Assessing the Readability of Online Information About Hip Arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the current readability of online information pertaining to hip arthroscopy. METHODS: The terms "hip arthroscopy" and "hip scope" were entered into the advanced search functions of Google, Yahoo!, and Bing on March 25, 2017, and results from the first 3 pages were analyzed. Results were required to be unique, accessible websites with information about hip arthroscopy conveyed primarily via analyzable text. Two reviewers applied inclusion criteria to the initial 97 results, discussing to reach consensus in cases of disagreement. Overall, 60 unique results were reviewed with 48 meeting inclusion criteria. Websites were categorized as physician-sponsored, academic, commercial, governmental and nonprofit organization (NPO), or unspecified. Readability was measured via 6 different indices: the Flesch-Kincaid grade level (FKGL), Flesch Reading Ease (FRE), Gunning Fog Score, SMOG Index, Coleman-Liau Index (CLI), and Automated Readability Index (ARI) along with an average grade level and readability classification score. RESULTS: Forty-eight unique websites were assessed for readability, with physician-sponsored webpages composing the majority (47.92%) followed by academic sources (35.42%). The webpages' average grade level, incorporating information from all 6 metrics, was 12.79 ± 1.98. CONCLUSIONS: The current readability of online information pertaining to hip arthroscopy is at an inappropriately high reading level compared with the sixth-grade level recommended by the American Medical Association and National Institutes of Health, thus introducing significant barriers to understanding for many patients. Online materials should be edited to reduce word and sentence length and complexity, use simpler terms, and minimize use of passive voice to facilitate patient knowledge acquisition and understanding of online information about hip arthroscopy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study shows that the current readability of online information on hip arthroscopy exceeds the suggested sixth-grade reading level. It also emphasizes the need for simplifying written materials and offers specific suggestions on doing so to increase accessibility of information for patients.

Determining glenoid component version after total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Glenoid component loosening after total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) may occur if retroversion is not corrected to <10°. However, accurately measuring postoperative glenoid component version has been difficult without postoperative computed tomography (CT), adding cost and radiation exposure outside of the standard radiographic follow-up. We present a new method to assess glenoid component version after TSA using only routine preoperative CT and postoperative radiographs (x-rays). METHODS: Preoperative glenoid version was measured using established methods with an axillary x-ray, 2-dimensional CT, and Glenosys software (Imascap, Plouzané, France). Postoperative glenoid component version and inclination were measured for 61 TSA patients using Mimics software (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) with preoperative CT and postoperative x-rays. Four patients also had postoperative CTs. Glenoid implantation and imaging were performed on 14 cadavers, allowing validation of results against the gold standard postoperative CT glenoid retroversion measurement. RESULTS: Compared with the gold standard, retroversion and inclination measurement error was 2° ± 1° and 2° ± 1°, respectively. Average postoperative version correction was 6° ± 7°, with 35 of 61 patients (57%) corrected to <10° of retroversion. Correlation between preoperative version measurement methods was good to very good, except on the axillary x-ray. Patients not corrected to <10° of retroversion had significantly higher preoperative retroversion (14° ± 6°) than those corrected to <10° (6° ± 7°; P < .00001). CONCLUSIONS: Glenoid component retroversion after TSA can be accurately measured with a method using only routine preoperative CT and postoperative x-rays, validated to within 1.9° of the gold standard postoperative CT measurement. Future studies using this method may correlate glenoid retroversion correction with glenoid component longevity to help optimize shoulder arthroplasty outcomes.

