Electric Scooter-Related Upper Limb Fractures: Analysis of 458 Cases.

PURPOSE: To perform an analysis of electric scooter (e-scooter)-related upper limb fractures (ULFs), which have increased dramatically in parallel with the rapid rise in the use of e-scooters and shared e-scooter services in recent years. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of e-scooter-related emergency department visits between January 2017 and January 2020 at a level I trauma center. All patients with ULFs were included in the study, and their data were analyzed for demographics, fracture diagnosis, associated injuries, and required surgical treatment. RESULTS: This study included 356 patients (50% men) with 458 ULFs, of which 23 (5%) were open fractures. The mean age of the cohort was 32.9 years (standard deviation, 10.1 years). The most common mechanism of injury was rider fall (92.1%). The nondominant hand was injured in 53.1% of cases, and 32.1% of all fractures were treated with surgery. A total of 120 (33.7%) patients sustained more than 1 ipsilateral ULF, and 27 (7.6%) patients had a concomitant contralateral ULF. Radial head fracture was the most common fracture type (n = 123, 26.8%), of which 16 (13%) were bilateral. The fifth ray was injured most frequently among the metacarpal and phalangeal fractures (n = 33, 47.1%). Most of the nonextremity-associated injuries were those of the head and maxillofacial bones. CONCLUSIONS: The most common ULF associated with e-scooters was the radial head fracture. Physicians should be alert to and seek associated fractures during initial assessments of e-scooter-related upper limb injuries. Further investigation may be warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of protective measures in reducing the number of injuries. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Increased postoperative glycemic variability is associated with increased mortality in diabetic patients undergoing hip arthroplasty for hip fracture.

BACKGROUND: Increased glycemic variability (GV) during hospitalization has been associated with increased rates of surgical site and periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) following elective total joint arthroplasty. Uncertainty exists surrounding GV as a predictor for complications in urgent arthroplasty cases following hip fractures. In this study, we evaluated the association between GV and postoperative complications in diabetic patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA) for hip fractures. METHODS: We analyzed data on 2421 consecutive patients who underwent THA or HA at our institution from 2011 to 2020. Patients with a known diagnosis of diabetes mellitus who had a minimum of three postoperative glucose values taken within the first week after surgery were included. GV was assessed using a coefficient of variation. Outcomes included short- and long-term mortality, reoperations, prosthetic joint infection (PJI) requiring revision and readmissions for any cause. RESULTS: The final cohort consisted of 482 patients (294 females, 188 males). Higher GV was associated with an increased 90-day mortality (p = 0.017). GV was not associated with 30-day mortality (p = 0.45), readmissions of any cause at 30 or 90 days (p = 0.99, p = 0.91, respectively), reoperation of any cause (p = 0.91) or PJI requiring revision surgery (p = 0.42). CONCLUSIONS: Higher GV in the postoperative period is associated with increased rates of mortality in diabetic patients following THA and HA for hip fractures. Efforts should be made to monitor and control glucose variability in the postoperative period.

Physical Activity and Long-Term Mortality Risk in Older Adults with and without Cardiovascular Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

AIMS: To evaluate the association between physical activity (PA) levels and mortality among older adults, to determine whether it differs according to cardiovascular disease (CVD) status, and to assess the optimal weekly duration of PA associated with subsequent survival. METHODS: Participants (n = 1,799) were drawn from a national survey conducted from 2005 to 2006, constituting Israeli adults aged ≥65 years. Sociodemographic, clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial data were collected via interview at study entry. Based on a detailed PA questionnaire and according to published guidelines, participants were classified as sufficiently active, insufficiently active, and inactive. CVD status was self-reported. Mortality data (last follow-up, December 2016) were obtained from the Israeli Ministry of Health. Using Cox models, inverse probability weighted hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality, based on propensity score, were estimated for PA categories. RESULTS: Among the participants at baseline (mean age, 74.6 years), 559 (31.1%) were sufficiently active, 506 (28.1%) were insufficiently active, and 734 (40.8%) were inactive. During follow-up (mean, 9.0 years), 684 participants (38.0%) died. PA was inversely associated with mortality, with propensity score-adjusted HRs (95% confidence intervals) of 0.84 (0.71-1.01) in insufficiently and 0.73 (0.61-0.88) in sufficiently active participants (ptrend < 0.001). No PA-by-CVD interaction was detected on multiplicative scale (p = 0.36) or additive scale (p = 0.58). A monotonic survival benefit was observed until ∼150 min of PA per week, beyond which no further gain was apparent. CONCLUSIONS: In a nationwide cohort of older adults, nearly 70% did not meet the guideline for PA. PA engagement was inversely associated with long-term mortality risk, similarly in individuals with and without CVD. A maximum survival advantage was achieved at around 150 min of exercise per week.

