MRI use leading up to total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is increasing as it remains the gold-standard treatment for end-stage osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the knee are not indicated for diagnosing knee OA and represent a possible delay to orthopaedic surgeon referral and unnecessary expenditure. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of patients who underwent an MRI in the two years prior to their primary TKA for OA and determine patient and physician associations with increased MRI usage. METHODS: This is a population-based cohort study using administrative data from Ontario, Canada. All patients over 40 years old who underwent their first primary TKA between April 1, 2008, and March 31, 2019, were included. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS and included the Cochran-Armitage test for trend of MRI prior to surgery. A predictive multivariable regression model was used to determine features correlated to receiving an MRI. RESULTS: There were 194,989 eligible first-time TKA recipients, of which 38,244 (19.6%) received an MRI in the two years prior to their surgery. The majority of these (69.6%) were ordered by primary care physicians. Patients who received an MRI were younger, had fewer comorbidities and were more affluent than patients who did not (p < 0.001). MRI use prior to TKA increased from 2008 to 2018 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite MRIs rarely being indicated for the work-up of end-stage OA, nearly one in five patients have an MRI in the two years prior to their TKA. This may be increasing healthcare expenditure and surgical wait-times.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Aortic Regurgitation: A Comprehensive Review.

Aortic regurgitation (AR), a left-sided valvular heart disease, poses challenges in both diagnosis and treatment. From rheumatic fever to trauma, the vast etiologies of AR can manifest with varying symptoms and disease progression. Nonetheless, without interventions, patients with acute and chronic symptomatic AR have a poor prognosis. This article synthesizes current knowledge on AR management, emphasizing advancements in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). While surgical aortic valve replacement remains the gold standard, TAVI has emerged as a promising alternative, particularly for inoperable patients. It is currently used off-label for patients with bicuspid valve and valve-in-valve procedures. Clinical data from various studies underscore TAVI's efficacy in AR, demonstrating improvements in left ventricular function and mortality rates with use of the new-generation devices. However, challenges persist with conditions such as aortic aneurysms, including device positioning and selection. With ongoing technological innovations, TAVI holds potential as a viable option in selected AR patients, necessitating further research for optimized outcomes.

Low-Dose Colchicine for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Events After Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Colchicine, an established anti-inflammatory drug, is examined for its potential in mitigating adverse cardiovascular events following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ACS, primarily triggered by plaque rupture and subsequent thrombosis, is a critical cardiovascular condition. Colchicine's mechanism of action involves inhibiting microtubule activity, leading to immobilization of white blood cells and reducing inflammation. Clinical data from studies, including low-dose colchicine for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease two and colchicine cardiovascular outcomes trial, support its efficacy in reducing major cardiovascular events post-ACS, though some studies report varying results. Colchicine can cause transient gastrointestinal side effects and is prescribed with caution in patients with certain medical conditions. The recent FDA approval of a low dose of colchicine reiterates its benefit in reducing cardiovascular risk. The cost-effectiveness of colchicine products (0.5 and 0.6 mg doses) are compared, suggesting the generic 0.6 mg dose of colchicine to be an alternative to branded forms of the drug.

FlowTriever System for Pulmonary Embolism: A Review of Clinical Evidence.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant cause of cardiovascular mortality, and its incidence has been increasing due to the growing aging population. Systemic or catheter-directed thrombolytic treatment for PE has an increased risk of bleeding that may offset the benefit in some patients. Mechanical thrombectomy devices such as the FlowTriever System are designed to resolve vascular occlusion and correct ventilation-perfusion mismatch without the need for thrombolytic drugs. This review covers the FlowTriever system, clinical data from the FlowTriever Pulmonary Embolectomy Clinical Study, FlowTriever for Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism, and FlowTriever All-comer Registry for Patient Safety and Hemodynamics trials, and real-world experiences, demonstrating its safety and effectiveness in treating intermediate-risk and high-risk PE. Additionally, we explore off-label uses of the FlowTriever System for various large vessel thromboses.

