Variability in the Clock Face View Description of Femoral Tunnel Placement in ACL Reconstruction Using MRI-Based Bony Models.

Though controversial, the "clock face view" of the intercondylar notch remains a way some surgeons communicate regarding placement of the femoral tunnel in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to quantify the differences in angle measurement between several previous descriptions of the clock face view by using a new reference standard. Three-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to scan 10 human knees to create three-dimensional MRI-based bony models which were used for measurements. A standardized clock face view was developed with the knee flexed to 90° using the junction of the cartilage and cortex of the medial and lateral surfaces of medial and lateral femoral condyles as the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, respectively, with the 12 o'clock established as the midpoint of the roof of the intercondylar notch. With the knee viewed at 90° of flexion, an "idealized" femoral tunnel position was plotted on the medial wall of the lateral femoral condyle at 30° (corresponding to the 10 o'clock or 2 o'clock position). The clock faces as described by Edwards et al, Heming et al, and Mochizuki et al were each then overlaid on this same model and the difference in measurement calculated. The average angles measured when the previously described clock faces were projected onto the idealized clock face view comparing a mark made at 30° were 47.7°, 7.2°, and 49.8° for the methods described by Edwards et al, Heming et al, and Mochizuki et al, respectively (all p < 0.001). Significant variation exists between angle measurements in simulated femoral tunnel placement based on the varying descriptions of the intercondylar clock face.

The "Sublabral Window" in Arthroscopic Posterior Shoulder Instability Surgery: Description of a Technique for Safe Posterior Glenoid Preparation.

Arthroscopic posterior labral repairs for posterior shoulder instability can be challenging. Preparation of the capsulolabral tissue and glenoid bony surface is critical. Iatrogenic injury to the articular cartilage and unwarranted truncation of the capsulolabral tissue are concerns during preparation. As a result, several techniques have been described to potentially avoid these complications. We describe an additional technique for improving access and preparing the capsulolabral tissue and glenoid surface through a "sublabral window." This technique approaches the posterior labrum and glenoid through an already established posterior portal and mitigates iatrogenic injury to the labrum and articular cartilage. The technique is rather simple and easily adaptable.

Biceps Tenotomy Versus Tenodesis.

Long head biceps tendon is a common cause of anterior shoulder pain. Failure of conservative treatment may warrant surgical intervention. Surgical treatment involves long head biceps tenotomy or tenodesis. Several different techniques have been described for biceps tenodesis, including arthroscopic versus open and suprapectoral versus subpectoral. Most studies comparing tenodesis to tenotomy are limited by the level of evidence and confounding factors, such as concomitant rotator cuff tear. Many studies demonstrate similar outcomes for both procedures. Surgeon preference is likely more influential in choosing between tenotomy and tenodesis. Higher-powered studies are necessary to elucidate any differences in outcomes if present.

Association of a modified frailty index with mortality after femoral neck fracture in patients aged 60 years and older.

BACKGROUND: Frailty, a multidimensional syndrome entailing loss of energy, physical ability, cognition, and health, plays a significant role in elderly morbidity and mortality. No study has examined frailty in relation to mortality after femoral neck fractures in elderly patients. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We examined the association of a modified frailty index abbreviated from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging Frailty Index to 1- and 2-year mortality rates after a femoral neck fracture. Specifically we examined: (1) Is there an association of a modified frailty index with 1- and 2-year mortality rates in patients aged 60 years and older who sustain a low-energy femoral neck fracture? (2) Do the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicate that the modified frailty index can be a potential tool predictive of mortality and does a specific modified frailty index value demonstrate increased odds ratio for mortality? (3) Do any of the individual clinical deficits comprising the modified frailty index independently associate with mortality? METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 697 low-energy femoral neck fractures in patients aged 60 years and older at our Level I trauma center from 2005 to 2009. A total of 218 (31%) patients with high-energy or pathologic fracture, postoperative complication including infection or revision surgery, fracture of the contralateral hip, or missing documented mobility status were excluded. The remaining 481 patients, with a mean age of 81.2 years, were included. Mortality data were obtained from a state vital statistics department using date of birth and Social Security numbers. Statistical analysis included unequal variance t-test, Pearson correlation of age and frailty, ROC curves and area under the curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow statistics, and logistic regression models. RESULTS: One-year mortality analysis found the mean modified frailty index was higher in patients who died (4.6 ± 1.8) than in those who lived (3.0 ± 2; p < 0.001), which was maintained in a 2-year mortality analysis (4.4 ± 1.8 versus 3.0 ± 2; p < 0.001). In ROC analysis, the area under the curve was 0.74 and 0.72 for 1- and 2-year mortality, respectively. Patients with a modified frailty index of 4 or greater had an odds ratio of 4.97 for 1-year mortality and an odds ratio of 4.01 for 2-year mortality as compared with patients with less than 4. Logistic regression models demonstrated that the clinical deficits of mobility, respiratory, renal, malignancy, thyroid, and impaired cognition were independently associated with 1- and 2-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients aged 60 years and older sustaining a femoral neck fracture, with a higher modified frailty index, had increased 1- and 2-year mortality rates, and the ROC analysis suggests that this tool may be predictive of mortality. Patients with a modified frailty index of 4 or greater have increased risk for mortality at 1 and 2 years. Clinical deficits of mobility, respiratory, renal, malignancy, thyroid, and impaired cognition also may be independently associated with mortality. The modified frailty index may be a useful tool in predicting mortality, guiding patient and family expectations and elucidating implant/surgery choices. Further prospective studies are necessary to strengthen the predictive power of the index. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

