The Influence of Kinesiophobia and Pain Catastrophizing on Disease-Specific Quality of Life in Patients With Recurrent Patellofemoral Instability.

BACKGROUND: The Banff Patellofemoral Instability Instrument 2.0 (BPII 2.0) is a disease-specific, quality of life patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) that is valid and reliable in patients with recurrent lateral patellofemoral instability (LPI). Quality of life encompasses the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of patient functioning and recovery. PURPOSES: To concurrently validate the BPII 2.0 to the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury Scale (ACL-RSI) in patients presenting with recurrent LPI and to assess baseline values for the PROMs in patients with LPI. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A total of 107 consecutive patients with recurrent LPI were assessed between January and October 2021. Patients completed the BPII 2.0, TSK-11, PCS, and ACL-RSI. A Pearson r correlation coefficient was employed to examine relationships between the PROMs. Baseline values, as well as floor and ceiling effects and Cronbach alpha, were assessed for all PROMs. RESULTS: All 107 patients completed the 4 PROMs. Patients included 28 men (26.2%) and 79 women (73.8%), with a mean (SD) age of 25.7 (9.8) years. The mean (SD) age at first dislocation was 14.8 (6.3) years. The TSK-11, PCS, and ACL-RSI were all statistically significantly correlated with the BPII 2.0 (P < .01; 2-tailed), with moderate correlations (r = -0.361-0.628) The R2 values indicated an overlap of the constructs measured by the PROMs. CONCLUSION: A statistically significant correlation was evident between the BPII 2.0 and the other PROMs. The BPII 2.0 does not explicitly measure kinesiophobia or pain catastrophizing; however, the significant statistical relationship of the TSK-11 and PCS to the BPII 2.0 suggests that this information is being captured and reflected.

Editorial Commentary: Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Are Valuable Tools yet Dependent on the Data Input.

Machine learning is likely to become one of the most valuable tools for predicting outcomes in patients with patellofemoral instability. Traditional statistical analysis is challenging in this diagnosis as the result of the multitude of risk factors. However, 3 important cautions must be considered. (1) Machine learning is limited by the quality of the data entered. Many of the risk factors for patellofemoral instability rely on classification systems with significant interexaminer variability and patient-reported outcomes used to track changes contain inherent biases, especially with regard to race and gender. Poor data quality will lead to unreliable predictions, or "garbage in equals garbage out." (2) The optimal machine-learning algorithms for addressing specific clinical questions remain uncertain. (3) The question of how much data we really need for accurate analysis is unresolved, which again, is completely dependent on the quality of the data. Machine learning is the future; just beware of what goes into the chicken salad.

Being a woman and an orthopaedic surgeon-A primer on the challenges we face.

A higher number of women are graduating from medical schools than men, yet orthopedic surgery continues to register the lowest proportion of female surgeons and residents of the surgical specialties. This trend is observed not only in North America but also globally. The presence of a more diverse workforce has been shown to lead to improved patient outcomes, enhanced efficiencies, and overall wellness within healthcare systems and would be of benefit to the orthopedic surgery profession. This primer aims to provide surgeons and leaders with evidence-based insights into diversity, equity, and equality, as well as define barriers and potential solutions pertaining to women in orthopedic surgery.

Orthopaedic sport medicine surgeons and fellows value immersive virtual reality for improving surgical training, procedural planning, and distance learning.

OBJECTIVES: Overall, the potential utility of immersive virtual reality (iVR) technology in orthopaedic surgery is promising. The attitudes of medical students and surgical trainees on virtual reality simulated surgical training have been overwhelmingly positive. However, further research and understanding of the attitudes of practicing orthopaedic surgeons and fellows are needed to appreciate its benefits for clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to establish the face validity of iVR technology by assessing the attitudes of Canadian orthopaedic surgeons on the value of iVR for surgical training, clinical practice, and distance learning. METHODS: Forty-three orthopaedic surgeons and fellows attended an iVR demonstration at an annual orthopaedic meeting. The view and audio from the lead headset were cast to a large screen so the audience could follow the procedure in real time. Immediately after the presentation, the audience members were asked to complete a paper questionnaire assessing their perceptions and attitudes toward iVR for use in orthopaedic learning, clinical practice and distance education and mentoring. RESULTS: iVR was perceived to be valuable for the field of orthopaedic surgery providing face validity for the technology. All 13 questions were rated with mean Likert scores of five or greater, indicating a positive observed value for all 13 questions. The respondents indicated that iVR had value (score of 5 or greater) in each questionnaire domain, with agreement ranging from 78 to 98% for teaching and learning, 66-97% for clinical practice, and 88-100% for distance education and mentoring questions. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated that a group of Canadian sport medicine orthopaedic surgeons and fellows had favourable attitudes toward, and perceived that iVR has value in, orthopaedic surgical training, clinical practice, and distance learning and mentorship. The potential for utilizing iVR technology for distance learning, mentorship and global education appears promising. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