Social Media Posts About Distal Radius Fracture: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Patient and Provider Perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Social media offers a popular, unfiltered source of patient and provider perspectives on health care. This study investigated the characteristics of social media posts referencing distal radius fracture (DRF). METHODS: Content was queried from Instagram from February 06, 2019, to December 08, 2021, using the hashtags "#distalradiusfracture" and "#wristfracture." The 1500 most-liked posts were analyzed. Poster demographics including age, gender, region, laterality, and treatment type and post characteristics including post type, number, content, timing relative to treatment, tone, and satisfaction were examined. Variables were compared using χ2 tests. Univariate, multivariate, and stepwise regression were performed. RESULTS: The most popular post formats were single photo (44.5%), multiple photos (32.3%), and single video (13.9%). Patients (40.3%) were the most common poster followed by surgeons (33.4%). Men (48.7%) and women (51.3) were evenly represented. Of the total posts, 87.7% depicted the post-treatment phase of care; 54.8% of posts depicted operative management, while 26.6% depicted non-operative management; and 73.7% of posts were positive in tone, 18.7% neutral, and 7.6% negative. Univariate analysis demonstrated that posters who were patients, friends/family of patients, female, and posts with >100 "likes" were more likely to share negative tones. Multivariate and stepwise regression were consistent with the above. CONCLUSION: Most posts regarding DRF originate from patients, are post-treatment, and are positive. Negative tone is associated with posts from patients, family/friends of patients, female posters, and posts with >100 likes. With this information, surgeons will be better prepared to address patient concerns, manage expectations, and actively participate in social media themselves.

Social Media Posts About Carpal Tunnel Release: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Patient and Surgeon Perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Social media provides an increasingly popular, unfiltered source of perspectives on healthcare. The objective of this study is to characterize the landscape of social media posts regarding carpal tunnel release (CTR). METHODS: Content was queried from Instagram between February 2, 2019 to August 12, 2021 using the hashtags #carpaltunnelrelease and #carpaltunnelsurgery. The 1500 most-liked posts were analyzed. Poster demographics including age, gender, region, and symptom qualities and post characteristics including type, number, timing relative to surgery, tone, and satisfaction were collected. Categorical variables were compared utilizing chi-squared test. Univariate and multivariate regression were performed. RESULTS: The most popular post types included single photo (55.2%), multiple photos (18.8%), or single video (18.2%). Of all, 70.6% posts had fewer than 50 "likes." Patients accounted for 51.8% of posts, followed by surgeons (13.3%), other health care providers (11.7%), and physical therapists (8.8%). Women (66.7%) outnumbered men (33.3%). Fifty-five percent of posts were domestic. Posts mostly depicted postoperative care (85.6%). The most frequently mentioned symptoms were pain, burning, numbness, and tingling. Of all posts, 45.1% had a positive tone, 49.1% neutral, and 5.7% negative. Univariate analysis revealed that posters who were patients, underwent open CTR, and were female were more likely to post negative sentiments. CONCLUSIONS: Most posts regarding CTR are from patients, are postoperative, and are positive or neutral. Although rare, negative posts were more likely to originate from posters who are patients, female, or underwent open CTR. With this information, surgeons will be better prepared to address patient concerns, set patient expectations, and enter the social media themselves.

Characterizing Leadership Trends in Hand Surgery Fellowship Programs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize academic and demographic factors most associated with fellowship director (FD) roles in hand surgery programs. A secondary aim was to characterize educational and employment trends. The final aim was to compare these findings with those in other orthopedic subspecialties. Methods: Domestic programs were identified using the American Society for Surgery of the Hand fellowship directory. Data were collected via internet searches of publicly available information and direct contact with programs. Variables included demographic characteristics (age, sex, and race/ethnicity), education and employment history, Hirsch index (H-index) research productivity, and membership of select hand surgery societies. Results: Information about 86 FDs was collected from a total of 88 identified hand surgery fellowships. Seventy-six (88.4%) FDs were men, whereas 10 (11.6%) were women. The mean age was 53.3 years. Most FDs (n = 68, 79.1%) completed their residency in orthopedic surgery. The average Scopus H-index was 16.3. Most FDs were White (n = 64, 74%) followed by Asian (n = 14, 16%). The mean duration from fellowship completion to FD appointment was 12.6 years, whereas the mean duration of employment at an institution before FD appointment was 17.9 years. The mean duration of tenure as an FD was 9.8 years. Twenty-eight (32.94%) individuals served as an FD at their residency institution and 20 (23.5%) led at their fellowship institution. The most frequently attended residency institution by FDs was University of Pennsylvania, whereas Mayo Clinic was the most frequently attended fellowship program. Six FDs have served as the presidents of a hand surgery society. Conclusions: Fellowship directors are largely White and men. They are distinguished by their research productivity. A few select programs contribute an outsized proportion of individuals to FD positions. This may be due to a pipeline effect or because applicants with ambition to become FDs pursue specific programs for training. Clinical relevance: This study characterizes the academic/demographic factors of hand surgery FDs.

