AAHKS Amplified

At the 2025 AAHKS Annual Meeting, our host William B. Kurtz, MD had the great opportunity to sit with Michael E. Neufeld, MD, MSc, FRCSC whose study Synovial Metal Ions in “Nickel Free” vs. Standard Cobalt-Chrome Containing Total Knee Replacement won the James A. Rand, MD Young Investigator’s Award.  It was a case-controlled study, consisting of 22 patients with metal allergies and 19 controls with patients that underwent standard knee replacement with cobalt-chrome containing knees. What made this study so fascinating is that implants are hypoallergenic, containing no nickel in them, however Dr. Neufeld’s study found that nickel content in the hypoallergenic knee was four times higher than the standard cobalt-knee. So, our host and Dr. Neufeld discuss all possible explanations for why in this study implants had higher nickel in the synovial fluid.  Listen and learn what their hypothesizes were for this. Be sure to subscribe and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode:William B. Kurtz, MDMichael E. Neufeld, MD, MSc, FRCSC The post The 2025 James A. Rand, MD Young Investigator’s Award Goes to Presentation on “Nickel Free” vs. Standard Cobalt-Chrome first appeared on AAHKS.

Our host, Thomas G. Myers, MD had the opportunity to sit with the 2025 AAHKS Annual Meeting Presidential Award winner Adam J. Rana, MD to discuss advocacy and health policy.   Dr. Rana began the podcast by thanking Richard Iorio, MD AAHKS’ 2001 President for introducing him to health policy in 2012 as a resident. He quickly learned the economics surrounding hip and knee arthroplasty like implant costs and the importance of preserving the profession of arthroplasty for current surgeons, future surgeons and keeping access to care available for all patients. Dr. Rana’s passion for health policy only grew during his two-year period as a member of the AAHKS Health Policy Fellowship. He recalls his two-year time in the AAHKS Health Policy Fellowship as a very formative period for him, having the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to meet with congressional members.  Dr. Myers ask Dr. Rana his thoughts on the BIG CUT that may be coming and why it’s happening. Dr. Rana shares that payment reform, value-based care and prior authorization are the three leading concerns of arthroplasty surgeons right now. Learn why and what his thoughts are concerning each topic.  This is a recording you don’t want to miss. Be sure to subscribe and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode:Thomas G. Myers, MDAdam J. Rana, MD The post Advocacy Discussion with AAHKS Presidential Award Winner first appeared on AAHKS.

Last year at the 2025 AAHKS Annual Meeting, our host William B. Kurtz, MD spoke with the James A. Rand, MD, Young Investigator’s Award recipient Michael E. Neufeld, MD, MSc, FRCSC about his study on Synovial Metal Ions in “Nickel Free” vs. Standard Cobalt-Chrome Containing Total Knee Replacement.  Dr. Neufeld shared that the aim of his study was to compare intraarticular synovial fluid levels of metal ions in patients who underwent cemented primary TKA with a hypoallergenic implant vs. a matched cohort of standard cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) containing implants at a minimum two-year follow-up. A case-controlled study was conducted using prospectively collected data from a single institution – 22 cases and 19 controls.  Interestingly, the study uncovered that patients with hypoallergenic implants had intraarticular synovial Ni ion levels 3.6 times higher vs. standard implant controls, contesting the use of this hypoallergenic implant for Ni allergy/hypersensitivity. Listen to the full discussion and make sure you click subscribe! Thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode: William B. Kurtz, MD Michael E. Neufeld, MD, MSc, FRCSC The post Synovial Metal Ions in Nickel Free vs. Standard Cobalt-Chrome Containing Total Knee Replacement first appeared on AAHKS.

