Pediatric Fingertip Injuries: Association With Child Abuse.

Purpose: Pediatric fingertip injuries are most commonly reported in the setting of an accidental occurrence. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an association of child abuse and neglect with pediatric fingertip injuries. Methods: The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (2004 to 2013) administrative database was used to identify children aged 0 to 12 years who presented in the inpatient or outpatient (emergency department or ambulatory surgery) setting. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis codes were used to identify fingertip injuries (amputation, avulsion, or crushed finger) and abuse. Cohort demographics of children presenting with fingertip injuries were described. We analyzed the association between fingertip injuries and child abuse using multivariable logistic regression, with variables for insurance status, race, ethnicity, sex, and behavioral risks including depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, aggressive behavior, and autism. Results: Of the 4,870,299 children aged 0 to 12 years in the cohort, 79,108 patients (1.62%) during the study period (2004 to 2013) presented with fingertip injuries. Of those with a fingertip injury, 0.27% (n = 216) presented either at that visit or in other visits with a code for child abuse, compared with 0.22% of pediatric patients without a fingertip injury (n = 10,483). In an adjusted analysis, the odds of a fingertip injury were 23% higher (odds ratio [OR] = 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.41) for children who had been abused, compared with those who had not. Patients were more likely to present with fingertip injuries if they had ever had Medicaid insurance (OR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.37-1.42) or had a behavioral risk factor (OR = 1.35; 95% CI, 1.30-1.40). Conclusions: Patients presenting with abuse are significantly more likely to have fingertip injuries during childhood compared with those without recorded abuse, which suggests that these injuries may be ones of abuse or neglect. Medicaid insurance, white race, and behavioral diagnoses of depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, aggressive behavior, and autism were also associated with increased odds of presenting with fingertip injuries. Type of study/level of evidence: Prognostic III.

Relationships Between Vein Repairs, Postoperative Transfusions, and Survival in Single Digit Replantation.

Background: The general teaching is that increased number of vein repairs in digit replantation leads to improved venous outflow, resulting in lower need for iatrogenic bleeding, lower postoperative transfusion requirements, and better survival rates. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the traditional teaching that emphasizes the repair of multiple veins per arterial anastomosis results in superior survival rates. Methods: A retrospective review of a single urban replant center's single-digit replants distal to the mid-metacarpal level in adult patients from 2007 to 2017 was performed. Data on patient demographics, mechanism and level of injury, veins repaired, iatrogenic bleeding, postoperative transfusions, and replant survival were obtained. Results: There were a total of 54 single-digit replants. The most common mechanism was lacerations (N = 38), and the most common injury level was at the proximal phalanx (N = 21). All digits were replanted with a single arterial anastomosis-44% via grafting. In all, 0 to 3 veins were repaired per digit (mean = 1.5 veins). The mean transfusion requirement was 1.7 units. The survival rate was 50%. Digits with 1 or 2 veins repaired had lower transfusion requirements (1.1-1.3 units) and higher survival rates (56%-61%) compared with those replanted with 0 or 3 veins repaired (2.9-3.5 transfused units, 25%-29% survival). There were no differences between those digits replanted with either 1 or 2 veins repaired for transfusion requirements or survival. Conclusions: More veins repaired do not necessarily improve survival or possibly venous outflow, calling into question the traditional teaching that 2 veins should be repaired for every arterial anastomosis.

Preparatory Time-Related Hand Surgery Operating Room Inefficiency: A Systems Analysis.

Background: No study exists on preparatory time-from patient's entrance into the operating room to skin incision-and its role in hand surgery operating room inefficiency. The purpose of this study was to investigate the length and variability of preparatory time and assess the relationship between several variables and preparatory time. Methods: Consecutive upper extremity cases performed for a period of 1 month by hand surgeons were reviewed at 3 surgical sites. Preparatory time was compared across locations. Cases at one location were further analyzed to assess the relationship between preparatory time and several variables. Both traditional statistical methods and Shewhart control charts, a quality control tool, were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 288 cases were performed. The mean preparatory times at the 3 sites were 25.1, 25.7, and 20.7 minutes, respectivley. Aggregated preparatory time averaged 24.4 (range 7-61) minutes, was 75% the length of the surgical time, and accounted for 34% of total operating room time. Control charts confirmed substantial variability at all locations, signifying a poorly defined process. At a single site, where 189 cases were performed by 14 different surgeons, there was no difference in preparatory time by case type, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, or case start time. Preparatory time varied by surgeon and anesthesia type. Conclusions: Preparatory time was found to be a source of inefficiency, independent of the surgical site. Control charts reinforced large variations, signifying a poorly designed process. Surgeon seemingly plays an important, albeit likely indirect, role. Efforts to improve operating room workflow should include preparatory time.