High-energy femur fractures increase morbidity but not mortality in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Trauma centers are projected to have an increase in the number of elderly patients with high-energy femur fractures. Greater morbidity and mortality have been observed in these patients. Further clarification regarding the impact of high-energy femur fractures is necessary in this population. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Our purpose was to assess the influence of high-energy femur fractures on mortality and morbidity in patients 60 years and older. Specifically, we asked (1) if the presence of a high-energy femur fracture increases in-hospital, 6-month, and 1-year mortality in patients 60 years and older, and (2) if there is a difference in morbidity (number of complications, intensive care unit [ICU] and total hospital length of stay, discharge disposition, accompanying fractures, and surgical intervention) between patients 60 years and older with and without high-energy femur fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review of 242 patients was performed. Patients with traumatic brain injury or spine injury with a neurologic deficit were excluded. A control group, including patients admitted secondary to high-energy trauma without femur fractures, was matched by gender and Injury Severity Score (ISS). In-hospital mortality, 6-month and 1-year mortality, complications, ICU and total hospital length of stay, discharge disposition, accompanying fractures, surgical intervention, and covariates were recorded. Statistical analyses using Fisher's exact test, ANOVA, Kaplan-Meier estimates, and Cox regression models were performed to show differences in mortality (in-hospital, 6-month, 1-year), complications, length of ICU and total hospital stay, discharge disposition, surgical intervention, and accompanying fractures between elderly patients with and without femur fractures. The average ages of the patients were 72.8 years (± 9 years) in the femur fracture group and 71.8 years (± 9 years) in the control group. Sex, age, ISS, and comorbidities were homogenous between groups. RESULTS: In-hospital (p = 0.45), 6-month (p = 0.79), and 1-year mortality (p = 0.55) did not differ in patients with and without high-energy femur fractures. Elderly patients with high-energy femur fractures had an increased number of complications (p = 0.029), longer total hospital length of stay (p = 0.039), were discharged more commonly to rehabilitation centers (p < 0.005), had more accompanying long bone fractures (p = 0.002), and were more likely to have surgery (p < 0.001). Average ICU length of stay was similar between the two groups (p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: High-energy femur fractures increased morbidity in patients 60 years and older; however, no increase in mortality was observed in our patients. Concomitant injuries may play a more critical role in this population. Additional studies are necessary to clarify the role of high-energy femur fracture mortality in this age group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Operative treatment of hip fractures in patients on clopidogrel: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Clopidogrel, an inhibitor of ADP-induced platelet aggregation, is indicated for the reduction of atherosclerotic events in patients with atherosclerosis documented by recent stoke, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, and established peripheral arterial disease. In cardiovascular studies, clopidogrel has been associated with increased chest tube output, transfusion rates, and re-exploration rates. Few studies have addressed the possible complications of clopidogrel in hip fractures. Our study aims to assess the perioperative blood loss and transfusion rates in geriatric patients with hip fractures on clopidogrel. We hypothesize that patients on clopidogrel will have higher perioperative blood loss and transfusion rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, case control study chart review over a five year span was conducted. Of the 2,766 geriatric hip fracture patients surgically treated, 52 patients taking clopidogrel upon admission to the hospital were compared to patients not on the drug. All of the patients in the study were taken to the operating room within two calendar days of admission. statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon's, Fisher exact, chi square, and logistic regression methods. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients were included in the analysis, 52 (47%) were taking clopidogrel at the time of admission. these patients were compared to 58 (53%) patients not on the drug. No significant difference was found with respect to documented perioperative blood loss. Transfusion rates however, did vary. Patients who had been taking clopidogrel, prior to admission and subsequent surgery, had a transfusion rate of 56% while those patients not on the drug had a transfusion rate of 31%. Logistic regression analysis showed taking clopidogrel up to admission was significantly associated (p = .0121) with receiving a blood transfusion following surgical treatment of a hip fracture. CONCLUSION: A growing body of evidence supports early (within 48 hrs) surgery for elderly patients with hip fractures. the pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel do not allow for bleeding time to return to normal until the drug has been discontinued for five days. Our study shows that patients taking clopidogrel upon admission for hip fracture are at increased risk of blood transfusions when surgery is performed within two calendar days of admis-sion. this risk must be balanced by the potential benefits of early surgery.

Influence of a platelet concentrate on prosthetic bone ingrowth in a rabbit model.

Recent studies have shown that an increase in bone ingrowth by addition of osteogenic growth factors can reduce micro motion and gross implant motion and contribute to joint implant stability through osseointegration. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has the potential to provide growth factors that may be conducive to osteointegration at the bone-implant interface. This study analyzed the influence of PRP on bone ingrowth upon a beaded metal implant in distal femurs of 22 rabbits. Rabbit limbs were randomly assigned to receive an implant plus PRP or plain implant. Half of the specimens were randomly assigned to a 2-week group (n = 20) or a 5-week group (n = 20). Histologic and histomorphometric comparison between implant alone and implant plus PRP, at 2 and 5 weeks, was performed. In both the 2- and 5-week comparisons, there was no statistical difference (p > .05) in bone ingrowth between the control and PRP group, despite a slight increase in trabecular bone growth in PRP groups. This study suggests that PRP is not a major contributing factor to bone ingrowth at the bone-implant interface. This supports growing evidence in the literature that PRP can lead to variable bone growth stimulation in vivo.