Impact of Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty on Right Ventricular Function in Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) can develop in some patients after an acute pulmonary embolism. The disease is characterized by the conversion of emboli into fibrotic thrombi that chronically impede normal circulation through the pulmonary arteries and increase pulmonary vascular resistance. Over time, this increases right ventricular (RV) afterload and strains the RV. The RV compensates by undergoing cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and RV dilation that can maintain stroke volume. However, these adaptations eventually decrease cardiac output and lead to right heart failure. Balloon pulmonary angioplasty has been developed as a treatment option for CTEPH by systematically disrupting thrombosed vessels and improving blood flow throughout the pulmonary circulation. This ultimately reverses the structural maladaptation's seen in CTEPH and improves RV function.

Biomechanical Comparison of 3 Medial Patellofemoral Complex Reconstruction Techniques Shows Medial Overconstraint but No Significant Difference in Patella Lateralization and Contact Pressure.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate biomechanical differences of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, medial quadriceps tendon femoral ligament (MQTFL) reconstruction, and a combination of these techniques to restore lateral patellar constraint and contact pressures. METHODS: Eight fresh frozen cadaver knees were mounted to a custom jig with physiological quadriceps tendon loading. Flexion angles and contact pressure (CP) were dynamically measured using Tekscan® pressure sensors and Polhemus® Liberty 6 degree of freedom (6DOF) positioning sensors in the following conditions: 1) intact 2) MPFL and MQTFL deficient, 3) MPFL reconstructed, 4) Combined MPFL + MQTFL reconstructed, and 5) MQTFL reconstructed. Lateral patellar translation was tested using horizontally directed 30 N force applied at 30° of knee flexion. The knees were flexed in dynamic fashion, and CP values were recorded for 10°, 20°, 30°, 50°, 70°, and 90° degrees of flexion. Group differences were assessed with ANOVA's followed by pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: MPFL (P = .002) and combined MPFL/MQTFL (P = .034) reconstruction significantly reduced patellar lateralization from +19.28% (9.78%, 28.78%) in the deficient condition to -17.57% (-27.84%, -7.29%) and -15.56% (-33.61%, 2.30%), respectively. MPFL reconstruction was most restrictive and MQTFL reconstruction the least -7.29% (-22.01%, 7.45%). No significant differences were found between the three reconstruction techniques. Differences in CP between the three reconstruction techniques were not significant (<.02 MPa) at all flexion angles. CONCLUSION: The present study found no significant difference for patellar lateralization and patellofemoral CP between MPFL, combined MPFL/MQTFL, and MQTFL reconstruction. All 3 techniques resulted in stronger lateral patellar constraint compared to the native state, while the MQTFL reconstruction emulated the intact state the closest. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Various surgical techniques for medial patellofemoral complex reconstruction can restore patellar stability with similar patellofemoral articular pressures.

Early functional mobilization for non-operative treatment of simple elbow dislocations: a systematic review.

Purpose: This systematic review aims to elucidate a non-operative rehabilitation program that optimizes recovery based on published approaches and outcomes. Methods: Searches of four databases from inception to 1 January 2020 were performed to identify clinical studies addressing the non-operative management of simple elbow dislocations. Results: Of 2435 studies that were eligible for title screen, 15 studies satisfied inclusion criteria. Three randomized control studies demonstrated that early mobilization expedited the return of range of motion, function and return to work or activities, however, resulted in increased pain within the six-week rehabilitation period compared to Plaster of Paris casting for 21 days. Patients returned to work sooner after early mobilization (10 vs. 18 days; p = 0.02) compared to Plaster of Paris casting. In all studies, early mobilization resulted in similar re-dislocation rates of 1.3% (3/237) versus 2.2% (12/549) in those with Plaster of Paris casting as well as lower incidence of heterotopic ossification (36% vs. 54%). No significant differences between rehabilitation protocols were determined; however, the large majority of recent papers utilized rehabilitation protocols. Conclusion: Early mobilization of simple elbow dislocations results in early return of Range-of-Motion, function and return to work with no increase in complication rates; however, increased pain during the rehabilitation period.