Early versus delayed surgery for hip fragility fractures in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants.

BACKGROUND: Delaying surgical treatment for hip fragility fractures increases mortality, but early intervention in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) may increase the risk of perioperative blood loss due to residual drug activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the timing of hip fragility fractures surgeries in patients treated with DOAC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all records of DOAC-treated patients who underwent surgery for hip fragility fractures between 2011 and 2019. They were divided into three groups according to time to surgery since admission to the emergency room (ER), ≤ 24, 24-48, and ≥ 48 h. Blood loss, peri and postoperative complications, readmissions, and short- and long-term mortality were compared between groups. RESULTS: Of the 171 suitable patients (59 males and 112 females), 32 (18.7%) were in the ≤ 24 h group, 93 (54.4%) in the 24-48 h group, and 46 (26.9%) in the ≥ 48 h group. Timing of surgery did not affect blood loss, as indicated by changes in pre- and postoperative hemoglobin levels (p = 0.089) and proportion of perioperatively administered packed cells (p = 0.949). There was a trend towards increased 30-day mortality in the ≥ 48 h group compared to the 24-48 h and ≤ 24 h groups (13.0, 4.3 and 3.1%, respectively. p = 0.099), and a trend towards increased 90 day mortality (6.5, 3.2, and 0%, respectively. p = 0.298). CONCLUSIONS: Early surgery did not increase perioperative blood loss. Delayed surgery ≥ 48 h of patients receiving DOAC who underwent surgery for hip fragility fractures showed a trend towards increased 30 day and 90 day mortality.

Digital templating in total hip arthroplasty using contralateral healthy hip results in decreased accuracy.

The accuracy of pre-operative digital templating for total hip arthroplasty (THA) using the diseased versus unaffected contralateral joint remains unclear. As such, we devised a study to compare templating precision between the operated hip joint versus the healthy side for patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The study hypothesis was that preoperative templating accuracy of THA on the ipsilateral diseased hip joint would be higher compared to the contralateral healthy hip in patients with OA. We retrospectively reviewed 100 patients who underwent THA for unilateral OA at our center from January 2018 to January 2020. Retrospective preoperative digital templating was performed separately on both the operated hip joint and the healthy contralateral hip joint by a single surgeon who was blinded by the in-situ components sizes. Accuracy of each group was compared to the implanted components. Assessment of the 100 included cases demonstrated superior acetabular component size prediction when templating was performed using the diseased hip compared to the healthy contralateral side (68.0% versus 51.0%, p<0.001). No differences between the cohorts were found regarding templating accuracy of femoral stem sizes (72.0% and 69.0%, p=0.375) or neck offset (73.0% and 69.0%, p=0.289). Templating acetabular cup size using the ipsilateral diseased hip is more accurate than using the contralateral healthy hip in patients with unilateral OA.

Effects of surgeon experience and patient characteristics on accuracy of digital pre-operative planning in total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The effect of surgeon experience on accuracy of digital pre-operative planning for total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains unclear. The aims of our study were to compare pre-operative planning accuracy between fellow-trained orthopaedic surgeons and residents and to explore whether surgery indication effects the prediction accuracy. METHODS: We prospectively reviewed 101 patients who underwent pre-operative digital templating for THA in our center from January 2019 to January 2020 with King Mark device. Extracted data included baseline characteristics and indication for primary arthroplasty. Pre-operative digital templating was performed separately by both a fellow-trained surgeon and a resident. Accuracy of each group was compared with the implanted components. RESULTS: The overall adequate pre-operative planning of the acetabular cup (exact or +/-1 size match) by the fellow-trained group was higher compared with the resident's group (77.2 and 64.3% respectively, p = 0.037), whereas the overall adequate pre-operative planning of the femoral stem (exact or +/-1 size match) was higher in the resident's group compared with the fellow-trained group (83.2 and 61.4% respectively, p < =0.001). The fellow-trained group showed better pre-operative planning of complex cases (developmental dysplasia of the hip and avascular necrosis of femoral head) than the resident's group. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of the planner does not significantly affect the accuracy of correctly predicting component sizes. However, in complex cases, fellow-trained surgeons should assist residents in digital pre-operative templating for THA.

