(American Health Newswire) - A detailed and standardized national registry of commonly used joint replacement devices would improve patient outcomes and create clinical and financial efficiencies, according to this study.

Information on the more than 600,000 total knee and hip replacements performed annually in the United States could enhance patient safety and quality of care, as well as providing a foundation for more in-depth research projects that will contribute to better outcomes as increasing numbers of replacements are performed in the future.

This study of 80,000 total joint replacement and 5,000 anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction procedures within Kaiser Permanente's national implant registries - the nation's largest registry of implants - looked at patient demographics, implants and surgical techniques in relationship to outcomes for these procedures. This is the largest community-based research study of outcomes with total knees and hips and ACL reconstruction procedures, and one of few studies conducted with a registry that includes a level of detail to assess outcomes in the United States.

"Our findings demonstrate the critical impact of registries and the important role they play in counseling patients, identifying risk factors, tracking implanted devices during recalls and assessing comparative effectiveness of devices," study lead author Elizabeth Paxton, director of surgical outcomes and analysis at Kaiser Permanente, was quoted as saying.

Researchers found the three most common reasons for re-operations of ACL reconstruction of the knee were meniscus injury, stiffness, and device removal. These risk factors and outcomes show how a registry can improve quality of care by providing feedback to physicians. Additionally, the orthopedic implant registries were used to track eight recalls and advisories during the study period, which were critical in immediately identifying and following up with patients that were impacted.

Since its was developed in 2001, Kaiser Permanente's Total Joint Replacement Registry and subsequently the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Registry have helped health care providers identify clinical best practices, evaluate and monitor patient outcomes and risk factors associated with revision surgeries, and assess the clinical effectiveness of implants.

Kaiser Permanente is able to develop and utilize these data tools because of the information contained in Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect®, the world's largest private sector electronic health record. The Kaiser Permanente TJRR now has more than 100,000 implants registered.

"The information we will obtain from our ACL registry will help us to identify those patient factors and surgical techniques that will lead to the best overall outcome," Greg Maletis, MD, study co-author on the study and an orthopedic surgeon at Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park (Calif.) Medical Center, was quoted as saying. "We will also be able to compare our results, with the results of patients from other countries like Norway and Sweden who also have ACL registries."

Using integrated data systems and advanced statistical analyses, the registries collect patient demographics, implant characteristics, surgical techniques, and outcomes prospectively at the point of care. These data were supplemented with data from Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect, which enables all of the organization's more than 15,000 physicians to electronically access the medical records of Kaiser Permanente's 8.6 million members nationwide. The study showed how registries can identify risk factors that can be applied to a larger population.
 
SOURCE: Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, published online December 28, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC (American Health Newswire) -- What's the cost of freedom? For many cancer survivors, the price is steep. The effects of radiation can restrict even basic activities, but a new post-cancer therapy ensures treatment doesn't just end after you leave the hospital.

Vonda Jones is moving, again. Good news, after a breast cancer diagnosis sent her reeling 18 months ago.

"I wouldn't say it was tragic for me, it was more of like an interruption," breast cancer survivor, Vonda Jones, told American Health.

Chemo and radiation treatments beat back the disease, but before this year's 'Race For The Cure', muscle problems hit her hard.

"What happened was, my right arm, I could only get it up so high," Jones explained.

Cancer treatment can cause muscle tightness, impairment and fatigue, and with more than 11 million people now survivors of invasive cancer, relief is key.

"Regardless of the stage of the cancer, people want to be independent," Curtis Whitehair, M.D., a Medical Director of the Oncology Rehabilitation Program at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, in DC, explained.

Doctor Whitehair helped Vonda by getting physical. She dove into six weeks worth of specific rehab exercises to regain movement.

"One size doesn't fit all when you're talking about cancer, because the cancer itself can attack any part of the body," Dr. Whitehair said.

For Vonda, exercises included walking the wall, simply inching her hands along a wall to improve mobility. Another exercise included a wand, which boosted her strength by stretching with a cane or weighted bar. It's therapy so new, no medical texts existed until last year, and for Vonda it was a lifesaver.

"Each time, you can see the progression and I definitely have been able to notice a lot of benefits from doing the therapy," Jones said. "I highly recommend it."

That progress led to a cancer free, pain free 'Race For The Cure'.

Doctor Whitehair says this kind of post-cancer therapy is becoming required for key hospital certifications and can be outpatient based. Sadly, until recently, doctors routinely told patients their post-cancer pain would fade with time. In many cases obviously, it did not. 

SYRACUSE, NY (American Health Newswire) -- More than 23 million people in the U.S. are living with diabetes -- nearly 2.5 million of those cases are type 1 diabetes, a disease typically diagnosed in childhood.  It means a lifetime of hard work and discipline to keep blood sugar levels under control.

Now, we report on new research that might make that lifelong journey a little easier.

Ashley Jarvis was a typical teenager when she was given a diagnosis that changed her life.

"I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in February, 2010. No one in my family had type 1 so I really didn't know anything about it," Ashley Jarvis, 15 years old, told American Health.

She quickly learned it will mean a life of high and low blood sugars; round the clock insulin; and strict attention to what and when she eats.

"I wouldn't be able to do it. I give her a lot of credit," Jason Jarvis, Ashley's dad, said.

Now, new research could make her future a whole lot easier. Doctor Ruth Weinstock from Upstate Medical University is testing a novel vaccine.

"What we want to do is to preserve these insulin-producing cells that have not yet been destroyed at the time of diagnosis," Ruth S. Weinstock, M.D., Ph.D.,

Chief Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism SUNY Upstate Medical University, in Syracuse, explained.

Many people still have some insulin producing cells when they're diagnosed. The new vaccine, given as four injections, contains a protein called gad that tricks the immune system to stop the destruction of those remaining vital cells.

"Even a small amount of insulin production will help the person better control the disease, make it easier to control and therefore decrease complications," Dr. Weinstock added.

Early results show patients treated with the vaccine have preserved some insulin production and have better glucose control. Ashley's still waiting to hear her results, but she's excited about a future where diabetes isn't the focus.

"If I have it in my head to do something, I'm going to do it and I'm not going to let one thing that affects my life stop me," Ashley concluded.

To be eligible for the study, patients must be between 10 and 20 years old and have been diagnosed within the previous three months. For a full list of participating study sites around the country, log onto www.diaprevent.com.