How do we treat our male and female patients? - A primer on gender-based health care inequities.

Health is a fundamental human right, yet disparities in healthcare, based on gender, persist for women. These inequities stem from a patriarchal society that has regarded men as the default standard, leading to women being treated merely as smaller men. Contributing to these disparities are the gender stereotypes that pervade our society. Women possess differences in anatomy, physiology, psychology and social experience than men. To achieve health equity, it is vital to understand and be open to consider and evaluate these aspects in each individual patient. This requires an understanding of our own biases and a commitment to valuing diversity in both patient and caregiver. Improving equity and diversity throughout all aspects of the medical system will be necessary to provide optimal patient care for all.

Palpation and fluoroscopy are valid but unreliable for the assessment of femoral tunnel position after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of two techniques, palpation and fluoroscopy, for assessing medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction femoral tunnel position accuracy. METHODS: Twenty-one fresh frozen cadaveric knees had an MPFL femoral tunnel drilled and filled with a metal screw. Tunnels were created in a nonstandard fashion to ensure the sample included a range of tunnel positions from poor to ideal. Six experienced sport medicine and arthroscopy surgeons evaluated the placement of the femoral tunnel by palpating the screw in relation to anatomic landmarks and by fluoroscopy related to Schöttle's Point. They evaluated 1) the accuracy of femoral tunnel placement, 2) the direction of tunnel error, and 3) the clinical acceptability of the tunnel position. Validity measures included sensitivity, specificity, and correlation to clinical acceptability, which were calculated for the palpation and fluoroscopic assessments. Reliability measures included interrater reliability (ICC 2,k) for femoral tunnel accuracy and percent agreement of the raters' tunnel direction assessment. RESULTS: The palpation method demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.79 and specificity of 0.84 for assessing the accuracy of femoral tunnel placement, while the fluoroscopic method showed a sensitivity of 0.83 and specificity of 0.92. Pearson correlation coefficients for clinical acceptability of tunnel position were high, with both techniques ranging from .589 to .854. Interrater reliability for the palpation and fluoroscopic techniques for assessment of tunnel accuracy were 0.31 and 0.55 (ICC 2,k), respectively. Assessment of the direction of tunnel error was good with the fluoroscopic technique slightly more accurate than palpation. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that both palpation and fluoroscopy are valid techniques for assessing femoral tunnel position after MPFL reconstruction. Despite demonstrating good validity, the accuracy of assessing tunnel position was unreliable in a group of six experienced knee surgeons. Further research into MPFL reconstruction femoral tunnel assessment techniques, including patient-specific reference standards, is warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2.

Remnant-Sparing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Results in Similar Clinical, Functional, and Quality-of-Life Outcomes to Anatomic Single-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Purpose: To compare a large cohort of patients who underwent remnant-sparing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (rACLR) with a matched group of patients who underwent anatomic single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with respect to clinical laxity, patient-reported outcomes, and functional testing. Methods: Patients who underwent rACLR between January 2010 and December 2015 were matched according to age, sex, body mass index, and graft type to patients who underwent ACLR. The primary outcome measure was the ACL Quality of Life (ACL-QOL) score at final follow-up of 24 months. Secondary outcomes included functional tests and clinical laxity measurements at 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Concurrent intra-articular pathology at the time of surgery and postoperative complications were also recorded. Statistical analyses included the dependent t test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: A total of 210 rACLR patients were successfully matched to a corresponding cohort of 210 ACLR patients. There were no statistically significant differences in ACL Quality of Life (ACL-QOL) or functional testing results between the groups; however, scores in both groups showed a steady and statistically significant improvement over time. A statistically significant difference was noted with respect to the Lachman test findings, favoring the rACLR cohort (Z = -2.79, P = .005); no between-group difference was seen for the pivot-shift test (Z = -0.36, P = .72). The rACLR group had a significantly lower rate of concurrent meniscal and chondral injury. There was no difference in complications between the groups (Z = -0.49, P = .63). Conclusions: There was no difference in patient-reported or functional testing outcomes in patients undergoing remnant-sparing compared with anatomic single-bundle ACLR. There was, however, a significantly lower rate of positive Lachman test findings after rACLR. Furthermore, the rate of concurrent meniscal and chondral pathology was lower in the rACLR group. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

