Outcomes of distal biceps tendon repair using a dual incision, cortical button technique: a single surgeon study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient-reported outcomes, function, complication rates, and radiographs in a series of patients with distal biceps tendon repair using the dual incision cortical button technique by a single surgeon. By having a single surgeon perform the surgery, the technique is standardized to all patients. Twenty-two patients consented to participate in the study. The average time from surgery to review was 2.2 years. Patient satisfaction was assessed using the DASH, Oxford, and Mayo Elbow Performance Scores. METHODS: Range of movement was assessed and compared to the unaffected limb using a goniometer. Isometric flexion and supination strength was tested using a standardized dynamometer-both measurements taken by a single physiotherapist. Radiographs were discussed at the time of the review by 2 orthopedic surgeons to check for heterotopic ossification. RESULTS: The mean DASH score was 6.3 postsurgery at the time of follow-up. There was no significant difference in active range of movement between the repaired and nonrepaired arm in flexion, extension, supination, or pronation. Four radiographs showed evidence of heterotopic ossification (HTO)-none showed synostosis. For patients with HTO, there was evidence that supination was inhibited compared to those patients who did not have HTO. CONCLUSION: Our study found that at an average of 2 years of follow-up these patients had good outcomes clinically with no major complications. HTO was present in only 4 patients, and there was a significant difference in supination compared to those who did not have HTO. These patients had an average DASH of 14 compared to a score of 4.5 in those who did not have an HTO. The study showed that the dual incision cortical button repair remains a procedure with excellent patient outcomes at the risk of HTO.

Assessment of the Efficacy of Telephone Medicine Consultations in Trauma and Orthopaedics During COVID-19 Using the Ashford Clinic Letter Score.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, our aim was to protect staff and patients, therefore, face-to-face clinics were converted to telephone clinics. We retrospectively compared two groups of patients: those seen in traditional clinics pre-COVID-19 and those who had telephone clinics during the pandemic. The mean Ashford Clinic Letter Score (ACLS) for the face-to-face clinic letters was 6.7, and the letters from both groups of telemedicine appointments scored better; the first group scoring 7.1 and the second 7.45. The pandemic allowed us to show that telephone clinics are effective and can be superior to traditional clinics in a specific set of patients.

Healos and bone marrow aspirate used for lumbar spine fusion: a case controlled study comparing healos with autograft.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective case controlled study to compare the clinical and radiographic performance of Healos soaked in bone marrow aspirate (BMA) to iliac crest autograft when used in lumbar spinal fusion. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the null hypothesis: Healos used with BMA is not an effective alternative to iliac crest autograft in lumbar spine fusions. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Healos (a Type 1 collagen/hydroxyapatite matrix) is osteoconductive and when soaked for at least 20 minutes in BMA becomes osteoinductive. It is nontoxic and straightforward to use, avoiding the morbidity of autograft harvest. Animal studies and early clinical series in humans have suggested that Healos and BMA are an effective substitute for autograft in certain circumstances. METHODS: From July 2000, Healos and BMA were used as the graft material, instead of autograft harvested from the iliac crest, in all patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion. Clinical outcome measures used were the Low Back Outcome Score (LBOS), a Patient Satisfaction Score, and the Prolo Economic Score (after Schnee). Standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were taken at 12- and 24-month follow-up visits. The first 50 cases in this consecutive series were age, sex, and operative intervention matched to historical controls who underwent surgery between 1997 and 2000 and in whom autograft from the iliac crest had been used as the graft material. Surgical outcome data in these patients had also been gathered prospectively. An independent radiologist, blinded to the graft material, using standard plain radiograph criteria for fusion, examined all the radiographs. An independent surgeon assessed clinical outcomes. RESULTS: For posterolateral lumbar fusions, there were equivalent radiologic fusion rates for the 2 groups with no significant difference in the subjective and objective clinical outcomes. The radiologic fusions rate was significantly lower when Healos had been used for lumbar interbody fusions. Clinical outcomes for both groups were similar. There were no lasting complications associated with Healos use compared with a 14%; persisting donor site complication rate in the autograft patients. CONCLUSION: The null hypothesis is only partially correct. Healos and BMA are not inferior to autologous iliac crest bone as a graft material in posterolateral lumbar spine fusions but are radiographically ineffective in lumbar interbody fusions.