Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after total joint arthroplasty

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis after total joint arthroplasty is considered best practice. However, over the past 5 years, there has been considerable debate about the ideal prophylactic regimen or modality. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Chest Physicians published their most recent clinical practice guidelines about VTE prophylaxis in 2011 and 2012, respectively. In addition, the Surgical Care Improvement Project published their latest recommendations in 2014. In this review, commonly used VTE prophylaxis options and the latest clinical guidelines will be discussed.

Patient care, professionalism, and relations with industry

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Management of irreparable rotator cuff tears and glenohumeral arthritis

Glenohumeral arthritis with irreparable rotator cuff tears remain a difficult entity to treat. Varied causes include rotator cuff tear arthropathy, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis with irreparable cuff tear. Common symptoms are progressive pain and dysfunction. Physical examination may reveal pain, crepitance, rotator cuff weakness, and loss of motion and function. Radiographs may reveal varying degrees of osteophyte formation, sclerotic bone, superior humeral head migration, and bony erosion. Additional imaging modalities may reveal cuff tear size, retraction, atrophy, and fatty infiltration. Failure of nonoperative management may lead to operative intervention. Rotator cuff repair or reconstruction may help prevent progression of tears and future arthritic changes. In patients with moderate to severe glenohumeral arthritis and irreparable rotator cuff tears, hemiarthroplasty is currently the procedure of choice. For patients with severe cuff dysfunction or loss of coracoacromial arch, or for patients who require revision, the reverse shoulder prosthesis may offer a treatment option. Future management continues to be defined with additional study.