Long-Term Results of Isolated Latissimus Dorsi to Rotator Cuff Transfer in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury.

Background Brachial plexus birth injury results in deficits in strength and motion, occasionally requiring surgery to restore power to the deficient external rotators of the shoulder in these patients. This is a retrospective analysis of the long-term results of an isolated latissimus dorsi transfer to the rotator cuff in patients with brachial plexus birth injury. Methods This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data for patients undergoing isolated latissimus dorsi transfer into the infraspinatus in addition to release of the internal rotation contracture of the shoulder with greater than 5 years' follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative shoulder elevation and external rotation were documented. Failure of surgery was defined as a return of the internal rotation contracture and a clinically apparent clarion sign. Results A total of 22 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria: 9 global palsies and 13 upper trunk palsies. The average follow-up was 11 years, ranging from 7.5 to 15.9 years. There was a trend for improved external rotation in the global palsy cohort at final follow-up ( p = 0.084). All nine global palsies maintained adequate external rotation without a clarion sign. Five of the 13 upper trunk palsies failed the latissimus dorsi transfer and subsequently required either teres major transfer and/or rotational osteotomy. In these five failures, the period from initial transfer to failure averaged 6.6 years, ranging from 3.4 to 9.5 years. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that patients with global palsy have sustained long-term improved outcomes with isolated latissimus dorsi transfer while patients with upper trunk palsy have a high rate of failure. Based on these results, we recommend isolated latissimus dorsi transfer for global palsy patients who have isolated infraspinatus weakness. Level of Evidence: Case series - Level IV.

Focus on POCUS Point of Care Ultrasound in the Upper Extremity.

Ultrasound technologies are infrequently utilized in orthopedics as a first line diagnostic method, however, advances in technology and the applied techniques have opened the door for how and when ultrasound can be used. One specific avenue is the use of point of care ultrasound in which ultrasound is used at the time of initial patient evaluation by the evaluating physician. This use expedites time to diagnosis and can even guide therapeutic interventions. In the past two decades there have been numerous studies demonstrating the effectiveness of ultrasound for the diagnosis of many orthopedic conditions in the upper extremity, often demonstrating that it can be used in the place of and with greater diagnostic accuracy than magnetic resonance imaging. This review elaborates on these topics and lays a groundwork for how to incorporate point of care ultrasound into a modern orthopedic practice.

Clinical Outcomes After Concomitant Hip Arthroscopy and Iliotibial Band Lengthening With Trochanteric Bursectomy Compared to a Matched Cohort.

PURPOSE: This study sought to determine the clinical outcomes of patients that underwent hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and concomitant arthroscopic iliotibial (IT) band lengthening with trochan- teric bursectomy (TB group) as well as a matched cohort of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for isolated FAI symptoms (NTB group) from baseline to a minimum of 2-year follow-up. METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with FAI and symptomatic trochanteric bursitis and who failed con- servative measures and underwent hip arthroscopy and arthroscopic IT band lengthening with trochanteric bur- sectomy were identified. These patients were matched by age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) to a group of patients who underwent surgery for FAI without trochanteric bur- sitis symptoms. Patients were separated into two groups: iliotibial band lengthening with trochanteric bursectomy (TB) and non-trochanteric bursectomy (NTB). The patient reported outcomes (PROs) recorded were the modified Har- ris Hip Score (mHHS) and Non-Arthritic Hips Score (NAHS), which were obtained with a minimum of 2-years follow-up. RESULTS: Each cohort was composed of 22 patients. The TB cohort was composed of 19 females (86%) with a re- ported mean age of 49.3 ± 11.6 years. The NTB cohort was composed of 19 females (86%) with a reported mean age of 49.0 ± 11.7 years. Both cohorts showed significant improve- ment from baseline in the mHHS and NAHS. There was no significant difference in the mHHS and NAHS between the two groups. There was no significant difference between TB and NTB groups with respect to achieving minimal clinically important difference (MCID), [19 (86%) vs. 20 (91%), p > 0.99] or patient acceptable symptom state (PASS), [13 (59%) vs. 14 (64%), p = 0.76]. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in PROs of patients with FAI and trochanteric bursitis who underwent hip ar- throscopy with concomitant arthroscopic IT band lengthen- ing with trochanteric bursectomy compared to patients with isolated FAI who underwent hip arthroscopy.

