Current Use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Ignores Functional Demand.

INTRODUCTION: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are used in orthopaedic surgery to measure aspects of musculoskeletal function that are important to patients, such as disability and pain. However, current assessments of function using PROMs do not necessarily consider a patient's functional demands in detail. A patient's functional demands could serve as a confounder to their perception of their functional ability. Hence, functional demands may need to be adjusted for when PROMs are used to measure musculoskeletal function. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in which new orthopaedic patients completed a questionnaire regarding demographics, function [Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System], functional demand (Tegner Activity Level Scale), pain self-efficacy, and symptoms of depression. 169 eligible patients with diverse orthopaedic conditions were enrolled in the study from an orthopaedic clinic, and 19 were excluded for incomplete questionnaires. RESULTS: The mean Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System score was 36.5 ± 9.1, and the mean Tegner score was 2.6 ± 2.0. In the multivariable regression model, patient-reported function was significantly associated with functional demand (ß = 0.17, P < 0.001). Significant associations were observed for pain self-efficacy (ß = 0.15, P < 0.001), acuity (ß = -0.10, P = 0.004), and age 80 years or older (ß = -0.16, P = 0.004). No notable association was observed with depression or age 65 to 79 years. DISCUSSION: Higher patient-reported physical function is associated with higher levels of functional demand when controlling for psychosocial factors, acuity, and age. Because of its confounding effect on measuring physical function, functional demand should be assessed and included in models using PROMs before and after surgery. For example, payment models using improvements in PROMs, such as the short form of the Hip dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score after joint arthroplasty, should include functional demand in the model when assessing quality of care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Health Numeracy Is Associated With a Patient's Ability to Interpret Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Data.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were originally developed as research tools; however, there is increasing interest in using PROMs to inform clinical care. Prior work has shown the benefits of implementing PROMs at the point of care, but a patient's health numeracy (their ability to understand and work with numbers) may affect their ability to interpret PROM results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited patients presenting to an outpatient orthopedic clinic. Forty-nine patients completed a survey that included demographic information, the short-form General Health Numeracy Test, and accuracy questions about four PROM displays (bar graph, table, line graph, pictograph) that indicated the same PROM results. RESULTS: Patients with higher health numeracy answered all display accuracy questions correctly (P=.016). Patients who preferred using the table were more likely to answer display accuracy questions incorrectly (odds ratio, 0.013, P=.024). The two most frequently preferred PROM formats were bar graphs and tables, and most patients preferred to learn about their PROM function scores via a combination of displays and verbal discussions. CONCLUSION: Patient health numeracy is associated with the ability to correctly interpret visual displays of PROMs. Implementation of PROMs at point of care currently does not account for health numeracy. Efforts to account for health numeracy when using PROMs at point of care may improve the efficacy of using PROMs to improve outcomes in orthopedic surgery. [Orthopedics. 2024;47(5):e255-e260.].

Pain Self-Efficacy Can Improve During a Visit With an Orthopedic Surgeon.

BACKGROUND: Greater pain self-efficacy (PSE) is associated with reduced pain, fewer limitations, and increased quality of life after treatment for orthopedic conditions. The aims of this study were to (1) assess if PSE improves during a visit with an orthopedic surgeon and (2) identify modifiable visit factors that are associated with an increase in PSE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of orthopedic clinic visits at a multispecialty clinic from February to May 2022. New patients who presented to one of six orthopedic surgeons were approached for the study. Patients who provided consent completed a pre-visit questionnaire including the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) and demographic questions. A trained research member recorded the five-item Observing Patient Involvement in Decision Making Instrument (OPTION-5) score, number of questions asked, and visit duration. Immediately after the visit, patients completed a post-visit questionnaire consisting of the PSEQ and Perceived Involvement in Care Scale (PICS). RESULTS: Of 132 patients enrolled, 61 (46%) had improved PSE after the orthopedic visit, with 38 (29%) having improvement above a clinically significant threshold. There were no significant differences between patients with increased PSE and those without increased PSE when comparing the PICS, OPTION-5, questions asked, or visit duration. CONCLUSION: Almost half of the patients had improvement in PSE during an orthopedic visit. The causal pathway to how to improve PSE and the durability of the improved PSE have implications in strategies to improve patient outcomes in orthopedic surgery, such as communication methods and shared decision-making. Future research can focus on studying different interventions that facilitate improving PSE. [Orthopedics. 2024;47(4):e197-e203.].

