Early results of nerve transfers for restoring function in severe cases of acute flaccid myelitis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe early functional outcomes of nerve transfer surgery in a relatively large cohort of patients with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). METHODS: A retrospective case analysis was made of patients with AFM treated with nerve transfer surgery between 2007 and 2018. Surgical criteria were persistent motor deficits after 6 months from onset and available donor nerves. Thirty-two patients with AFM were evaluated; 16 underwent nerve transfer surgeries. Motor function was evaluated by a licensed occupational therapist using the Active Movement Scale preoperatively and during follow-up examinations. Patients with 6 or more months of follow-up were included in the analysis. Patients with procedures other than nerve transfers were excluded. RESULTS: Sixteen patients with AFM had nerve transfers, with a male predominance (75%) and median age of 2.5 years (range = 4 months-12 years). Eleven patients had a minimum 6 months of follow-up. Nerve transfers to restore elbow function had 87% excellent recovery for elbow flexion and 67% for elbow extension. Finger and thumb extension were full against gravity in 1 patient (100%). Shoulder external rotation was excellent in 50% of patients and shoulder abduction in only 20%. Nine of 10 patients (90%) had resolution of shoulder pseudosubluxation following nerve transfer to the suprascapular nerve. INTERPRETATION: Patients with AFM with persistent motor deficits 6 to 9 months after onset benefit from nerve transfer surgery. Restoration of elbow function was more reliable than restoration of shoulder function. We recommend early referral of patients with incomplete recovery to a center experienced in nerve transfers for timely evaluation and treatment. ANN NEUROL 2019;86:607-615.

Complications of Elbow Arthroscopy in a Community-Based Practice.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report the complications of elbow arthroscopy in a large community practice with multiple surgeons and to analyze potential risk factors for these complications. METHODS: Patient demographic information, surgical variables, surgeon variables, and complications were retrospectively reviewed for all elbow arthroscopies performed within the health network from 2006 to 2014. Inclusion criteria included patients of any age undergoing a primary and revision elbow arthroscopy, which may have been performed in conjunction with other procedures. Exclusion criteria included incorrectly coded procedures where arthroscopy was not performed and no postoperative follow-up. Statistical calculations were performed using a binary logistic regression analysis to fit a logistic regression model. RESULTS: 560 consecutive elbow arthroscopies in 528 patients performed between 2006 and 2014, by 42 surgeons at 14 facilities, were reviewed. 113 procedures were performed in pediatric patients under the age of 18. The average age was 38.6 years (range: 5-88). There were 444 males. The average length of follow-up was 375.8 days (2 to 2,739 days). Overall, heterotopic ossification occurred in 14 of 560 cases (2.5%) (all males), and 20 of 560 (3.5%) cases developed transient nerve palsies (8 ulnar, 8 radial, 1 median, 3 medial antebrachial cutaneous). There were 3 (0.5%) deep and 11 (2%) superficial infections. There were no vascular injuries, compartment syndrome, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism. Elevated blood sugar was a significantly higher risk for infection (odds ratio [OR] 4.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.337 to 12.645; P = .0136). Previous elbow surgery (OR 3.57, 95% CI 1.440 to 8.938; P = .006) and female sex (OR 4.05; 95% CI 1.642 to 9.970; P = .002) had a significantly higher risk for nerve injury. Relative to pediatric patients, there were higher odds in adults for nerve injury, infection, and heterotopic ossification, but none reached significance. CONCLUSIONS: Elbow arthroscopy is a safe procedure with low complication rates. Diabetes is a risk factor for infection. Prior surgery and female sex are risk factors for nerve injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case series, level 4.