The association between electric scooter riding position and injury characteristics.

BACKGROUND: The popularity of electric scooters (e-scooters) and the shared e-scooter services as new means of transportation worldwide led to high numbers of injuries requiring emergency department (ED) visits. Private and rental e-scooters have different sizes and capabilities, offering several possible riding positions. While the rising use of e-scooters and their associated injuries have been reported, little is known about the influence of riding position on injury characteristics. The purpose of this study was to characterize e-scooter riding positions and their related injuries. METHODS: E-scooters related ED admissions were retrospectively collected between June 2020 and October 2020, in a level-I trauma center. Demographics, ED presentation data, injury information, e-scooter design, and clinical course were collected and compared according to e-scooter riding position ("foot-behind-foot" vs "side-by-side"). RESULTS: During the study period, 158 patients were admitted to the ED with e-scooter related injuries. The majority of riders used the foot-behind-foot position (n = 112, 71.3 %) compared to the side-by-side position (n = 45, 28.7 %). Orthopedic fractures were the most common injuries (n = 78, 49.7 %). "Foot-behind-foot" group had a significantly higher fracture rate compared to "side-by-side" group (54.4 % vs 37.8 % within group, respectively; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Riding position is associated with different injury types, with orthopedic fracture rates significantly higher in the more commonly used "foot-behind-foot" riding position. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: These study findings suggest that the common e-scooter narrow-based design is considerably more dangerous, calling for further research to introduce safer e-scooter designs and update recommendations for safer riding positions.

The effect of patient body mass index and sex on the magnification factor during pre-operative templating for total hip arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Pre-operative templating prior to hip arthroplasty has traditionally used implant-company-provided acetates, which assumed a magnification factor between 115% and 120%. In recent years, pre-operative planning has been performed with digital calibration devices, in order to calculate the magnification factor. However, these devices are not without their limitations and are not readily available at many institutions. As previous reports suggest a wide range of magnification factors, the determination of an optimal magnification factor is currently unclear. We investigated the relationship between obesity and gender on the magnification factor in order to improve the accuracy of pre-operative templating. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-seven consecutive pre-operative calibrated pelvic radiographs using the KingMark calibration were analyzed using the TraumaCad templating software. The magnification factor calculated by the software was considered the true magnification factor and analysis was made in order to assess the effect of sex and body mass index (BMI) on the magnification factor. A linear regression analysis was utilized to create a predictive model for optimal magnification factor value. RESULTS: Magnification factor was significantly affected by sex (male, 120.0% vs. female 121.2%, p < 0.01) and by categorized BMI (obese 121.8% vs. non-obese 119.9%, p < 0.001). A positive linear association was found between BMI and the magnification factor (r = 0.544). The magnification factor was significantly different between the following sub-groups: obese female, non-obese female, obese male, and non-obese male (p < 0.001). When applying the model formulated by the linear regression analysis, the calculated magnification factor was within 2% of the true magnification factor for the majority of patients (n = 83, 85.6%). CONCLUSIONS: BMI and gender have a significant effect on the magnification factor. Future determination of the magnification factor should consider the influence of these variables in order to improve the accuracy of pre-operative templating in THA.

Reduced cutout for reverse oblique intertrochanteric hip fractures treated with trochanteric fixation advanced (TFN-A) nail compared to the short gamma-3 nail.