Health Considerations for Female Orthopaedic Surgeons.

The number of female orthopaedic surgeons is increasing. They face unique health concerns, which include cancer risk, pregnancy and fertility problems, musculoskeletal issues, and mental health disorders. In 2010, a survey study showed a 2.9-fold increased prevalence of breast cancer in female orthopaedic surgeons, compared with women in the general US population. A follow-up study 13 years later showed a 3.97-fold higher prevalence of breast cancer in female orthopaedic surgeons compared with matched women in the US general population. Surveys on fertility have also reported that orthopaedic surgery is one of three surgical subspecialty fields with the highest rates of fertility difficulty. In addition, the rate of pregnancy loss in female surgeons was twice the rate compared with that of the general population. There is an increased risk of preterm delivery in female orthopaedic surgeons. Awareness, education, and preventive measures may help reduce these issues and thereby promote the recruitment, retainment, and success of female surgeons in orthopaedic surgery.

The Environmental Impact of Orthopaedic Surgery.

➤: There are a growing number of opportunities within the field of orthopaedic surgery to address climate change and investigate ways to promote sustainability. ➤: Orthopaedic surgeons can take a proactive role in addressing climate change and its impacts within the areas of operating-room waste, carbon emissions from transportation and implant manufacturing, anesthetic gases, and water usage. ➤: Future studies are needed to further these initiatives on quantifying and decreasing environmental impact and furthering sustainable use of our resources.

Multidisciplinary Extremity Preservation Program Improves Quality of Life for Patients with Advanced Limb Threat.

BACKGROUND: The need for multidisciplinary care of patients with advanced limb threat is well established. We examined patient reported outcomes and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) for those who completed a multidisciplinary extremity preservation program (EPP) at our institution. METHODS: Patients with advanced limb threat, who had previously failed standard management at a tertiary-care center, were referred to EPP for evaluation by a multidisciplinary panel of vascular, plastic, orthopedic and podiatric surgeons, along with infectious disease, prosthetics, orthotics, imaging, palliative care, social work and wound nursing specialists. HR-QoL was quantified before and after EPP participation with the RAND-36 questionnaire. The validated RAND-36 assesses physical function, role limitations caused by physical and emotional health problems, social functioning, emotional well-being, energy, pain and general health perceptions. RESULTS: From 2018 to 2020, 185 patients were referred to EPP. After review by the multidisciplinary panel, 120 were accepted into the program, 63 of whom completed their course of care; 9 were one-time consultations. The median number of EPP in-person care visits was 23 (13-54) per participant; 87.3% of patients received one or more surgical procedure, including operative debridement (73%), revascularization (44%), soft-tissue reconstruction or transplantation (46%), as well as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (11%) during their course of treatment. 85.7% of patients achieved complete wound healing, 41.5% occurring within 6 months. Ultimately, 14.3% required a major amputation. Graduates noted improvement in all categories of the HR-QoL upon completion, including those undergoing major amputation. On adjusted multivariate regression analysis, patients with immunocompromised status were more likely to show greater improvement in their social function (OR: 10.1; P < 0.044) and emotional role limitation (OR: 8.1; P = 0.042), while, patients with larger wound volume at presentation were more likely to have greater improvement in their general health (OR: 1.1; P < 0.049). Conversely, patients with a smoking history had less improvement in energy level (OR: 0.4; P = 0.044) and patients with dialysis-dependence had less improvement in social function (OR: 0.2; P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Coordinated, multidisciplinary extremity preservation program improves HR-QoL of patients with complex limb threat, including those who are immunocompromised with impaired social function and emotional role limitations. Furthermore, study is warranted to better characterize the generalizability of this approach, including considerations of cost-effectiveness, wound recidivism, and limiting the number of in-person visits required to achieve complete healing.