A modified Delphi consensus statement on patellar instability: part I.

Aims: The aim of this study was to establish consensus statements on the diagnosis, nonoperative management, and indications, if any, for medial patellofemoral complex (MPFC) repair in patients with patellar instability, using the modified Delphi approach. Methods: A total of 60 surgeons from 11 countries were invited to develop consensus statements based on their expertise in this area. They were assigned to one of seven working groups defined by subtopics of interest within patellar instability. Consensus was defined as achieving between 80% and 89% agreement, strong consensus was defined as between 90% and 99% agreement, and 100% agreement was considered to be unanimous. Results: Of 27 questions and statements on patellar instability, three achieved unanimous consensus, 14 achieved strong consensus, five achieved consensus, and five did not achieve consensus. Conclusion: The statements that reached unanimous consensus were that an assessment of physeal status is critical for paediatric patients with patellar instability. There was also unanimous consensus on early mobilization and resistance training following nonoperative management once there is no apprehension. The statements that did not achieve consensus were on the importance of immobilization of the knee, the use of orthobiologics in nonoperative management, the indications for MPFC repair, and whether a vastus medialis oblique advancement should be performed.

A modified Delphi consensus statement on patellar instability: part II.

Aims: The aim of this study was to establish consensus statements on medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, anteromedialization tibial tubercle osteotomy, trochleoplasty, and rehabilitation and return to sporting activity in patients with patellar instability, using the modified Delphi process. Methods: This was the second part of a study dealing with these aspects of management in these patients. As in part I, a total of 60 surgeons from 11 countries contributed to the development of consensus statements based on their expertise in this area. They were assigned to one of seven working groups defined by subtopics of interest. Consensus was defined as achieving between 80% and 89% agreement, strong consensus was defined as between 90% and 99% agreement, and 100% agreement was considered unanimous. Results: Of 41 questions and statements on patellar instability, none achieved unanimous consensus, 19 achieved strong consensus, 15 achieved consensus, and seven did not achieve consensus. Conclusion: Most statements reached some degree of consensus, without any achieving unanimous consensus. There was no consensus on the use of anchors in MPFL reconstruction, and the order of fixation of the graft (patella first versus femur first). There was also no consensus on the indications for trochleoplasty or its effect on the viability of the cartilage after elevation of the osteochondral flap. There was also no consensus on postoperative immobilization or weightbearing, or whether paediatric patients should avoid an early return to sport.

Applications of Extended Reality in Orthopaedic Surgery.

➤ Extended reality is a term that encompasses different modalities, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality.➤ Although fully immersive virtual reality has benefits for developing procedural memory and technical skills, augmented and mixed reality are more appropriate modalities for preoperative planning and intraoperative utilization.➤ Current investigations on the role of extended reality in preoperative planning and intraoperative utilization are still in the early stages, but preliminarily show that extended reality technologies can help surgeons to be more accurate and efficient.

