The impact of social deprivation on healthcare utilization patterns following rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND: Disparities in social determinants of health have been linked to worse patient reported outcomes, higher pain, and increased risk of revision surgery following rotator cuff repair. Identification of perioperative predictors of increased healthcare utilization is of particular interest to surgeons to improve outcomes and mitigate the total cost of care. The effect of social deprivation on healthcare utilization has not been fully characterized. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of a single institution's experience with primary rotator cuff repair between 2012 and 2020. Demographic variables (age, race, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score) and healthcare utilization (hospital readmission, emergency department visits, follow-up visits, telephone calls) were recorded within 90 days of surgery. The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) was recorded, and patients were separated into terciles according to their relative level of social deprivation. Outcomes were then stratified based on ADI tercile and compared. RESULTS: A total of 1695 patients were included. The upper, middle, and lower terciles of ADI consisted of 410, 767, and 518 patients, respectively. The most deprived tercile had greater emergency department visitation and office visitation within 90 days of surgery relative to the least and intermediate deprived terciles. Higher levels of social deprivation were independent risk factors for increased emergency department (ED) visitation and follow-up visitation. There was no difference in 90-day readmission rates or telephone calls made between the least, intermediate, and most deprived patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with higher levels of deprivation demonstrated greater postoperative hospital utilization. We hope to use these results to identify risk factors for increased hospital use, guide clinical decision making, increase transparency, and manage patient outcomes following rotator cuff repair surgery.

Wrist Arthritis and Arthrodesis: Preserving Function, Minimizing Problems.

Wrist arthritis is a common condition with numerous causes and presentations. Several management options exist, and treatment should be individualized based on patient age, comorbidities, occupation, duration of symptoms, and failed treatment modalities. Arthroscopy and denervation are appealing because of shorter recovery time and preservation of motion, but duration of effectiveness varies between patients. Patients who fail these smaller procedures or those with pancarpal arthrosis are treated effectively with total wrist arthrodesis or total wrist arthroplasty in lower-demand patients. This article reviews causes and patterns of wrist arthritis and discusses treatment strategies aimed at preserving function and minimizing complications.

Ulnar Wrist Denervation: Articular Branching Pattern and Selective Blockade of the Dorsal Branch of the Ulnar Nerve.

PURPOSE: Ulnar wrist denervation has been a successful treatment for patients with ulnar-sided wrist pain. The purpose of this study was to characterize the articular branches of the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve (DBUN) and validate a technique for selective peripheral nerve blockade. METHODS: In cadavers, we performed simulated local anesthetic injections using 0.5 mL of 0.5% methylene into the subcutaneous tissue at a point midway between the palpable borders of the pisiform and ulnar styloid. We then dissected the DBUN, characterized its articular branching pattern, and measured staining intensity of the DBUN and the ulnar nerve relative to a standard. RESULTS: The DBUN branched from the ulnar nerve 7.0 ± 1.2 cm proximal to the ulnar styloid. Among 17 specimens, the DBUN provided an average of 1.2 (range, 0-2) ulnocarpal branches and 1.0 (range, 0-2) carpometacarpal articular branches. A simulated local anesthetic injection successfully stained 100% of the DBUN articular branches at or proximal to their takeoff. There was no staining of the proper ulnar nerves. In all specimens, the DBUN supplied at least one articular branch. CONCLUSIONS: A point midway between the palpable border of the pisiform and ulnar styloid may be an effective location for selectively blocking the DBUN articular afferents. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this study, we were able to identify a point halfway between the pisiform and ulnar styloid that has the potential to produce a selective peripheral nerve block of the portion of the DBUN that supplies articular fibers to the ulnocarpal joint and the fifth carpometacarpal joint. This technique may prove useful to surgeons treating ulnar-sided wrist pain.