Patient-level patterns in daily prescribed opioid dosage in single level lumbar fusion are associated with postoperative opioid dosage and adverse events: a retrospective analysis of claims data.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery have high rates of preoperative opioid use, which is associated with inferior outcomes and higher risks for opioid dependency postoperatively. PURPOSE: Determine whether there are identifiable subgroups of patients that follow distinct patterns in pre- and postoperative opioid dosing. Examine how preoperative patterns in opioid dosing relate to postoperative opioid patterns, opioid cessation, and the risk for adverse events. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective analysis of an administrative claims database (MeritiveTM Marketscan® Research Databases 2007-2015). PATIENT SAMPLE: The 9,768 patients undergoing primary single level lumbar fusion. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary: daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME) opioid dosing calculated from prescriptions dispensed for 1 year before and after surgery; secondary: 90-day all-cause readmission and complications, 90-day acute postoperative pain, 90-day and 1-year reoperation, surgical costs, length of stay, and discharge disposition. METHODS: Distinct patient subgroups defined by patterns of daily MME pre- and postoperatively were identified via group-based trajectory modeling. Associations between these groups and outcomes were assessed with multivariable logistic regression with risk adjustment for patient and surgical factors. RESULTS: Among primary single level lumbar fusion patients, 59.5% filled an opioid prescription in the 3 months preceding surgery, whereas 40.5% were opioid naïve (Naïve). Five distinct subgroups of daily MME were identified among those filling opioids preoperatively: (1) Naïve to 3m (21.2% of patients): no opioids until 3 months preoperatively, escalating to 15 MME/day; (2) Low to 3m (11.4%): very low or as needed dose until 3 months preoperatively, escalating to 15 MME/day; (3) 6m Rise (6.9%): no opioids until 6 months preoperatively, escalating to >30 MME/day; (4) Medium (9.8%): increased linearly from 10 to 25 MME/day across the year before surgery; (5) High (10.0%): increased linearly from 60 to >80 MME/day across the year before surgery. These five preoperative opioid groups were related to postoperative opioids filled in a dose-response manner. The two preoperative patient groups with chronic Medium to High-dose opioid dosing were associated with increased adverse events, including all-cause readmission, reoperation, and pneumonia, whereas a low baseline group with a large, earlier preoperative rise in opioid dosing (6m Rise) had increased encounters for acute postoperative pain. Postoperatively, only 9.5% of patients did not fill an opioid prescription. Five distinct postoperative subgroups were identified based on their patterns in daily MME: Two groups ceased filling opioids within the year following surgery (33.6% of patients), and three groups declined in opioid dosage following surgery but plateaued at low (0-5 MME/day, 29.1%), medium (10-15 MME/day, 12.0%), or high (70-75 MME/day), 13.1%) doses by 1 year. Patients within the higher preoperative opioid groups were more likely to belong to the postoperative groups that were unable to cease filling opioids. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of a patient's preoperative time trend in daily opioid use may provide significant prognostic value and help guide pain management and risk reduction efforts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Prospective Analysis of Simulated Pneumatic Tourniquet Use and Oedema Following Axillary Lymph Node Dissection.

Background: Tourniquet use during upper extremity surgery in patients with a history of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) remains controversial due to the perceived but unproven risk of lymphoedema. We prospectively evaluated upper extremity swelling in patients with a history of unilateral ALND using a standardised tourniquet model. Methods: A tourniquet was applied to the upper arm bilaterally, with the unaffected side serving as an internal control. Each arm was subsequently held in an elevated position to reduce swelling. Hand volume was measured using an aqueous volumeter. Results: The patients' ALND arms experienced slightly greater increases in volume following tourniquet application compared to their healthy control arms. However, this amount of oedema was temporary and reversible, as both arms experienced spontaneous resolution of swelling with no significant difference in residual hand volume at the conclusion of the study. Conclusions: Tourniquet use may be safe in patients with a history of ALND. Further investigation is needed to verify this in a surgical setting. Level of Evidence: Level II (Therapeutic).