Non-psychoactive Cannabidiol Prevents Osteoporosis in an Animal Model and Increases Cell Viability, Proliferation, and Osteogenic Gene Expression in Human Skeletal Stem and Progenitor Cells.

Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive component of the Cannabis sativa plant, is marketed as a potential therapeutic agent and has been studied for its roles in reducing inflammation and managing neuropathic pain. Some studies have reported that CB1 and CB2 receptor activation can attenuate and reverse bone loss in experimental animal models. Despite this, little is known about the impact of CBD on fracture healing. We investigated the effects of CBD in vitro using human osteoprogenitor cells and in vivo via murine femur fracture and osteoporosis models. In vitro mesenchymal stem cells were treated with increasing concentrations of crystalized pharmaceutical grade CBD or vehicle solution. Cell viability and proliferation were significantly increased in cells treated with CBD compared to vehicle control. Osteocalcin expression was also significantly higher in the CBD-treated human stem cells compared to vehicle control. In vivo the effect of CBD on bone mineral density and fracture healing in mice was examined using a two-phase experimental approach. Fluoxetine was used for pharmacologic induction of osteoporosis and surgical oophorectomy (OVX) was used for hormonal induction of osteoporosis. X-ray and microCT analysis showed that CBD prevented both fluoxetine- and OVX-induced osteoporosis. We found that while OVX resulted in delayed bone healing in control mice, CBD-pretreated mice exhibited normal bone healing. Collectively these in vitro and in vivo findings suggest that CBD exerts cell-specific effects which can be exploited to enhance bone metabolism. These findings also indicate that CBD usage in an osteoporotic population may positively impact bone morphology, warranting further research.

Iliac Crest and Distal Radius Autografts Exhibit Distinct Cell-Intrinsic Functional Differences.

PURPOSE: Autologous bone grafts demonstrate osteoconductive, osteoinductive, and osteogenic properties. Hand surgeons commonly augment surgical fixation with autografts to promote fracture healing. This study compared the intrinsic stem cell-like properties of 2 commonly used autograft sources in hand surgery: the iliac crest and distal radius. METHODS: A total of 9 subjects who received an iliac crest bone graft and distal radius bone graft harvest as a part of the standard care of distal radius malunion or nonunion correction or scaphoid nonunion open reduction and internal fixation were enrolled in the study. Cells were isolated by serial collagenase digestion and subjected to fibroblast colony-forming units, osteogenesis, and adipogenesis assays. The expression levels of genes involved in osteogenesis and adipogenesis were confirmed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The cells isolated from the iliac crest bone graft compared with those isolated from the distal radius bone graft demonstrated significantly higher mean fibroblast colony-forming unit efficiency; increased osteogenesis, as measured using alizarin red quantification; increased adipogenesis, as measured using oil red O quantification; and higher expression levels of genes involved in osteogenesis and adipogenesis under the respective differentiation conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The cells isolated from the iliac crest bone graft demonstrated a higher fibroblast colony-forming unit capacity and an increased capability to undergo both osteogenesis and adipogenesis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Limited evidence exists comparing the intrinsic stem cell-like properties of the iliac crest and distal radius despite the widespread use of each source in hand and wrist surgery. The information from this investigation may assist hand and wrist surgeons with the selection of a source of autograft.

A Brief History of Tendon Transfer and, Specifically, the Opposition Tendon Transfer.

