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You Don’t Look Sick – Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis: ANOTHER SET OF X-RAYS?

Today I got up early to go to the foot doctor again. She checked my foot and then sent me down for x-rays. This is my fourth set of x-rays in a month. It turned out that my right foot was not broken a second time. I must have just messed it up. She says my left ligament is still wobbly.

So the first thing she did was tell me to exchange my boots. The large boot is now on a break on my right foot and the Birkenstock type boot has been retired. I now wear the night cloth on my left foot all day and at night. She said I can put my left foot with the cuff in a pair of sturdy shoes or sneakers with a hard bottom. Well, it just so happens that my new Inka sneakers have a hard bottom. So when I go outside, I can put my left foot in a sneaker. I also put my left foot with the cloth in my Oofas.

It’s only been 10 hours and my right foot already feels better. Being protected in the big boot makes such a difference.

So yesterday I went out and my car battery wouldn’t turn my car on. The battery was not completely empty, but just not strong enough. Today my neighbor came by with a battery starting battery and his trickle battery. After about 20 minutes the car started and I stood outside and let it run for 30 minutes. Luckily a neighbor stopped by to chat with me while I was standing there. I would have sat down, but the trunk doesn’t really fit in the driver’s seat. Now I have to start the car every day this week to charge the battery.

See you tomorrow..

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October 31, 2023
Leaving it allows the ACL to heal

Evidence of ACL healing on MRI after ACL rupture treated with rehabilitation alone may be associated with better patient-reported outcomes: a secondary analysis from the KANON study.

Filbay SR, Roemer FW, Lohmander LS, et. already. Br J Sports Med. Doi 2022:10.1136/bjsports-2022-105473. E-publishing prior to printing.

Full text freely available

Take home message

Nearly one in three participants offered supervised exercise therapy with optional delayed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction had MRI evidence of spontaneous ACL healing two years after ACL rupture. Those who are healed are more likely to report better patient-reported outcomes than participants without healing or who underwent early or delayed ACL reconstruction.

Background

Many assume that a torn ACL cannot heal spontaneously. If we better understood how often a torn ACL heals and how ACL healing relates to patient-reported outcomes, we could identify the best treatment options for certain patients.

Study aim

Filbay and colleagues completed a secondary analysis of data from the KANON study to report how often the ACL heals within the first five years after an ACL injury and to compare 2- and 5-year outcomes among those who do and do not heal are.

Methods

The KANON randomized controlled trial compared results between 62 participants who received early reconstruction and 59 participants who received supervised exercise therapy with optional delayed ACL reconstruction. A blinded radiologist assessed each knee 2 and 5 years after injury for ACL healing (on MRI) and osteoarthritis. The primary outcomes of interest were ACL healing, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Tegner Activity Scale, measures of passive knee laxity, and osteoarthritis at 2 and 5 years postinjury.

Results

Two years after injury, 30% (16 of 54) of participants assigned to rehabilitation with the option of delayed ACL reconstruction had evidence of ACL healing. More specifically, 53% of participants (16 of 30) treated with rehabilitation alone had evidence of ACL healing. Participants who demonstrated ACL healing reported better KOOS scores at the two-year follow-up than the nonunion, delayed ACL reconstruction, and early ACL reconstruction groups. At the five-year follow-up, KOOS scores were more comparable between groups.

Viewpoints

The results of this study show that spontaneous ACL healing occurs in approximately 30% of people with ACL rupture. This finding of spontaneous healing is consistent with previous research. Participants with ACL healing reported better knee symptoms than peers who did not heal or received ACL reconstruction (early or delayed). Hopefully, this study will lead to new research with larger cohorts to help us identify who will experience and benefit from spontaneous ACL healing.

Questions for discussion

Do you feel that this research will have an impact on your clinical practice regarding ACL ruptures and their treatment?

