Orthopedics Editor's Note New research sheds light on the different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic influenced a significant shift in surgeries from inpatient to outpatient settings, with the most pronounced shift occurring for hip and knee replacements. The findings published December 6 in Sage Journals also showed greater declines in overall…
Editor's Note Periprosthetic joint infection involving the implant in total knee arthroplasty can cause significant postoperative complications. New research published online first December 15 in Frontiers in Surgery adds new data to the risk factors linked to this type of infection. In the systematic review, investigators studied risk factors for…
Editor's Note Regenerative medicine practices that incorporate biological materials such as platelets, stem cells, and exosomes to stimulate natural healing can be a “powerful addition to the orthopedic toolkit,” according to an orthopedic and spine surgeon based in New York and quoted in a December 10 article in The Financial.…
Editor's Note A prospective, multi-center randomized trial comparing opioid use and patient reported outcomes following isolated partial meniscectomy with needle versus standard arthroscopy resulted in less postoperative pain and opioid use, according to a February 2026 article published ahead of print in the Journal of Orthopedics. The trial was designed…
Editor's Note A novel preoperative vaccine using a biodegradable scaffold system has proved effective in a mouse model to prevent infection associated with orthopedic devices. The investigators noted this vaccine approach could help prevent surgical site infection in patients undergoing joint replacement surgery, according to a December 1 news release…
Editor's Note Delayed muscle healing and preoperative muscle atrophy, such as in patients with osteoporosis can negatively affect total joint replacement surgery. It can increase the risk of complications, prolong recovery, and impair long-term function. But a new study published online in Current Biology shares how researchers at Cincinnati Children’s…
Editor's Note Antibiotic prophylaxis remains an important tool to lower risk of infection. In orthopedic open fracture repair there is high risk of postoperative infection, wound complications, and nonunion. However, providing effective antibiotic coverage to prevent infections must also be balanced with maintaining antibiotic stewardship to minimize resistance and adverse…
Editor's Note In-person approaches to assess and manage patients who have been recently diagnosed with bone fractures face challenges with meeting patient demand. This can delay accurate and timely clinical decisions for further care. Research suggests that virtual fracture clinics can be an effective alternative to in-person fracture clinics. The…
Editor's Note Obesity is a key driver of earlier total hip arthroplasty (THA) and elevated perioperative risk, according to findings published October 29 in Surgeries. While THA is a well-known intervention for older adults with end-stage hip osteoarthritis, the researchers reported a link between an increase in obesity and the…
Editor's Note High-volume joints and spine procedures in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) require more than a “healthy” patient—success hinges on rigorous screening, block-and-flow efficiency, tech-enabled standardization, and a culture where anyone can say “stop,” this session’s speakers said. Comprising Robert Bray, MD, FAANS, CEO and founding director of DISC Sports…