Survival after Digit Replantation and Revascularization Is Not Affected by the Use of Interpositional Grafts during Arterial Repair.

BACKGROUND: Interpositional grafts can be used to reconstruct the digital artery during revascularization and replantation when primary repair is not possible. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of using interpositional grafts on the rate of digit survival. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients from 2007 to 2016 that required revascularization and/or replantation of one or more digits was performed. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-seven patients were identified with 171 affected digits (118 digital revascularizations and 53 digital replantations). A graft was used to repair the digital artery in 50 percent of revascularizations (59 of 118) and in 49 percent of replantations (26 of 53). There was no difference in digit survival with use of an interpositional graft for arterial repair versus primary repair in revascularization (91.5 percent in both groups) or replantation (48.1 percent versus 46.2 percent; p = 0.88). Regression analysis demonstrated no association between the use of interpositional grafts and digit survival. Interpositional grafting was more likely to be used in crush (62.5 percent) and avulsion injuries (72.2 percent) compared with sharp laceration injuries (11.1 percent), with a relative risk of 5.6 (p = 0.01) and 6.5 (p = 0.006), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the survival rate of amputated digits that required interpositional grafting for arterial repair. The need for an interpositional graft in a large zone of injury should not be considered a contraindication to performing revascularization or replantation. Furthermore, hand surgeons should have a low threshold for using interpositional grafts, especially in crush or avulsion injuries. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Analysis of Expected Costs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Strategies.

BACKGROUND: Over 500 000 carpal tunnel releases costing over $2 billion are performed each year in the United States. The study's purpose is to perform a cost-minimizing analysis to identify the least costly strategy for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment utilizing existing success rates based on previously reported literature. METHODS: We evaluate the expected cost of various treatment strategies based on the likelihood of further treatments: (1) a single steroid injection followed by surgical release; (2) up to 2 steroid injections before surgical release; (3) 3 steroid injections before surgery, and (4) immediate surgical release. To reflect costs, we use our institution's billing charges to private payers and reimbursements from Medicare. A range of expected steroid injection success rates are employed based on previously published literature. RESULTS: Immediate surgical release is the costliest treatment with an expected cost of $2149 to $9927 per patient. For immediate surgical release to cost less than a single injection attempt, the probability of surgery after injection would need to exceed 80% in the Medicare reimbursement model and 87% in the institutional billing model. A single steroid injection with subsequent surgery, if needed, amounts to a direct cost savings of $359 million annually compared with immediate surgical release. Three injections before surgery, with "high" expected success rates, represent the cost-minimizing scenario. CONCLUSIONS: Although many factors must be considered when deciding upon treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, direct payer cost is an important component, and the initial management with steroid injections minimizes these direct payer costs.

Repair of Tibial Plateau Fracture (Schatzker II).

Tibial plateau fracture is an injury commonly seen by those who treat trauma around the knee and/or sports-related injuries. In this video article, we present our protocol for surgical treatment of a tibial plateau fracture, which includes definitive fixation with use of a plate-and-screw construct, addressing of all associated soft-tissue injuries at the time of the surgical procedure, filling of any residual voids with bone cement, and early rehabilitation with weight-bearing beginning at 10 to 12 weeks postoperatively. The major steps of the procedure are (1) preoperative planning with digitally templated plates and screws, (2) patient positioning and setup, (3) anterolateral approach toward the proximal aspect of the tibia, (4) submeniscal arthrotomy, (5) booking open of the proximal aspect of the tibia at the fracture site, (6) tagging of the meniscus, (7) fracture reduction and placement of the Kirschner wire, (8) confirmation of reduction with C-arm image intensification, (9) internal fixation with a plate-and-screw construct, and (10) closure.

Prosthetic Arthroplasty of Proximal Interphalangeal Joints for Treatment of Osteoarthritis and Posttraumatic Arthritis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Comparing the Three Ulnar Digits With the Index Finger.