Written by: Kyle Harris
Review by: Jeffrey Driban

related posts

Why patients treated nonoperatively after an ACL injury decide to undergo surgery
Treatment after acute injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), part 2: treatment of the patient with an ACL injury
Coach the coach, make ACL injury prevention programs stick!
BEAR: a bridge to better psychological preparedness after ACL injury
Do patients check all the boxes after ACL reconstruction?

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October 31, 2023
All about (not so natural) natural flavors
If you look at the ingredient list of almost any processed food, you’ll find a mysterious entry: natural flavors. This healthy-sounding phrase hides a not-so-healthy reality.

Today we’ll take a closer look at this common ingredient and explore its nature, origins and effects on your well-being and bones.

What are natural flavors?

The Environmental Working Group analyzed the ingredients of more than 80,000 foods and found that “natural flavors” are the fourth most common ingredient.¹ The only three most common ingredients were salt, water and sugar. Unlike these, however, ‘natural flavors’ are not a unique, naturally occurring substance.

In the US, the Food and Drug Administration requires that to qualify as ‘natural’ a flavor must be created from substances extracted from these plant or animal sources:
- Spices
- Fruit or fruit juice
- Vegetables or vegetable juice
- Edible yeast, herbs, bark, buds, root leaves or plant material
- Dairy products, including fermented products
- Meat, poultry or seafood
- Eggs
While this seems like a reasonable basis, the extraction and processing of these compounds are far from natural.

Once extracted and isolated, these compounds are treated like any other chemical, often mixed with other extracted compounds. These mixtures can contain a variety of chemicals in addition to the original extract, including preservatives, solvents, enhancers and other chemical additives.¹

‌Short content

To qualify as a “natural flavoring” the substance must be made from an extract from a plant or animal source. However, the extraction and preparation process can involve mixing hundreds of chemicals, including non-natural chemicals used to bind, preserve and enhance the compound.

Why are natural flavors used?

All foods derive their taste and aroma, which are closely related sensations, from naturally occurring chemicals contained in them. Scientists have isolated hundreds of these chemicals and discovered how to incorporate them into processed foods to add extra flavor.

You might assume that a compound extracted from a carrot, for example, would be used to impart a carrot flavor to another product; However, this is often not the case. Chemicals are mixed to achieve different effects and used in sometimes surprising ways. McDonald’s “beef flavoring” is known to be derived from wheat and milk, and who knows what else is mixed into it.

The use of natural flavors for highly processed fast foods is a good example of why these not-so-natural flavors exist. Food that has been prepared in advance, is of low quality, has been transported over long distances, has not been picked sufficiently ripe or has been stored for long periods of time often loses its flavor. To restore or improve the taste of food, food scientists invent added flavors.

Short content

Natural flavors are typically used to add flavor to foods that have been prepared in advance, are of low quality, shipped long distances, picked under-ripe, or stored for extended periods of time. To create different flavors, scientists combine extracts from unexpected sources, such as using wheat and milk extracts to create beef flavor.

Natural flavors vs. Artificial flavors

Although artificial flavors perform the same function as natural flavors, they are not derived from natural sources for their base compounds. These flavors come from the laboratory. However, the resulting chemicals are often exactly the same as those extracted from plant and animal sources for natural flavors.

For a food manufacturer, the difference between natural and artificial flavors comes down to cost and marketing. Although artificial flavors are more cost-effective to produce, many consumers are drawn to the appeal of “natural flavors” over artificial flavors.

Ironically, artificial flavors often contain fewer chemical components than natural flavors because isolating, extracting, stabilizing, enhancing and preserving natural flavors involves so many additional chemicals. Up to 90% of a “natural flavor” can consist of non-natural chemicals added during processing.

Short content

Artificial flavors come from the laboratory. However, they are often chemically identical to “natural flavor” extracts. Artificial flavors are often chemically simpler than natural flavors, due to all the processing required to extract and combine chemicals from natural sources.

So-called natural flavors are not healthy for the bones

A food product containing “natural flavors” consists of a mysterious mix of chemicals, extracted via unspecified methods from unidentified sources.

