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Background: The increased emphasis on reimbursement, diversity, and burnout in hip and knee arthroplasty necessitates a foundational understanding of the surgeon workforce. The purpose of the study was to cross sectionally survey a representative sample of the AAHKS surgeon membership on the subject of salary, practice patterns, and demographic factors to establish a baseline framework for future advocacy efforts and initiatives. Methods: An online survey was sent to AAHKS members between December 20, 2022 and January 19, 2023. Surgeon demographic data, experience, practice geography and type, and annual case volume were solicited. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to describe the association of respondent characteristics with reported salary directly from patient care, as well as indirect revenue streams. Results: A total of 730 AAHKS members responded to the survey. The largest proportion of surgeons performed 251-400 cases annually (36%); 81% (n = 592) and 93% (n = 679) of respondents identified as white and male, respectively. Case volume was the primary determinant for surgeon salary, followed by practice type, years in practice, and gender. After controlling for confounding variables, multivariate analyses revealed the direct salary of women surgeons was 14.4% less than men [95% confidence interval, 0.4%-28.3%]. When considering indirect revenue, the gender pay gap widened. Salary was not associated with reported hours worked per week, geographic location, or ethnicity. Conclusions: Salary is an important but underdiscussed subject that reflects the realities of our culture and value system in medicine. A direct relationship between salary and modifiable variables like case volume is clear. However, after controlling for confounders, women arthroplasty surgeons still earn 86 cents on the dollar compared to their male colleagues from direct surgical revenue.

Background: As demand for total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty increases, more surgeons have pursued subspecialty training in adult reconstruction. However, little information is available regarding the practice environment in which these fellowship-trained surgeons practice. The purpose of this study was to describe the practice environments of contemporary adult reconstruction surgeons. Methods: A survey was developed and distributed to members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons from December 2022 to January 2023. Information was collected on surgeon demographics, practice setting, call requirements, and educational debt. Responses were recorded using frequencies and proportions. Results: A total of 886 of 2471 (36%) surgeons completed the survey, with 93% identifying as male and 81% as white. The primary surgical practice locations were: community hospital 53%, academic/tertiary hospital 24%, specialty orthopedic hospital 17%, and ambulatory surgery center 7%. Nearly half (49%) of the respondents practiced in orthopedic specialty groups, and 60% spent 50%-66% of their clinical time in the office. The majority of surgeons performed between 101-250 (20%) and 251-400 (31%) arthroplasty cases per year, though this varied considerably. Call was taken by 77% of surgeons, yet only 54% received compensation. Conclusions: The most common practice setting for adult reconstruction surgeons was in a community-based hospital as part of a large orthopedic specialty group. Despite the considerable variability in annual procedure volume, the majority of surgeons spent over half their clinical time in office and had call obligations with variable compensation models.

Background: Following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), increased opioid use is associated with poor clinical outcomes. This study investigates implications of Florida legislative mandates on prescribing practices and opioid utilization following primary THA and TKA. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing primary TKA or THA between January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020 at our academic medical center. Three groups were identified: procedures performed prior to mandates, after seven-day prescription limit, and after mandated electronic prescribing. A multivariate analyses of variance evaluated length of stay, morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), age, body mass index and number of prescription refills. Chi-square tests compared preoperative opioid use, readmissions, and discharge disposition. Results: There were 198 patients in group one, 238 patients in group two, and 215 patients in group three (N = 651). Prior to any mandates, patients were prescribed 822.3 + 626.7 MMEs. Following a seven-day prescription limit this decreased to 465.0 + 296.0 MMEs (P < .001), which further decreased after mandated electronic prescribing (228.0 + 284.4 MMEs [P < 0.001]). Patients undergoing THA were prescribed less MME than those undergoing TKA. There was a 2.6% 90-day readmission rate, with no pain-related readmissions. Conclusions: Florida legislative mandates for opioid prescription quantities and electronic prescribing have effectively reduced average MMEs prescribed following primary arthroplasty. Despite a shift towards ambulatory surgery, opioid utilization decreased without compromising patient outcomes. These findings underscore the significance of both legislative and surgical practices influencing opioid prescribing habits among orthopaedic surgeons.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the practices of adult reconstruction surgeons, primarily due to the elective nature of hip and knee arthroplasty. Methods: To capture the impact of COVID-19 on its members, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons sent 6 surveys over a span of 7 months from late March until September of 2020 querying its members regarding the effects of COVID on the health and well-being of their personal, financial, and clinical practice. Results: Ninety-two percent of surgeons reported a cessation of elective inpatient cases during the height of the crisis. The reduction was greatest for surgeries performed in hospital-based sites of care. Ninety-one percent reported a drop in clinic volume. At the final surveys, these numbers where 7% and 59%, respectively. In addition, there was a widespread increase in the use of telemedicine during this period. Only a small number of orthopedic practices permanently closed because of COVID-19; 68% of surgeons, however, sought federal funding to offset their loss of revenue because of the restrictions placed on elective surgeries. Finally, once elective surgeries were reinstated, most surgeons reported no restrictions with surgical cases and that they believed they were adapting to the challenges of COVID successfully. Conclusions: The impact of COVID-19 in 2020 on the practice of arthroplasty resulted in nearly universal loss of volume and significant financial stress. Recovery has been consistent but incomplete for most practices. Continued monitoring of the members of American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons will be needed in 2021 to measure the strength of the demonstrated adaptive recovery of 2020.

