Neuroaxial anesthesia is associated with superior perioperative outcomes and fewer deaths as compared to general anesthesia in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement procedures, according to a study published in the May issue of Anesthesiology.

A recent EHR Intelligence report identified five steps to ensure organizations' electronic health record system replacement processes are successful. They are:

PinnacleHealth System in Harrisburg, Pa., announced that it has been named a Blue Distinction Center for quality care in spine surgery and knee and hip replacement.

A new study, by the Stone Research Foundation to be presented at the 27th Annual Meniscus Transplant Study Group meeting, has found that knee cartilage replacement patients can return to high impact sports without additional damage to the joint.

Here are five questions organizations should ask themselves before committing to the upheaval of replacing their electronic health record systems, according to an EHR Intelligence report.

Marc W. Hungerford, MD, director of joint replacement and reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore recently became the first orthopedic surgeon to perform the MAKOplasty partial knee resurfacing procedure using the RIO Robotic Arm in the state of Maryland, according to a hospital news release.

Aesculap Implant Systems, a B. Braun company, has launched the Hydrolif Vertebral Body Replacement system indicated for treating burst fractures and tumor removal of the thoracolumbar spine, according to a company news release.

Chris Washick, RN, CASC, director of operators for the surgery center, discusses how Orthopedic and Sports Surgery Center successfully added total joint replacements. Orthopedic and Sports Surgery Center in Appleton, Wis., opened in 2006 as an outpatient surgery center owned by seven orthopedic surgeons and one anesthesiologist. In March 2008, the center added partial knee replacements; today, the center performs 15-16 total joint replacements every month.

Janssen Pharmaceuticals has received FDA approval for XARELTO, an oral anticoagulant used to prevent deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing hip and knee replacement surgery, according to a company news release.

Mark Snyder, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Cincinnati, recently helped a private hospital develop a program to reduce complications in joint replacement and achieve Joint Commission certification as a "Center of Excellence," according to an AAOS Now report.