BACKGROUND: Reverse oblique fractures (AO/OTA 31-A3) account for 5-23% of all intertrochanteric fractures and are challenging to manage. The Gamma 3-Proximal Femoral Nail (GPFN) and the Trochanteric Fixation Nail Advanced (TFNA) are two common cephalomedullary systems used to treat this fracture. No study has reported on outcomes with the TFN-A for reverse oblique fractures. This study aimed to compare outcomes and complication rates in patients with reverse oblique fractures, treated with either TFNA or GPFN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 203 patients with reverse oblique fractures (137 in the GPFN group and 66 in the TFNA group), were treated in our institution between June 2010 and May 2019. Data was collected on postoperative radiological variables including screw or blade location, and tip-apex distance (TAD). Data were also collected for non-orthopaedic complication rates and orthopaedic complications. A sub-group analysis was additionally performed for different nail lengths. RESULTS: We found no significant difference in the overall rate of complications and revisions between the two groups. Patients treated with the 235 mm TFN-A nail sustained lower rates of cutout, compared to 180 mm GPFN (GPFN: 6% TFN-A: 0%, p = 0.043). The frequency of revision surgeries and malunions/non-unions did not differ significantly between the two groups and additionally showed no difference in the subgroup analysis. CONCLUSION: The 235 mm TFN-A was associated with lower rates of cut-out compared to the short GPFN for reverse oblique intertrochanteric fractures. Future well-designed prospective studies are warranted to investigate the role of the TFN-A in improving outcomes for such fractures.

Emergency department electric scooter injuries after the introduction of shared e-scooter services: A retrospective review of 3,331 cases.

BACKGROUND: To determine the frequency, characteristics, and use of resources related to electric scooter (e-scooter) injuries in the emergency department (ED) of a major metropolitan area hospital. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all ED presentations related to e-scooter injuries at a level I trauma center between May 2017 and February 2020. We identified ED presentation data, injury-related data, patients' clinical course after evaluation, injury diagnosis, surgical procedures, and ED readmissions. RESULTS: A total of 3,331 patients with e-scooter injuries presented to the ED over a 34-month period. There was a 6-fold increase in e-scooter-related injuries presenting to the ED, from an average of 26.9 injuries per month before the introduction of shared e-scooter services in August 2018 to an average of 152.6 injuries per month after its introduction. The average injury rate during weekdays was 3.27 per day, with the majority of injuries occurring in the afternoon. The most common mechanism of injury was rider fall (79.1%). There were a total of 2,637 orthopedic injuries, of which 599 (22.7%) were fractures. A total of 296 (8.9%) patients were hospitalized following the initial ED admission, and 462 surgeries were performed within 7 days of ED arrival. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of the shared e-scooter services is associated with a dramatic increase in e-scooter injuries presenting to the ED. E-scooter use carries considerably underestimated injury risks of high-energy trauma and misunderstood mechanisms of injuries. These injuries challenge the healthcare system, with a major impact on both EDs and surgical departments.

Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence, Medical Status Awareness and Treatment Engagement among Homeless People Who use Drugs: Results of a Street Outreach Study.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a primary health concern among people who use drugs (PWUDs). Homeless PWUDs that constitute a key population for HCV transmission remain underrepresented in many surveys. Objectives: We performed a proactive street outreach to evaluate HCV infection prevalence among homeless PWUDs in Tel Aviv, identify risk factors associated with HCV infection, awareness of disease status and linkage to care rate. Results: Thirty-eight percent of approached PWUD were willing to participate in the study. Out of 53 subjects who got tested for anti HCV by rapid test, 29 (54.72%) had a positive result, 20 of 29 anti-HCV positive (69%) patients had positive HCV PCR. Risk factors were investigated using structured questionnaires. Heroin use was reported significantly more frequently in the HCV-positive group (P = .05, CI 95%), whereas other established risk factors did not reach significance in our cohort. While 21 of 29 (72%) HCV-positive participants were aware of their condition, only 4 of 21 (19%) received treatment in the past, and 2 of 4 (50%) failed to achieve treatment goals, as assessed by HCV PCR. Conclusions: Our data indicate a high prevalence of HCV infection among homeless PWUDs. Importantly, despite relatively high awareness of HCV status in this population, we found strikingly low access to care. These findings motivate novel interventional approaches targeted at improving patient access, and compliance among homeless PWUDs, in an effort to reduce HCV transmission.

Epidemiology of Fractures Sustained During Electric Scooter Accidents: A Retrospective Review of 563 Cases.