At the 2025 AAHKS Annual Meeting, our host Craig R. Mahoney, MD had the opportunity to sit with Vice President of Marketing Lauren Venekas and discuss Stryker’s award-winning product Mako SmartRobotics. The advancements made to the Mako SmartRobotics won Stryker the 2025 Industry Innovation Award.  An award that’s truly deserved because Stryker is revolutionizing robotic hip replacements from primary to revision. The expanded application is the first-to-market robotically enabled revision hip solution in a single application. Lauren explains how Mako Total Hip now serves primary, complex primary and revision indications with advanced planning features like screw and augment planning, plus stem planning, and is now compatible with Stryker’s revision hip products, including Restoration Modular. We think you’ll enjoy this podcast and learning about the journey of the Mako SmartRobotics.  Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode: Craig R. Mahoney, MD Lauren Venekas    The post Stryker’s Award-Winning Product Mako SmartRobotics first appeared on AAHKS.

In this very special episode of AAHKS Amplified, we introduce to you AAHKS’ 2025 Industry Innovation Award winner SYLKE and their product SYLKE Skin Closure. Our host Cory L. Calendine, MD had the pleasure of discussing the product with the creators themselves M. Mark Mofid, MD and Becca Badowski-Platz.  SYLKE Skin Closure is a topical skin closure dressing that could be used on clean incisions or simple lacerations, offering a comfortable, flexible, and breathable solution that effectively helps secure wound edge approximation for optimal patient outcomes. SYLKE Skin Closure is a naturally sourced product that supports the body’s natural healing process. Dr. Mofid also discuss how SYLKE Skin Closure has helped a great deal with efficiency, workflow and overall closure quality. You don’t want to miss this episode. Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified! In This Episode: Cory L. Calendine, MD M. Mark Mofid, MD Becca Badowski-Platz The post SYLKE’s Award-Winning Skin Closure first appeared on AAHKS.

In this episode of AAHKS Amplified, Patient and Public Relations Committee members Cody C. Green, MD and Charlie Yoo, DO, MS, sat with licensed dietitian Kate Tribble to discuss:  – why being overweight affects joint replacement – how nutrition plays a role in it – what patients can do before and after surgery to feel better Kate’s first visit with patients typically takes about 60-minutes to complete. During this hour, Kate begins with history gathering – learning about more than their nutrition but their physical activity, stress and sleep to get a full understanding of their overall wellness. The goal is for them to lose weight to reduce any complications during their procedure.  Dr. Green also speaks about the correlation between infection and obese patients. Are you in need of a joint replacement and overweight? If so, you don’t want to miss this recording. Our dietitian and surgeons share some very insightful information that can help as you begin your journey to having a joint replacement. Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode: Cody C. Green, MD Kate Tribble (licensed dietitian)  Charlie Yoo, DO, MS The post Losing Weight, Preparing for Surgery first appeared on AAHKS.

In this episode of AAHKS Amplified, Patient and Public Relations Committee members Orry Erez, MD and Arjun Saxena, MD, MBA were joined by Gary Schwartz, MD to discuss medications and how it can affect your surgery. They discussed how important it is to be open and honest with your doctors about any medications you are taking. What you are taking can really affect the outcome of your surgery. Before starting or stopping any medications, you should also speak with your surgeon.  One particular medication that our moderator and his guests spent a great deal of time discussing was the GLP Analogues also known as Ozempic – typically used to attain a desired weight before surgery. What patients may not know is GLP Analogues have an effect on anesthesia. So, again, it’s very important to be very transparent with drug usage to ensure an effective procedure.  Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode: Orry Erez, MD  Arjun Saxena, MD, MBA Gary Schwartz, MD  The post Medications – How it Can Affect Your Surgery first appeared on AAHKS.