Background: It is common teaching that treatment of index finger alone is a relative contraindication for arthroplasty of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ). However, limited data exist reporting the digit-specific complication of PIPJ arthroplasty for the treatment of osteoarthritis or posttraumatic arthritis. The purpose of this article is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to assess whether the 3 ulnar digits may bear a similar instability and complication profile. Methods: Systematic searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane computerized literature databases were performed for PIPJ arthroplasty specifying by digit. We reviewed both descriptive and quantitative data to: (1) report aggregate instability and instability-related complications after non-index digit PIPJ arthroplasty; and (2) perform statistical testing to assess relative rates by digit and compared with index digits. Results: Computerized search generated 385 original articles. Five studies reporting digit-specific instability-related outcomes of silicone, pyrocarbon, or metal surface arthroplasty on 177 digits were included in the review. Meta-analysis demonstrated a 29% instability rate for long digits (n = 65), 6% for ring digits (n = 53), and 6% for small digits (n = 17), compared with 33% for index digits (n = 42). There was no difference in the overall deformity, instability, and complication rates of long versus index fingers (P = .65). Conclusions: Instability-related deformity and complication rates of long finger PIPJ arthroplasty may not be different from that of the index finger. Treatment of the long finger may be a relative contraindication to PIPJ arthroplasty. Future biomechanical and clinical studies are needed.

Trends and Demographics in the Utilization of Total Wrist Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Health disparities exist among many patient populations, with race, payer status, hospital size and access to teaching versus non-teaching hospitals potentially affecting whether certain patients have access to the benefits of total wrist arthroplasty (TWA). METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample Database (NIS) was queried from 2001 to 2013 for TWA using the ICD-9 code 81.73. Patient-level data included age, sex, race, payer status, and year of discharge. Hospital-level data included hospital bed size, location, teaching status, and region. RESULTS: There were 1,213 patients identified who underwent TWA between 2001 and 2013. Total number of procedures decreased from 88 TWAs in 2001 to 65 in 2013. The yearly volume ranged from 33 in 2005 to 128 in 2007. The male-female ratio was 2.5 to 1. The majority of TWA procedures were performed at urban teaching hospitals (60.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The NIS database shows a downward trend of total wrist arthroplasty utilization. The majority of total wrist arthroplasties were performed at urban teaching hospitals indicating treatment occurs most often at academic centers of excellence.

MRI analysis of peripheral soft tissue composition, not body mass index, correlates with outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To utilize MRI to assess the relationship between BMI, peripheral soft tissue composition about the knee, and surgical outcomes in patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction. It was hypothesized that a fatty periarticular soft tissue composition may be better than BMI at predicting poor outcomes after ACL reconstruction. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients who underwent primary acute ACL reconstruction were identified from the surgical database and their data were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were selected based on availability of 2-year IKDC outcome scores, BMI data, and preoperative MRI studies. To approximate peripheral soft tissue composition, novel measurements of axial MRI images were employed using PACS ROI measurement tool. Relationships were assessed between IKDC outcome scores and measures of body habitus including BMI, total knee area, knee fatty-connective tissue area, and fatty-connective tissue to bone size ratio. RESULTS: The median BMI was 24.3 kg/m2 (range 18.5-36.9). Median IKDC score was 81.0 (range 46-100). BMI was correlated with total knee area (R = 0.72) and periarticular fat (R = 0.53). Neither continuous BMI (n.s.) nor total knee area (n.s.) was predictor of IKDC outcomes scores. Periarticular fatty-connective tissue trended towards predicting negative outcomes (n.s.). Periarticular fatty-connective tissue to bone size ratio was a significant negative predictor of IKDC scores (p = 0.03). Patients with more fat than bone on axial MRI (ratio > 1, N = 34) reported a lower mean IKDC score compared to patients with a ratio < 1 (N = 24) (77.2 vs. 87.7, p = 0.0028). The top quartile (N = 14) of these ratios reported a mean IKDC score of 68.9, compared to 87.3 of the bottom quartile (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Periarticular soft tissue composition, as approximated by the novel MRI analysis of this study, is a better predictor of outcomes following ACL reconstruction than is BMI. This information can be utilized in guiding surgeon and patient expectations following surgery, either via a direct application of these measurements or heightened awareness of the importance of peripheral body habitus. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Partial Wrist Denervation: The Evidence Behind a Small Fix for Big Problems.