Calcaneal Reconstruction With Femoral Head Allograft Vascularized by an Osteocutaneous Medial Femoral Condyle Flap: A Case Report.

CASE: A 25-year-old man presented with a closed calcaneal fracture after a 6-storey fall, complicated by osteomyelitis from fixation attempts necessitating near-complete debridement of his calcaneal tuberosity. He underwent a successful single-stage calcaneal and soft-tissue reconstruction using a femoral head structural allograft vascularized with an osteocutaneous medial femoral condyle flap. At the 18-month follow-up, his limb is largely pain-free and functional, allowing ambulation and his combined allograft-vascularized bone reconstruction shows radiographic evidence of incorporation. CONCLUSION: Calcaneal tuberosity reconstruction with a femoral head structural allograft and vascularized bone flap is a viable option for calcaneal tuberosity bone loss because of injury/infection.

Evaluating Prospective Patient-Reported Pain and Function Outcomes After Ankle and Hindfoot Arthrodesis.

BACKGROUND: Hindfoot and ankle fusions are mechanically limiting procedures for patients. However, patient-reported outcomes of these procedures have not been well studied. This study assessed outcomes of hindfoot and ankle fusions by using Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) and Pain Interference (PI) Computer Adaptive Tests (CATs). METHODS: Between 2014 and 2018, 102 patients were prospectively enrolled after presenting to a tertiary care facility for ankle and hindfoot fusions, including tibiotalar, tibiotalocalcaneal, subtalar, and triple arthrodeses. Study participants completed preoperative and 12-month postoperative PF and PI CATs. The differences between mean 12-month postoperative and preoperative PROMIS PF and PI T scores were analyzed with paired t tests. The relationship between the 12-month PF and PI differences for the overall sample and patient factors was examined using multiple regression modeling. RESULTS: The sample had mean age of 57.69 years; 48% were male, and 55% were obese. Patients who underwent ankle and hindfoot arthrodesis had statistically significant improvements from preoperative to 12 months postoperative in mean PF (36.26±7.85 vs 39.38±6.46, P = .03) and PI (61.07±7.75 vs 56.62±9.81, P = .02). Triple arthrodesis saw the greatest increases in physical function (▵PF = 7.22±7.31, P = .01) and reductions in pain (▵PI = -9.17±8.31, P = .01), achieving minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Patients who underwent tibiotalar fusion had significant improvement in physical function (▵PF = 4.18±5.68, P = .04) and pain reduction that approached statistical significance (▵PI = -6.24±8.50, P = .09), achieving MCID. Older age (≥60 years ) was associated with greater improvements in PF (ß = 0.20, P = .07) and PI (ß = -0.29, P = .04). Preoperative PF and PI T scores were significantly associated with the 12-month change in PF and PI T scores, respectively (ß = -0.74, P < .01; ß = -0.61, P < .01). CONCLUSION: Hindfoot and ankle fusions are procedures with favorable patient outcomes leading to increased physical function and decreased pain at 12 months postoperation relative to preoperation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective comparative study.

