What is the Utility Of a Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Service in an Academic Department of Orthopaedic Surgery?

BACKGROUND: Limb lengthening and reconstruction surgery is a relatively new subspecialty of orthopaedic surgery in the United States. Despite increased awareness and practice of the specialty, it is rarely vested as a separate clinical service in an academic department of orthopaedic surgery. We have had experience growing such a dedicated service within an academic department of orthopaedic surgery over the past 9 years. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We explored (1) the use of a limb deformity service (LDS) in an academic department of orthopaedic surgery by examining data on referral patterns, our clinical volume, and academic productivity; and (2) the surgical breadth of cases comprising the patients of the LDS in an academic department of orthopaedic surgery by examining data on caseload by anatomic sites, category, and surgical techniques/tools. METHODS: We (SRR, ATF, EWB) retrospectively examined data on numbers of surgical cases and outpatient visits from the limb lengthening and complex reconstruction service at the Hospital for Special Surgery from 2005 to 2013 to evaluate growth. We studied 672 consecutive surgical cases performed by our service for a sample period of 1 year, assessing referral patterns within and outside our medical center, anatomic region, surgical category, and surgical technique/tool. Academic productivity was measured by review of our service's publications. RESULTS: During the time period studied (2005-2013), outpatient and surgical volume significantly increased by 120% (1530 to 3372) and 105% (346 to 708), respectively, on our LDS. Surgical volume growth was similar to the overall growth of the department of orthopaedic surgery. Referrals were primarily from orthopaedic surgeons (56%) and self/Internet research (25%). Physician referrals were predominantly from our own medical center (83%). Referrals from within our institution came from a variety of clinical services. Forty-nine peer-reviewed articles and 23 book chapters were published by staff members of our service. Anatomic surgical sites, surgical categories, and technique/tools used on our LDS were diverse, yet procedures were specialized to the discipline of limb deformity. CONCLUSIONS: There is a substantial role for an LDS within an academic department of orthopaedic surgery. With establishment of a dedicated service comes focus and resources that establish an environment for growth in volume, intramural and extramural referral, and purposeful research and education. The majority of referrals were from orthopaedic surgeons from our own medical center, suggesting needfulness. The LDS provides patients access to specialized surgery. The number of intramural referrals suggests that the specialty service helps retain patients within our academic orthopaedic department. Future research will try to determine if such a dedicated service leads to improved outcomes, efficiency, and value. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective study.

What risk factors predict usage of gastrocsoleus recession during tibial lengthening?

BACKGROUND: Tibial lengthening is frequently associated with gastrocsoleus contracture and some patients are treated surgically. However, the risk factors associated with gastrocsoleus contracture severe enough to warrant surgery during tibial lengthening and the consistency with which gastrocsoleus recession (GSR) results in a plantigrade foot in this setting have not been well defined. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We compared patients treated with or without GSR during tibial lengthening with respect to (1) clinical risk factors triggering GSR use, (2) ROM gains and patient-reported outcomes, and (3) complications after GSR. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2011, 95 patients underwent tibial lengthenings excluding those associated with bone loss; 82 (83%) were available for a minimum followup of 1 year. According to our clinical algorithm, we performed GSR when patients had equinus contractures of greater than 10° while lengthening or greater than 0° before or after lengthening. Forty-one patients underwent GSR and 41 did not. Univariate analysis was performed to assess independent associations between surgical characteristics and likelihood of undergoing GSR. A multivariate regression model and receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to adjust for confounders and to establish risk factors and any threshold for undergoing GSR. Chart review determined ROM, patient-reported outcomes, and complications. RESULTS: Amount and percentage of lengthening, age, and etiology were risk factors for GSR. Patients with lengthening of greater than 42 mm (odds ratio [OR]: 4.13; 95% CI: 1.82, 9.40; p = 0.001), lengthening of greater than 13% of lengthening (OR: 3.88; 95% CI: 1.66, 9.11; p = 0.001), and congenital etiology (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 0.86, 4.15; p = 0.109) were more likely to undergo GSR. Adjusting for all other variables, increased amount lengthened (adjusted OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.07; p < 0.001) and age (adjusted OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.05; p = 0.131) were associated with undergoing GSR. Patients gained 24° of ankle dorsiflexion after GSR. Self-reported functional outcomes were similar between patients with or without GSR. Complications included stretch injury to the posterior tibial nerve leading to temporary and partial loss of plantar sensation in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Dorsiflexion was maintained and/or restored similarly among patients with or without GSR when treated under our algorithm. Functional compromise was not seen after GSR. Identification of patients at risk will help surgeons indicate patients for surgery. Acute dorsiflexion should be avoided to minimize risk of injury to the posterior tibial nerve. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Energy Consumption and Substrate Utilization During Spinal Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to measure surgeon physiologic stress and energy expenditure during adult spine surgery. Energy expenditures were assessed based on patient BMI, lead use, instrumentation/intraoperative navigation, primary/revision surgeries, tranexamic acid (TXA) use, and anatomic region involved. METHODS: The senior author wore a heart rate (HR) monitor and triaxial accelerometer during spinal surgeries, providing assessments of mean HR, maximum HR, calories consumed/minute, and calories as measured by a Polar device (P calories) and Fitbit device (F calories). RESULTS: One hundred sixty-two surgeries were included. Median patient age was 62 years. Median BMI was 29.02. Significant differences existed for BMI and estimated blood loss (P < 0.05). TXA use had a significant effect on case time, estimated blood loss, P calories, F calories, and Kcal/min (P < 0.05). Instrumentation use was significant for all variables (P < 0.05), except for mean HR and Kcal/min (P > 0.05). Lead use did not have a significant effect on max HR, P calories, F calories, and Kcal/min (P > 0.05). Navigation use was associated with significant differences for every variable tested (P ≤ 0.05). Differences were observed between primary and revision surgeries for case time, estimated blood loss, and F calories (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In spinal surgery, the use of navigation, instrumentation use, TXA use, and performing revision surgeries were associated with increased energy expenditure and can potentially increase surgeon fatigue.