Wrist denervation addresses symptomatic wrist pain without the morbidity and complication profile of more extensive surgical procedures aimed to correct the underlying pathology. The concept of wrist denervation is not new, but its practical application has been modified over the past 50 years. A variety of techniques have been described for various indications, with generally good results. In the United States, a simple, single incision partial denervation consisting of neurectomies of the anterior and posterior interosseous nerves is most commonly performed. Although data on this procedure are limited, most patients are satisfied with pain relief in the short term. There is no evidence that partial denervation procedures alter proprioception of the wrist, and this procedure shows promise as a good option for palliating pain without prolonged postoperative immobilization or leave from work. Preoperative injections do not seem to correlate well with postoperative results. Future studies are needed to assess the duration of relief and possible acceleration of underlying pathology.

The Relationships Between Surface Measurements and Underlying Tendon Autograft Length for Upper Extremity Reconstructive Surgery.

PURPOSE: The availability of tendon grafts is an important consideration for successful upper extremity reconstructive surgery, including flexor or extensor tendon reconstructions, tendon transfers, and ligament reconstructions. Graft selection is based on availability, expendability, ease of harvest, and length. Given variations in patient height and extremity length, existing average values may provide suboptimal insight into actual tendon lengths available. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to pursue a method of estimating available donor tendon lengths based on easily measured anatomical surface landmarks. METHODS: Thirty cadaveric upper and lower extremity limbs were dissected and the length of commonly harvested tendon grafts including the palmaris longus, extensor indicis proprius, extensor digiti minimi, plantaris, and second long toe extensor was measured. Surface forearm length (from finger tip to cubital fossa) and surface fibular length (from lateral malleolus to fibular head) were also measured. Correlations between surface measurements and underlying tendon lengths were analyzed, and linear models were generated that predicted tendon length as a function of surface measurements. RESULTS: Surface measurements were correlated with underlying tendon length (R = 0.46 - 0.66). Linear models could predict tendon lengths based on surface measurements. A ratio of donor tendon length compared with the limb segment measured was established for each tendon and can be applied to estimate donor tendon length. For the upper extremity tendons, the multipliers for the palmaris longus, extensor indicis proprius, and extensor digiti minimi were 0.51, 0.20, and 0.18, respectively. Lower extremity tendon ratios for the plantaris and extensor digitorum longus were 0.69 and 0.60, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although length of available donor tendon can be a limiting variable at the time of surgery, surgeons may be better able to estimate underlying tendon lengths using easily obtained superficial measurements. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Information obtained from these cadaveric measurements may aid in preoperative planning in hand and upper extremity surgery.

Rigid Patient Positioning is Unreliable in Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, no study has assessed the ability of rigid patient positioning devices to afford arthroplasty surgeons with ideal acetabular orientation throughout surgery. The purpose of this study is to use robotic arm-assisted computer navigation to assess the reliability of pelvic position in total hip arthroplasty performed on patients positioned with rigid positioning devices. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 100 hips (94 patients) underwent robotic-guided total hip arthroplasty in the lateral decubitus position from the posterior approach, 77 stabilized by universal lateral positioner, and 23 by peg board. Before reaming, computed tomography-templated computer software generated true values of pelvic anteversion and inclination based on the position of the robot arm registered to the patient's preoperative pelvic computed tomography. RESULTS: Mean alteration in anteversion and inclination values was 1.7° (absolute value, 5.3°; range, -20° to 20°) and 1.6° (absolute value, 2.6°; range, -8° to 10°), respectively. And 22% of anteversion values were altered by >10° and 41% by >5°. There was no difference between hip positioners used (P = .36). Anteversion variability was correlated with body mass index (P = .02). CONCLUSION: Despite the use of rigid patient positioning devices-a lateral hip positioner or peg board-this study reveals clinically important malposition of the pelvis in many cases, especially with regard to anteversion. These results show a clear need to pay particular attention to anatomic landmarks or computer-assisted techniques to assure accurate acetabular cup positioning. Patient positioning should not be solely trusted.

On Track to Professorship? A Bibliometric Analysis of Early Scholarly Output.