This level of uncertainty and the potential amount of added chemicals make “natural flavors” a poor choice for bone health.

Natural flavors add no nutritional value, and because they introduce chemical additives, they tax your body’s filtration system and contribute to acidification.

Short content

Natural flavors don’t add any nutritional value, but they do add unknown chemicals. These additives tax your body’s filtration system and contribute to acidification, both of which can damage your bones and your health.

What this means for you

Choose whole foods that are naturally rich in flavor. Eat local seasonal produce from a farmer’s market or health food store. You will be amazed by the taste, and your body will be grateful for the nutritious food.

Help your body flush away unwanted chemicals and additives with the Osteoporosis Fresh Start Cleanse. The cleanse comes with a simple, clear roadmap that eliminates all the guesswork, uniquely designed to promote bone health and protect kidney and liver function.

Compared to other cleanses, the Osteoporosis Fresh Start Cleanse is quick, easy and less restrictive, yet incredibly effective. Removing toxins and chemicals will help you look younger, sleep better, and speed up the bone-building process.

Don’t let your diet get in the way of your bone health goals, especially when it can be a powerful tool for creating good health and preventing bone fractures.

References

¹ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29140655/

² https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=101.22
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October 31, 2023
Combined treatment with steroids and statins could reduce ‘accelerated aging’ in premature babies, study in rats suggests

Potentially life-saving steroids commonly given to premature babies also increase the risk of long-term cardiovascular problems, but a new study in rats has found that when given in combination with statins, their positive effects persist, while the potential negative side effects ‘weeded out’.

Cambridge scientists gave newborn rats, which are naturally born prematurely, a combination of glucocorticoid steroids and statin therapy. The results, published today in Hypertension, show that the combined treatment led to the elimination of the negative effects of steroids on the cardiovascular system, while maintaining their positive effects on the developing respiratory system.

Premature birth (before 37 weeks) is one of the leading causes of death in perinatal medicine today. In high-income countries, one in ten babies are born prematurely; this can rise to almost 40% in low- and middle-income countries.

Premature babies are extremely vulnerable because they miss a crucial final stage of development in which the hormone cortisol is exponentially produced and released into the unborn baby’s blood. Cortisol is essential for the maturation of organs and systems necessary to keep the baby alive after birth.

In the lungs, for example, cortisol ensures that they become more elastic. This allows the lungs to expand so that the baby can take his first breath. Without cortisol, newborns’ lungs would be too stiff, which leads to Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) and can be fatal.

The established clinical treatment for any pregnancy at risk of preterm delivery is glucocorticoid therapy, administered via the mother before the birth of the baby and/or directly to the baby after birth. These synthetic steroids mimic natural cortisol by accelerating the development of organs – including the lungs – meaning the premature baby has a much greater chance of survival.

Lead author Professor Dino Giussani from the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge said: “Glucocorticoids are clearly a lifesaver, but the problem with steroids is that they accelerate steroid maturation. all organs. This is beneficial for the baby’s lungs, but it can be harmful to the heart and circulatory system; it looks like accelerated aging.”

An earlier clinical study by Professor Paul Leeson’s laboratory at the University of Oxford found that people exposed to glucocorticoid therapy as unborn babies, through their mothers, showed measures of cardiovascular health typical of people ten years older.

Cambridge researcher Dr. Andrew Kane, involved in the rat research, thought that this accelerated aging could be the result of steroids causing oxidative stress. Steroids lead to an imbalance of molecules known as free radicals, resulting in a reduction in nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is very beneficial for the cardiovascular system: it increases blood flow and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

To test whether a nitric oxide deficiency could be the cause of the adverse cardiovascular side effects associated with glucocorticoid therapy, the researchers combined steroid treatment with statins, which are commonly used to lower cholesterol and are known to increase nitric oxide.