The development of tendon transfers is it relatively recent evolution in orthopedic surgery. Drobnik performed the first upper extremity tendon transfer in 1894 for a patient with radial nerve palsy, which marks the beginning of a field that developed rapidly. By 1918, Steindler had performed his now famous "opponensplasty" in which he rerouted the flexor pollicis longus tendon to the radial base of the proximal pha- lanx. In the subsequent decades, numerous surgeons offered alternative methods to restore thumb opposition. Names now synonymous with hand surgery, such as Huber, Littler, Howell, Camitz, Royle, Bunnell, and Burkhalter, would all leave a mark on the history of opposition transfers. In this review we discuss the history of tendon surgery and trans- fers, focusing on the procedure of thumb opposition transfer.

The minimal clinically important difference for the nonarthritic hip score at 2-years following hip arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine and establish the MCID for the NAHS at 2 years in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). METHODS: Patients that underwent primary hip arthroscopy for FAIS between 2010 and 2016 were analyzed for eligibility. Data were collected from a single surgeon's hip arthroscopy database. MCID was calculated for the NAHS utilizing a distribution-based method. RESULTS: The study included 298 patients (184 females) with an average age of 40.4 ± 13.0 years and average body mass index (BMI) of 25.7 ± 4.2 kg/m2. At baseline, the cohort's average NAHS score was 48.7 ± 13.6 and demonstrated an improvement of 36.5 ± 17.0 for NAHS at follow-up. This resulted in MCID values of + 8.5 for NAHS. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to report the MCID (+ 8.5) for NAHS following primary hip arthroscopy, and as such, is a valuable contribution to future hip arthroscopy research. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Paul W. Lapidus: The Father of Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Paul W. Lapidus' work has formed the foundation of modern foot and ankle surgery. Variations of his popularizedtechnique, the Lapidus procedure, remain in regular usetoday for the management and correction of hallux valgus.We revisit Dr. Lapidus' career and accomplishments withan emphasis on his importance to the expanding divisionof foot and ankle surgery at the Hospital for Joint Diseases.

Males Achieve Similar Success at Two Years Following Hip Arthroscopy Irrespective of Age.

PURPOSE: Previous research has demonstrated that there is a statistically significant relationship between hip arthroscopy outcomes and age. The purpose of this research was to investigate the link, if any, between hip arthroscopy outcomes and intraoperative pathology as well as with both patient age and sex. METHODS: All male patients 14 years of age or older who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and who had a 2-year patient-reported outcome scores were analyzed. These patients were separated into three age-based cohorts (< 30 years old, 30 to 45 years old, and > 45 years old). These cohorts were then analyzed and compared with respect to patient demographic information, intraoperative pathology, and functional outcome scores for statistical significance, set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: At 2-year follow-up, there was a significant difference seen between the modified Harris Hip scores (mHHS) of the < 30 years old and > 45 years old cohorts with a mean difference of 10.2 (92.05 ± 10.3 and 81.89 ± 16.7, p = 0.044). The results of an ANOVA comparing 2-year non-arthritic hip scores (NAHS) were not statistically significant (p = 0.196). At 2-year follow up, the NAHS scores were 92.18 ± 10.3, 87.76 ± 15.6, and 84.63 ± 15.9 for the < 30 years old, 30 to 45 years old, and > 45 years old cohorts, respectively. When analyzing cohorts for rates of achieving a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS), however, there were no statistically significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that males of all ages have generally good and similar outcomes following hip arthroscopy for FAI as determined by their similar rates of achieving both MCID and PASS.