Use of Navigation-Enhanced Instrumentation to Mitigate Surgical Outliers During Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Computer-assisted orthopedic surgery improves mechanical alignment and the accuracy of surgical cuts in the context of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A simplified, navigation-enhanced instrumentation system was assessed to determine whether the same effects could be achieved with a less intrusive system. Two cohorts of surgeons (experienced and trainees) performed a series of TKA cuts using models with and without navigation-enhanced instrumentation. The accuracy of each system was determined via the rate of outliers, measured as any cut that deviated from the planned cut by more than 2° or 2 mm. The effect of experience level was limited, with only the outlier rate for tibial varus or valgus measurement showing a significant difference between user groups with conventional instrumentation (P=.004). The use of navigation-enhanced instrumentation significantly reduced the total outlier rate compared with conventional instrumentation from 35% to 4% for experienced users (P<.001) and from 34% to 10% for trainees (P<.001). These results suggest that navigation-enhanced instrumentation is a viable alternative to conventional instrumentation to reduce outlier rates and improve cut accuracy. This trial also showed that additional experience may not correlate with improved surgical accuracy. Outliers may not reflect individual surgical ability as much as limitations of the instrumentation or other unidentified factors. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(1):54-57.].

Agreement and Reliability of Lateral Patellar Tilt and Displacement following Total Knee Arthroplasty with Patellar Resurfacing.

Patellar position and alignment may be measured on routine axial radiographs by various techniques; however, the agreement and reliability of such measurements with a resurfaced patella remain unknown. This study evaluated the range and reliability of lateral patellar tilt and lateral patellar displacement following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a resurfaced patella among three observers on 45° Merchant view in 139 TKAs. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICCs) were used to evaluate intraobserver agreement (IOA) and inter-rater reliability (IRR). IRR was high between each of the observers for lateral patellar tilt (ICC = 0.8) and lateral patellar displacement (ICC = 0.87). IOA was also high upon repeat measurement for the same observer for lateral patellar tilt (ICC ≥ 0.90) and lateral patellar displacement (ICC ≥ 0.86). Therefore, lateral patellar tilt and lateral patellar displacement are reproducible measurements of patellar position on a Merchant axial radiograph following a well-functioning TKA with a resurfaced patella.

Cervical epidural steroid injections: incidence and determinants of subsequent surgery.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Cervical epidural steroid injections (CESIs) are sometimes used in the management of cervical radicular pain in order to delay or avoid surgery. However, the rate and determinants of surgery following CESIs remain uncertain. PURPOSE: This study sought to determine: (1) the proportion of patients having surgery following CESI, and (2) the timing of and factors associated with subsequent surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a large, national administrative claims database. PATIENT SAMPLE: The study included 192,777 CESI patients (age 50.9±11.3 years, 55.2% female) who underwent CESI for imaging-based diagnoses of cervical disc herniation or stenosis, a clinical diagnosis of radiculopathy, or a combination thereof. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the time from index CESI to surgery. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were CESI for cervical disc herniation, stenosis, or radiculopathy, age ≥18, and active enrollment for 1 year before CESI to screen for exclusions. Patients were followed until they underwent cervical surgery, or their enrollment lapsed. Rates of surgery were assessed with Kaplan-Meier survival curves and 99% confidence intervals. Factors associated with subsequent surgery were assessed with multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Within 6 months of CESI, 11.2% of patients underwent surgery, increasing to 14.5% by 1 year and 22.3% by 5 years. Male patients and those aged 35 to 54 had an increased likelihood of subsequent surgery. Patients with radiculopathy were less likely to undergo surgery following CESI than those with stenosis or herniation, while patients with multiple diagnoses were more likely. Patients with comorbidities including CHF, other cardiac comorbidities or chronic pain were less likely to undergo surgery, as were patients in the northeast US region. Some 33.5% of patients underwent >1 CESI, with 84.6% of these occurring within 1 year. Additional injections were associated with reduced rates of subsequent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Following CESI, over one in five patients underwent surgery within 5 years. Multiple patient-specific risk factors for subsequent surgery were identified, and patients undergoing repeated injections were at lower risk. Determining which patients may progress to surgery can be used to improve resource utilization and to inform shared decision-making.