Researchers gave the synthetic steroid dexamethasone, combined with the statin pravastatin, to rat pups. There were three other groups: one received only dexamethasone, one received only pravastatin, and a control group received saline. Measurements of respiratory and cardiovascular function were then taken when the rats had grown into ‘infancy’.

The Cambridge scientists found that steroids had adverse effects on the heart and blood vessels, and on molecular indices linked to cardiovascular problems. But when statins were given at the same time, the rats were protected from these effects. Crucially, the statins had no effect whatsoever on the beneficial effects of steroids on the respiratory system.

“Our discovery suggests that combined treatment with glucocorticoids and statins may be safer than glucocorticoids alone for the treatment of premature infants,” said Professor Giussani.

“Goods not say to stop using glucocorticoids because they are clearly a life-saving treatment. We say against that improve this therapy – to refine it — we could combine it with statins. This gives us the best of both worlds: we can retain the benefits of steroids on the developing lungs, but eliminate the adverse side effects on the developing heart and circulatory system, making therapy much safer for the treatment of preterm labor. .”

The team plans to replicate the experiment in sheep, which have similar physiology to humans, before conducting clinical trials on humans.

The research was funded by the British Heart Foundation and the Research Council for Biotechnology and Biological Sciences (BBSRC). Dr. Andrew Kane was supported by the Frank Edward Elmore Fund and the James Baird Fund.

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October 31, 2023
What is linseed oil actually good for? Maybe your ACL!

Effect of flexase oil on the prognosis of actual anterior cruciate ligament rupture: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Tang H, Xu Z, Lin J, Sun W and Xiw Y. Ben J Transl Res. 2022;14(10):7252-7259.

Full text is freely available

Take home message

People who supplemented their diet with flaxseed oil experienced slightly better results two years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction than participants in a control group.

Background

Although we often focus on surgery and rehabilitation to optimize outcomes after an ACL injury, we may also want to consider other strategies to improve one’s prognosis. Flaxseed oil, which contains α-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid), may suppress inflammation and be beneficial. However, the impact of linseed oil supplementation on recovery after ACL reconstruction remains unclear.

Study aim

Tang and colleagues completed a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the impact of dietary flaxseed oil on outcomes in people undergoing ACL reconstruction.

Methods

The authors randomized 142 participants undergoing ACL reconstruction into two equal groups. The experimental group took six linseed oil capsules (9 grams total, 4.2 grams of α-linolenic acid) per day. The control group took six corn oil capsules (9 grams total, minimum α-linolenic acid) per day. Dietary supplements were continued for two years after ACL reconstruction. The researchers contacted participants by telephone every two weeks to ensure compliance with study guidelines. After the two-year intervention period, participants completed a series of questionnaires to assess patient-reported outcomes: 1) Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS), 2) International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, 3) the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and 4) Tegner Activity Scale.

Results

After two years, participants who used flaxseed oil had 1) better IKDC scores, 2) better KOOS scores for sport and quality of life, 3) higher rates of return to their previous sport level (56 vs. 39%), and 4) less side effects to the knee (e.g. giving in episodes, pain) than the control group. The groups had no differences in KOOS pain or symptoms, Tegner scores, Lysholm scores, or treatment satisfaction.

Viewpoints

Participants who received flaxseed oil supplements had slightly better results than those in the control group. This preliminary study shows that a diet supplemented with flaxseed oil high in α-linolenic acid can improve outcomes after ACL reconstruction. It will be interesting to see if other high-quality research confirms these results with flaxseed oil or another source of α-linolenic acid. One detail not mentioned that could be important is dietary habits beyond flaxseed oil. For example, some participants in the control group may have consumed a diet rich in α-linolenic acid.

Clinical implications

Despite the need for more research, doctors can discuss the small benefits and few risks associated with flaxseed oil supplementation. It is also important to remind athletes to purchase supplements that have been tested to ensure they are getting what they expect in each capsule.

Questions for discussion

Do you recommend these or other nutritional supplements for patients who have undergone ACL reconstruction? If so, what did you suggest and what sources led you to recommend this supplement?