Orthopaedic surgeons account for the largest proportion of opioid prescriptions in the United States among surgical specialties. In total joint arthroplasty, increased opioid use has been associated with poorer clinical and functional outcomes. Despite an abundance of literature on opioid mitigation strategies, most fail to provide personalized prescriptions. Typically, most protocols prescribe the same opioid regimen regardless of patient factors or the extent of the planned procedure. We present a simple opioid stratification pathway that can be used by physicians and office staff as they prepare patients for arthroplasty. We have found this to be easy to implement, effective, and sustainable at a tertiary academic institution and allows for iterative improvements over time.

Intraprosthetic fracture of a femoral component is a rare but devastating complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA). We present the case of a 68-year-old man who presented with acute hip pain approximately 8 years after a left THA with a modern cementless, titanium femoral component. Radiographs revealed a fracture of the midportion of the neck of the stem, below the level of the trunnion. The patient underwent an isolated 1-component revision THA with a modular exchange. To our knowledge, this is the only reported case of a catastrophic failure fracture of this particular prosthesis.

Background: Interest in outpatient total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has increased recently as part of value-based care and early recovery protocols. Outpatient pathways require significant paradigm shifts, are not used widely, and are mostly implemented at outpatient surgery centers or orthopedic specialty hospitals. In this article, we report on the outcomes of implementation of an outpatient arthroplasty protocol at a tertiary care academic medical center. Methods: We performed a retrospective review on a series of 105 consecutive patients who underwent THA or TKA following our newly implemented outpatient arthroplasty protocol. We compared these patients to a group of inpatient arthroplasty patients from the same time period. Results: Eighty-three of 105 (79%) patients were successfully discharged home on the day of surgery. Successful same-day discharge was predicted by early ambulation (P = .01), TKA over THA (P = .04), and shorter duration of surgery (P = .01). General anesthesia correlated with better early ambulation distances (P = .03) and a lower incidence of urinary retention (P = .049). The outpatient readmission and complication rates were 0.95% and 1.9%, respectively, whereas the matched inpatient rates were 3.7% and 2.9%, respectively. Conclusions: Outpatient THA and TKA in a well-selected patient is feasible in an academic multidisciplinary tertiary care hospital, with complication rates approximating inpatient surgery. The findings reported here can be used to further optimize outpatient arthroplasty protocols. Keywords: Outpatient arthroplasty, Anesthesia, Ambulation, Urinary retention, Rapid recovery

Background: In an effort to minimize backside polyethylene wear and osteolysis associated with titanium tibial baseplates, many manufacturers have transitioned to cobalt chromium alloys. Recent literature has implicated thicker cobalt chromium designs as a potential source of increased stress shielding and resorption. We report the incidence of proximal tibial bone resorption in a large consecutive series of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty, with a modern total knee design. Methods: Four hundred thirty-two consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties, performed by 2 fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeons were identified over a 24-month period. In addition to review of the medical records, analysis of preoperative and postoperative radiographs was performed. Utilizing a novel classification system, the severity of resorption was quantified and correlated with patient and implant characteristics. Results: After exclusions, 339 knees were evaluated in 292 patients. Mean follow-up was 13.2 months (range 6-41). Resorption was present in 119 knees (35.1%). Average time to diagnosis of bone loss was 6.9 months (range 2-32) postoperatively. There was a statistically significant difference between resorption and nonresorption groups with regards to gender and preoperative alignment. Most cases were classified as Grade 1. During the study period, 2 patients required revision for aseptic tibial loosening. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that proximal tibial resorption is common with this particular implant, particularly in men and patients with preoperative varus deformity. Although this typically occurs relatively early in postoperative period and in most cases appears to remodel and stabilize, its ultimate clinical significance and effect on implant survivorship remains unclear.