Cervical Total Disk Arthroplasty.

In the United States, cervical total disk arthroplasty (TDA) is US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved for use in both 1 and 2-level constructions for cervical disk disease resulting in myelopathy and/or radiculopathy. TDA designs vary in form, function, material composition, and even performance in?vivo. However, the therapeutic goals are the same: to remove the painful degenerative/damaged elements of the intervertebral discoligamenous joint complex, to preserve or restore the natural range of spinal motion, and to mitigate stresses on adjacent spinal segments, thereby theoretically limiting adjacent segment disease (ASDis). Cervical vertebrae exhibit complex, coupled motions that can be difficult to artificially replicate. Commonly available TDA designs include ball-and-socket rotation-only prostheses, ball-and-trough rotation and anterior-posterior translational prostheses, as well as unconstrained elastomeric disks that can rotate and translate freely in all directions. Each design has its respective advantages and disadvantages. At this time, available clinical evidence does not favor 1 design philosophy over another. The superiority of cervical TDA over the gold-standard anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a subject of great controversy. Although most studies agree that cervical TDA is at least as effective as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at reducing or eliminating preoperative pain and neurological symptoms, the clinical benefits of motion preservation- that is, reduced incidence of ASDis-are far less clear. Several short-to-mid-term studies suggest that disk arthroplasty reduces the radiographic incidence of adjacent segment degeneration; however, the degree to which this is clinically significant is disputed. At this time, TDA has not been clearly demonstrated to reduce symptomatic?ASDis.

Allergic or Hypersensitivity Reactions to Orthopaedic Implants.

Allergic or hypersensitivity reactions to orthopaedic implants can pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Although 10% to 15% of the population exhibits cutaneous sensitivity to metals, deep-tissue reactions to metal implants are comparatively rare. Nevertheless, the link between cutaneous sensitivity and clinically relevant deep-tissue reactions is unclear. Most reactions to orthopaedic devices are type IV, or delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. The most commonly implicated allergens are nickel, cobalt, and chromium; however, reactions to nonmetal compounds, such as polymethyl methacrylate, antibiotic spacers, and suture materials, have also been reported. Symptoms of hypersensitivity to implants are nonspecific and include pain, swelling, stiffness, and localized skin reactions. Following arthroplasty, internal fixation, or implantation of similarly allergenic devices, the persistence or early reappearance of inflammatory symptoms should raise suspicions for hypersensitivity. However, hypersensitivity is a diagnosis of exclusion. Infection, as well as aseptic loosening, particulate synovitis, instability, and other causes of failure must first be eliminated.

Computer Assisted Cobb Angle Measurements: A novel algorithm.

BACKGROUND: The standard for evaluating scoliosis is PA radiographs using Cobb angle to measure curve magnitude. Newer PACS systems allow easier Cobb angle calculations, but have not improved inter/intra observer precision of measurement. Cobb angle and its progression are important to determine treatment; therefore, angle variability is not optimal. This study seeks to demonstrate that a performance equivalent to that achieved in the manual method is possible using a novel computer algorithm with limited user input. The authors compared Cobb angles from predetermined spinal levels in the average attending score versus the computer assisted approach. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of PA radiographs from 58 patients previously evaluated for scoliosis was collected. Predesignated spinal levels (e.g., T2-T10) were assigned for different curves and calculated by Cobb method. Four spine surgeons evaluated these Cobb angles. Their average scores were measured and compared to formulated values using the novel computer-based algorithm. Literature reports inter-observer reliability is 6.3-7.2degrees. Limits of accuracy were set at 5 degrees of average orthopedic surgeons' score. RESULTS: The computer-based algorithm calculated Cobb angles within 5 degrees of orthopedic surgeons' average with a standard deviation of 3.2 degrees. This result was based on a 95% confidence interval with p values <0.001. The computer algorithm was plotted against average angle determined by the surgeons, with individual determinations and linear regression (r2 =0.90). The average difference between surgeons' measures and computer algorithm was 0.4 degrees(SD= 3.2degrees, n=79). There was a tendency for the computer algorithm program to overestimate the angle at larger angles, but difference was small with r2 = 0.09. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed the novel computer based algorithm was an efficient and reliable method to assess scoliotic curvature in the coronal plane with the possibility of expediting clinic visits, ensuring reliability of calculation and decreasing patient exposure to radiation. Level of Evidence: III.

Open Navicular Dislocation With Midfoot Dissociation in a 45-Year-Old Man.

Traumatic dislocation of an intact tarsal navicular is an uncommon injury. In this article, we report a case of open medial navicular dislocation in a 45-year-old man. The injury was managed with open reduction and stabilization with Kirschner wires within the acute period. Ten months after injury, the patient developed avascular necrosis of the navicular and exhibited progressive collapse of the medial midfoot. He underwent naviculocuneiform arthrodesis 1 year after the index surgery. Two years after fusion, he was pain-free and ambulating independently. Successful treatment of midfoot fractures and dislocations requires an intimate understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, and both short- and long-term sequelae of injury.

Orthopaedic Considerations for the Adult With Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a heritable group of collagen-related disorders that affects up to 50,000 people in the United States. Although the disease is most symptomatic in childhood, adults with osteogenesis imperfecta also are affected by the sequelae of the disease. Orthopaedic manifestations include posttraumatic and accelerated degenerative joint disease, kyphoscoliosis, and spondylolisthesis. Other manifestations of abnormal collagen include brittle dentition, hearing loss, cardiac valve abnormalities, and basilar invagination. In general, nonsurgical treatment is preferred for management of acute fractures. High rates of malunion, nonunion, and subsequent deformity have been reported with both closed and open treatment. When surgery is necessary, surgeons should opt for load-sharing intramedullary devices that span the entire length of the bone; locking plates and excessively rigid fixation generally should be avoided. Arthroplasty may be considered for active patients, but the procedure frequently is associated with complications in this patient population. