NSAID use in orthopedic surgery: A review of current evidence and clinical practice guidelines.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a valuable class of medications for orthopedic surgeons and often play a pivotal role in pain control. However, there are many common stipulations resulting in avoidance of its use in the treatment of musculoskeletal disease. This review summarizes the mechanism of action of NSAIDs as well as provides an overview of commonly used NSAIDs and the differences between them. It provides a concise summary on the osseous effects of NSAIDs with regard to bone healing and heterotopic ossification. Most of all, it serves as a guide or reference for orthopedic providers when counseling patients on the risks and benefits of NSAID use, as it addresses the common stipulations encountered: "It irritates my stomach," "I have a history of bariatric surgery," "I'm already on a blood thinner," "I've had a heart attack," and "I've got kidney problems" and synthesizes both current research and society recommendations regarding safe use and avoidance of NSAIDs.

Dual Suture Button Fixation With Buttress Plate for Ankle Syndesmotic Injury.

SUMMARY: In this video, we present a unique approach to a purely ligamentous syndesmotic injury in a 16-year-old football player. Syndesmotic reduction was obtained using a large clamp and validated by matching fibular position to a fluoroscopic image of the contralateral ankle. Fixation was achieved using dual suture button devices in combination with a buttress plate. A small medial incision was used to protect the saphenous neurovascular bundle during button placement.

Shared Decision-making in Orthopaedic Surgery.

Shared decision-making (SDM) is the process by which the physician and the patient collaborate to arrive at the evidence-based treatment that best aligns with the patient's individual goals of care. The implementation of SDM practices is especially important when an invasive surgical procedure is among the treatment options. Ideally, the variation in the patient treatment choice would mirror the variability in patient goals rather than variation in a physician's ability to communicate effectively. Potentially aiding in these communication efforts, decision aids are tools gaining popularity for their ability to help physicians facilitate the SDM process with patients. This article is intended to give the practicing orthopaedic surgeon an understanding of the concept of SDM and how it can improve physician-patient communication. We will explore the key elements of SDM, attendant benefits, indications, and barriers to implementation and propose steps to begin the incorporation of SDM into practice.

Correction of Lateral Tibial Plateau Malunion.

The results of open reduction and internal fixation for tibial plateau fractures are generally favorable when articular morphology and stability are restored. When these goals of treatment are not achieved, limited function often results. The patient presented in this video complained of pain and an inability to resume his previous work. Evaluation suggested that root causes of these difficulties included widening of the plateau, significant depression of the articular surface, resultant valgus instability, and a displaced nonfunctioning lateral meniscus. This video demonstrates the planning and correction of a long-standing intraarticular malunion of a lateral tibial plateau fracture.

Myth busters: an AOA symposium: AOA critical issues.

One of the goals of the annual American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) meeting is to address controversy, both in leadership and clinical practice. A panel of experts in their respective fields presented the background and literature behind three "myths" in orthopaedic management and made conclusions as to their validity. First, Dr. Kocher took on the myth of prophylactic pinning on the contralateral "normal" side for a patient with a slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Second, Dr. Probe evaluated the myth that all intertrochanteric fractures are best treated with intramedullary devices. Last, Dr. Foster and Dr. Silvestri tackled the myth that autograft is always the best choice for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. All three of these topics are subjects of current debate. The panel's careful examination of the available data along with their expertise in the management of these problems is presented in this thought-provoking JBJS Critical Issues article.

Improved lag screw positioning in the treatment of proximal femur fractures using a novel computer assisted surgery method: a cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: The importance of the tip-apex distance (TAD) to predict the cut-out risk of fixed angle hip implants has been widely discussed in the scientific literature. Intra-operative determination of TAD is difficult and can be hampered by image quality, body habitus, and image projection. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate, through a cadaveric study, a novel computer assisted surgery system (ADAPT), which is intended for intraoperative optimisation of lag screw positioning during antegrade femoral nailing. A 3D measure for optimal lag screw position, the tip-to-head-surface distance (TSD), is introduced. METHODS: 45 intra-medullary hip screw procedures were performed by experienced and less experienced surgeons in a cadaveric test series: in 23 surgeries the ADAPT system was used, and in 22 it was not used. The position of the lag screw within the femoral head and neck was evaluated using post-operative CT scans. TAD, TSD, fluoroscopy as well as procedure time and variability were assessed. RESULTS: The use of the ADAPT system increased accuracy in TSD values (i.e. smaller variability around the target value) for both groups of surgeons (interquartile range (IQR) of experienced surgeons: 4.10 mm (Conventional) vs. 1.35 mm (ADAPT) (p = 0.004)/IQR of less experienced surgeons: 3.60 mm (Conventional) vs. 0.85 mm (ADAPT) (p = 0.002)). The accuracy gain in TAD values did not prove to be significant in the grouped analysis (p = 0.269 for experienced surgeons; p = 0.066 for less experienced surgeons); however, the overall analysis showed a significant increase in accuracy (IQR: 4.50 mm (Conventional) vs. 2.00 mm (ADAPT) (p = 0.042)). The fluoroscopy time was significantly decreased by the use of the ADAPT system with a median value of 29.00 seconds (Conventional) vs. 17.00 seconds (ADAPT) for the less experienced surgeons (p = 0.046). There was no statistically significant impact on the procedure time (p = 0.739). CONCLUSIONS: The ADAPT system improved the position of the lag screw within the femoral head, regardless of the surgeon's level of clinical experience, and at the same time decreased overall fluoroscopy usage. These positive effects are achieved without increasing procedure time.

Treatment and displacement affect the reoperation rate for femoral neck fracture.

BACKGROUND: Femoral neck fractures (FNFs) comprise 50% of geriatric hip fractures. Appropriate management requires surgeons to balance potential risks and associated healthcare costs with surgical treatment. Treatment complications can lead to reoperation resulting in increased patient risks and costs. Understanding etiologies of treatment failure and the population at risk may decrease reoperation rates. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore (1) determined if treatment modality and/or displacement affected reoperation rates after FNF; and (2) identified factors associated with increased reoperation and timing and reasons for reoperation. METHODS: We reviewed 1411 records of patients older than 60 years treated for FNF with internal fixation or hemiarthroplasty between 1998 and 2009. We extracted patient age, sex, fracture classification, treatment modality and date, occurrence of and reasons for reoperation, comorbid conditions at the time of each surgery, and dates of death or last contact. Minimum followup was 12 months (median, 45 months; range, 12-157 months). RESULTS: Internal fixation (hazard ratio [HR], 6.38) and displacement (HR, 2.92) were independently associated with increased reoperation rates. The reoperation rate for nondisplaced fractures treated with fixation was 15% and for displaced fractures 38% after fixation and 7% after hemiarthroplasty. Most fractures treated with fixation underwent reoperation within 1 year primarily for nonunion. Most fractures treated with hemiarthroplasty underwent reoperation within 3 months, primarily for infection. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, hemiarthroplasty resulted in fewer reoperations versus internal fixation and displaced fractures underwent reoperation more than nondisplaced. Our data suggest there are fewer reoperations when treating elderly patients with displaced FNFs with hemiarthroplasty than with internal fixation.

The orthopaedist's role in healthcare system governance.

BACKGROUND: Historically, physicians as participants in healthcare governance were shunned because of perceived potential for conflict of interest. This maxim is being revisited as health systems begin to appreciate the value presented by physician leaders. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: This overview of the orthopaedist's role in healthcare governance will be addressed in three sections: first to identify the need for change in American healthcare, second to examine the role that physicians should play in governing over this inevitable change, and third to outline strategies for effective participation for those physicians wishing to play a role in healthcare governance. METHODS: The PubMed data set was queried applying the search commands "governance AND (healthcare OR hospital) AND (doctor OR physician OR surgeon)" for the time period 1969 to 2012. In addition, the bibliographies of relevant articles were reviewed. This search strategy returned 404 titles. Abstract and article review identified 19 relevant to the topic. Bibliographic review identified five more articles of relevance forming the foundation for this review. RESULTS: The delivery of American health care will require change to face current economic realities. Organizations that embrace this change guided by the insight of physician governors are well positioned to recognize the simultaneous improvement in value and quality. Although few physicians are formally trained for these roles, multiple paths to becoming effective governors are available. CONCLUSIONS: In this environment of rapid change in healthcare delivery, the medical insight of physician leadership will prove invaluable. Governing bodies should reach out to talented physicians and administratively talented physicians should rise to this challenge.

Orthopaedic trauma mythbusters: is limb salvage the preferred method of treatment for the mangled lower extremity?

Orthopaedic education is replete with unsubstantiated recommendations (myths) from predecessors in the field of orthopaedics. Even in the presence of sound evidence, some of these myths can be perpetuated through generations. One such recommendation is that if a mangled lower extremity can be saved, it should be saved. Recent technical and biologic advances allow the salvage of limbs that often required amputation in the past. Today's physicians must decide whether the physical, emotional, and financial costs of limb salvage can be justified by the expected functional outcome. Accumulated evidence suggests that functional outcomes are similar for amputation and limb salvage, whereas those treated with limb salvage have more hospitalizations and longer treatment times.

Immediate weight bearing of comminuted supracondylar femur fractures using locked plate fixation.

Comminuted supracondylar femur fractures (AO-OTA 33A3) are commonly treated with locked plates. Weight bearing is generally restricted for 6 to 12 weeks until radiologic evidence exists of sufficient callous to support weight bearing. Recent clinical studies have reported high nonunion rates with distal femur locked plates. In an attempt to induce beneficial motion across the fracture site, some studies have recommended earlier weight bearing. The purpose of the current study was to determine the biomechanical feasibility of an immediate weight-bearing rehabilitation protocol to encourage healing of distal femur fractures treated with lateral locked plate fixation.Sixteen fresh-frozen cadaveric femora were used for this study. A 2.5-cm supracondylar gap osteotomy was made. Ten-hole, 4.5-mm distal femur locking plates were used with a standardized screw configuration that maximized the working length. The specimens were placed in a servohydraulic testing machine and axially loaded (unidirectional) at 1 Hz for up to 200,000 cycles. Failure was defined as 1 cm of deformation of the construct. The staircase method was used to determine the fatigue limit of the construct. The fatigue limit was calculated to be 1329±106 N. No specimen failed through the non-locking diaphyseal screws. Plastic deformation, when present, occurred at the metaphyseal flare of the plate. The fatigue limit of the locked plate constructs equaled 1.9 times body weight for an average 70-kg patient over a simulated 10-week postoperative course. Given that distal femoral loads during gait have been estimated to be more than 2 times body weight, the data from this study do not support immediate full weight bearing.

Operative treatment of hip fractures in patients on clopidogrel: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Clopidogrel, an inhibitor of ADP-induced platelet aggregation, is indicated for the reduction of atherosclerotic events in patients with atherosclerosis documented by recent stoke, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, and established peripheral arterial disease. In cardiovascular studies, clopidogrel has been associated with increased chest tube output, transfusion rates, and re-exploration rates. Few studies have addressed the possible complications of clopidogrel in hip fractures. Our study aims to assess the perioperative blood loss and transfusion rates in geriatric patients with hip fractures on clopidogrel. We hypothesize that patients on clopidogrel will have higher perioperative blood loss and transfusion rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, case control study chart review over a five year span was conducted. Of the 2,766 geriatric hip fracture patients surgically treated, 52 patients taking clopidogrel upon admission to the hospital were compared to patients not on the drug. All of the patients in the study were taken to the operating room within two calendar days of admission. statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon's, Fisher exact, chi square, and logistic regression methods. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients were included in the analysis, 52 (47%) were taking clopidogrel at the time of admission. these patients were compared to 58 (53%) patients not on the drug. No significant difference was found with respect to documented perioperative blood loss. Transfusion rates however, did vary. Patients who had been taking clopidogrel, prior to admission and subsequent surgery, had a transfusion rate of 56% while those patients not on the drug had a transfusion rate of 31%. Logistic regression analysis showed taking clopidogrel up to admission was significantly associated (p = .0121) with receiving a blood transfusion following surgical treatment of a hip fracture. CONCLUSION: A growing body of evidence supports early (within 48 hrs) surgery for elderly patients with hip fractures. the pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel do not allow for bleeding time to return to normal until the drug has been discontinued for five days. Our study shows that patients taking clopidogrel upon admission for hip fracture are at increased risk of blood transfusions when surgery is performed within two calendar days of admis-sion. this risk must be balanced by the potential benefits of early surgery.

Alcohol induced epigenetic perturbations during the inflammatory stage of fracture healing.

It is well recognized by orthopedic surgeons that fractures of alcoholics are more difficult to heal successfully and have a higher incidence of non-union, but the mechanism of alcohol's effect on fracture healing is unknown. In order to give direction for the study of the effects of alcohol on fracture healing, we propose to identify gene expression and microRNA changes during the early stages of fracture healing that might be attributable to alcohol consumption. As the inflammatory stage appears to be the most critical for successful fracture healing, this paper focuses on the events at day three following fracture or the stage of inflammation. Sprague-Dawley rats were placed on an ethanol-containing or pair-fed Lieber and DeCarli diet for four weeks prior to surgical fracture. Following insertion of a medullary pin, a closed mid-diaphyseal fracture was induced using a Bonnarens and Einhorn fracture device. At three days' post-fracture, the region of the fracture calluses was harvested from the right hind-limb. RNA was extracted and microarray analysis was conducted against the entire rat genome. There were 35 genes that demonstrated significant increased expression due to alcohol consumption and 20 that decreased due to alcohol. In addition, the expression of 20 microRNAs was increased and six decreased. In summary, while it is recognized that mRNA levels may or may not represent protein levels successfully produced by the cell, these studies reveal changes in gene expression that support the hypothesis that alcohol consumption affects events involved with inflammation. MicroRNAs are known to modulate mRNA and these findings were consistent with much of what was seen with mRNA microarray analysis, especially the involvement of smad4 which was demonstrated by mRNA microarray, microRNA and polymerase chain reaction.