Effect of Acetaminophen on Postoperative Percocet Use In Hip Arthroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To determine whether postoperative acetaminophen reduced narcotic consumption following hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement. METHODS: This was a single-center randomized controlled trial. Opioid-naïve patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement were randomized into 2 groups. The control group received our institution's standard of care for postoperative pain control, 28 tablets of 5 mg/325 mg oxycodone-acetaminophen prescribed as 1 to 2 tablets every 6 hours as needed for pain, whereas the treatment group were prescribed 650 mg acetaminophen every 6 hours for pain, with 5 mg/325 mg oxycodone-acetaminophen prescribed for breakthrough pain. Patients were instructed to be mindful of taking no more than 3 g of acetaminophen in a 24-hour limit. If this limit was reached, oxycodone 5 mg would be prescribed. They were contacted daily and asked to report opioid use as well as their level of pain using the visual analog pain scale. RESULTS: Our institution enrolled 86 patients, 80 of whom completed the study (40 control, 40 treatment). There were no statistically significant differences with respect to patient demographics and patient-specific factors between groups (age at time of surgery, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, or body mass index). In addition, there was no statistically significant difference with respect to visual analog scale pain between groups preoperatively (P = .64) or at 1-week follow up (P = .39). The treatment group did not use a statistically significant different number of narcotics than the control group throughout the first postoperative week (6.325 pills treatment vs 5.688 pills control, P = .237). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this randomized controlled trial suggest that postoperative acetaminophen may have no effect on reducing the number of narcotic pills consumed by opioid-naïve patients following hip arthroscopy in the setting of reduced opioid-prescribing on the part of orthopaedic surgeons. Furthermore, the results of this study suggest surgeons may reduce postoperative narcotic prescribing without reducing patient satisfaction following hip arthroscopy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II randomized control trial.

Applying the hip-spine relationship in total hip arthroplasty.

Total hip arthroplasty dislocations that occur inside Lewinnek's anatomical safe zone represent a need to better understand the hip-spine relationship. Unfortunately, the use of obtuse and redundant terminology to describe the hip-spine relationship has made it a relatively inaccessible topic in orthopaedics. However, with a few basic definitions and principles, the hip-spine relationship can be simplified and understood to prevent unnecessary dislocations following total hip arthroplasty.In the following text, we use common language to define a normal and abnormal hip-spine relationship, present an algorithm for recognising and treating a high-risk hip-spine patient, and discuss several common, high-risk hip-spine pathologies to apply these concepts. Simply, high-risk hip-spine patients often require subtle adjustments to acetabular anteversion based on radiographic evaluations and should also be considered for a high-offset stem, dual-mobility articulation, or large femoral head for additional protection against instability and dislocation.

Patient and Surgeon Satisfaction with Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Until recently, telehealth represented a small fraction of orthopedic surgery patient interactions. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a swift adoption of telehealth to avoid patient and provider exposure. This study analyzed patient and surgeon satisfaction with telehealth within the department of orthopedic surgery during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: All orthopedic surgery patients who partici-pated in telehealth from March 30 to April 30, 2020, were sent a 14-question survey via e-mail. Orthopedic surgeons who used telehealth were sent a separate 14-question survey at the end of the study period. Factors influencing patient satisfaction were determined using univariate proportional odds and multivariate partial proportional odds models. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-two patients and 33 surgeons completed the surveys. On average, patients were "satisfied" with telehealth (4.25/5.00 ± 0.96), and 37.0% preferred future visits to be conducted using telehealth. Multivariate partial proportional odds modeling determined that patients who found it easiest to arrange the telehealth visit had greater satisfaction (5.00/5.00 vs. 1.00-3.00/5.00: OR = 3.058; 95% CI = 1.621 to 5.768, p < 0.001), as did patients who believed they were able to communicate most effectively (5.00/5.00 vs. 1.00-4.00/5.00: OR = 20.268; 95% CI = 5.033 to 81.631, p < 0.001). Surgeons were similarly "satisfied" with telehealth (3.94/5.00 ± 0.86), and while their physical examinations were only "moderately effec-tive" (2.64/5.00 ± 0.99), they were "fairly confident" in their diagnoses (4.03/5.00 ± 0.64). Lastly, 36.7% ± 24.7% of surgeons believed that their telehealth patients required an in-person visit, and 93.9% of surgeons will continue using telehealth in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Telehealth emerged as a valuable tool for the delivery of health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. While both patients and surgeons were satisfied with its use, this study identifies areas that can improve the patient and surgeon experience. The effectiveness and satisfaction with telehealth should inform regulatory and reimbursement policy.