An in vitro evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of platelet-rich plasma, ketorolac, and methylprednisolone.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to quantify the extent of the anti-inflammatory effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in a controlled in vitro environment. METHODS: Through the stimulation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α and interferon γ), cell adhesion molecule expression (E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule, and human leukocyte antigen DR) and PRP's anti-inflammatory effect can be measured. PRP was produced from 3 individuals using a single-spin (PRPLP) process. Treatment groups include negative (unstimulated) controls, positive (stimulated) controls, ketorolac tromethamine, methylprednisolone, PRP, ketorolac-PRP, and methylprednisolone-PRP. A fluorescence assay of the cellular inflammation markers was measured by the BioTek Synergy HT plate reader (BioTek Instruments, Winooski, VT) at 0, 1, 2, and 5 days. RESULTS: At days 2 and 5, methylprednisolone treatment showed a 2.1- to 5.8-fold reduction (P < .05) in inflammation markers over PRP. In addition, PRP and ketorolac showed a 1.4- to 2.5-fold reduction (P < .05) in cellular inflammation markers over the control. There was no statistically significant difference between ketorolac and PRP. CONCLUSIONS: Although PRP and ketorolac reduced cellular inflammation markers (E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule, and human leukocyte antigen DR) compared with control, neither caused as great a reduction as methylprednisolone. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although PRP and ketorolac did not produce as significant a reduction in cellular inflammation markers as methylprednisolone, they reduced cellular inflammation compared with the control. These agents may have clinical application as injectable anti-inflammatory medications.

Effects of Premixing Betamethasone and Lidocaine on Chondrocyte Inflammation in an In Vitro Model.

BACKGROUND: It is common practice for hand surgeons to premix corticosteroids with a local anesthetic and store the mixture in pre-loaded syringes for rapid use during clinic. However, any possible loss of efficacy with this practice has never been studied. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to determine whether premixing betamethasone sodium phosphate/betamethasone acetate (BSP) and lidocaine (L) at different time intervals from injection has diminishing anti-inflammatory effects on chondrocytes in vitro. METHODS: Human articular chondrocytes were partitioned into six groups: two controls and four experimental conditions. The negative control had growth media only. The positive control had growth media and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1ß and oncostatin M). Experimental conditions were additionally treated with BSP alone or BSP mixed with lidocaine (BSP + L) at the time of treatment (0 hours), or at 4 or 24 hours prior. Relative expressions of inflammatory genes were measured. RESULTS: Relative to the positive control, chondrocytes in all experimental conditions decreased expression of TNF-α, MMP-3, and ADAMTS-4. Chondrocytes exposed to BSP only or BSP + L at 4 hours or 24 hours prior to treatment decreased expression of IL-8. Chondrocytes exposed to BSP only or BSP + L at 0 hours or 4 hours prior to treatment decreased expression of MMP-1. There were no significant differences in expression of IL-6 or MMP-13. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with BSP + L prepared in pre-loaded syringes at varying time intervals up to 24 hours prior to injection does not significantly impact the ability of the mixture to reduce expression of certain key inflammatory mediators in vitro.

The impact of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on ambulatory procedures and associated delays in care for asymptomatic patients.

BACKGROUND: Since the reopening of ambulatory centers, minimal data has been reported regarding positive tests among patients undergoing ambulatory procedures, associated delays in care, and outcomes of patients previously positive for coronavirus disease 2019. METHODS: A retrospective observational case series of ambulatory procedures was performed. Records since the reopening of ambulatory centers in New York were searched for patients with positive coronavirus disease 2019 nasal swab results who underwent ambulatory procedures. Chart reviews were conducted to determine coronavirus disease history and hospitalizations, demographic information, procedure details, and 30-day admissions. RESULTS: A total of 3,762 patients underwent ambulatory procedures. Of those, 53 were previously diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 but recovered and tested negative at preprocedural testing. Of the 3,709 asymptomatic patients, 37 (1.00%) tested positive during preprocedural testing; 21 patients had their procedures delayed on average 28.6 days until testing negative, while 16 had their procedures performed before testing negative owing to the time sensitivity of the procedure. There were no major complications or 30-day admissions in any of these asymptomatic patients. Three patients tested positive for coronavirus disease after having an ambulatory procedure. CONCLUSION: Positive tests in asymptomatic patients led to procedure delays of 28.6 days. No patients who underwent ambulatory procedures after a positive coronavirus disease 2019 test had any coronavirus disease-related complications, regardless of whether or not the procedure was delayed until testing negative. Three patients tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 after having an ambulatory procedure; however, at an average of 19.7 days after, these cases were likely community acquired making the rate of nosocomial infection negligible.

Ulnar Neuropathy After Intermittent Prone Positioning for COVID-19 Infection: A Preliminary Report of 3 Cases.

CASE: We describe a preliminary report of 3 cases of ulnar neuropathy after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and treatment with intermittent prone positioning. CONCLUSION: Ulnar neuropathy may be associated with recent COVID-19 infection. The natural process of the disease and intermittent prone positioning are likely risk factors contributing to this finding. Conservative management seems to lead to improvement of symptoms.

