Complications after tendon transfers in the foot and ankle using bioabsorbable screws.

BACKGROUND: Tendon transfers are commonly used for correction of pathology or deformity of the foot and ankle. Bioabsorbable implants have been developed as an alternative to metal interference screws. The purpose of this study was to document complications following tendon transfers of the foot and ankle using bioabsorbable poly-L-lactide interference screws. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was used to identify patients in whom either of the 2 senior authors had performed a tendon transfer of the foot and ankle using a bioabsorbable interference screw between 1999 and 2005. A minimum of 6 months of follow-up was required for inclusion in the study. In all, 31 patients were identified who met the inclusion criteria with an average follow-up of 75 weeks. All screws were made of poly-L-lactide (PLLA). RESULTS: Complications were identified in 12 (39%) of patients. All of the complications reported were known complications of the tendon transfer procedure itself, and were not directly related to the bioabsorbable screw. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these early results, PLLA implants appear safe and effective for tendon transfers of the foot and ankle. However, until long-term outcomes are available, judicious use of these implants is recommended.

Race and Age Impact Osteoporosis Screening Rates in Women Prior to Hip Fracture.

Bone mineral density screening and clinical risk factors are important to stratify individuals for increased risk of fracture. In a population with no history of fractures or baseline bone density measurement, black women were less likely to be screened than white counterparts prior to hip fracture. PURPOSE: To evaluate overall BMD (bone mineral density) screening rates within two years of hip fracture and to identify any disparities for osteoporosis screening or treatment in a female cohort who were eligible for screening under insurance and national recommendations. METHODS: Data were obtained from 1,109 female patients listed in the Research Action for Health Network (REACHnet) database, which consists of multiple health partner systems in Louisiana and Texas. Patients < 65 years old or with a history of hip fracture or osteoporosis diagnosis, screening or treatment more than 2 years before hip fracture were removed. RESULTS: Only 223 (20.1%) females were screened within the two years prior to hip fracture. Additionally, only 23 (10%) of the screened patients received treatment, despite 187 (86.6%) patients being diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia. Screening rates reached a maximum of 27.9% in the 75-80 age group, while the 90 + age group had the lowest screening rates of 12%. We found a quadratic relationship between age and screening rates, indicating that the screening rate increases in age until age 72 and then decreases starkly. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that black patients had significantly decreased screening rates compared to white patients (adjusted OR = .454, 95% CI = .227-.908, p value = .026) which held in general and for patient ages 65-97. CONCLUSION: Despite national recommendations, overall BMD screening rates among women prior to hip fracture are low. If individuals are not initially screened when eligible, they are less likely to ever be screened prior to fracture. Clinicians should address racial disparities by recommending more screening to otherwise healthy black patients above the age of 65. Lastly, treatment rates need to increase among those diagnosed with osteoporosis since all patients went on to hip fracture.