Evaluation and Management of Carpal Fractures Other Than the Scaphoid.

Fractures of the carpus can be debilitating injuries and often lead to chronic pain and dysfunction when not properly treated. Although scaphoid fractures are more common, fractures of the other carpal bones account for nearly half of all injuries of the carpus. Often missed on initial presentation, a focused physical examination with imaging tailored to the suspected injury is needed to identify these fractures. In addition to plain radiographs, advanced imaging such as CT and MRI are helpful in diagnosis and management. Treatment of carpal fractures is based on the degree of displacement, stability of the fracture, and associated injuries. Those that require surgical fixation often affect the congruency of the articular surfaces, are unstable, are at risk for symptomatic nonunion, are associated with notable ligamentous injury, or are causing nerve or tendon entrapment. Surgical strategies involve percutaneous Kirschner wires, external fixation, screws and/or plates, excision, or fusion for salvage. Owing to the intimate articulations in the hand, small size of the carpal bones, and complex vascular supply, carpal fracture complications include symptomatic nonunion, osteonecrosis, and posttraumatic arthritis.

Revisiting the Reverse Sural Artery Flap in Distal Lower Extremity Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Risk Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The reverse sural artery flap (RSAF) is a popular option for patients with distal lower extremity defects who are not ideal candidates for free flap reconstruction. This is the first systematic review and pooled analysis of surgical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of the RSAF. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted. All studies reporting on patients undergoing RSAF reconstruction and their outcomes were included. Outcomes were pooled and analyzed using Fisher exact or χ test. RESULTS: Forty-three studies (479 patients, 481 flaps) were analyzed. The majority of patients were male (70.3%), and average ± SD age was 46.9 ± 16.7 years. Rates of smoking, diabetes mellitus (DM), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) were 34.6%, 35.4%, and 12.3%, respectively. Defect etiologies were largely traumatic (60.4%). The most common defect location was the heel (40.8%). Flap modifications were reported in 123 flaps (25.6%). The most common modification was adipofascial extension (20.3%).Overall, the partial and total flap loss rates were 15.4% and 3.1%, respectively. Partial flap loss was significantly increased in smokers (28.9% vs 12.2% in nonsmokers, P = 0.0195). Technical modifications decreased the odds of partial necrosis by almost 3-fold compared with traditional RSAF reconstruction (7.2% vs 17.9%; odds ratio, 2.8 [1.4-5.8]; P = 0.0035). Patient age, DM, and PVD were not significantly associated with flap loss. CONCLUSIONS: The RSAF remains a safe salvage option for patients with DM or PVD but should be used with caution in smokers. Technical modifications to minimize pedicle compression significantly reduce rates of partial necrosis.