BACKGROUND: The use of electric scooters (e-scooters) has dramatically increased as they become an attractive alternative for public transportation in busy metropolitan areas worldwide. Despite their benefits, e-scooters challenge the health-care system with poorly understood forms of injuries, mainly orthopaedic fractures. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate e-scooter-related orthopaedic fracture patterns, mechanisms of injury, and management. METHODS: Data on 3,331 e-scooter-related admissions were retrospectively collected between May 2017 and February 2020 in a level-I trauma center. These admissions were analyzed for demographic variables, orthopaedic fracture diagnosis (using the AO/OTA classification), associated injuries, and surgical treatment. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 716 fractures were diagnosed in 563 patients, with 46.4% of the patients requiring hospitalization. Of 492 upper-limb fractures, 89.2% occurred in a rider fall mechanism; and of 210 lower-limb fractures, 15.7% occurred in rider-vehicle collisions. Fifty-nine percent of long bone fractures were complex fragmentary and/or intra-articular fractures. Orthopaedic surgeons recommended that 225 fractures undergo surgical treatment. The most common upper-limb fracture was AO/OTA class 2R1A, with open reduction and internal fixation of the distal part of the radius being the most common upper-limb procedure (n = 58). The most common lower-limb fracture was AO/OTA class 41C, with open reduction and internal fixation of the proximal part of the tibia being the most common procedure (n = 28). A total of 22 patients (3.9%) required reoperation within 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation provides unique information on demographic characteristics, patterns, and treatment of orthopaedic fractures secondary to the high-energy mechanism of e-scooter injuries. These new in-depth data are important, first, for health-care system preparedness with regard to management and resource allocation to treat these challenging injuries and, second, for legislators promoting safety and injury prevention strategies.

Tranexamic acid in non-elective primary total hip arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Blood loss during and following elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) can be substantial and may require allogeneic blood transfusions which carries significant risks and morbidity for patients. Intraoperative use of tranexamic acid (TXA) has been proven to reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusion in elective THA patients. Data regarding TXA efficacy in reducing blood loss in trauma patients undergoing non-elective primary THA is sparse, and its routine use is not well established. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a consecutive cohort of patients who underwent non-elective primary THA in a tertiary medical center between January 1st 2011- December 31st 2019. The cohort was divided into two groups; one received perioperative TXA treatment while the other did not. Blood loss, blood product administration, peri and postoperative complications, readmissions and 1-year mortality were compared between groups. RESULTS: A total of 419 patients (146 males, 273 females) who underwent THA were included in this study. The "TXA" group consisted 315 patients compared to 104 patients in the "no TXA" group. TXA use reduced postoperative bleeding, as indicated by changes in hemoglobin levels before and after surgery (ΔHb= -2.75 gr/dL vs. ΔHb= -3.34 gr/dL, p<0.001) and by administration of allogeneic blood transfusions (7.0% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Similar to the known effect of TXA in elective THA patients, the use of TXA treatment in patients undergoing non-elective THA led to a significant reduction in postoperative blood loss and in the proportion of patients requiring allogeneic blood transfusions.

Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Cancer Risk Among Older Adults: A Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and long-term cancer risk in a nationwide cohort of older adults. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The cohort comprised participants of a national survey conducted between July 2005 and December 2006, constituting a random sample of Israeli community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older. Based on self-reported LTPA habits, participants were classified as sufficiently active, insufficiently active, or inactive according to published guidelines. Cancer diagnosis was assessed via the Israeli National Cancer Registry through September 2015. Inverse probability weighted hazard ratios for incident cancer, based on propensity score, were estimated for LTPA categories. RESULTS: Analysis included 1542 participants with no history of cancer at baseline (median [25th-75th percentile] age, 73 years [69-78 years]; 826 [53.6%] women). Inactive participants (n=641 [41.6%]) were more likely to be female, of lower socioeconomic status, and with higher body mass index and poorer perceived health compared with their insufficiently active (n=443 [28.7%]) and sufficiently active (n=458 [29.7%]) counterparts. In the propensity score-weighted synthetic sample, the distribution of measured baseline covariates was similar across LTPA categories. Over a median follow-up of 9 years, 254 new cancer cases (16.5%) were diagnosed. Leisure-time physical activity was inversely associated with incident cancer, with adjusted hazard ratios (95% CIs) of 0.66 (0.46-0.93) in insufficiently active and 0.59 (0.42-0.82) in sufficiently active participants compared with inactive individuals (P value for trend = .002). CONCLUSION: Among older adults, engaging in LTPA, even at lower levels than officially recommended, may have a beneficial effect on primary prevention of cancer.