In the world of hip and knee replacements, many advancements have been made to make surgeries more successful for patients. For this, we are internally grateful, however there’s one thing that all orthopaedic surgeons try to avoid that can make a routine procedure a nightmare – INFECTION! In this episode, we have Michael Blankstein, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Antonia F. Chen, MD, MBA and Nicolas S. Piuzzi, MD who all have done extensive research on the prevention and dealing with infection speak openly about how infections can start, the different types of infections patients can develop and how it can drastically impact a patient’s life and their love ones. Infections are very serious, and prevention is key, but with approximately 800k total knee replacements done each year in the US and 550k hip replacements, the two percent chance of one of those patients developing an infection causes major issues for the patient, their love ones and the surgeon. Although the numbers for patients with infections have decreased over time, surgeons should still be very cautious – only operating on patients who are medically optimized to avoid the possibility of infection. In this episode, our surgeons discuss the two different types of infections (acute and chronic) and how to differentiate between the two. If you are considering a hip or knee replacement, you don’t want to miss this podcast recording.  Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode: Michael Blankstein, MD, MSc, FRCSC Antonia F. Chen, MD, MBA Nicolas S. Piuzzi, MD The post Infections first appeared on AAHKS.

Swelling and bruising is very common following orthopaedic surgery. So, inevitably surgeons are tasked with the question “my knee is swollen, is this normal and what should I do?”  In this podcast, Andrew Scott Murtha, MD a member of the AAHKS Patient and Public Relations Committee sat with Charlie Yoo, MD  and Brian S. Parsley, MD to discuss how they manage the patient’s healing process and their concerns.  As we mentioned, swelling and bruising is inevitable following surgery. It will happen but in the more recent years, about 95 percent of surgeons doing joint replacements are now using the drug tranexamic acid to drastically reduce bleeding during and after surgery. Too much walking or overdoing it immediately after surgery also contributes to swelling. In the podcast, the surgeons recommend you work on getting your range of motion and strength back immediately following surgery and to primarily focus on that.  How long should the swelling last, when to contact your doctor and so many more questions are addressed in this recording. If you are considering a hip or knee replacement, you don’t want to miss this podcast recording.  Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode: Andrew Scott Murtha, MD Brian S. Parsley, MD Charlie Yoo, MD  The post Swelling, Bruising and Healing After Surgery first appeared on AAHKS.

David G. Deckey, MD a member of the AAHKS Patient and Public Relations Committee moderated a very liberating conversation on returning to physical activity following arthroplasty surgery. Dr. Deckey was joined by Jason M. Jennings, MD, DPT, Ivan M. Tomek, MD, FRCSC and physical therapist Philip McKelvy, PT, DPT. In this episode, listeners will enjoy a full-on discussion from experts in the field of arthroplasty on their recommendations of when and how patients should return to activity that falls within moderate to high activity levels. Learn about limitations, the key to educating patients to avoid possibly injury and what physical activity is ideal during the healing process.  If you are considering a hip or knee replacement, you don’t want to miss this podcast recording, no matter your personal activity level. There’s something for everyone, regardless of your activity level.  Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified! In This Episode: David G. Deckey, MD Jason M. Jennings, MD, DPT Philip McKelvy, PT, DPT Ivan M. Tomek, MD, FRCSC The post Returning to Sports After Arthroplasty first appeared on AAHKS.

One charge of  AAHKS’ Diversity Advisory Board (DAB) is to celebrate and highlight member diversity. The Hispanic/Latino culture is a unique ethnic group within the AAHKS membership. However, the group is underrepresented in both medicine, orthopaedic surgery and arthroplasty. Appreciating and celebrating the drive of the immigrant, the unique cultural experiences and where the arthroplasty field is headed for the Latin surgeon population in the US are ways in which we can cherish diversity within the AAHKS membership.    Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified! In This Episode: Zachary C. Lum, DOCarlos A. Higuera-Rueda, MD, FAAOSJordan C. Villa, MD Carlos J. Lavernia, MD, FACS, FAAOSVictor H. Hernandez, MD, MS Claudette M. Lajam, MDMichele R. D’Apuzzo, MDRafael J. Sierra, MDHernan A. Prieto Saavedra, MDAlex Betech, MD Nicolas S. Piuzzi, MD  The post AAHKS Celebrates Member Diversity with Hispanic Population first appeared on AAHKS.