Spondylolisthesis is Common, Early, and Severe in Loeys-Dietz Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: We studied the prevalence and treatment outcomes of spondylolisthesis in patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS). METHODS: Clinical data and lumbosacral imaging of 138 patients with LDS were reviewed. Spondylolisthesis (L4-L5 or L5-S1) and spondylolysis were characterized by multimodal imaging and correlated with clinical data. Treatments and outcomes were characterized for patients with spondylolisthesis. Associations were determined using the Fisher exact, Mann-Whitney, and Student t tests (α=0.05). RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (17%) had spondylolysis and 23 (17%) had spondylolisthesis. Median age at spondylolisthesis diagnosis was 11 (interquartile range, 9.5) years. In patients in whom measurement was possible (n=20), mean (±SD) slip was 48% (±35%). Nineteen patients had L5-S1 slip and 4 had L4-L5 slip. Of the patients with spondylolisthesis, 5 had no evidence of spondylolysis; of those with spondylolysis, all but 6 had spondylolisthesis. Eleven patients with spondylolisthesis underwent posterior spinal fusion (PSF) to treat slip progression, pain, and/or neurological deficit. Spondylolisthesis recurred in 1 patient who underwent PSF with bone graft arthrodesis alone (no instrumentation). The other 10 patients underwent PSF with instrumentation and fusion. Three patients additionally underwent Bohlman interbody fusion. Two patients developed implant failure. S2 fixation was performed at revision to achieve fusion in these patients. Mean Meyerding grade improved in patients who underwent arthrodesis, from 3.9 (±1.2) to 1.9 (±1.3) (P=0.002). Complications were 2 cerebrospinal fluid leaks, 2 transient postoperative paresthesias, and 1 case each of pseudarthrosis at S1-S2, wound dehiscence, and transient urinary incontinence. No significant associations between LDS type and lumbosacral abnormalities were found. CONCLUSIONS: High-grade spondylolisthesis is common in LDS and usually associated with spondylolysis. Patients requiring surgery for spondylolisthesis present during childhood and do well after instrumented PSF. Interbody fusion and stabilization of S1 and S2 can prevent physeal deformation. LDS should be considered in patients with high-grade spondylolisthesis. Patients with LDS should be monitored for spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis starting when they are young. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-retrospective study.

Isolation, production, and analysis of small leucine-rich proteoglycans in bone.

Small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) are a unique class of proteins that exist in the extracellular matrix, playing key roles in cell proliferation and function. In bone, SLRPs such as biglycan and decorin affect osteogenesis and bone remodeling. Their essential role in this organ system has created the need to isolate these proteins for study. Bone presents unique obstacles to the study of proteins; however, through the use of demineralizing agents, efficient methods of the purification of proteoglycans have been developed. Additionally, methods have been developed that allow for the production and isolation of proteoglycans from conditioned media, which opens the door to a wide array of in vitro and in vivo assays. In stride with the purification and utilization of proteoglycans is the need to insure proteoglycan identity and purity, which is accomplished through enzymatic deglycosylation and blot analysis.

Cost Variation of Anterior Cervical Fusions in Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database review. OBJECTIVE: To determine how demographics and comorbid diagnoses influence hospital costs during admission for anterior cervical fusions (ACFs) in the elderly Medicare population. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Elective ACFs to treat degenerative cervical pathology are extremely common within the elderly population. Although it is well known that every patient has a significantly different medical profile that guides treatment and postoperative care, little information is available regarding how hospital costs vary from patient to patient. METHODS: Medicare records from the PearlDiver database (2011-2012) were retrospectively queried to select all 65- to 84-year-old patients who underwent primary, 1 to 2 level ACF (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification: 81.02) for either cervical spondylosis or cervical disc disease. All patients with corpectomies, posterior cervical fusions, and all other same-day spine fusion surgeries were excluded. The primary outcome of this study was Medicare reimbursement from the full inpatient stay as associated with the selected International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision procedure code. The relative contributions of year, age, sex, region, myelopathy diagnosis, and various comorbidities to the total cost were determined with both univariate statistics and multivariate analysis. For all analyses, P < 0.001 was determined to be significant. RESULTS: In total, 21,853 patients were selected for analysis. The average reimbursement for the full cohort was $13,648 ±â€Š$7306. On multivariate analysis, advanced age ($1083), diagnosis of myelopathy ($2150), diabetes mellitus ($1019), obesity ($651), congestive heart failure ($1523), chronic kidney disease ($1962), and chronic pulmonary disease ($489) were all factors that increased costs. Of note, sex, smoking history, and prior liver disease were not associated with changes in cost. CONCLUSION: Medicare reimbursements provide a value means by which determinants of cost can be elucidated. Although multiple comorbidities, older age, and myelopathy diagnosis could be theorized to contribute to increased costs, there is still some uncertainty regarding their relative costs. These data are informative to practicing physicians as health care as a whole transitions to a more value-based approach. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.