Basketball vs. Hockey-The Changing Face of Sport-Related Injuries in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize and compare the incidence of basketball-related, soccer-related, and hockey-related injuries over a 10-year period. DESIGN: Cohort analysis of sport-related injuries using multiple Ontario healthcare databases. SETTING: Emergency department visits in Ontario, Canada. PATIENTS: Any patient who sustained musculoskeletal injuries sustained while playing basketball, soccer, or hockey between 2006 and 2017 were identified. ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Sport of injury, age, sex, rurality index, marginalization status, and comorbidity score. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Annual Incidence Density Rates of injury were calculated for each sport, and significance of trends was analyzed by assessing overlap of 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: One lakhs eighty five thousand eighty hundred sixty-eight patients (median age: 16 years, interquartile range 13-26) received treatment for sport-related injuries (basketball = 55 468; soccer = 67 021; and hockey = 63 379). The incidence of basketball-related and soccer-related injuries increased from 3.4 (3.3-3.5) to 5.6 (5.5-5.7) and 4.4 (4.3-4.5) to 4.9 (4.8-5) per 10 000 person years, respectively, whereas the incidence of hockey-related injuries decreased from 4.7 (4.6-4.8) to 3.7 (3.6-3.8). Patients with basketball injuries were more marginalized (3.01 ± 0.74) compared with patients with soccer and hockey injuries (2.90 ± 0.75 and 2.72 ± 0.69, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Accurate regional epidemiologic information regarding sports injuries can be used to guide policy development for municipal planning and sport program development. The trends and demographic patterns described highlight general and sport-specific injury patterns in Ontario. Populations with the highest incidence of injury, most notably adolescents and men older than 50, may represent an appropriate population for injury risk prevention.

Effects of hospital funding reform on wait times for hip fracture surgery: a population-based interrupted time-series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Health care funding reforms are being used worldwide to improve system performance but may invoke unintended consequences. We assessed the effects of introducing a targeted hospital funding model, based on fixed price and volume, for hip fractures. We hypothesized the policy change was associated with reduction in wait times for hip fracture surgery, increase in wait times for non-hip fracture surgery, and increase in the incidence of after-hours hip fracture surgery. METHODS: This was a population-based, interrupted time series analysis of 49,097 surgeries for hip fractures, 10,474 for ankle fractures, 1,594 for tibial plateau fractures, and 40,898 for appendectomy at all hospitals in Ontario, Canada between April 2012 and March 2017. We used segmented regression analysis of interrupted monthly time series data to evaluate the impact of funding reform enacted April 1, 2014 on wait time for hip fracture repair (from hospital presentation to surgery) and after-hours provision of surgery (occurring between 1700 and 0700 h). To assess potential adverse consequences of the reform, we also evaluated two control procedures, ankle and tibial plateau fracture surgery. Appendectomy served as a non-orthopedic tracer for assessment of secular trends. RESULTS: The difference (95 % confidence interval) between the actual mean wait time and the predicted rate had the policy change not occurred was - 0.46 h (-3.94 h, 3.03 h) for hip fractures, 1.46 h (-3.58 h, 6.50 h) for ankle fractures, -3.22 h (-39.39 h, 32.95 h) for tibial plateau fractures, and 0.33 h (-0.57 h, 1.24 h) for appendectomy (Figure 1; Table 3). The difference (95 % confidence interval) between the actual and predicted percentage of surgeries performed after-hours - 0.90 % (-3.91 %, 2.11 %) for hip fractures, -3.54 % (-11.25 %, 4.16 %) for ankle fractures, 7.09 % (-7.97 %, 22.14 %) for tibial plateau fractures, and 1.07 % (-2.45 %, 4.59 %) for appendectomy. CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant effects of a targeted hospital funding model based on fixed price and volume on wait times or the provision of after-hours surgery. Other approaches for improving hip fracture wait times may be worth pursuing instead of funding reform.