Written by Kyle Harris
Reviewed by Jeffrey Driban

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October 30, 2023
Delicious spiced okra | GF, DF | BoneCoach™ Recipes – BoneCoach™

Looking for a way to enjoy okra, that’s it not fried?

Try our twist on this southern staple!

Our recipe for Delicious Seasoned Okra, seasoned with coconut aminos, sesame oil and pepper, is perfect gluten-free, dairy-free and keto-friendly addition to every meal.

Additionally, okra is naturally rich in dietary fiber, inflammation-fighting antioxidants, and… bone supporting nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid and magnesium.

Make our Delicious Seasoned Okra recipe this week!

SERVES: 2

TOTAL TIME: 10 minutes

Ingredients

227 g okra, small or medium, ends trimmed

1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) sea salt

2 teaspoons (10 ml) coconut aminos (or gluten-free tamari)

1 teaspoon (5 ml) toasted sesame oil (or freshly pressed extra-virgin olive oil)

pinch of ground white pepper (optional)

Directions

1) Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Once boiled, salt water and add okra. Blanch for 2 minutes. Using tongs, place in a bowl of ice water and let cool. Drain and place in a mixing bowl.

2) Cut each okra in half diagonally.

3) Mix the okra with coconut aminos, sesame oil and pepper. Serve at room temperature or chilled as a side dish. Garnish with roasted sesame seeds for an extra crunch!

Recipe created by BoneCoach™ Team Dietitian Amanda Natividad-Li, RD & Chef.

Medical disclaimer

The information shared above is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or nutritional therapy advice; it does not diagnose, treat or cure any disease or condition; it should not be used as a substitute or substitute for medical advice from physicians and trained medical professionals. If you are under the care of a healthcare professional or are currently taking prescription medications, you should discuss any changes in your diet and lifestyle or possible use of nutritional supplements with your doctor. You should not stop taking prescribed medications without first consulting your doctor.

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October 30, 2023
New AI technology could change game preparation for Super Bowl teams

Players and coaches from the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs will spend hours in film rooms this week in preparation for the Super Bowl. They study positions, plays and formations and try to identify which opponent tendencies they can exploit, while watching their own film to strengthen weaknesses.

New artificial intelligence technology being developed by engineers at Brigham Young University could significantly reduce the time and costs that go into film studies for Super Bowl teams (and all NFL and college football teams), while also improving game strategy by using harnessing the power of big data.

BYU professor DJ Lee, master’s student Jacob Newman and Ph.D. students Andrew Sumsion and Shad Torrie use AI to automate the time-consuming process of manually analyzing and annotating game footage. Using deep learning and computer vision, the researchers have developed an algorithm that can consistently locate and label players from game films and determine the formation of the attacking team – a process that can consume the time of an array of video assistants.

“We had a conversation about this and realized: We could probably learn an algorithm to do this,” says Lee, professor of electrical and computer engineering. “So we set up a meeting with BYU Football to learn their process and we immediately knew, yes, we can do this a lot faster.”

Although still in the early stages of research, the team has already achieved over 90% accuracy in detecting and tagging players with their algorithm, along with 85% accuracy in determining formations. They believe the technology can ultimately eliminate the need for the inefficient and tedious practice of manual annotation and analysis of recorded video footage used by NFL and college teams.

Lee and Newman first watched real game footage of BYU’s football team. When they started analyzing it, they realized that they needed some additional angles to properly train their algorithm. So they bought a copy of Madden 2020, which shows the court from above and behind the offense, and manually tagged 1,000 images and videos from the game.

They used that footage to train a deep learning algorithm to locate the players, which is then fed into a Residual Network framework to determine what position the players play. Finally, their neural network uses the location and position information to determine which formation (out of more than 25 formations) the offense is using – from the Pistol Bunch TE to the I Form H Slot Open.