Hip Fracture Trends and Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly changed the landscape of health care, particularly in the New York City area. The elderly population is particularly vulnerable to both the novel coronavirus and the effects of a fracture. The goal of this study was to compare trends and outcomes of hip fracture patients during the pandemic. This was a retrospective chart review of hip fracture patients from a suburban academic hospital on Long Island, New York, who presented from March 1 to May 30, 2020. Patient COVID-19 status, demographics, and hospital outcome measures were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using heteroscedastic t tests for quantitative variables and chi-square tests for qualitative variables. There were 82 patients in the 2020 cohort and 111 in the 2019 control group, representing a 29.9% decrease in cases. The 2020 cohort presented to the hospital an average of 2.77 days after injury compared with 1.15 days for the 2019 control group (P=.0976). Patients in the 2020 cohort were more likely to be discharged home than to rehabilitation (P<.0001) and tended to be discharged with oral anticoagulation (P=.0809). There was no increase in 1-, 3-, or 6-month complications or mortality. During the pandemic, fewer patients were admitted with hip fractures, and the time from injury to presentation doubled. Patients were significantly less likely to be discharged to rehabilitation and more were discharged with oral anticoagulants. Overall, there was no increase in complications, and these data indicate that the authors were successfully able to provide high-quality care to hip fracture patients during the pandemic. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(5):293-298.].

Antibiotic Management and Antibiotic Resistance in Hand Infections.

The rates of methicillin-resistant infections in the hand and upper extremity approach 50% in many facilities. In addition, multidrug resistance is beginning to include clindamycin. This article discusses the history, prevalence, and treatment of both community-acquired and health care-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in regard to hand infections.

The Declining Use of Wrist-Spanning External Fixators.

Background: External fixation has been traditionally used to treat comminuted or open distal radius fractures that are not amenable to open reduction internal fixation. This procedure is associated with a relatively high complication rate and has been used with decreasing frequency in recent years. However, trends in external fixation utilization for the treatment of distal radius fractures have not been described. Methods: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, patients with a distal radius fracture treated with external fixation from 2003 to 2014 were identified. The annual incidence was reported, and hospital and demographic variables associated with external fixation use were determined. Results: During the study period, 593 929 patients with a distal radius fracture were identified, of which 51 766 (8.7%) were treated with a wrist-spanning external fixator. Wrist external fixation for the treatment of distal radius fractures declined steadily from 2003 to 2014. In 2003, external fixation use was highest, accounting for 17.4% of distal radius fractures. By 2014, only 4.9% of distal radius fracture were treated with external fixation. During this period, the incidence of distal radius fractures declined by 6.9% while external fixator utilization decreased by 73.7%. Patients receiving an external fixator were more likely to be male, low-income, and treated in a rural, nonteaching, privately owned hospital. Conclusions: External fixator use for the treatment of distal radius fractures steadily declined during the study period. Males and those with lower incomes treated in rural, nonteaching, and privately owned hospitals are more likely to receive external fixation.

Carpal Translocation Following Dorsal Bridge Plate Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures: A Cadaveric Study.

Background Dorsal bridge plate fixation is an effective technique for stabilization of highly comminuted, complex distal radius fractures. However, it is unknown whether fixation to the second or third metacarpal is optimal. Given dorsal bridge plating spans the radiocarpal joint, it is unclear if the dorsal spanning plate affects carpal position. This study investigates differences in carpal translocation resulting from bridge plate distal fixation to either the second or third metacarpal. Methods Ten paired cadaveric upper extremities without evidence of gross deformity or prior surgery distal to the elbow were evaluated with three-view wrist fluoroscopic images for baseline radiographic measurements. An unstable distal radius fracture model was created via a volar approach using a 1-cm osteotomy. Following fracture creation, a dorsal bridge plate was applied with random to the second metacarpal on one limb, and the third metacarpal on the contralateral limb. Laterality for distal fixation was chosen randomly. Fluoroscopic images were repeated and radial inclination, radial height, radiocarpal angle, volar tilt, ulnar variance, radiolunate angle, radioscaphoid angle, radial rotation index, and carpal translocation were measured. Results Radial inclination, radial height, radiocarpal angle, volar tilt, ulnar variance, radiolunate angle, and radioscaphoid angle were not statistically different before and after fixation, or when comparing the second or third metacarpal fixation. Additionally, there was no difference in Taleisnik's ulnar translocation index, Chamay's ulnar translation index, or McMurtry's carpal translation index based on which metacarpal was used for distal fixation. Conclusions Dorsal bridge plate fixation of distal radius fractures restores preoperative physiologic measures of the radius, ulna, and carpus. Carpal translocation was similar when comparing distal fixation to the second or third metacarpal in distal radius fractures stabilized with a bridge plate. Level of Evidence This is a Level V, therapeutic study.