Sulcus-Deepening Trochleoplasty for High-Grade Trochlear Dysplasia: Demystifying the Procedure-a Review of the Current Literature.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The most common and biomechanically influential pathoanatomic risk factor for recurrent patellofemoral instability is trochlear dysplasia. Sulcus-deepening trochleoplasty is a procedure developed to address high-grade trochlear dysplasia in the setting of patellofemoral instability. The purpose of this paper is to outline the current classification and surgical management of trochlear dysplasia as well as to review the current literature on the clinical outcomes and complications of sulcus-deepening trochleoplasty. RECENT FINDINGS: This review outlines the most recent literature reporting evidence behind the decision-making to perform a trochleoplasty in the setting of patellofemoral instability and high-grade trochlear dysplasia. Critical parameters include grade of trochlear dysplasia, severity of symptoms, pertinent physical examination findings, surgical techniques, modifications for skeletally immature patients, and considerations for the revision setting. Historic studies have elicited concerns regarding high reported complication rates for trochleoplasty; however, recent studies consistently report good clinical outcomes and acceptable complication rates, similar to those of other patellar stabilizing procedures. The addition of a trochleoplasty in patients with high-grade dysplasia results in a lower re-dislocation rate, significant improvements in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) as well as high levels of patient satisfaction and return to sport. The use of sulcus-deepening trochleoplasty for the treatment of high-grade dysplasia and recurrent patellofemoral instability is a well-established technique with good outcomes and an acceptable complication profile. In patients with high-grade dysplasia, trochleoplasty results in lower re-dislocation rates, high patient satisfaction scores, and good clinical and functional outcomes. An understanding of trochleoplasty and its indications should be in the armamentarium of surgeons treating patellofemoral instability.

Rates of Burnout in Female Orthopaedic Surgeons Correlate with Barriers to Gender Equity.

BACKGROUND: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between career burnout and the barriers to gender equity identified by Canadian female orthopaedic surgeons. A secondary purpose was to assess relationships between the demographic characteristics of the female surgeons and career burnout and job satisfaction. METHODS: An electronic survey was distributed to 330 Canadian female orthopaedic surgeons. Demographic variables including age, stage and years in practice, practice setting, and marital status were collated. The survey included the Gender Bias Scale (GBS) questionnaire and 2 questions each about career burnout and job satisfaction. The Pearson r correlation coefficient evaluated the relationships among the higher- and lower-order factors of the GBS, burnout, and job satisfaction. Spearman rank correlation coefficient assessed relationships among burnout, job satisfaction, and demographic variables. RESULTS: Survey responses were received from 218 (66.1%) of the 330 surgeons. A total of 110 surgeons (50.5%) agreed or strongly agreed that they felt career burnout (median score = 4). Burnout was positively correlated with the GBS higher-order factors of Male Privilege (r = 0.215, p < 0.01), Devaluation (r = 0.166, p < 0.05), and Disproportionate Constraints (r = 0.152, p < 0.05). Job satisfaction (median = 4) was reported by 168 surgeons (77.1%), and 66.1% were also satisfied or very satisfied with their role in the workplace (median = 4). Burnout was significantly negatively correlated with surgeon age and job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Half of the female orthopaedic surgeons reported symptoms of career burnout. Significant relationships were evident between burnout and barriers to gender equity. Identification of the relationships between gender-equity barriers and burnout presents an opportunity to modify organizational systems to dismantle barriers and reduce this occupational syndrome. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Given the relationships between gender inequity and career burnout in this study of female orthopaedic surgeons, actions to dismantle gender barriers and address systemic biases are necessary at all career stages to reduce burnout.

