Do all patients with history of pelvic ring injuries need a cesarean section? - A survey of orthopaedic and obstetric providers.

OBJECTIVE(S): The recommended mode of delivery following pelvic ring fractures with surgical fixation is unclear. The objective of this study was to assess expert opinions from orthopaedic surgeons and obstetrician gynecologists on their recommended delivery recommendations for pregnant individuals with a history of pelvic ring injury, and to see if there was any difference in recommendations between the two specialties, and what factors influenced recommendations. STUDY DESIGN: An electronic, web-based survey was administered to a convenience sample of orthopaedic surgeons and obstetrician gynecologists, via advertisement to members of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine, and querying obstetrician gynecologists practicing within the Military Health System. The survey was administered from November 2021 to December 2022. A two-proportion z-test, Chi-square or Fisher's Exact Test, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. RESULTS: Survey respondents included 44 orthopaedic surgeons and 37 obstetricians. A total of 74 % obstetricians would recommend a trial of labor with hardware in place, while orthopaedic surgeon's recommendations varied based on the type of fixation. Forty four, 100 % of orthopaedic surgeons, recommended trial of labor if non-operative pelvic injury or unilateral posterior fixation only, 88 % recommended trial of labor if bilateral posterior fixation only, and 47.7 % for anterior trans-symphyseal plating only, 50 % for unilateral posterior and trans-symphyseal plating, and 43.2 % for bilateral posterior fixation with trans-symphyseal plating. CONCLUSIONS: The results of these surveys demonstrate the lack of consensus as to the most appropriate birth plan for patients with a history of pelvic ring injuries. Vaginal delivery following pelvic ring fracture and fixation is possible, yet these patients are significantly more likely to undergo cesarean section than the general population. As such, we recommend that women who become pregnant after operative treatment of a pelvic ring injury develop an in-depth birthing plan with their obstetrician to determine the best course.

Femoral Neck Stress Fractures: An Updated Review.

Femoral neck stress fractures represent a relatively rare spectrum of injuries that most commonly affect military recruits and endurance athletes. If unrecognized and if proper treatment is not initiated, this condition carries potentially devastating consequences. Patients will typically present with an insidious onset, atraumatic hip, and groin pain that is relieved with rest. The condition may be initially misdiagnosed because radiographs are often normal. Magnetic resonance imaging has demonstrated superior specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy compared with other diagnostic modalities in identifying and classifying stress fractures of the femoral neck. Treatment algorithms are based on the MRI fracture morphology and presence of an intra-articular effusion. Nonsurgical management consists of a period of non-weight-bearing followed by gradual return to activity. Surgical management consists of prophylactic fracture fixation with cannulated screws to prevent fracture progression. If left untreated, patients may progress to a complete displaced femoral neck fracture, which can be associated with complications that include nonunion, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and long-term disability. These poor outcomes emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of incomplete femoral neck stress fractures.

Bilateral Atypical Tension-sided Femoral Neck Stress Fractures in a Military Recruit.

A case report of a Marine Recruit with bilateral atypical tensile-sided femoral neck stress fracture. The patient was treated nonoperatively with protected weightbearing following an established protocol that included close observation with serial exams and advanced imaging. He recovered uneventfully and was able to return to running. He was eventually diagnosed with bilateral femoral acetabular impingement syndrome at the end of his treatment course demonstrating a growing association warranting further investigation.

Outcomes Following the Urgent Surgical Management of Displaced Femoral Neck Stress Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To review the clinical course, complication rates, and mid-term functional outcomes associated with the treatment of displaced femoral neck stress fractures (FNSFs). DESIGN: Retrospective Case Series. SETTING: Military Tertiary Referral Center. PATIENTS: Twenty-one operatively treated displaced FNSFs between 2002 and 2015. INTERVENTION: Urgent reduction and fixation was performed. If nonunion developed, an intertrochanteric osteotomy was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Nonunion, osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral head, conversion to arthroplasty, modified Harris Hip Score, pain score, and Hip Outcome Score (HOS). RESULTS: Two (9.1%) patients developed nonunion. Both united after revision with intertrochanteric osteotomy. ON developed in one patient (4.8%) who was converted to arthroplasty. Average pain score at final follow-up was 2.0 (range 0-5). Average Modified Harris Hip Score was 84 (range 54-100). Average HOS Activities of Daily Living subscale was 80.9 (range 45.6-100). Average HOS Sport subscale was 69.8 (range 27.8-100). Larger displacement on injury films correlated with lower Modified Harris Hip Scores (P = 0.048) and lower HOS Sports Subscale Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (P = 0.023). The need for an open reduction trended toward being a risk factor for nonunion (P = 0.081). CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the largest series of patients undergoing urgent surgery for displaced FNSFs. Nonunion and ON is found at a similar rate to what is reported in the young traumatic literature. Pain and outcome scores compare favorably to other hip pathology in young adults. Initial injury severity is variably correlated to final outcome scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Non-displaced Femoral Neck Stress Fractures in Young Adults: 7-Year Outcomes of Prophylactic Fixation Versus Nonoperative Treatment.