Academic productivity, demonstrated by a record of scholarly publication, is the main criterion for academic promotion. Nevertheless, there are no data on early-career productivity milestones to guide young faculty members aspiring to attain professor status. We performed a bibliometric analysis to determine the number of scholarly papers published by current professors of orthopedic surgery within 5 years after their having acquired American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery certification (termed early scholarly output). Median early scholarly output for all professors (N = 108) was 11 publications. We found medians of 5 first-author and 2 last-author publications, and 4 publications in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research or Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Median number of papers cited at least 50 times by year 5 was 2. The median number of total citations was 29.5, and median Hirsch index (h-index) was 3. Faculty who were clinical professors published fewer papers and acquired fewer citations than faculty who were promoted but did have the clinical descriptor. Professors certified after 1995 were more productive than those certified before 1990. This descriptive study provided benchmark data on early scholarly productivity of current professors of orthopedic surgery and demonstrated this benchmark has risen in more recent years.

Converting between high- and low-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the assessment of periprosthetic joint infection.

Although low-sensitivity CRP (Ls-CRP) is an important tool for evaluating infected orthopedic prostheses, no clinical studies have evaluated whether Hs-CRP is a suitable surrogate for Ls-CRP or other traditional infection biomarkers. The laboratory data of 98 arthroplasty patients with suspected prosthetic infection were reviewed. Hs-CRP was highly correlated with Ls-CRP (R = 0.93). ROC analysis generated 100% sensitivity and 97% specificity for both Hs-CRP and Ls-CRP at optimal cutoffs of 28.6 and 2.6 mg/dL, respectively. Both CRP tests were more accurate than serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate, neutrophil differential, and white blood cell count. Hs-CRP was no different from Ls-CRP after unit conversion, and regression analyses suggested conversion factors that approximated 10. Hs-CRP and Ls-CRP have equivalent utility in the diagnosis of infected joint arthroplasty.

Novel CT-based three-dimensional software improves the characterization of cam morphology.

BACKGROUND: Incomplete correction of femoral offset and sphericity remains the leading cause for revision surgery for symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Because arthroscopic exploration is technically difficult, a detailed preoperative understanding of morphology is of paramount importance for preoperative decision-making. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purposes of this study were to (1) characterize the size and location of peak cam deformity with a prototype CT-based software program; (2) compare software alpha angles with those obtained by plain radiograph and CT images; and (3) assess whether differences can be explained by variable measurement locations. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the preoperative plain radiographs and CT scans of 100 symptomatic cam lesions treated by arthroscopy; recorded alpha angle and clockface measurement location with a novel prototype CT-based software program, CT, and Dunn lateral plain radiographs; and used ordinary least squares regressions to assess the relationship between alpha angle and measurement location. RESULTS: The software determined a mean alpha angle of 70.8° at 1:23 o'clock and identified 60% of maximum alpha angles between 12:45 and 1:45. The CT and plain radiographs underestimated by 5.7° and 8.2°, respectively. The software-based location was anterosuperior to the mean CT and plain radiograph measurement locations by 41 and 97 minutes, respectively. Regression analysis confirmed a correlation between alpha angle differences and variable measurement locations. CONCLUSIONS: Software-based three-dimensional (3-D) imaging generated alpha angles larger than those found by plain radiograph and CT, and these differences were the result of location of measurement. An automated 3-D assessment that accurately describes the location and topography of FAI may be needed to adequately characterize preoperative deformity.

There is no need to avoid resistance training (weight lifting) until physeal closure.

The physis, or growth plate, is relatively weaker than the surrounding bone; as a result, individuals with immature skeletons are at risk for growth plate injury from forces that would not harm an adult. Based on the knowledge that immature growth plates are weaker than adult growth plates, it is not known with certainty whether or not adolescents can participate safely in resistance training programs. Because medical literature does not definitively answer if it is safe for adolescents to pursue strength-training programs, we previously surveyed 500 experts in sports medicine to determine whether they agreed with the statement "resistance training ('weight lifting') should be avoided until physeal closure." Overall, respondents answered that "this statement is very likely false." In this article, we interpret the experts' survey responses by reviewing the basic and clinical sciences implicit in the question, as well as the literature regarding adolescent outcomes. Although the avoidance of resistance training by adolescents is theoretically appealing, we found that the data indicate properly supervised weight programs are not associated with increased risk of acute injury. However, the literature offers no insight about the long-term implications of weight lifting on growth plates. In sum, the expert consensus from our survey that strength training is safe for individuals with immature skeletons is consistent with data from medical literature.