What Are the Challenges Related to Family Planning, Pregnancy, and Parenthood Faced by Women in Orthopaedic Surgery? A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Orthopaedic surgery is the surgical specialty with the lowest proportion of women. Conflicting evidence regarding the potential challenges of pregnancy and parenthood in orthopaedics, such as the implications of delayed childbearing, may be a barrier to recruitment and retainment of women in orthopaedic surgery. A summary of studies is needed to ensure that women who have or wish to have children during their career in orthopaedic surgery are equipped with the relevant information to make informed decisions. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: In this systematic review, we asked: What are the key gender-related barriers pertaining to (1) family planning, (2) pregnancy, and (3) parenthood that women in orthopaedic surgery face? METHODS: Embase, MEDLINE, and PsychINFO were searched on June 7, 2021, for studies related to pregnancy or parenthood as a woman in orthopaedic surgery. Inclusion criteria were studies in the English language and studies describing the perceptions or experiences of attending surgeons, trainees, or program directors. Studies that sampled surgical populations without specific reference to orthopaedics were excluded. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed to identify important themes. Seventeen articles including surveys (13 studies), selective reviews (three studies), and an environmental scan (one study) met the inclusion criteria. The population sampled included 1691 attending surgeons, 864 trainees, and 391 program directors in the United States and United Kingdom. The Risk of Bias Instrument for Cross-Sectional Surveys of Attitudes and Practices tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias in survey studies. A total of 2502 women and 560 men were sampled in 13 surveys addressing various topics related to pregnancy, parenthood, and family planning during an orthopaedic career. Three selective reviews provided information on occupational hazards in the orthopaedic work environment during pregnancy, while one environmental scan outlined the accessibility of parental leave policies at 160 residency programs. Many of the survey studies did not report formal clarity, validity, or reliability assessments, therefore increasing their risk of bias. However, our analysis of the provided instruments as well as the consistency of identified themes across multiple survey studies suggests the evidence we aggregated was sufficiently robust to answer the research questions posed in the current systematic review. RESULTS: These data revealed that many women have witnessed or experienced discrimination related to pregnancy and parenthood, at times resulting in a decision to delay family planning. In one study, childbearing was reportedly delayed by 67% of respondents (304 of 452) because of their career choice in orthopaedics. Orthopaedic surgeons were more likely to experience pregnancy complications (range 24% to 31%) than the national mean in the United States (range 13% to 17%). Lastly, despite these challenging conditions, there was often limited support for women who had or wished to start a family during their orthopaedic surgery career. Maternity and parental leave policies varied across training institutions, and only 55% (56 of 102) of training programs in the United States offered parental leave beyond standard vacation time. CONCLUSION: The potential negative effects of these challenges on the orthopaedic gender gap can be mitigated by increasing the availability and accessibility of information related to family planning, parental leave, and return to clinical duties while working as a woman in orthopaedic surgery. Future research could seek to provide a more global perspective and specifically explore regional variation in the environment faced by pregnancy or parenting women in orthopaedic surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, prognostic study.

What is the J-sign and why is it important?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recurrent lateral patellofemoral instability is a complex condition that requires a thorough evaluation to optimize treatment. The J-sign test is classically part of the physical examination, but its significance and importance remain unclear. This review aims to describe how to perform the test and classify the observation as well as to analyze the most recent literature on its clinical applications. RECENT FINDINGS: The J-sign test has been described as positive (present) or negative (absent), and classified using the quadrant method and the Donnell classification. Suboptimal inter-rater reliability has been shown for both classifications, making comparison between clinicians and studies challenging. The J-sign is most predominantly associated with patella alta, trochlear dysplasia, lateral force vector, and rotational abnormalities. A growing number of studies have shown a correlation between a positive J-sign and lower clinical outcome scores and higher rate of surgical failure. SUMMARY: The J-sign is an important aspect of the physical examination in patients with recurrent lateral patellofemoral instability. Although there is no consensus on how to perform or classify the test, it can be used as a marker of severity of patellofemoral instability and is one of the tools available to guide the treatment plan.

Performance of 5-Strand Hamstring Autograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in the STABILITY Study: A Subgroup Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions (ACLRs) with graft diameters <8mm have been shown to have higher revision rates. The 5-strand (5S) hamstring autograft configuration is a proposed option to increase graft diameter. PURPOSE: To investigate the differences in clinical outcomes between 4-strand (4S) and 5S hamstring autografts for ACLR in patients who underwent ACLR alone or concomitantly with a lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Data from the STABILITY study were analyzed to compare a subgroup of patients undergoing ACLR alone or with a concomitant LET procedure (ACLR + LET) with a minimum graft diameter of 8mm that had either a 4S or 5S hamstring autograft configuration. The primary outcome was clinical failure, a composite of rotatory laxity and/or graft failure. The secondary outcome measures consisted of 2 patient-reported outcome scores (PROs)-namely, the ACL Quality of Life Questionnaire (ACL-QoL) and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score at 24 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Of the 618 patients randomized in the STABILITY study, 399 (228 male; 57%) fit the inclusion criteria for this study. Of these, 191 and 208 patients underwent 4S and 5S configurations of hamstring ACLR, respectively, with a minimum graft diameter of 8mm. Both groups had similar characteristics other than differences in anthropometric factors-namely, sex, height, and weight, and Beighton scores. The primary outcomes revealed no difference between the 2 groups in rotatory stability (odds ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% CI, 0.77-1.84; P = .42) or graft failure (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.51-2.50; P = .76). There was no significant difference between the groups in Lachman (P = .46) and pivot-shift (P = .53) test results at 24 months postoperatively. The secondary outcomes revealed no differences in the ACL-QoL (P = .67) and IKDC (P = .83) scores between the 2 subgroups. CONCLUSION: At the 24-month follow-up, there were no significant differences in clinical failure rates and PROs in an analysis of patients with 4S and 5S hamstring autografts of ≥8mm diameter for ACLR or ACLR + LET. The 5S hamstring graft configuration is a viable option to produce larger-diameter ACL grafts.

