Open reduction-internal fixation versus intramedullary nailing for humeral shaft fractures: an expected value decision analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses have failed to collectively favor either open reduction-internal fixation (ORIF) or intramedullary nailing (IMN) fixation. The purpose of our investigation was to elucidate the optimal decision between ORIF and IMN for acute traumatic operative humeral shaft fractures through an expected value decision analysis. METHODS: We performed an expected value decision analysis and sensitivity analysis to elucidate the difference between ORIF and IMN fixation for patients with acute traumatic humeral shaft fractures. We surveyed 100 consecutive, randomly selected volunteers for their outcome preferences. Outcomes included union, delayed union, major complications, minor complications, and infection. A literature review was used to establish probabilities for each of these respective outcomes. A decision tree was constructed and a fold-back analysis was performed to find an expected patient value for each treatment option. RESULTS: The overall patient expected values for ORIF and IMN were 12.7 and 11.2, respectively. Despite artificially decreasing the rates of major complications, infection, delayed union, and nonunion each to 0% for IMN fixation (sensitivity analysis), ORIF continued to maintain a greater overall patient expected value (12.7 vs. 11.4, 11.2, 11.2, and 12.1, respectively). Only if the rate of nonunion after ORIF was increased from 6.1% to 16.8% did the overall expected outcome after ORIF equal that of IMN (11.2). CONCLUSION: Our expected value decision analysis demonstrates that patients favor ORIF over IMN as the optimal treatment decision for an acute traumatic humeral shaft fracture.

The Shift to Same-Day Outpatient Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Hip and knee arthroplasties length of stay continues to shorten after advances in perioperative and intraoperative management, as well as financial incentives. Some authors have demonstrated good results with outpatient arthroplasty, but safety and general feasibility of such procedures remain unclear. Our hypothesis is that outpatient arthroplasty would demonstrate higher readmission and complication rates than inpatient arthroplasty. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of all publications on outpatient arthroplasty between January 1, 2000 and June 1, 2016. Included publications had to demonstrate a specific outpatient protocol and have reported perioperative complications and unplanned readmissions. Patient demographics, surgical variables, and protocol details were recorded in addition to complications, readmission, and reoperation. RESULTS: Ten manuscripts accounting for 1009 patients demonstrated that 955 (94.7%) were discharged the same day as planned, with the majority of failures to discharge being secondary to pain, hypotension, and nausea. There were no deaths and only 1 major complication. Only 20 patients (1.98%) required reoperation and 20 (1.98%) had readmission or visited the emergency room within 90 days of their operation. In the 2 series recording patient outcomes, 80% and 96% of patients reported that they would choose to undergo outpatient arthroplasty again. CONCLUSION: For carefully selected patients with experienced surgeons in major centers, outpatient arthroplasty may be a safe and effective procedure. Although our data is promising, further study is required to better elucidate the differences between inpatient and outpatient arthroplasty outcomes.

Embryonic ablation of osteoblast Smad4 interrupts matrix synthesis in response to canonical Wnt signaling and causes an osteogenesis-imperfecta-like phenotype.

To examine interactions between bone morphogenic protein (BMP) and canonical Wnt signaling during skeletal growth, we ablated Smad4, a key component of the TGF-ß-BMP pathway, in Osx1(+) cells in mice. We show that loss of Smad4 causes stunted growth, spontaneous fractures and a combination of features seen in osteogenesis imperfecta, cleidocranial dysplasia and Wnt-deficiency syndromes. Bones of Smad4 mutant mice exhibited markers of fully differentiated osteoblasts but lacked multiple collagen-processing enzymes, including lysyl oxidase (Lox), a BMP2-responsive gene regulated by Smad4 and Runx2. Accordingly, the collagen matrix in Smad4 mutants was disorganized, but also hypomineralized. Primary osteoblasts from these mutants did not mineralize in vitro in the presence of BMP2 or Wnt3a, and Smad4 mutant mice failed to accrue new bone following systemic inhibition of the Dickkopf homolog Dkk1. Consistent with impaired biological responses to canonical Wnt, ablation of Smad4 causes cleavage of ß-catenin and depletion of the low density lipoprotein receptor Lrp5, subsequent to increased caspase-3 activity and apoptosis. In summary, Smad4 regulates maturation of skeletal collagen and osteoblast survival, and is required for matrix-forming responses to both BMP2 and canonical Wnt.

