FDA clears stemless reverse shoulder system; AAOS says fee schedule eases arthroplasty cuts; oral anticoagulants lower VTE after hip replacement

• FDA Nov 5, 2026
  FDA clears Easytech Reversed, which FX calls the first stemless reverse shoulder arthroplasty system in the U.S.
  FX Shoulder Solutions announced 510(k) clearance on Nov. 5 for Easytech Reversed, which uses the humeral anchor base of the company's Easytech Stemless Anatomical System, sold in the U.S. since 2021, and peripheral fixation in place of a conventional stem. The clearance followed a U.S. investigational device exemption study of 90 patients at seven sites that began in 2018 and completed follow-up in 2023; the release reported no outcome results. The first-in-U.S. claim is the company's.
  Source: FX Shoulder Solutions
• Payment Nov 4, 2026
  Final 2027 fee schedule reduces proposed cuts to hip, knee and shoulder arthroplasty by nearly 50%, AAOS says
  The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) said proposed cuts to total knee, total hip and total shoulder arthroplasty and shoulder hemiarthroplasty were reduced by nearly 50% in the final rule, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) set the nonqualifying alternative payment model conversion factor at $32.63, a projected decrease of 2.31%. AAOS President Dr. Wilford K. Gibson said the decision represents meaningful progress for patients and physicians.
  Sources: AAOS, CMS
• Research Nov 1, 2026
  Meta-analysis of 22 trials and 28,112 patients finds lower VTE with direct oral anticoagulants than heparin after hip replacement
  The Bone & Joint Journal meta-analysis of randomized trials in elective total hip arthroplasty found lower venous thromboembolism risk with direct oral anticoagulants than with low molecular weight heparin (odds ratio 0.62; 95% CI 0.47 to 0.82; P = .002). Overall bleeding was higher (odds ratio 1.19; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.38), but bleeding with U.K.-licensed agents and doses did not differ significantly (odds ratio 1.06; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.18).
  Sources: The Bone & Joint Journal, PubMed
• Research Nov 3, 2026
  Adding fusion to decompression shows no subgroup benefit at 12 months in 2,252 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis
  A target trial emulation in Annals of Internal Medicine, which included 236 patients from the NORDSTEN-DS randomized trial, found 12-month Oswestry Disability Index scores of 22.3 (95% CI 15.5 to 29.1) with decompression alone and 20.0 (CI 13.9 to 26.2) with added fusion, a mean difference of 2.2 (CI -1.6 to 6.1). Reoperation risk at 12 months did not differ, and patient subgroups did not have differential effects from fusion, the authors said.
  Sources: Annals of Internal Medicine, PubMed
• FDA Nov 3, 2026
  restor3d recalls 240 Veritas reverse shoulder units over size 1 and 2 stems paired with 40 mm glenosphere
  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a Class 2 recall on Nov. 3 of 240 Veritas Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement units. According to the recall entry, pairing implant stem sizes 1 and 2 with the largest glenosphere diameter, 40 mm, creates excessive mechanical loading in which certain polyethylene components lack adequate retention strength, potentially resulting in dislocation, reduced range of motion or revision surgery. Consignees were told not to implant or use affected units.
  Source: FDA

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