Republication of "Online Patient Resources for Ankle Instability: An Objective Analysis of Available Materials".

Background: The Internet has drastically changed how patients access health-related information. There are several ways the public can access online health-related information such as search engines, blogs, support groups, and webinars. A recent study found that 45% of orthopedic patients searched for information online regarding their injury. Also, 78% believed they had better understanding of their condition after visiting these websites; furthermore, 41% felt the Internet supplied them with questions and concerns to discuss with their physicians. The aim of our study is to evaluate the accuracy, quality, and readability of online available information using the search terms "ankle sprain" and "ankle instability." Methods: Three search engines (Google, Bing, and Yahoo) were used to search for the terms "ankle sprain" and "ankle instability." The first 25 websites from each search were collected. Each website was assessed for quality, accuracy, and readability by 3 orthopedic residents blinded to the search term used. Websites were also evaluated for commercial bias and whether written by physicians or not. Results: Twenty sites were identified using Google, 14 using Bing, and 3 using Yahoo while the remaining 19 appeared in multiple search engines. Sixty-nine percent of the websites (39/56) were written by physicians whereas only 21% (12/56) were associated with commercial bias. The mean quality and accuracy of the websites written above a seventh-grade level was statistically significantly higher than those at or below a seventh-grade level (P = .01). The mean accuracy of websites written by physicians was not statistically different from those not written by physicians (P = .055). Conclusion: The current study highlights the poor quality and accuracy of online information related to ankle sprains, especially those with commercial bias. Furthermore, although websites written by or under supervision of physicians were found to be of superior quality, a majority of sites were found to have an unacceptably high reading level. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

Prostheses for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Historically, patients with rotator cuff arthropathy had limited reconstructive options. The early generations of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) designs had increased failure rates due to loosening of glenoid baseplates secondary to excessive torques. In 1985, Paul Grammont introduced a prosthetic design changing the center of rotation that addressed this major complication. The Grammont principles remain the foundation of modern reverse total shoulder prostheses, although the original design has undergone several adaptations. We reviewed here the various aspects of prosthetic designs including baseplates, glenospheres, humeral components, and polyethylene bearing interfaces. AREAS COVERED: We discuss the evolution, biomechanics, prosthetic options, and future direction for rTSA. A literature search using the PubMed database including review articles, biomechanical studies, and clinical trials pertaining to rTSA prothesis and outcomes. EXPERT COMMENTARY: Despite an expansion in the understanding of the biomechanics of the rotator cuff deficient shoulder and its effect on the reverse total shoulder prostheses, Grammont principles remain the foundation of contemporary rTSA designs. Further clinical studies are needed to assess how modern prosthetic modifications effect clinical and radiographic outcomes. Additionally, implants are being used in younger individuals with expanded indications, therefore, close clinical monitoring is needed to better evaluate their prosthetic longevity.