Immediate Versus Delayed Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement: An Expected Value Decision Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Hip arthroscopy is an increasingly used surgical procedure for both intra- and extra-articular hip pathologies, including femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Although the arthroscopic approach is known to be preferable to open, the optimal timing of such intervention is unclear. The purpose of this study was to carry out an expected value decision analysis of immediate versus delayed hip arthroscopy for FAI. Its hypothesis is immediate hip arthroscopy is the preferable treatment option. METHODS: An expected value decision analysis was implemented to systematize the decision-making process between immediate and delayed hip arthroscopies. A decision tree was created with options for immediate and delayed surgeries with utilities characterizing each state obtained from surveying 70 patients. Fold-back analysis was then carried out, calculating expected values by multiplying the utility of each health outcome by the probability of that outcome. Corresponding expected values were then summed to "fold back" the decision tree one layer at a time. This was repeated until overall expected values (0 to 100) for immediate and delayed hip arthroscopies resulted with the higher value indicating the preferable option. RESULTS: Fold-back analysis demonstrated that immediate hip arthroscopy is the preferred treatment for FAI over delayed with expected values of 78.27 and 72.63, respectively. Restoration of good function after hip arthroscopy was the most notable contributor to this difference. Immediate hip arthroscopy remained superior even as vast adjustments to preoperative physical function were made in one-way sensitivity analysis. Complications of hip arthroscopy leading to total hip arthroplasty were the least notable contributors to overall expected values. DISCUSSION: This study confirms that immediate surgery is the preferred option when using decision-making analysis combining patient-reported utilities of health outcomes and the probabilities of those outcomes from the literature. This is consistent across a range of estimates of poor function in both the delayed and immediate surgery arms.

An unusual case of Staphylococcus pasteuri osteomyelitis.

Staphylococcus pasteuri is a gram-positive organism found in food products as well as naturally occurring in air and on surfaces. We present the first known case of Staphylococcus pasteuri osteomyelitis caused by machine injection injury. The patient was treated with emergent surgical debridement as well as doxycycline for a soft tissue infection. Despite targeted therapy, the infection progressed to osteomyelitis and was treated successfully with additional surgical debridement and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. There is sparse information on both infections and treatment of Staphylococcus pasteuri. We present our case report as well as a review of the literature on the epidemiology, susceptibility and treatment recommendations for Staphylococcus pasteuri infections.

Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement.

BACKGROUND: The first recorded attempt at arthroscopic visualization of the hip can be attributed to Dr. Michael Burman in 1931. Since then, hip arthroscopy has become widely used for the management of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) because of its clear benefits, including a low complication rate and limited patient morbidity as compared with traditional open approaches. DESCRIPTION: Arthroscopic management of FAI begins with arthroscopy of the central compartment, where the intra-articular damage is identified. Standard portal placement provides optimal access for surveying and accessing intra-articular injury. The pathological findings identified preoperatively and confirmed during diagnostic arthroscopy dictate the necessary arthroscopic procedures. Correction of acetabular overcoverage and repair of the labrum to the acetabular rim can correct pincer lesions. Femoral-sided cam lesions require removal of traction and application of hip flexion in order to perform a femoral osteoplasty to recreate a normal anatomic femoral head-neck offset. Finally, capsular management is performed as clinically indicated. ALTERNATIVES: Appropriate management of FAI typically begins with nonoperative care consisting of rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), activity modification, and physical therapy1. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections can also provide relief2. Open procedures involving surgical hip dislocation can be utilized to address pathological conditions not accessible arthroscopically. Additionally, a "mini-open" procedure in which intra-articular disorders are treated arthroscopically and cam lesions are resected via a small anterior exposure can be employed3,4. RATIONALE: Hip arthroscopy offers a minimally invasive technique that can be effective for treating intra-articular hip disorders and is usually favored over open surgical dislocation. Hip arthroscopy has been shown to result in higher functional outcome scores than open procedures, with lower rates of complications5. Hip arthroscopy is playing an increasingly important role as an adjunct diagnostic and therapeutic tool in conjunction with open femoral and/or periacetabular osteotomy for complex hip deformities.