Risk of Total Hip Arthroplasty After Acetabular Fracture Fixation: The Importance of Age.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric patients are the most rapidly growing cohort of patients sustaining acetabular fractures (AFs). The purpose of this study was to examine the risk of a secondary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in older patients (>60 year old) with a prior AF open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) compared with younger patients (<60 year old) with an AF ORIF on a large population level. METHODS: Using administrative health care data from 1996 to 2010 inclusive of all 202 hospitals in Ontario, Canada, all adult patients with an AF ORIF and a minimum of two year follow-up were identified and included. The risk of THA was examined using a Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for patient risk factors. Secondary outcomes included surgical complications and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1725 patients had an AF ORIF; 1452 (84.2%, mean age of 38.3 ± 12.1 years) aged <60 years ("younger") and 273 (15.8%, mean age of 69.9 ± 7.8 years) > 60 years ("older"). The mean (SD) follow-up time for all patients was 6.9 (4.2) years. In older patients, 19.4% (53 of 273) went on to receive a secondary THA with a median time to event of 3.9 years, compared with 12.9% (187 of 1452) in the younger patient cohort with a median time of 6.9 years (HR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.3). As expected, older patients had a higher 90-day mortality rate compared with younger patients (7.7% vs. 0.7%, respectively; HR 9.2, 95% CI: 4.3-19.9; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Older patients with an AF ORIF are at a significantly higher risk for a secondary THA than younger patients with an AF ORIF.

Acute Fifth Metatarsal Tuberosity Fractures: A Systematic Review of Nonoperative Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Acute metatarsal fractures are a common lower extremity injury. Although surgery may be recommended in specific cases, most are treated nonoperatively. Treatment protocols vary significantly among practitioners, with no consensus on the most efficacious approach. This systematic review aims to identify the effect of treatment protocols on union rate and functional outcome after an acute fifth metatarsal tuberosity fracture. LITERATURE SURVEY: Multiple databases, including CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane CEntral Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched from database inception to March 4, 2018 to identify clinical studies addressing nonoperative management of metatarsal fractures reporting nonunion, pain, and/or length of recovery. METHODOLOGY: Two reviewers independently completed title, abstract, and full-text screening. Data abstraction was completed in duplicate. Outcome measures and complications were descriptively analyzed. SYNTHESIS: A total of 1941 studies were eligible for screening. Seven studies (four randomized controlled trials and three prospective cohort studies) satisfied inclusion criteria. This resulted in a total of 388 patient with acute fifth metatarsal tuberosity fractures in 12 different treatment arms, with the most common treatment including plaster casting (7). The mean age was 42 years (27 to 56 years), and the overall nonunion rate was low (1.1%). Four unique functional scores were reported across all studies, and all showed good to excellent short-term results. The overall qualities of studies were moderate, with particular limitations in randomization and concealment allocation. CONCLUSION: Most acute fifth metatarsal tuberosity fractures heal well, with good-to-excellent functional outcomes with nonoperative treatment, regardless of technique. We recommend a conservative rehabilitation framework, including 2 to 3 weeks of immobilization in a walking cast, followed by gradual increase in activity and strengthening until clinical union is achieved.

Effects of quality-based procedure hospital funding reform in Ontario, Canada: An interrupted time series study.

BACKGROUND: The Government of Ontario, Canada, announced hospital funding reforms in 2011, including Quality-based Procedures (QBPs) involving pre-set funds for managing patients with specific diagnoses/procedures. A key goal was to improve quality of care across the jurisdiction. METHODS: Interrupted time series evaluated the policy change, focusing on four QBPs (congestive heart failure, hip fracture surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery), on patients hospitalized 2010-2017. Outcomes included return to hospital or death within 30 days, acute length of stay (LOS), volume of admissions, and patient characteristics. RESULTS: At 2 years post-QBPs, the percentage of hip fracture patients who returned to hospital or died was 3.13% higher in absolute terms (95% CI: 0.37% to 5.89%) than if QBPs had not been introduced. There were no other statistically significant changes for return to hospital or death. For LOS, the only statistically significant change was an increase for prostate cancer surgery of 0.33 days (95% CI: 0.07 to 0.59). Volume increased for congestive heart failure admissions by 80 patients (95% CI: 2 to 159) and decreased for hip fracture surgery by 138 patients (95% CI: -183 to -93) but did not change for pneumonia or prostate cancer surgery. The percentage of patients who lived in the lowest neighborhood income quintile increased slightly for those diagnosed with congestive heart failure (1.89%; 95% CI: 0.51% to 3.27%) and decreased for those who underwent prostate cancer surgery (-2.08%; 95% CI: -3.74% to -0.43%). INTERPRETATION: This policy initiative involving a change to hospital funding for certain conditions was not associated with substantial, jurisdictional-level changes in access or quality.