Lee said the algorithm can identify formations with 99.5% accuracy if player location and tag information is correct. The I-formation, where four players line up in front of each other – center, quarterback, fullback and running back – proved to be one of the most challenging formations to identify.

Lee and Newman said the AI system could have applications in other sports as well. In baseball, for example, it could pinpoint players’ positions on the field and identify common patterns to help teams refine how they defend against particular hitters. Or it can be used to locate footballers to help determine more efficient and effective formations.

“Once you have this data, you can do a lot more with it; you can take it to the next level,” Lee said. “Big data can help us know this team’s strategies, or that coach’s tendencies. It can help you know if they’re likely to go for it on 4th Down and 2 or if they’re going to punt. The idea of AI to use for sports is really cool, and if we can give them even a 1% advantage, it’s worth it.”

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October 30, 2023
Medacta announces the launch of GMK SpheriKA, the world’s first knee implant optimized for kinematic alignment (KA)

Castel San Pietro, October 30, 2023 – Medacta Group SA (“Medacta”, SIX: MOVE), a Swiss company providing innovative, personalized and sustainable solutions for joint replacement, sports medicine and spine surgery, is pleased to announce the launch of GMK SpheriKA, the world’s first KA-optimized femoral component indicated for total knee replacement. GMK SpheriKA will make its global debut on November 2 at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) 2023 Annual Meeting.

“GMK SpheriKA reinforces Medacta’s commitment to providing surgeons with personalized solutions for each of their patients,” says Francesco Siccardi, Chief Executive Officer of Medacta International.“Working with an international team of expert orthopedic surgeons, we have introduced a product that builds on our clinically proven GMK Sphere and incorporates the foundations of Kinematic Alignment to ensure every patient receives an implant that is suitable for his or her unique anatomy.”

Medacta’s continued commitment to making a positive impact on patients requiring a total knee procedure has evolved with the development of the concept of Kinematic Alignment, which restores the original pre-arthritic alignment through anatomical resurfacing, making it ligament release is minimized and more natural knee kinematics are enabled. This approach has been shown to improve patient satisfaction compared to more traditional techniques^[1-3]. In recent years, clinical studies have shown that GMK Sphere is a particularly suitable implant for kinematic alignment, with the potential to further improve patient outcomes compared to other knee designs ^[4-6].

Building on the legacy of the GMK Sphere’s ball-in-socket design, GMK SpheriKA offers patients an implant that potentially feels more natural and stable during daily activities, replicating the movement of the healthy knee.In addition,GMK SpheriKA provides optimized femoral coverage and patellar tracking for kinematic alignment procedures, making it the first implant on the market specifically designed for this technique.

“I am happy to offer the GMK SpheriKA to my patients,” said surgeon developer and Kinematic Alignment pioneer Stephen Howell, MD.“The implant design provides a personalized option that takes into account each patient’s unique anatomy and patellofemoral kinematics, restoring a more normal-feeling knee and quickly returning motion and daily activities.”

MyKA, Medacta’s Kinematic Alignment Platform, offers surgeons the most comprehensive solution for performing Kinematic Alignment safely and reproducibly. In addition to GMK SpheriKA, it includes special instruments and a tailor-made education program offered by the MORE Institute, supported by an international network of expert surgeons. In addition, the platform is enhanced by advanced technologies, such as a special planning protocol for the MyKnee 3D printed patient-tailored manuals and NextAR Knee, our Augmented Reality surgical application, which provides unique real-time data to efficiently supplement the surgical workflow. . Both NextAR Knee and MyKnee are part of the MySolutions Personalized Ecosystem, Medacta’s network of advanced digital solutions designed to improve patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency.

For more information, visit Medacta at AAHKS, Dallas (TX), November 2-5, 2023, at booth #1016, or register at spherika-aahks23.medacta.com to receive updates on GMK’s product developments, resources and events SpheriKA .