Postnatal ablation of osteoblast Smad4 enhances proliferative responses to canonical Wnt signaling through interactions with ß-catenin.

Canonical Wnt (cWnt) signaling through ß-catenin regulates osteoblast proliferation and differentiation to enhance bone formation. We previously reported that osteogenic action of ß-catenin is dependent on BMP signaling. Here, we further examined interactions between cWnt and BMP in bone. In osteoprogenitors stimulated with BMP2, ß-catenin localizes to the nucleus, physically interacts with Smad4, and is recruited to DNA-binding transcription complexes containing Smad4, R-Smad1/5 and TCF4. Furthermore, Tcf/Lef-dependent transcription, Ccnd1 expression and proliferation all increase when Smad4, 1 or 5 levels are low, whereas TCF/Lef activities decrease when Smad4 expression is high. The ability of Smad4 to antagonize transcription of Ccnd1 is dependent on DNA-binding activity but Smad4-dependent transcription is not required. In mice, conditional deletion of Smad4 in osterix(+) cells increases mitosis of cells on trabecular bone surfaces as well as in primary osteoblast cultures from adult bone marrow and neonatal calvaria. By contrast, ablation of Smad4 delays differentiation and matrix mineralization by primary osteoblasts in response to Wnt3a, indicating that loss of Smad4 perturbs the balance between proliferation and differentiation in osteoprogenitors. We propose that Smad4 and Tcf/Lef transcription complexes compete for ß-catenin, thus restraining cWnt-dependent proliferative signals while favoring the matrix synthesizing activity of osteoblasts.

Posterior Interosseous Nerve Palsy in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review.

The purpose of this systematic review is to describe the pathoanatomy, presentation, diagnostic workup, treatment modalities, and outcomes of posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) palsy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). All reported cases of PIN palsy in patients with RA were reviewed to yield 72 cases of PIN palsy in 70 patients. The male-to-female ratio was 1:2.7. Pain involving the elbow was very common (20/33 cases reporting this information), and paralysis or weakness of digit extension was noted in 27/33 cases and 6/33 cases, respectively. Only 1 of the 54 cases undergoing surgical intervention reported persistent weakness, and this 1 patient had undergone a 3-month trial of conservative management. In conclusion, Appropriate pharmacologic management in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound monitoring may be used for conservative management, but surgical decompression should still be utilized for patients with a compressive disease pathology who fail to improve with 6 weeks of conservative treatment, or for those with advanced disease on initial presentation.

Combined Arthroscopic Superior and Anterior Capsular Reconstruction of the Glenohumeral Joint: A Case Report.

CASE: A 57-year-old male automobile mechanic presented with 1 year of atraumatic, bilateral shoulder pain and progressive loss of motion. Three months of physical therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications did not offer pain relief or increase his motion. He opted for right-sided dermal allograft superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) and anterior capsular reconstruction (ACR) with subsequent left-sided SCR and subscapularis repair 3 months later. CONCLUSION: At the 18 months follow-up, combined SCR/ACR was effective in restoring motion and relieving pain. Although promising, additional studies are needed to determine the efficacy of this combined procedure.

Distal femoral osteotomy in a young symptomatic population: Outcomes correlate to concomitant pathology.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of literature describing distal femoral osteotomies (DFO) in regards to complications and outcomes with previously studied cohorts containing primarily older, arthritic subjects. There has been no study to date focusing on younger, pre-arthritic patients. METHODS: All service members indicated for distal femoral osteotomy for coronal plane malalignment were isolated from military treatment centers between 2007 and 2013. Demographic and surgical variables were extracted, and perioperative complications, clinical course, and return to military function were extracted using clinical notes and radiographs. RESULTS: A total of 22 knees in 19 patients were identified at an average 3.2 year follow-up, with the exclusion of 16 individuals. Statistical analysis revealed worse outcomes associated with smoking, over correction, breach of the medial cortex, and prior surgeries. Overall 58% of patients left the military as the result of knee dysfunction despite an average improvement in visual analog scores (VAS) from 4.0 to 1.9 (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: While offloading the lateral compartment improves symptoms at short to midterm follow-up preventing progression to arthroplasty, young active duty military members have suboptimal return to duty rates.

Biomechanical comparison of a novel C1 posterior U-construct with four other techniques in a C1-C2 fixation model.