Validation of canadian health administrative data algorithms for estimating trends in the incidence and prevalence of osteoarthritis.

Objective: To estimate the 1) accuracy of algorithms for identifying osteoarthritis (OA) using health administrative data; and 2) population-level OA prevalence and incidence over time in Ontario, Canada. Method: We performed a retrospective chart abstraction study to identify OA patients in a random sample of 7500 primary care patients from electronic medical records. The validation sample was linked with several administrative data sources. Accuracy of administrative data algorithms for identifying OA was tested against two reference standard definitions by estimating the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. The validated algorithms were then applied to the Ontario population to estimate and compare population-level prevalence and incidence from 2000 to 2017. Results: OA prevalence within the validation sample ranged from 10% to 23% across the two reference standards. Algorithms varied in accuracy depending on the reference standard, with the sensitivity highest (77%) for patients with OA documented in medical problem lists. Using the top performing administrative data algorithms, the crude population-level OA prevalence ranged from 11% to 25% and standardized prevalence ranged from 9 to 22% in 2017. Over time, prevalence increased whereas incidence remained stable (~1% annually). Conclusion: Health administrative data have limited sensitivity in adequately identifying all OA patients and appear to be more sensitive at detecting OA patients for whom their physician formally documented their diagnosis in medical problem lists than individuals who have their diagnosis documented outside of problem lists. Irrespective of the algorithm used, OA prevalence has increased over the past decade while annual incidence has been stable.

Knee dislocation and associated injuries: an analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Trauma Data Bank.

PURPOSE: Knee dislocations (KDs) are potentially devastating injuries, leading to loss of function or limb in often young patients. This retrospective database review aims to determine the relative incidence and risk factors for KDs presenting to North American Level I and II trauma centers. METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) was retrospectively interrogated using ICD-9-CM codes to identify KDs between 2010 and 2014 to derive KD incidence. KDs were stratified by age, sex, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), drug and alcohol use, injury mechanism, open vs. closed KD, vascular injury and fracture. Each co-variate was tested against different mechanisms of injury, using Chi-squared tests and risk adjusted analyses to derive risk factors for KD. The same calculations were done for secondary outcomes (vascular and neurological injuries, compartment syndrome, amputation, and mortality). RESULTS: A total of 6454 KDs met the inclusion criteria (18/10,000 admissions). KDs occurred most commonly amongst men, aged 20-39, with an ISS score 1-14 and following motor vehicle collision (MVC). A vascular investigation was performed in 29%, with injury documented in 15% of KDs and 10.8% receiving a vascular procedure. Associated fractures were observed in 41.4% of KDs. Open injuries in 13.6%. Neurological injury documented in 6.2%, compartment syndrome in 2.7%, amputation in 3.8% (> 50% had vascular injury) and 2.8% died. MVC was the most common mechanism of injury (p < 0.001), significantly more common in young, male patients, associated with higher ISS and lower GCS, especially when drugs or alcohol were involved (p < 0.0001). Being male, having a vascular injury or open KD were all risk factors for compartment syndrome, amputation and neurological injuries. CONCLUSIONS: KDs are rare injuries, but their relative incidence may be increasing. Young, male patients involved in MVCs are risk factors for KDs and their associated injuries, such as neurological injuries, amputations and compartment syndrome. Vascular injury occurs at a frequency of around 15%. The findings of the current study may guide future research and help to inform clinicians on the expected rates of associated injuries in patients identified to have KD in a trauma center population. It informs regarding risk factors for KD, which may improve diagnosis rates of spontaneously reduced knee dislocations by increasing index of suspicion in high-risk patients and identifies specific links with impaired driving. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Risk of Ankle Fusion or Arthroplasty After Operatively and Nonoperatively Treated Ankle Fractures: A Matched Cohort Population Study.