Retrospectively compare outcomes of prophylactic fixation to nonoperative treatment of incomplete or non-displaced femoral neck stress fractures (FNSF) in young adults. Outcomes of 82 patients (mean age 21.7 years) who were diagnosed with incomplete or non-displaced FNSFs from 2002 to 2015 were compared. Forty-one underwent prophylactic fixation; the remaining were treated without surgery. Fracture characteristics and complications were recorded. Pain scores, modified Harris Hip Scores (mHHS), and Hip Outcome Scores (HOS) were obtained and compared. The average fracture line in the operative group was 67% of the femoral neck width versus 18% in the nonoperative group (p < 0.001). There was no difference in outcome scores between the two groups. Prophylactic fixation of high-risk non-displaced FNSFs resulted in similar outcome scores to non-operative management of lower-risk variants at an average of 7.3 years follow up. No patient in either group progressed to a displaced femoral neck stress fracture. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 29(3):173-176, 2020).

Improved Functional Outcomes Following Operative Treatment of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in an Active Duty Population.

Clavicle fractures are common orthopedic injuries that occur in a young active population and are even more common in the military. Military fitness test data presents the unique opportunity to analyze functional ability with regard to military-specific activities. The primary goal of this study was to compare functional outcomes using military fitness test data between operative and non-operative treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures.  We performed a retrospective review of active-duty U.S. Navy and Marine patients with midshaft clavicle fractures treated at our institution over a seven-year period. There were 94 and 153 patients in our operative and non-operative cohorts, respectively. Average follow-up time from the date of injury or surgery was 28 months. The rate of infection in the operative group (4%) was significantly greater than in the non-operative group (0%, p = 0.023). The rate of non-union in the operative group (3%) was significantly lower than in the non-operative group (14.5%, p = 0.004). The rate of symptomatic malunion in the operative group (0%) was significantly different from that in the non-operative group (4.6%, p = 0.036). There was no significant difference in the rate of revision surgery between the operative (9.2%) and non-operative (13.2%) groups (p = 0.105). A total of 51 marines met inclusion criteria for our functional outcome analysis using Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT) data. Of those who underwent operative fixation, 68% were able to meet or surpass their pre-injury average amount of pull-ups in their first PFT after surgery and 88% by the next PFT at least one year after surgery. While 69% of non-operative patients met their pre-injury average in their first PFT, only 57% maintained this level at least one year after surgery. This difference was statistically significant. In our functional outcome subgroup analysis, we found improved outcomes for pull-ups at least one year out when midshaft clavicle fractures are treated operatively compared to non-operatively. While similar findings in the literature are based on functional outcome questionnaires, physical fitness performance data has not been reported on to our knowledge.

Does Screw Location Affect the Risk of Subtrochanteric Femur Fracture After Femoral Neck Fixation? A Biomechanical Study.

BACKGROUND: Case reports suggest that there is an increased risk of subtrochanteric femur fracture after femoral neck fixation with cannulated screws when the distal-most screw is placed distal to the lesser trochanter. However, to our knowledge, there are no biomechanical data supporting this observation. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Is there an increased risk of subtrochanteric femur fracture after femoral neck fixation with cannulated screws in normal density and osteoporotic Sawbones when the distal-most screw is started distal to the lesser trochanter? (2) Does the screw starting point position after femoral neck fixation with cannulated screws affect load to failure when normal density and osteoporotic Sawbones are loaded through their mechanical axis? METHODS: Normal density and osteoporotic Sawbones femora were instrumented with three cannulated screws in a triangular apex distal configuration with the distal-most screw starting either proximal to, at, or distal to the level of the lesser trochanter. Specimens were loaded along the mechanical axis to failure. The fracture location and ultimate load to failure were compared between groups. RESULTS: The screw start point distal to the lesser trochanter resulted in a greater proportion of subtrochanteric femur fractures compared with screw start points at or proximal to the lesser trochanter in the subset of osteoporotic specimens (three of 10 specimens versus 0 of 20 specimens; p = 0.030). No subtrochanteric femur fractures were observed in the normal density specimens. Load to failure was lower when the distal-most screw was started distal to the lesser trochanter than when it was started at or proximal to the lesser trochanter (normal density subset 13,502 ± 1980 N versus 14,675 ±1528 N; osteoporotic subset 8946 ± 1509 N versus 10,026 ± 1256 N; linear regression coefficient 1127 N [95% CI 298 to 1956 N]; adjusted r = 0.71; p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: A screw start point distal to the lesser trochanter was associated with subtrochanteric femur fractures in the osteoporotic subset. Additionally, there was decreased load to failure when the distal-most screw was started distal to the lesser trochanter. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data suggest that avoiding a screw start point distal to the level of the lesser trochanter in femoral neck fracture fixation may decrease the risk of catastrophic subtrochanteric femur fractures, especially in patients with osteoporosis. However, it should be noted that a more overall varus screw alignment could theoretically compromise the ability to achieve compression across the fracture, with attendant implications with regard to fracture union in the acute setting.