Increased Prevalence of Breast and All-cause Cancer in Female Orthopaedic Surgeons.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer is the second leading cause of death among women in the United States. Previous studies demonstrate a higher prevalence of cancer among female orthopaedic surgeons. This study aimed to provide an updated prevalence of breast and all-cause cancer among female orthopaedic surgeons using a larger and more current study population. METHODS: We distributed surveys to female orthopaedic surgeons in national orthopaedic specialty societies. Six hundred seventy-two survey responses were collected. We calculated standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on gender-specific, race-specific, and age-specific cancer prevalence statistics in the US population. We compared the distribution of breast cancer risk factors with that of women in the 2018 and 2009 California Health Interview Survey. RESULTS: Fifty-one of the 672 surveyed surgeons reported a diagnosis of invasive cancer. Twenty reported breast cancer with a prevalence higher among female orthopaedic surgeons compared with the US female population (SPR: 2.89, 95% CI: 2.16 to 3.81, P < 0.001). The breast cancer prevalence was also higher among orthopaedic surgeons compared with the US female population (SPR: 3.97, 95% CI: 2.43 to 6.14, P = 0.003). DISCUSSION: The increased prevalence of breast and all-cause cancer among a larger and more diverse cohort of female orthopaedic surgeons confirms previous studies and provides an update regarding a concerning public health issue within this specialty.

Health Literacy and Patient Participation in Shared Decision-Making in Orthopedic Surgery.

The influence of health literacy on involvement in decision-making in orthopedic surgery has not been analyzed and could inform processes to engage patients. The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between health literacy and the patient's preferred involvement in decision-making. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study of patients presenting to a multispecialty orthopedic clinic. Patients completed the Literacy in Musculoskeletal Problems (LiMP) survey to evaluate their health literacy and the Control Preferences Scale (CPS) survey to evaluate their preferred level of involvement in decision-making. Statistical analysis was performed with Pearson's correlation and multivariable logistic regression. Thirty-seven percent of patients had limited health literacy (LiMP score <6). Forty-eight percent of patients preferred to share decision-making with their physician equally (CPS score=3), whereas 38% preferred to have a more active role in decision-making (CPS score≤2). There was no statistically significant correlation between health literacy and patient preference for involvement in decision-making (r=0.130; P=.150). Among patients with orthopedic conditions, there is no significant relationship between health literacy and preferred involvement in decision-making. Results from studies in other specialties that suggest that limited health literacy is associated with a preference for less involvement in decision-making are not generalizable to orthopedic surgery. Efforts to engage patients to be informed and participatory in decision-making through the use of decision aids and preference elicitation tools should be directed toward variation in preference for involvement in decision-making, but not toward patient health literacy. [Orthopedics. 2022;45(4):227-232.].

Short-term outcomes following dehydrated micronized allogenic cartilage versus isolated microfracture for treatment of medial talar osteochondral lesions.

BACKGROUND: Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) have been traditionally treated with bone marrow stimulation techniques such as microfracture. However, conventional microfracture results in a biomechanically weaker repair tissue of predominantly type I collagen. Acellular micronized cartilage matrix (MCM) serves as a bioactive scaffold to restore hyaline cartilage. The purpose was to compare short-term outcomes after microfracture with and without augmentation with MCM for medial-sided OLTs. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed between 2010-2019 for medial-sided OLTs undergoing treatment with either microfracture augmented with MCM or isolated microfracture. The MCM was hydrated with either bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Outcomes included visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, Foot and Ankle Activity Measure (FAAM) scores, return-to-daily activities, and return-to-sport. RESULTS: 48 patients (14 MCM with PRP, 6 MCM with BMAC; 28 isolated microfracture) with average age 35.5 years (range: 13.8-67.2 years) and mean follow-up 4.0 ± 3.4 years (range,.13-10.7) were included. There was no difference in average lesion size between MCM and microfracture groups (64.0 ± 49.4 mm2 versus 57.3 ± 44.2 mm2, P = .63) and a trend toward larger lesion size for BMAC compared to PRP (106.5 ± 59.2 versus 45.9 ± 32.1 mm2, P = .056). There was no difference in time to return-to-activity (83.5 ± 18.8 versus 87.3 ± 49.1 days) or return-to-sports (151.9 ± 62.2 versus 165 ± 99.2 days) with MCM versus isolated microfracture. However, the MCM group had a significantly greater improvement in VAS pain score at final follow-up (4.9 ± 2.2 versus 2.7 ± 2.6, P = .0032) and significantly higher post-operative FAAM-Activities of Daily Living subscale scores (97.2 ± 8.2 versus 79.7 ± 32.8, P = .033). CONCLUSIONS: Augmenting microfracture with MCM hydrated with PRP or BMAC may result in beneficial changes in pain scores and activities of daily living, but similar return-to-activities and return-to-sport times compared to microfracture alone in management of medial OLT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