What does it take to be a journal reviewer? If you’re interested in becoming a reviewer, this is the podcast for you! Our journal editors Michael A. Mont, MD (the Journal of Arthroplasty) and Brett R. Levine, MD, MS (Arthroplasty Today) discuss why we review the articles, what makes a good review – grading, ideal turnaround time and how you can get involved. AAHKS journals has a remarkable reputation that brings together the clinical and scientific foundations of joint replacement. They’re peer-reviewed to create the highest quality orginial research. Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode: Brett R. Levine, MD, MS Elizabeth G. Lieberman, MD Michael A. Mont, MD Joshua P. Rainey, MD Kimberly K. Tucker, MD The post What it Takes to Be a Journal Reviewer first appeared on AAHKS.

At the 2024 AAHKS Annual Meeting, our Digital Health Committee Chair Shaun P. Patel, MD and Committee Member William B. Kurtz, MD had the pleasure of speaking with Saad Tarabichi, MD about his study presented at the meeting on “Glycated Albumin as a Predictor of Outcomes in Primary TJA Patients.”  In this really study on a very common issue in the US – diabetes, Dr. Tarabichi uncovered that detecting diabetes is not as simple as we think it is. A study that initially starting with a FARE Grant by AAHKS recieved two years ago began looking into glycated albumin, a very standardized test. The study later consisted of a study with 1200 enrolled patients and Dr. Tarabichi predicting 90-day outcomes from these enrolled patients. Take a listen, I think the findings in this study will really surprise you. Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode: William B. Kurtz, MD Shaun P. Patel, MD Saad Tarabichi, MD The post Glycated Albumin as a Predictor of Outcomes in Primary TJA Patients first appeared on AAHKS.

At the 2024 AAHKS Annual Meeting, our Digital Health Committee Chair Shaun P. Patel, MD and Committee Member Nathaniel J. Nelms, MD had the pleasure of speaking with Thomas K. Fehring, MD about his study presented at the meeting and the genesis behind it “One-Stage vs. Two-Stage Treatment for Prosthetic Joint Infection: A Prospective, Randomized Trial.”  Infection has always fascinated Dr. Fehring. That interest led him to understanding the purpose of why most standard treatments of care in the US are two-stage where one-stage is usually the preferrable treatment for Europeans. Understanding this is a very radical surgery, Dr. Fehring was completely surprised at what he uncovered.  I think you’ll be just as surprised, listen and learn which had better results – one-stage or two-stage. Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode: Thomas K. Fehring, MD Nathaniel J. Nelms, MD Shaun P. Patel, MD The post One-Stage vs. Two-Stage Treatment for Prosthetic Joint Infection first appeared on AAHKS.

Each year, all industry partners and exhibitors are encouraged to apply for the Industry Innovation Award. This is a competitive product award for companies exhibiting at the AAHKS Annual Meeting. At the 2024 Annual Meeting, we presented Solenic Medical with the award for creating their patented technology using alternating magnetic fields (AMF). AMF generates thermal medical on the surface of the implants; aiming to eradicate biofilms, a common culprit in implant infections. This innovative solution offers a safer and more cost-effective alternative to invasive surgeries. Cory L. Calendine, MD the Chair of the AAHKS Industry Relations Committee had the pleasure of speaking with James Lancaster at Solenic Medical about the award-winning product. Listen and learn all about AMF, a first-of-its-kind, non-contact device, an IDE authorization for first-in-human use in the operating room setting. Respectfully, this product is contributing to significant leaps forward in orthopaedic care. Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode: Cory L. Calendine, MD James Lancaster   The post The 2024 AAHKS Industry Innovation Award Winner – Solenic Medical first appeared on AAHKS.

