive Patient Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty.
The opioid epidemic in the United States continues to escalate and contribute to potentially preventable deaths. Because many opioid addictions begin with prescription medication, focus on limiting exposure and decreasing availability are essential. This study identifies the average number of opioid pills consumed following primary total knee and hip arthroplasty (TKA and THA) at our institution in opiate-naive patients to provide an estimate of medication required. We hypothesized that the average number of pills consumed for both TKA and THA was significantly less than the amount prescribed at discharge. ⋯ Pain medication was significantly overprescribed by more than 34% in TKA and 140% in THA. Prescribing practices of narcotic pain medications following total joint arthroplasty result in significantly excess amount of opioids available for potential abuse.