A framework to make PROMs relevant to patients: qualitative study of communication preferences of PROMs.

PURPOSE: Patient-reported outcome measures are tools for evaluating symptoms, magnitude of limitations, baseline health status, and outcomes from the patient's perspective. Healthcare professional organizations and payers increasingly recommend PROMs for clinical care, but there lacks guidance regarding effective communication of PROMs with orthopedic surgery patients. This qualitative study aimed to identify (1) patient attitudes toward the use and communication of PROMs, and (2) what patients feel are the most relevant or important aspects of PROM results to discuss with their physicians. METHODS: Participants were recruited from a multispeciality orthopedic clinic. Three PROMs: the EuroQol-5 Dimension, the Patient-Specific Functional Scale, and the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function Computer Adaptive Test were shown and a semi-structured interview was conducted to elicit PROMs attitudes and preferences. Interviews were transcribed and inductive-deductively coded. Coded excerpts were aggregated to (1) identify major themes and (2) analyze how themes interacted. RESULT: Three themes emerged: (1) Beliefs toward the purpose of PROMs, (2) PROMs as a reflection of self, and (3) PROMs to facilitate communication and guide healthcare decisions. These themes informed a framework outlining the patient perspective on communicating PROMs during clinical care. CONCLUSION: Patient attitudes toward the use and communication of PROMs start with the incorporation of patient beliefs, which can facilitate or act as a barrier to engagement. Patients should ideally believe that PROMs are an accurate reflection of personal health state before incorporation into care. Clinicians should endeavor to communicate the purpose of a chosen PROM in line with a patient's unique needs and what they feel is most relevant to their own care. Aspects of PROMs results which may be helpful to address include providing context for what scores mean and how they are calculated, and using scores as a way to weigh risks and benefits of treatment and tracking progress over time. Future research can focus on the effect of communication strategies on patient outcomes and engagement in care.

Opioid use among patients with pain syndromes commonly seeking surgical consultation: A retrospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons often see patients with pain to exclude organic pathology and consider surgical treatment. We examined factors associated with long-term opioid therapy among patients with foot/ankle, anorectal, and temporomandibular joint pain to aid clinical decision making. METHODS: Using the IBM MarketScan® Research Database, we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients aged 18-64 with a clinical encounter for foot/ankle, anorectal, or temporomandibular joint pain (January 2007-September 2015). Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios for factors associated with long-term opioid therapy, including age, sex, geographic region, pain condition, psychiatric diagnoses, and surgical procedures in the previous year. RESULTS: The majority of the cohort of 1,500,392 patients were women (61%). Within the year prior to the first clinical encounter for a pain diagnosis, 14% had an encounter for a psychiatric diagnosis, and 11% had undergone a surgical procedure. Long-term opioid therapy was received by 2.7%. After multivariable adjustment, older age (age 50-64 vs. 18-29: aOR 4.47, 95% CI 4.24-4.72, p < 0.001), region (South vs. Northeast, aOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.70-1.81, p < 0.001), recent surgical procedure (aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.78-1.87, p < 0.001), male sex (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.12-1.16, p < 0.001) and recent psychiatric diagnosis (aOR 2.49, 95% CI 2.43-2.54, p < 0.001) were independently associated with long-term opioid therapy. CONCLUSION: Among patients with foot/ankle, anorectal, or temporomandibular joint pain, the risk of long-term opioid therapy significantly increased with older age, recent psychiatric diagnoses and surgical history. Surgeons should be aware of these risk factors in order to make high quality clinical decisions in consultations with these patients.