Cortical Impaction in Posterior Wall Acetabular Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To report the incidence of patients with extra-articular posterosuperior acetabular cortical impaction associated with a posterior wall acetabular fracture-dislocation. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Regional Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-seven patients who sustained an isolated posterior wall acetabular fracture-dislocation from July 2007 until July 2017. INTERVENTION: The medical record and the computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis were reviewed including axial, coronal, and sagittal reconstruction images and 3D surface renderings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Each pelvic CT scan was evaluated for impaction of the extra-articular posterosuperior acetabular cortical surface associated with posterior wall acetabular fracture-dislocations. The reduction accuracy was assessed for each patient with cortical impaction using postoperative CT scans. The final attending radiology report was reviewed to see whether the cortical impaction was noted. RESULTS: Four of the 99 patients (4.12%) had identifiable areas of cortical impaction on preoperative CT imaging. Reduction accuracy demonstrated 1 anatomical reduction, 2 imperfect reductions, and 1 poor reduction. The final attending radiologist report did not comment on any patient with cortical impaction. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that a small number of patients sustain cortical impaction of the posterosuperior acetabular cortical surface along with their posterior wall acetabular fracture-dislocation. Although uncommon, preoperative imaging should be scrutinized to identify this clinical entity. As part of the preoperative plan, the surgeon can anticipate the cortex available for reduction verification and whether any additional steps or altered surgical approaches are needed to achieve an anatomical reduction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Femoral Neck Stress Fractures: MRI Risk Factors for Progression.

BACKGROUND: Femoral neck stress fractures are overuse injuries with devastating consequences if not diagnosed and treated appropriately. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review femoral neck stress fractures using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based protocol and to identify imaging risk factors that could predict fracture progression requiring surgical intervention. METHODS: We identified all femoral neck stress fractures treated at our institution from 2002 to 2015. Inclusion criteria for the study were unilateral pathology involving either an incomplete femoral neck stress fracture with a visualized fracture line or edema without a distinct fracture line. MRI data were evaluated for edema, fracture line percentage, and hip effusion. A surgical procedure was offered to patients with fractures with interval progression on serial MRI after 6 weeks of nonoperative treatment. RESULTS: We identified 305 patients who met inclusion criteria. Initial MRI showed edema with a fracture line in 54.4% of patients and isolated edema in 45.6% of patients. Interval MRI was performed in 194 patients at a mean time of 6 weeks, and it revealed fracture progression in 13.9% of patients. There were no significant differences in the size of the fracture line on initial MRI between the group who progressed to a surgical procedure and those who resolved with nonoperative treatment (mean [and standard deviation], 24.6% ± 8.1% [95% confidence interval (CI), 21.4% to 27.8%] and 25.5% ± 11.1% [95% CI, 22.9% to 28.1%]; p = 0.287). Of the patients who required a surgical procedure, 85.2% had an effusion on the initial MRI compared with only 26.3% of those who showed interval resolution with nonoperative treatment. Those who had a hip effusion on the initial MRI had 8 times (relative risk, 8.02 [95% CI, 2.99 to 21.5]; p < 0.0001) the risk of fracture progression to surgical fixation compared with those without a hip effusion. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a femoral neck stress fracture and fracture line, the presence of a hip effusion on the initial MRI screening is an independent risk factor for fracture progression and early prophylactic surgical intervention should be considered. All patients with isolated edema in the femoral neck without a fracture line on the initial MRI had resolution with nonoperative treatment and did not have fracture progression toward surgical fixation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Achieving interfragmentary compression without special drilling technique or screw design.

Traditional fracture fixation teaching suggests that fully threaded screws do not provide interfragmentary compression unless placed through a glide hole. Based on this assumption, pelvic surgeons typically use fully threaded screws in the treatment of comminuted transforaminal sacral fractures to limit iatrogenic neuroforaminal stenosis. Clinical experience with fully threaded screws suggests that interfragmentary compression actually does occur. We hypothesized that the use of a fully threaded screw does not produce any interfragmentary compression and that there is no difference in insertional torque between partially threaded and fully threaded screws. To test this hypothesis, fully and partially threaded 7.0 millimeter (mm) cannulated screws were placed across two synthetic bone blocks fabricated to simulate normal and osteoporotic bone. We compared two groups of normal and osteoporotic blocks for compression achieved and maximal insertional torque generated with fully threaded and partially threaded screw insertion. A micro computed tomography (CT) scan of the composite blocks was obtained to investigate for structural changes created during screw insertion. For both groups, compression was achieved with fully threaded screws and the maximal insertional torque was higher using fully threaded screws. Micro CT analysis demonstrated local bone damage with structural disruption in the near segment of the fully threaded screw path in comparison to the partially threaded. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: this study demonstrates that compression is generated using fully threaded screws without using a predrilled glide hole. The insertional torque required to generate compression with fully threaded screws is increased but is clinically applicable. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1099-1105, 2018.