BACKGROUND: Compare the biomechanical stability of a novel "U" posterior cervical fixation construct to four other posterior cervical atlantoaxial fixation constructs. METHODS: Eight fresh frozen human cadaver spines were tested after a simulated odontoid fracture, and following stabilization with each construct. RESULTS: All constructs significantly decreased flexion-extension and axial rotation compared to the destabilized spine. The U construct provided significantly more axial stability than the Brooks wire technique. CONCLUSION: The novel U construct demonstrated comparable biomechanical stability to the existing constructs in all three planes of motion with the exception of axial rotation, in which it was inferior to TAS.

Accuracy of radiographic determination of the posterior femoral wall integrity in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of radiographs in determining integrity of the posterior femoral cortex following ACL reconstruction. METHODS: Fifty adult volunteers undergoing primary arthroscopic transtibial ACL reconstructions were prospectively enrolled into this study. Plain radiographs and fine-cut CT of the operative knee were obtained post-operatively. Three blinded orthopaedic surgeons were asked to measure the distance from the femoral tunnel to the posterior cortex on lateral radiographs. Inter/intra-observer reliabilities were assessed with the interclass correlation coefficient. The true measurement of the posterior wall was determined on CT. For each, a measurement was made at the aperture, 5 mm, and 10 mm along the tunnel. Plain radiographic measurements were compared to the CT measurement of back wall using a paired t-test. RESULTS: All measurements made on the lateral radiograph were significantly different from those from the respective CT scans for each surgeon (p < 0.0001) at all points. When radiographic measurements were compared to CT at the level of the intra-articular aperture, 29 subjects showed violation of the posterior cortex, with only one being identified on plain films. At 5 mm, 7 subjects demonstrated posterior cortical violation, and none were identified on lateral radiographs. The posterior cortex remained intact in all cases at 10 mm. CONCLUSION: Lateral radiographs of the knee are insufficient for evaluation of the posterior cortical integrity following primary ACL reconstruction. Direct visualization of the femoral tunnel remains the gold standard for evaluation of the posterior wall and may be supplemented by CT scan if there remains concern over graft fixation.

Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation and Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy for Patellofemoral Chondral Defects: Improved Pain Relief and Occupational Outcomes Among US Army Servicemembers.

BACKGROUND: The occupational and functional results of patellofemoral autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) are underreported. This investigation sought to establish clinical outcomes and rates for return to work in a predominantly high-demand military cohort undergoing this procedure. PURPOSE: To determine the return-to-work, pain relief, and perioperative complication rates in a high-demand athletic cohort undergoing patellofemoral ACI. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: All military servicemembers from 2 military medical centers undergoing ACI for high-grade patellofemoral chondral defects between 2006 and 2014 were identified, and data were abstracted from their medical records and clinical databases. Demographic and surgical variables were obtained for patients with at least 2 years of postoperative follow-up, and perioperative complications, rates of return to work, and survivorship from revision were quantified. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients (72%) had >2-year follow-up and had patellofemoral ACI for high-grade chondral defects, with 66 knees (91%) undergoing a concomitant offloading tibial tubercle osteotomy. Mean follow-up was 4.3 years (range, 2.0-9.9 years). The mean ± SD age was 34.4 ± 6.1 years; 86% were male; and 57% were involved in military occupational specialties of heavy or very heavy demand. Second-generation patellofemoral ACI with a type I/III collagen membrane was used for 85% of knees. Most defects were isolated to the patella (n = 40, 55%). The mean total defect surface area was 4.5 ± 2.9 cm2 (range, 2.7-13.5 cm2). Fifty-six servicemembers (78%) returned to their occupational specialties. Three patients (4.1%) were classified as having surgical failures, requiring subsequent knee arthroplasty (n = 2) or a revision chondral procedure (n = 1). Mean visual analog scores improved significantly from 6.5 ± 1.5 to 3.2 ± 2.1 ( P < .0001). Multivariate analysis identified use of a periosteal patch as the only significant independent predictor for surgical ( P = .013) and overall ( P = .033) failures. Age <30 years ( P = .019), female sex ( P = .019), and regular tobacco use ( P = .011) were independent predictors of overall failure. CONCLUSION: For patellofemoral chondral defects without a failed primary procedure, second-generation ACI successfully returned to work 78% of patients of moderate to very heavy occupational demand with significantly decreased patient-reported knee pain. Risk factors after ACI for patellofemoral articular lesions for overall failure were age <30 years, female sex, and tobacco use, while surgical and overall failures were associated with periosteal patch use.