A Structured Review Instrument Improves the Quality of Orthopaedic Journal Club.

OBJECTIVE: We asked the following questions: 1. Does the use of an structured review instrument (SRI) at journal club increase presentation quality, as measured objectively by a standardized evaluation rubric? 2. Does SRI use increase the time required to prepare for journal club? 3. Does SRI use positively impact presenter perceptions about confidence while presenting, satisfaction, and journal club effectiveness, as measured by postparticipation surveys? DESIGN: A prospective study was designed in which a grading rubric was developed to evaluate journal club presentations. The rubric was applied to 24 presentations at journal clubs prior to introduction of the SRI. An SRI was developed and distributed to journal club participants, who were instructed to use it to prepare for journal club. The grading rubric was then used to assess 25 post-SRI presentations and scores were compared between the pre- and post-SRI groups. Presentations occurred at either trauma, pediatrics, or spine subspecialty journal clubs. Participants were also surveyed regarding time requirements for preparation, perceptions of confidence while presenting, satisfaction, and perceptions of overall club effectiveness. SETTING: A single academic center with an orthopaedic surgery residency program. PARTICIPANTS: Resident physicians in the department of orthopaedic surgery. RESULTS: Mean presentation scores increased from 14.0 ± 5.9 (mean ± standard deviation) to 24.4 ± 5.2 after introduction of the SRI (p < 0.001). Preparation time decreased from a mean of 47 minutes to 40 minutes after SRI introduction (p = 0.22). Perceptions of confidence, satisfaction, and club effectiveness among trainees trended toward more positive responses after SRI introduction (confidence: 63% positive responses pre-SRI vs 72% post-SRI, p = 0.73; satisfaction: 64% vs 91%, p = 0.18; effectiveness: 64% vs 91%, p = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a structured review instrument to guide presentations at orthopaedic journal club increased presentation quality, and there was no difference in preparation time. There were trends toward improved presenter confidence, satisfaction, and perception of journal club effectiveness. SRI utilization at orthopaedic journal club may be an effective method for increasing the quality of journal club presentations. Future work should examine the relationship between presentation quality and overall club effectiveness.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Postoperative Hypothermia After Orthopaedic Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative hypothermia is a common complication of orthopaedic surgery associated with increased morbidity. We identified the incidence and risk factors for postoperative hypothermia across orthopaedic surgical procedures. METHODS: A total of 3,822 procedures were reviewed. Hypothermia was defined as temperature <36.0°C. Incidences were calculated and associated risk factors were evaluated by mixed-effects regression analyses. RESULTS: Hypothermia was observed in 72.5% of patients intraoperatively and 8.3% postoperatively. Risk factors for postoperative hypothermia included intraoperative hypothermia (odds ratio [OR], 2.72), lower preoperative temperature (OR, 1.46), female sex (OR, 1.42), lower body mass index (OR, 1.06 per kg/m), older age (OR, 1.02 per year), adult reconstruction by specialty (OR, 4.06), and hip and pelvis procedures by anatomic region (OR, 8.76). DISCUSSION: Intraoperative and postoperative hypothermia are common in patients who have undergone orthopaedic surgery. The high-risk groups identified in this study warrant increased attention and should be targets for interventions to prevent hypothermia and limit morbidity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic study.

Two Genetic Variants Associated with Plantar Fascial Disorders.

