The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' board of directors approved new hip osteoarthritis treatment Appropriate Use Criteria.
Here are four insights:
1. AAOS AUCs offer providers guidance on how to best treat an orthopedic injury or condition. The AUCs pull from the latest research and clinical expertise to provide hypothetical scenarios and potential treatments.
2. The new clinical practice guideline, "Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hip," recommends:
• "Pre-surgical treatments to ease pain and improve mobility, including corticosteroid injections, physical therapy and non-narcotic medication (specifically acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or tramadol) for pain."
• "Both anterior and posterior approaches for total hip replacement surgery."
3. The new AUC also notes hip replacements may be appropriate even in cases where patients have modifiable risk factors like smoking and diabetes.
4. Clinicians can access the AAOS OrthoGuidelines here.