Methods for Reducing Intraoperative Breast Radiation Exposure of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Standard lead aprons and vests do not adequately shield the most common breast cancer site, the upper outer quadrant (UOQ), from intraoperative radiation. The purpose of the present study was to determine if lead sleeves, wings, and/or axillary supplements decreased intraoperative radiation exposure of the UOQ of the breast. METHODS: An anthropomorphic torso phantom (simulating the female surgeon) was placed adjacent to a standard operating room table. Dosimeters were placed bilaterally over the UOQ of the breast. Scatter radiation dose equivalent rates (mrem/hr) were measured during continuous fluoroscopy of a pelvic phantom (simulating the patient). Five protection configurations (no lead; lead vest; and vest with sleeves, wings, and axillary supplements), 2 surgeon positions (facing the table and perpendicular to the table), and 2 C-arm positions (anteroposterior and cross-table lateral projection) were tested. The t test was utilized with a Bonferroni correction for multiple t tests. RESULTS: Lead sleeves and axillary supplements decreased intraoperative radiation exposure to the UOQ of the breast when compared with a well-fitted standard lead vest alone (p < 0.01) across all surgeon and C-arm positions. The addition of wings decreased radiation exposure to a lesser extent than sleeves or axillary supplements, and the difference when compared with the lead vest alone did not reach significance (p = 0.29). Breast radiation exposure in the C-arm cross-table lateral projection was highest across all testing. CONCLUSIONS: The UOQ of the breast is not adequately protected by standard lead vests alone or vests with the addition of wings. Axillary supplements and sleeves improved protection of the breast. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Modifications of lead protective vests may improve intraoperative breast radiation protection.

Does a Question Prompt List Improve Perceived Involvement in Care in Orthopaedic Surgery Compared with the AskShareKnow Questions? A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Most conditions in orthopaedic surgery are preference-sensitive, where treatment choices are based on the patient's values and preferences. One set of tools increasingly used to help align treatment choices with patient preferences are question prompt lists (QPLs), which are comprehensive lists of potential questions that patients can ask their physicians during their encounters. Whether or not a comprehensive orthopaedic-specific question prompt list would increase patient-perceived involvement in care more effectively than might three generic questions (the AskShareKnow questions) remains unknown; learning the answer would be useful, since a three-question list is easier to use compared with the much lengthier QPLs. QUESTION/PURPOSE: Does an orthopaedic-specific question prompt list increase patient-perceived involvement in care compared with the three generic AskShareKnow questions? METHODS: We performed a pragmatic randomized controlled trial of all new patients visiting a multispecialty orthopaedic clinic. A pragmatic design was used to mimic normal clinical care that compared two clinically acceptable interventions. New patients with common orthopaedic conditions were enrolled between August 2019 and November 2019 and were randomized to receive either the intervention QPL handout (orthopaedic-specific QPL with 45 total questions, developed with similar content and length to prior QPLs used in hand surgery, oncology, and palliative care) or a control handout (the AskShareKnow model questions, which are: "What are my options? What are the benefits and harms of those options? How likely are each of those benefits and harms to happen to me?") before their visits. A total of 156 patients were enrolled, with 78 in each group. There were no demographic differences between the study and control groups in terms of key variables. After the visit, patients completed the Perceived Involvement in Care Scale (PICS), a validated instrument designed to evaluate patient-perceived involvement in their care, which served as the primary outcome measure. This instrument is scored from 0 to 13, with higher scores indicating higher perceived involvement. RESULTS: There was no difference in mean PICS scores between the intervention and control groups (QPL 8.3 ± 2.3, control 8.5 ± 2.3, mean difference 0.2 [95% CI -0.53 to 0.93 ]; p = 0.71. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery, a QPL does not increase patient-perceived involvement in care compared with providing patients the three AskShareKnow questions. Implementation of the three AskShareKnow questions can be a more efficient way to improve patient-perceived involvement in their care compared with a lengthy QPL. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, therapeutic study.

The Importance of Concordance Between Patients and Their Subspecialists.