Outcomes Following Multilevel Cervical Disc Arthroplasty in the Young Active Population.

BACKGROUND: Cervical radiculopathy is a common disorder that portends significant morbidity. The presence of radiculopathy can have a debilitating effect on patients as well as a significant economic impact. Active duty military patients with increased physical occupational demands can be significantly impacted by cervical disease. The resulting disability can have a strong negative impact on operational readiness. Several studies have demonstrated comparably good functional outcomes between cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for single-level disease. To date, no study has specifically evaluated the functional and occupational outcomes following adjacent 2-level CDA in a young, active patient population as represented by the active duty military population. PURPOSE: To evaluate functional and occupational outcomes following adjacent 2-level CDA for cervical radiculopathy in the U.S. military population. We hypothesized that this population would have excellent symptomatic relief at the cost of a low return to duty rate. METHODS: We performed a case series with prospective follow-up of all patients who underwent adjacent two-level CDA at a single institution from 2011 to 2014. Each patient completed the Neck Disability Index questionnaire to assess functional outcome. Primary outcomes of interest were return to active military duty and complications. RESULTS: Follow-up was available for 18 of 21 (85.7%) patients. At an average follow-up of 21.4 ± 11.1 months, 12 patients (66.7%) reported complete symptomatic relief and were able to return to preoperative levels of function. Average self-reported pain score improved from 8.3 preoperatively to 1.1 postoperatively, and average postoperative Neck Disability Index score was 15.5 compared to 37.0 for those who medically retired. Radiographic analysis did not show any evidence of subsidence, migration of hardware, or heterotopic ossification. The average return to duty time was 9.6 weeks. DISCUSSION: We demonstrate that adjacent two-level CDA is capable of providing predictable symptomatic relief and maintenance of a high-demand preoperative level of function for cervical radiculopathy among a population of young and highly active individuals. Adjacent two-level CDA offers significant relief of symptoms with low risk of complication in a young, active, and high-demand cohort such as the U.S. military. Adjacent two-level CDA can be performed with the expectation of improving function, relieving symptoms, returning to preoperative levels of activity, and maintaining operational readiness.

Return to Preoperative Function After Autologous Cartilage Implantation of the Knee in Active Military Servicemembers.

BACKGROUND: Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been shown to provide adequate durability, pain relief, and improved long-term functional outcomes in the average patient, but proof of its efficacy in individuals with greater than average physical demands is scarce. Further knowledge is required to understand which patients may benefit from ACI and to identify which risk factors are associated with failure to return to the preinjury activity level. PURPOSE: To determine the occupational outcomes, rates of reoperation, and variables predictive of suboptimal outcomes after ACI. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: All active-duty military servicemembers in the United States who underwent ACI of the knee between 2004 and 2014 were identified. Demographic information, injury characteristics, surgical variables, and clinical and surgical outcomes were extracted from the medical record. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine significant independent predictors of clinical and surgical failures. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients (91 knees) met the inclusion criteria. The cohort was predominantly male (86%), with a mean age of 34.5 ± 6.3 years (range, 20-50 years). The most common location of the articular cartilage lesion was the patellofemoral compartment (54 lesions, 59%), and the mean Outerbridge grade and size were 3.8 ± 0.4 and 4.00 ± 2.77 cm2 (range, 1.2-15.0 cm2), respectively. A total of 72 patients (79%) had at least 1 previous knee procedure. Nearly three-quarters of patients (71%) underwent concomitant procedures. At a mean follow-up of 59.9 ± 27.1 months (range, 24.0-140.1 months), 60% of our patients reported significant improvement in knee pain and did not require further surgical intervention. Multivariate analysis identified age <30 years as the only significant independent predictor of both clinical (P = .011) and overall failure (P = .014). Moderate-demand military occupational specialties (P = .036), exclusive involvement of the patellofemoral compartment (P = .045), and use of a periosteal patch (P = .0173) were additionally found to be independent predictors of surgical failure. CONCLUSION: Treatment of articular cartilage defects of the knee with ACI in physically active young individuals can return nearly two-thirds of individuals to daily activity with decreased pain and improved function. Risk factors for failure after ACI surgery were age younger than 30 years, lower demand occupation, exclusive involvement of the patellofemoral compartment, prior microfracture, and use of a periosteal patch.