Bridge Plate Failure with Extensor Tendon Injury: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Dorsal spanning plate fixation is an increasingly popular method of fixation for certain distal radius fractures. Published outcomes are encouraging, but complications are still reported. METHODS: We present a case report of a 26-year-old woman with spanning plate breakage and extensor pollicis longus (EPL) metallosis, fraying, and near-complete rupture. The patient's unsuccessful follow-up led to this complication. Metallosis and damage to the extensor indices (EI) and distal extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) were intraoperative obstacles for tendon transfer to restore EPL function. RESULTS: Tendon transfer in the setting of bridge plate failure has not yet been described in the literature. There are reports of spanning plate failure indicating that breakage often happens through the plate's holes and after fracture healing. CONCLUSIONS: The compounded complication of plate failure with extensor tendon injury emphasizes the important relationship between the local anatomy, barriers to patient care, and potential problems after spanning plate fixation.

Atypical Femur Fractures Associated With Diphosphonate Use.

Osteoporosis-related fractures create a heavy economic and healthcare burden. Although diphosphonate medications have been successful at decreasing the risk of osteoporotic fragility fractures and have become staples in the treatment of osteoporosis, concerns have been raised about the association of diphosphonate therapy with spontaneous nonvertebral fractures. Diphosphonate fractures are characteristically transverse or slightly oblique in nature and occur in the lateral cortex, or tension side, of the subtrochanteric region of the femur where diffuse cortical thickening and fracture can be observed on radiographs. A multidisciplinary approach incorporating both medical and surgical teams should be used in the case of diphosphonate-associated fractures. Future medical and surgical developments that augment fracture fixation and counteract diphosphonate-associated osteoclast apoptosis may play a role in therapy. Although diphosphonate use has decreased the rate of osteoporosis-related fractures, increased awareness and association with atypical subtrochanteric fractures is an important concern for clinicians to keep in mind.

In vitro evaluation of the anti-bacterial effect of two preparations of platelet rich plasma compared with cefazolin and whole blood.

PURPOSE: This study investigates the antibacterial properties of two different platelet-rich plasma (PRP) platelet concentration preparations (PRPLP and PRPHP) through a time-kill assay. METHODS: Two different PRP preparations - a single spin process yielding lower white blood cells and platelet concentration (PRPLP) and one yielding high platelet and white blood cell concentration (PRPHP) - were obtained from 2 individuals. PRPLP, PRPHP, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), whole blood and Cefazolin were added to experimental reaction tubes, each containing a single bacterial inoculum of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epi), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). Two dilutions (1:1,000, and 1:10,000) were plated in duplicate tubes, along with positive (blood and PBS) and negative (Cefazolin) controls and assessed at five time points (0, 1, 4, 8 and 24 hours). RESULTS: After centrifugation, platelet count of PRPLP was 386 ± 65.5 × 103/?L and PRPHP was 867 ± 234.4 × 103/?L. Both PRP products showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in bacterial growth at 8 hours compared to whole blood. CONCLUSION: The application of PRPLP and PRPHP showed a significant decrease in bacterial growth after 8 hours for S. aureus, S. epi, MRSA and P. acnes compared to the whole blood control group. S.epi, MRSA, and P. acnes also showed a significant decrease in bacterial growth after 24 hours. Despite differences in platelet concentration and WBC concentration, no difference in antibacterial activity was seen between the two preparations.

Evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma.

Sports medicine physicians should be aware of the many injuries that are associated with blunt abdominal trauma. From benign diaphragmatic spasms and rectus abdominis hematomas to the more concerning liver, splenic, renal, and pancreatic injuries, the sideline physician needs to be able to triage athletic-related injuries. Furthermore, many athletes will ask their physician about return-to-play recommendations and continuing care following blunt abdominal trauma. The sports medicine physician should have a working knowledge of the pathophysiology of various abdominal injuries to best advise and treat his or her team members.