REFERENCES
[1] Dosset et al. A randomized controlled trial of kinematically and mechanically aligned total knee replacements. Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B: 907–13
[2] Lee et al. Early results of kinematic alignment in primary total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of the literature, The Journal of Arthroplasty 32 (2017) 2028-2032
[3] Yaron, Bar Ziv et al. “Patients undergoing staged bilateral knee arthroplasty are less aware of their kinematically aligned knee compared to their mechanical knee.” Journal of Orthopedics vol. 23 155-159. January 20, 2021
[4] Scott, David F. and Celeste G. Gray. “Results are better with a medially stabilized versus a posteriorly stabilized total knee implanted with kinematic alignment.” The Journal of Arthroplasty 37.8 (2022): S852-S858
[5] Scott, David F. and Amy A. Hellie. “Midflexion, Anteroposterior Stability of Total Knee Replacement Implanted with Kinematic Alignment: A Randomized, Quantitative, Radiographic Laxity Study with Posteriorly Stabilized and Medially Stabilized Implants.” JBJS 105.1 (2023): 9-19.
[6] JONES, Brett K.; CARLSON, Brian J.; SCOTT, David F. Better flexion and early recovery with medial stabilized versus single-radius total knee arthroplasty with kinematic alignment: two-year clinical results. The Knee, 2023, 43: 217-223

Contact
Medacta International SA
Gianluca Olgiati
Senior Director of Global Marketing
Phone: +41 91 696 60 60
media@medacta.ch

ABOUT MEDACTA
Medacta is an international company specialized in the design, production and distribution of innovative orthopedic products, as well as the development of associated surgical techniques. Founded in 1999 in Switzerland, Medacta is active in the fields of joint replacement, spine surgery and sports medicine. Medacta is committed to improving the care and well-being of patients and has a strong focus on the sustainability of healthcare. Medacta’s innovation, created through close collaboration with surgical experts around the world, started with minimally invasive surgical techniques and has evolved into personalized solutions for every patient. Through the MORE Institute, Medacta supports surgeons with a comprehensive and tailor-made program aimed at advancing medical education. Medacta is headquartered in Castel San Pietro, Switzerland, and operates in more than 50 countries. Follow us on Medacta TV, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.

RELATED TRADEMARKS
The trademarks related to Medacta Group are in any case registered in Switzerland. The products and services listed below may not be all-inclusive, and other Medacta products and services not listed below may be covered by one or more trademarks. The products and services listed below may be covered by additional trademarks not listed below. Please note that Swiss trademarks may have foreign counterparts. GMK^® SpheriKA, GMK^® Sphere, MyKA™, MyKnee^®MySolutions™ personalized ecosystem, NextAR™ knee.

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October 30, 2023
Hiring athletic trainers and strength and conditioning specialists can save you millions

Financial impact of embedded injury prevention experts in US Army initial entry training

Daniel R. Clifton, D. Alan Nelson, Y. Sammy Choi, Daniel Edgeworth, Donald Shell, Patricia A. Deuster. J Athl train 2022; doi: https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-0353.22

Full text freely available

Take home message

By using athletic trainers and certified strength and conditioning specialists in initial entry-level training for the Army, the Army saved at least three times the cost of contracting these professionals, saving $11 to 20 million annually.

Background

More than 1 in 4 men and women suffer a musculoskeletal injury during initial training for the US military. The U.S. Army began deploying teams of athletic trainers and strength and conditioning specialists in 2010 to address the problem of early-career musculoskeletal discharges. The military could demonstrate the need for these teams if we knew how much money they saved by preventing injuries and treating them quickly.

Study objectives

The author’s purpose was to assess whether built-in injury prevention experts were associated with reduced training costs for soldiers discharged early from service.

Methods

The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 198,166 active-duty soldiers who began training from January 2014 through May 2017. Soldiers who began training at two locations between April 2015 and November 2015 did not have athletic trainers and strength and conditioning specialists on hand. on site due to a lapse in contracts. The authors categorized these soldiers as not coming into contact with injury prevention experts. All other soldiers were categorized as having been exposed to injury prevention experts. The authors estimate soldier training costs based on average basic and advanced training costs from 2014-2017 for an average of six months of training. To be eligible for discharge from active duty, the discharge had to occur within six months of the start of training and due to a musculoskeletal condition.