Inter-rater Reliability of the Classification of the J-Sign Is Inadequate Among Experts.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the symmetry, classification, and underlying pathoanatomy associated with the J-sign in patients with recurrent lateral patellofemoral instability. STUDY DESIGN: Blinded, inter-rater reliability study. SETTING: N/A. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patellofemoral joint experts. INTERVENTIONS: Thirty clinicians independently assessed 30 video recordings of patients with recurrent lateral patellofemoral instability performing the J-sign test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Raters documented J-sign symmetry and graded it according to the quadrant and Donell classifications. Raters indicated the most significant underlying pathoanatomy and presence of sagittal plane maltracking. Intra-rater reliability was assessed by 4 raters repeating the assessments. Mean pairwise simple and/or weighted Cohen's kappa were performed to measure inter-rater and intra-rater reliability, as well as calculation of percent agreement. RESULTS: J-sign symmetry demonstrated fair inter-rater reliability (k = 0.26), whereas intra-rater reliability was moderate (k = 0.48). Inter-rater reliability for the quadrant and Donell classifications indicated moderate agreement, k = 0.51 and k = 0.49, respectively, whereas intra-rater reliability was k = 0.79 and k = 0.72, indicating substantial agreement. Inter-rater reliability of the foremost underlying pathoanatomy produced only slight agreement (k = 0.20); however, intra-rater reliability was substantial (k = 0.68). Sagittal plane maltracking demonstrated slight inter-rater agreement (k = 0.23) but substantial intra-rater agreement (k = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS: The symmetry, classification, and underlying pathoanatomy of the J-sign demonstrated fair to moderate inter-rater reliability and moderate to substantial intra-rater reliability among expert reviewers using video recordings of patients with recurrent lateral patellofemoral instability. These findings suggest individual raters have a consistent standard for assessing the J-sign, but that these standards are not reliable between assessors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Experiences of Canadian Female Orthopaedic Surgeons in the Workplace: Defining the Barriers to Gender Equity.

BACKGROUND: Only 13.6% of orthopaedic surgeons in Canada are women, even though there is nothing inherent to the practice of orthopaedic surgery that favors men over women. Clearly, there is a need to identify, define, and measure the barriers faced by women in orthopaedic surgery. METHODS: An electronic survey was distributed to 330 female-identifying Canadian orthopaedic surgeons and trainees and included the validated Gender Bias Scale (GBS) and questions about career burnout. The barriers for women in Canadian orthopaedics were identified using the GBS. The relationships between the GBS and burnout were investigated. Open-text questions explored the barriers perceived by female orthopaedic surgeons. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 220 female orthopaedic surgeons and trainees (66.7%). Five barriers to gender equity were identified from the GBS: Constrained Communication, Unequal Standards, Male Culture, Lack of Mentoring, and Workplace Harassment. Career burnout correlated with the GBS domains of Male Privilege (r = 0.215; p < 0.01), Disproportionate Constraints (r = 0.152; p < 0.05), and Devaluation (r = 0.166; p < 0.05). Five main themes emerged from the open-text responses, of which 4 linked closely to the barriers identified in the GBS. Work-life integration was also identified qualitatively as a theme, most notably the difficulty of balancing disproportionate parental and childcare responsibilities alongside career aspirations. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 5 barriers to workplace equity for Canadian female orthopaedic surgeons were identified using the validated GBS and substantiated with qualitative assessment using a mixed-methods approach. Awareness of these barriers is a necessary step toward dismantling them and changing the prevailing culture to be fair and equitable for all. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A just and equitable orthopaedic profession is imperative to have healthy and thriving surgeons who are able to provide optimal patient care.