Concordance, the concept of patients having shared demographic/socioeconomic characteristics with their physicians, has been associated with improved patient satisfaction and outcomes in primary care but has not been studied in subspecialty care. The objective of this study was to investigate whether patients value concordance with their specialty physicians. The authors assessed the importance of concordance in subspecialist care in 2 cohorts of participants. The first cohort consisted of patients seeking care at a multispecialty orthopedic clinic. The second cohort consisted of volunteer participants recruited from an online platform. Each participant completed a survey scored on an ordinal scale which characteristics of their physicians they find important for their primary care physician (PCP) and a specialist. The characteristics included age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, primary language spoken, and religion. The difference in concordance scores for PCPs and specialists were compared with paired t tests with a Bonferroni correction. A total of 118 patients were recruited in clinic, and a total of 982 volunteers were recruited online. In the clinic cohort, the level of importance for patient-physician concordance of age, ethnicity, language, and religion was not significantly different between PCPs and specialists. In the volunteer cohort, the level of importance for concordance of age, sex, national origin, language, and religion was not significantly different between PCPs and specialists. The volunteers recruited online had significantly higher concordance scores than the patients recruited in clinic for most variables. Patients find patient-physician concordance as important in specialty care as they do in primary care. This may have similar effects on patient outcomes in specialty care. [Orthopedics. 2020;43(5):315-319.].

Radiation Exposure and Case Characteristics in National Sample of Female Orthopaedic Trauma and Arthroplasty Surgeons.

Background: The risks of radiation exposure in orthopaedic surgery have become a topic of increasing interest in the setting of widespread fluoroscopy use and concern for an increased prevalence of breast cancer among female orthopaedic surgeons. The aim of this national study of 31 female orthopaedic surgeons was to achieve a deeper understanding of fluoroscopic use in the OR and its associated exposure to radiation, by comparing female orthopaedic trauma and arthroplasty surgeons. Methods: A total of 31 surgeons wore dosimeters for 10 operating days each to track cumulative radiation exposure. Surgeons were not asked to modify their practice in any way, with no requirement that the operating days had to be chosen with the knowledge that fluoroscopy would be used. Participants were also asked to fill out a form at the end of each day, detailing the number of cases that day, the number of hours spent in the OR, and the total amount of time using fluoroscopy. Results: Trauma surgeons received significantly higher radiation doses in the OR (p=0.01) and reported longer use of fluoroscopy (p<0.001). Trauma surgeons also spent more time per day in the OR and had more cases per day compared to arthroplasty surgeons, but this difference was not significant. Radiation dose penetrating through protective equipment remained minimal. Conclusion: Although the female trauma surgeons in the study operated longer and performed more procedures per day, the higher radiation exposure was best explained by the amount of time fluoroscopy is used in the OR. The fluoroscopic times in this study therefore may be a useful self-assessment tool for attending trauma and arthroplasty surgeons. Awareness of these differences will hopefully increase an individual surgeon's mindfulness toward the length of fluoroscopy use in each case, regardless of orthopaedic subspecialty.Level of Evidence: IV.

Ankle joint contact loads and displacement in syndesmosis injuries repaired with Tightropes compared to screw fixation in a static model.

BACKGROUND: The effect of syndesmotic fixation on restoration of pressure mechanics in the setting of a syndesmotic injury is largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to examine the contact mechanics of the tibiotalar joint following syndesmosis fixation with screws versus a flexible fixation device for complete syndesmotic injury. METHODS: Six matched pairs of cadaveric below knee specimens were dissected and motion capture trackers were fixed to the tibia, fibula, and talus and a pressure sensor was placed in the tibiotalar joint. Each specimen was first tested intact with axial compressive load followed by external rotation while maintaining axial compression. Next, syndesmotic ligaments were sectioned and randomly assigned to repair with either two TightRopes® or two 3.5 mm cortical screws and the protocol was repeated. Mean contact pressure, peak pressure, reduction in contact area, translation of the center of pressure, and relative talar and fibular motion were calculated. Specimens were then cyclically loaded in external rotation and surviving specimens were loaded in external rotation to failure. RESULTS: No differences in pressure measurements were observed between the intact and instrumented states during axial load. Mean contact presure relative to intact testing was increased in the screw group at 5 Nm and 7.5 Nm torque. Likewise, peak pressure was increased in the TightRope group at 7.5 Nm torque. There was no change in center of pressure in the TightRope group at any threshold; however, at every threshold tested there was significant medial and anterior translation in the screw group relative to the intact state. CONCLUSION: Either screws or TightRope fixation is adequate with AL alone. With lower amounts of torque, the TightRope group appears to have contact and pressure mechanics that more closely match native mechanics.