OBJECTIVES: To define the risk and incidence of post-traumatic ankle arthritis requiring ankle arthroplasty or fusion after ankle fracture in a large cohort and compare that rate to matched healthy patients from the general population. DESIGN: Multiple databases were used to identify patients either treated surgically or nonsurgically for ankle fractures. Each patient was matched to 4 individuals from the general population (13.5 million) with no previous treatment for ankle fracture. Ankle fusion and replacement incidence was compared using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Incidence of arthroplasty or fusion in all patients managed for rotational ankle fractures. RESULTS: We identified 44,133 and 88,266 patients who had undergone operative management of ankle fracture (OAF) or nonoperative management of ankle fracture (NOAF) by an orthopaedic surgeon, respectively. Three hundred six (0.65%) patients who had OAF eventually underwent fusion or arthroplasty after a median 2.8 and 6.9 years, respectively. Among NOAF, n = 236 (0.17%) patients underwent fusion or arthroplasty after a median of 3.2 and 5.6 years, respectively. Surgical treatment, older age, comorbidity, and postinjury infection significantly increased the risk of fusion/arthroplasty. Compared with matched controls, the risk of fusion/arthroplasty was not independent of time, following an exponential decay pattern. OAF patient risk of fusion/arthroplasty was >20 times the general population in the 3 years after injury and approached the risk of NOAF by 14 years. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with a matched control group, and after adjustment for medical comorbidity, rotational ankle fractures requiring surgical open reduction internal fixation increased the likelihood of arthroplasty or fusion by 3.5 times. This study allows for accurate prognostication of patient risk of arthroplasty or fusion, using patient- and injury-specific risk factors, both immediately after the initial injury and then subsequently during the follow up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

High Ankle Sprains in Professional Ice Hockey Players: Prognosis and Correlation Between Magnetic Resonance Imaging Patterns of Injury and Return to Play.

BACKGROUND: Hockey players sustain a greater incidence of ankle syndesmosis injuries than other athletes. These injuries have a higher morbidity and more unpredictable recovery than lateral ankle sprains. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to establish the diagnosis but has not been evaluated for its ability to predict return to play. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that patterns of injury defined on MRI could be used to predict return to play in a cohort of professional hockey players with syndesmosis sprains. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A prospectively collected National Hockey League (NHL) database was analyzed from the 2006-2007 to 2011-2012 seasons to assess return to play after an injury. A separate retrospective review of ankle MRI scans from professional hockey players with a documented high ankle sprain sustained between 2007 and 2012 was performed. Injuries were classified on MRI as complete or partial tears of the anterior-inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL), posterior-inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL), anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and deltoid ligament. Fractures, bone contusions, and osteochondral lesions were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 105 NHL athletes sustained high ankle sprains over the 5 seasons studied. Of these athletes, 85 were unable to play and missed a median of 8 games (range, 0-65 games). A retrospective MRI evaluation of 21 scans identified complete AITFL tears in 13 (62%) and high-grade partial tears in 5 (24%) cases. In contrast, the PITFL was partially torn in 9 (43%) and normal in 12 (57%) cases. Bone contusions were seen in 71% of cases and lacked a consistent pattern. The most commonly associated ligamentous injury was of the ATFL, which was injured in 52% of cases (11/21; 3 complete and 8 partial). There was no difference in the mean number of days lost when players were stratified by patterns of injury (incomplete/complete AITFL tear ± additional ligamentous injury, bone contusion, syndesmosis width). CONCLUSION: A high ankle sprain resulted in significant variations in time of recovery among professional hockey players. A torn AITFL and bone bruising were the most common patterns of injury. Although MRI can be used to confirm the diagnosis of a syndesmosis injury, it did not predict return to play in this population.