Percutaneous plating of the distal tibia and fibula: risk of injury to the saphenous and superficial peroneal nerves.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk of injury to the superficial peroneal nerve, saphenous nerve, and saphenous vein in percutaneous fixation of the distal fibula and tibia. METHODS: Ten adult cadaver lower extremities were instrumented with precontoured periarticular plates for the distal tibia and fibula. Plates were inserted percutaneously along the medial distal tibia and lateral fibula. Smooth wires were inserted percutaneously into each screw hole. Dissection of the superficial peroneal nerve, saphenous nerve, and saphenous vein was performed along their respective course. The position of the neurovascular structures relative to the smooth wires was recorded. RESULTS: The saphenous nerve and vein had a predictable course along the medial aspect of the ankle. Both structures were injured in every specimen. This occurred consistently at 2.0 to 4.7 cm from the tip of the medial malleolus. The superficial peroneal nerve demonstrated large variance in the exit point from the lateral compartment crural fascia, exiting at an average of 11.6 cm from the tip of the lateral malleolus. Injury occurred in a single specimen at 11.5 cm from this point. CONCLUSIONS: The superficial peroneal nerve, saphenous nerve, and saphenous vein are at risk during percutaneous submuscular plating of the distal fibula and tibia. Careful dissection proximally for the fibula and distally for the tibia can minimize the risk of damage to these structures.

The effects of femoral shaft malrotation on lower extremity anatomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how axial rotation around the anatomic axis of the femur, as would occur with malrotation of a femoral fracture, affects frontal and sagittal plane alignment and knee joint orientation. DESIGN: Computer-generated models of the lower extremity were constructed using standardized dimensions. To simulate a malrotated fracture, these models were rotated in the shaft around the anatomic axis in 15 degrees increments from 60 degrees internal to 60 degrees external rotation. Rotation was performed at the proximal fourth, mid-shaft, and distal fourth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: At each rotational position, the mechanical axis deviation in millimeters and the changes in mechanical lateral distal femoral angle in degrees were measured to quantify frontal plane malalignment and malorientation, respectively. The mechanical axis deviation in millimeters in the sagittal plane was also measured at each rotatory position. RESULTS: Femoral shaft malrotation greater than 30 degrees internal rotation of a subtrochanteric fracture or more than 45 degrees of a midshaft fracture or external rotation of 30 degrees or greater of a supracondylar fracture resulted in frontal plane malalignment. External rotation of a supracondylar fracture of 45 degrees or more results in knee joint malorientation. Any external rotation at all 3 fracture levels caused posterior displacement of the weight-bearing axis in the sagittal plane. CONCLUSIONS: Malrotation of a femoral shaft fracture is not just a cosmetic problem. Internal and external rotation causes malalignment and malorientation in the frontal plane, depending on the level of the fracture and the magnitude of malrotation. External rotation of any degree at the proximal fourth, mid-shaft, and distal fourth causes a posterior shift of the weight-bearing axis in the sagittal plane.

Intrathoracic humeral head fracture-dislocation.

There are few cases in the medical literature documenting intrathoracic glenohumeral fracture-dislocations. A total of eight cases have been reported-two intrathoracic humerus dislocations with greater tuberosity fractures 1, 2 and six cases with intrathoracic fracture-dislocations in which the fracture involved the humeral neck. 3-8 With so few cases, treatment modalities vary, and no guidelines exist. Patients in five of the reported cases underwent surgery, 1, 3-6 while the other three were treated nonoperatively. 2, 7, 8 We present a case of a middle-aged woman involved in a high-speed motor vehicle accident who sustained an intrathoracic humeral head fracture-dislocation and underwent operative treatment.

Lower extremity angular malunion: evaluation and surgical correction.

The lower extremity has a mechanical axis with joint orientation that allows joint longevity and efficiency in bipedal gait. When normal alignment is lost because of trauma or other conditions, deviations from this anatomic norm may be deleterious to long-term joint function. In fractures that have healed with angular malunion, all facets of the deformity must be carefully considered, including alteration in length, rotation, alignment, and translation. Once all elements are fully defined, the effects of the malunion on mechanical axis and joint orientation can be understood. Techniques for surgical correction include wedge, dome, and oblique osteotomies and distraction osteogenesis. Each method possesses characteristics appropriate for certain clinical situations. Judicious patient selection and thoughtful preoperative planning may allow restoration of normal mechanics.