The Association of Financial Distress With Disability in Orthopaedic Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Increased out-of-pocket costs have led to patients bearing more of the financial burden for their care. Previous work has shown that financial burden and distress can affect outcomes, symptoms, satisfaction, and adherence to treatment. We asked the following questions: (1) Does patients' financial distress correlate with disability in patients with nonacute orthopaedic conditions? (2) Do patient demographic factors affect this correlation? METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study of new patients presenting to a multispecialty orthopaedic clinic with a nonacute orthopaedic complication. Patients completed a demographics questionnaire, the InCharge Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being Scale, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index. Statistical analysis was done using Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: The mean score for financial distress was 4.10 (SD, 2.09; scale 1 [low distress] to 10 [high distress]; range, 1.13 to 10.0), and the mean disability score was 0.54 (SD, 0.65; scale 0 to 3; range, 0 to 2.75). A moderate positive correlation exists between financial distress and disability (r = 0.43; P < 0.01). Financial distress and disability were highest for poor, uneducated, Medicare patients. CONCLUSIONS: A moderate correlation exists between financial distress and disability in patients with nonacute orthopaedic conditions, particularly in patients with low socioeconomic status. Orthopaedic surgeons may benefit from identifying patients in financial distress and discussing the cost of treatment because of its association with disability and potentially inferior outcomes. Further investigation is needed to test whether decreasing financial distress decreases disability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III prospective cohort.

Quality Measures in Foot and Ankle Care.

BACKGROUND: Quality measures may be operationalized in payment models or quality reporting programs to assess foot and ankle surgeons, but if existing measures allow accurate representation of a foot and ankle surgeon's practice is unclear. METHODS: National quality measures databases, clinical guidelines, and MEDLINE/PubMed were systematically reviewed for quality measures relevant to foot and ankle care. Measures meeting internal criteria were categorized by clinical diagnosis, National Quality Strategy priority, and Donabedian domain. RESULTS: Of 12 quality measures and 16 candidate measures, National Quality Strategy priorities most commonly addressed "Effective Clinical Care" (n = 19) and "Communication and Coordination of Care" (n = 6). Donabedian classifications addressed were process (n = 25) and outcome (n = 3). Diabetic foot care was most commonly addressed (n = 18). CONCLUSIONS: Available foot and ankle quality measures are limited in number and scope, which may hinder appropriate assessment of care, analysis of trends, and quality improvement. Additional measures are needed to support the transition to a value-based system. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I.

Postoperative Pain After Surgical Treatment of Ankle Fractures: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain after fixation of ankle fractures has a substantial effect on surgical outcome and patient satisfaction. Patients requiring large amounts of narcotics are at higher risk of long-term use of pain medications. Few prospective studies investigate patient pain experience in the management of ankle fractures. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the pain experience in 63 patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation of ankle. The Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire was administered preoperatively and postoperatively (PP) at 3 days (3dPP) and 6 weeks (6wPP). Anticipated postoperative pain (APP) was recorded. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between PP, APP, and 3dPP; however, 6wPP was markedly lower. Significant correlations were found between PP and APP and between preoperative and postoperative Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire scores. PP and APP were independent predictors of 3dPP; however, only APP was predictive of 6wPP. Sex, age, and inpatient versus outpatient status were not notable factors. No statistically significant differences were found in pain scores between fracture types. CONCLUSIONS: Both preoperative pain severity and anticipated postoperative pain are predictive of postoperative pain levels. Orthopaedic surgeons should place a greater focus on the postoperative management of patient pain and expectations after surgical procedures.