Association between socioeconomic deprivation and surgical complications in adults undergoing ankle fracture fixation: a population-based analysis

Background: Few studies have investigated the outcomes of surgical fracture care among socially deprived patients despite the increased incidence of fractures and the inequality of care received in this group. We evaluated whether socioeconomic deprivation affected the complications and subsequent management of marginalized/homeless patients following surgery for ankle fracture. Methods: In this retrospective, population-based cohort study involving 202 hospitals in Ontario, Canada, we evaluated 45 444 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for ankle fracture performed by 710 different surgeons between Jan. 1, 1994, and Dec. 31, 2011. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between deprivation and shorter-term outcomes within 1 year (implant removal, repeat ORIF, irrigation and débridement owing to infection, and amputation). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess longer-term outcomes up to 20 years (ankle fusion and ankle arthroplasty). Results: A higher level of deprivation was associated with an increased risk of irrigation and débridement (quintile 5 v. quintile 1: odds ratio [OR] 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25­3.67, p = 0.0054) and amputation (quintile 4 v. quintile 1: OR 3.56, 95% CI 1.01­12.4, p = 0.0466). It was more common for less deprived patients to have their hardware removed (quintile 5 v. quintile 1: OR 0.822, 95% CI 0.76­0.888, p < 0.0001). There was no correlation between marginalization and subsequent revision ORIF, ankle fusion, or ankle arthroplasty. Conclusion: Marginalized patients are at a significantly increased risk of infection and amputation following surgical treatment of ankle fractures. However, these complications are still extremely uncommon among this group. Socioeconomic deprivation should not prohibit marginalized patients from receiving surgery for unstable ankle fractures.

Contexte: Malgré l'incidence accrue des fractures et les inégalités dans la prestation des soins chez les patients au statut socio-économique précaire, peu d'études se sont penchées sur les résultats de la chirurgie pour fracture chez cette population. Nous avons voulu vérifier si une situation socio-économique précaire influait sur les complications et la prise en charge subséquente des patients marginalisés/itinérants après une chirurgie pour fracture de la cheville. Méthodes: Au cours de cette étude de cohorte rétrospective basée dans la population regroupant 202 hôpitaux en Ontario, au Canada, nous avons évalué 45 444 patients ayant subi une réduction ouverte avec fixation interne (ROFI) pour fracture de la cheville, effectuée par 710 chirurgiens différents entre le 1er janvier 1994 et le 31 décembre 2011. Des modèles de régression logistique multivariée ont servi à évaluer le lien entre le statut précaire et les résultats à court terme (au cours de l'année) (retrait de l'implant, réintervention pour ROFI, irrigation et débridement en raison d'une infection, et amputation). Des modèles d'analyse multivariée à risques proportionnels de Cox ont servi à évaluer les résultats à plus long terme, jusqu'à 20 ans (fusion de la cheville et arthroplastie de la cheville). Résultats: Le risque d'irrigation et débridement (quintile 5 c. quintile 1 : rapport des cotes [RC] 2,14, intervalle de confiance [IC] de 95 % 1,25­3,67, p = 0,0054) et d'amputation (quintile 4 c. quintile 1 : RC 3,56, IC de 95 % 1,01­12,4, p = 0,0466) était proportionnel à la précarité de la situation des individus. Les patients moins défavorisés étaient moins susceptibles de se faire retirer leurs implants (quintile 5 c. quintile 1 : RC 0,822, IC de 95 % 0,76­0,888, p < 0,0001). On n'a observé aucune corrélation entre la marginalisation et une réintervention pour ROFI, fusion de la cheville ou arthroplastie de la cheville. Conclusion: Les patients marginalisés sont exposés à un risque significativement plus élevé d'infection et d'amputation après un traitement chirurgical pour fracture de la cheville. Cependant, de telles complications demeurent extrêmement rares chez cette population. Un statut socioéconomique précaire ne devrait pas empêcher les patients marginalisés de recevoir une chirurgie lors de fractures instables de la cheville.

Patient Outcomes in Orthopaedic Trauma: How to Evaluate if Your Treatment Is Really Working?