Each year, all industry partners and exhibitors are encouraged to apply for the Industry Innovation Award. This is a competitive product award for companies exhibiting at the AAHKS Annual Meeting. At the 2024 Annual Meeting, we presented Guard Medical with this award for creating the NPseal. The NPseal is an innovative surgical dressing designed to deliver continuous, non-powered Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) to support wound healing. Cory L. Calendine, MD the Chair of the AAHKS Industry Relations Committee had the pleasure of sitting down with two representatives from Guard Medical to discuss the NPseal – CEO Machiel van der Leest and Director of Marketing Leandra Armstrong.  Listen and learn all about the NPseal, it’s easy-to-use functionality and how it’s a cost-effective option that promotes patient compliance and aims to reduce the incidence of SSCs and SSIs in orthopedic procedures, which may help to significantly decrease healthcare financial burden.   Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode: Cory L. Calendine, MD Leandra Armstrong  Machiel van der Leest  The post The 2024 AAHKS Industry Innovation Award Winner – Guard Medical first appeared on AAHKS.

At the 2024 AAHKS Annual Meeting, David G. Deckey, MD, Cody C. Green, MD and Kevin A. Sonn, MD all members of the AAHKS Patient Education Committee sat down to define the different types of technology used during joint replacement such as manual technique, computer navigation and robotic systems. They also discussed the pros and cons for each technique as well. This information is helpful for patients who are still choosing their surgeon and being bombarded with misinformation due to excessive and incorrect marketing.  Here are a few articles that help decide which surgeon and technology is best for you: Computer-Assisted Knee Surgery, Computer-Assisted Hip Surgery and Choosing the Right Surgeon for You.  Enjoy, and thanks for listening to AAHKS Amplified!   In This Episode: David G. Deckey, MD  Cody C. Green, MD      Kevin A. Sonn, MD  The post Technology in Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery first appeared on AAHKS.

At the 2024 AAHKS Annual Meeting, Shaun P. Patel, MD and Andrew M. Schwartz, MD sat down to speak with the winner of the 2024 Clinical Research Award. The study’s main author, Simon W. Young, MD talked about the importance of postoperative pain management in primary total knee arthroplasty and how IORA of antibiotics for prophylaxis in TKA is known to increase local tissue concentrations. The study that included 46 patients investigated using IORA Diclofenac to improve postoperative pain management in TKA, compared to IV Diclofenac. Broken up into two groups, one group received IORA Diclofenac and IV normal saline placebo and the second group received IV Diclofenac and 10 normal saline placebo. To learn what the results were, listen to the full podcast here on AAHKS Amplified! AAHKS Clinical Research Award Abstract   In This Episode: Shaun P. Patel, MD – Digital Health and Social Media Committee Chair Andrew M. Schwartz, MD Simon W. Young, MD  The post 2024 Clinical Research Award Winner first appeared on AAHKS.

At the 2024 AAHKS Annual Meeting, Shaun P. Patel, MD and Andrew M. Schwartz, MD sat down to speak with the winners of the 2024 Surgical Techniques & Technologies Award.  Two of the study’s authors, Aleksander Mika, MD and J. Ryan Martin, MD sat down to discuss if synovial fluid metal ion levels could be used to diagnoise aseptic loosening. Forty-three patients undergoing revision of a cemented TKA were included in the study and synovial fluid was collected at the time of revision surgery and analyzed for concentrations. In this recording of AAHKS Amplified, the final results will shock you. Listen and enjoy! Thanks for supporting AAHKS Amplified! AAHKS Surgical Techniques & Technologies Award Abstract    In This Episode: J. Ryan Martin, MD Aleksander Mika, MD Shaun P. Patel, MD – Digital Health and Social Media Committee Chair Andrew M. Schwartz, MD The post 2024 Surgical Techniques & Technologies Award Winner first appeared on AAHKS.

AAHKS Advocacy leaders discuss the basics of the upcoming mandatory CMS Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) program, including what you need to know and watch out for in the program. Topics include where the mandatory model will take place, who the model conveners will be, the potential effect of not including ASCs in the model, the episode length, risk tracks within the model and whether. Listen now and review our summary to learn more about this program and how it can affect your practice! In This Episode: Adam J. Rana, MD, Advocacy Committee Chair P. Maxwell Courtney, MD, Advocacy Committee Vice Chair Chad A. Krueger, MD, Advocacy Committee MemberThe post Mandatory CMS TEAM APM: What You Need to Know first appeared on AAHKS.