Results

A total of 14,094 soldiers had no contact with injury prevention experts. 2.8% of these soldiers were discharged early due to musculoskeletal injuries. Of the 184,072 soldiers exposed to injury prevention experts, 1.0% were discharged early due to musculoskeletal injuries. The authors calculated that the injury prevention experts saved the Army $11 to $20 million per year in lost training costs due to early career discharges (net of contract costs for the experts).

Viewpoints

At a relatively small financial cost (approximately $900,000 per location or $4 million total), the Army reduced the likelihood of early discharge by ~64%. There were also significant savings on lost training costs due to early career medical layoffs. We should also keep in mind that these costs do not include other long-term savings. For example, preventing injuries or treating an injury promptly can reduce the risk of medical discharge later in a person’s life due to chronic pain (e.g., osteoarthritis) or save healthcare costs associated with chronic pain or functional limitations. Furthermore, while the costs help justify hiring these experts, we cannot ignore the other benefits that may accrue, including improved soldier quality of life and function and improved military readiness.

Clinical implications

Clinicians and administrators can use this data to advocate for athletic trainers and strength and conditioning specialists in the military and possibly industrial or performing arts fields to demonstrate a 3 to 5x return on investment.

Written by Mitchell Barnhart
Reviewed by Jeffrey Driban

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October 30, 2023
DISC Surgery Center in Marina del Rey achieves AAAHC accreditation

DISC enhances the patient experience in its new, modern surgery center, built for spine care and orthopedics.

The new, state-of-the-art facility was built to deliver DISC’s unparalleled level of surgical expertise and patient care.

MARINA DEL REY, Calif., Oct. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — DISC Surgery Center in Marina del Rey is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). The new next-level facility – an 11,000-square-foot ambulatory surgery center (ASC) with two high-tech operating rooms – has undergone and passed AAAHC’s rigorous inspections and meets nationally recognized standards for delivering quality healthcare, as determined by a independent, external evaluation process. DISC Surgery Center in Marina del Rey has achieved the maximum three-year accreditation.

Today’s news underscores DISC parent company TriasMD’s commitment to expanding and giving more people access to a successful ASC model built around the highest level of patient care. Now that DISC Surgery Center in Marina del Rey is officially accredited, the ASC can perform outpatient cases with general anesthesia.

“Now that accreditation is in place, we are actively working with all major insurers to secure in-network contracts for the DISC Surgery Center in Marina del Rey,” said Karen Reiter, TriasMD Vice President of Operations and Payor Management. “We believe that minimally invasive spine surgery, orthopedics and pain management should be more accessible to patients, so we work strategically with payers to ensure our contracts cover the innovative care we provide.”

Although more than 6,100 ambulatory health care organizations in the United States are accredited by AAAHC, the screening is entirely voluntary and not all ASCs that undergo the rigorous evaluation are accredited. AAAHC’s accreditation process includes a comprehensive self-assessment and on-site survey by expert AAAHC surveyors: physicians, nurses and administrators actively involved in outpatient healthcare. The research is advisory and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services. For more information about AAAHC, visit www.aaahc.org.

About DISC Surgery Center in Marina del Rey
DISC Surgery Center in Marina del Rey is a purpose-built outpatient clinic focused on the safest, most advanced minimally invasive spine surgery, orthopedic sports medicine, total joint replacement and pain management. DISC is a subsidiary of Trias Global and a portfolio company of Chicago Pacific Founders. For more information, call 310-912-6170, visit discsurgerycenter.com or follow @DISCMD on Instagram.

Media contact:
DISC Surgery Center in Marina del Rey
310-930-3445
367705@email4pr.com

SOURCE DISC Surgery Center in Marina del Rey

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October 30, 2023