Outcomes are critical to gauge the success of our treatments and, in particular, surgical interventions in orthopaedic trauma. Patient-reported outcomes have evolved to become the primary measurement of success in surgery. This article reviews the concepts relevant to understanding these outcomes including general health outcomes, extremity- and disease-specific outcomes, minimum clinically important difference, economic analysis of treatment cost/benefit, and the impact of psychosocial factors on outcomes. An understanding of these concepts is important to allow for effective interpretation and critical analysis of the literature as well as to facilitate the practice of evidence-based medicine.

Comparing Complications and Costs of Total Hip Arthroplasty and Hemiarthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fractures: A Propensity Score-Matched, Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly population is increasing worldwide, there remains controversy as to whether these injuries should be managed with hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty. Although total hip arthroplasties result in better function, they are more expensive and may have higher complication rates. Our objective was to compare the complication rates and health-care costs between hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly population. METHODS: A population-based, retrospective cohort study was performed on adults (≥60 years of age) undergoing either hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty for hip fracture between April 1, 2004, and March 31, 2014. We excluded patients who resided in long-term care facilities prior to the injury and those who were discharged to these facilities after the surgical procedure. Patients who underwent a hemiarthroplasty and those who underwent a total hip arthroplasty were matched using a propensity score encompassing patient demographic characteristics, patient comorbidities, and provider factors. After matching, we compared the rates of medical and surgical complications, as well as the perioperative and postoperative health-care costs in the year following the surgical procedure. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a medical complication (acute myocardial infarction, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, ileus, pneumonia, renal failure) within 90 days or a surgical complication (dislocation, infection, revision surgical procedure) within 1 year. Additionally, we examined the change in health-care costs in the year following the surgical procedure, including costs associated with the index admission, relative to the year before the surgical procedure. RESULTS: Among 29,121 eligible patients, 2,713 (9.3%) underwent a total hip arthroplasty. After successfully matching 2,689 patients who underwent a total hip arthroplasty with those who underwent a hemiarthroplasty, the patients who underwent a total hip arthroplasty were at an increased risk for dislocation (1.7% compared with 1.0%; p = 0.02), but were at a decreased risk for revision (0.2% compared with 1.8%; p < 0.0001), relative to patients who underwent a hemiarthroplasty. Furthermore, the overall increase in the annual health-care expenditure in the year following the surgical procedure was approximately $2,700 in Canadian dollars lower in patients who underwent a total hip arthroplasty (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures, total hip arthroplasty was associated with lower rates of revision surgical procedures and reduced health-care costs during the index admission and in the year following the surgical procedure, relative to hemiarthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Delay in Flap Coverage Past 7 Days Increases Complications for Open Tibia Fractures: A Cohort Study of 140 North American Trauma Centers.

OBJECTIVES: To measure time to flap coverage after open tibia fractures and assess whether delays are associated with inpatient complications. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: One forty level I and II trauma centers in Canada and the United States. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients (≥16 years) undergoing surgery for (1) an open tibia (including ankle) fracture and (2) a soft-tissue flap during their index admission between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2015, were eligible for inclusion. EXPOSURE: Time from hospital arrival to definitive flap coverage (in days). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was a composite of the following complications occurring during the index admission: (1) deep infection, (2) osteomyelitis, and/or (3) amputation. The primary analysis compared complications between early and delayed coverage groups (≤7 and >7 days, respectively) after matching on propensity scores. We also used logistic regression with time to flap coverage as a continuous variable to examine the impact of the duration of delay on complications. RESULTS: There were 672 patients at 140 centers included. Of these, 412 (61.3%) had delayed coverage (>7 days). Delayed coverage was associated with a significant increase in complications during the index admission after matching (16.7% vs. 6.2%, P < 0.001, number needed to harm = 10). Each additional week of delay was associated with an approximate 40% increased adjusted risk of complications (adjusted odds ratio 1.44, 95% confidence interval 1.13-1.82, for each week coverage was delayed, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: This is the first multicenter study of flap coverage for tibia fractures in North America. Complications rose significantly when flap coverage was delayed beyond 7 days, consistent with current guideline recommendations. Because the majority of patients did not have coverage within this timeframe, initiatives are required to improve care for patients with these injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.