Plantar fascial disorder is comprised of plantar fasciitis and plantar fibromatosis. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, especially for athletes involved in running and jumping sports. Plantar fibromatosis is a rare fibrous hyperproliferation of the deep connective tissue of the foot. To identify genetic loci associated with plantar fascial disorders, a genome-wide association screen was performed using publically available data from the Research Program in Genes, Environment and Health including 21,624 cases of plantar fascial disorders and 80,879 controls. One indel (chr5:118704153:D) and one SNP (rs62051384) showed an association with plantar fascial disorders at genome-wide significance (p<5×10-8) with small effects (odds ratios=0.93 and 1.07 per allele, respectively). The indel chr5:118704153:D is located within TNFAIP8 (encodes a protein induced by TNF alpha) and rs62051384 is located within WWP2 (which is involved in proteasomal degradation). These DNA variants may be informative in explaining why some individuals are at higher risk for plantar fascial disorders than others.

Surgery for Refractory Coccygodynia: Operative Versus Nonoperative Treatment.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes for patients with refractory coccygodynia treated with coccygectomy compared to a nonsurgical regimen of sitting aids, physical therapy, medications, and injections. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The surgical treatment of coccygodynia remains controversial. To date, there has only been one small comparative study of surgical versus nonsurgical treatment. METHODS: From 2004 to 2014, 109 patients presenting with coccygodynia were treated with either total coccygectomy or a nonsurgical course of sitting aids, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and injections. All had at least 2 years of symptoms before surgery. The patient principally made the treatment decision, counseled by the treating physician. Before surgery, all subjects underwent at least 2 years of conservative treatment and three-dimensional imaging (computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging). Subjects completed visual analog pain scales, EuroQol five-dimension, components of the PROMIS measure, and a novel Coccygodynia Disability Index evaluation. Work status, complications, and satisfaction were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients received nonsurgical care; eight declined participation and five could not be located. Forty-eight patients underwent total coccygectomy; three declined participation and five could not be located. At an average 4.8 years of follow-up (range: 2-9), the nonsurgical visual analog pain scales was 5 and the surgical 2 (P = 0.001); 79% of surgically treated patients were improved at 2 years versus 43% for the nonsurgical group. EuroQol five-dimension (P = 0.002), Coccygodynia Disability Index (0.01), and PROMIS Pain interference scores (0.02) were also significantly improved in the surgical group. Eleven surgical patients (26%) had complications, all wound related with successful resolution; seven treated with dressing changes and four with surgical debridement. CONCLUSION: Total coccygectomy is a safe and effective surgical treatment of coccygodynia refractory to nonoperative care. Patient-reported outcome measures were improved after surgery compared with nonsurgical management. Postoperative wound care remains a concern. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

A fracture does not adversely affect bone mineral density responses after teriparatide treatment.

BACKGROUND: Fracture leads to local and systemic catabolic physiologic changes. As teriparatide is an agent used to treat osteoporosis in patients with fragility fractures, it is unclear whether teriparatide treatment alters bone mineral density (BMD) and bone markers when given to patients with fractures. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked whether BMD and bone marker responses would be blunted in patients with fractures placed on teriparatide after fracture compared with patients without fractures on teriparatide. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 141 patients treated with teriparatide for osteoporosis. Seventy-seven patients received teriparatide after fractures (fracture group), whereas 64 were treated for other indications (nonfracture group). We determined BMD at the lumbar spine and at the proximal femur before and 12 and 24 months posttreatment. Bone markers (urine N-telopeptide [urine NTX], bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [BALP]) were measured at baseline and 3, 12, and 24 months posttreatment. RESULTS: Mean lumbar spine and hip BMDs at last followup increased from baseline with no differences between groups to approximately 9% and 4% at 24 months, respectively. Both bone markers increased from baseline in the nonfracture group, peaking at 12 months. For the fracture group, only urine NTX increased at 3 and 12 months posttreatment. Although the peak levels of both bone markers in the nonfracture group were greater, there was no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Fracture does not have a negative effect on the BMD and bone marker responses to teriparatide treatment. Clinicians should anticipate comparable BMD responses when treating patients with teriparatide for osteoporotic fractures and for other indications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.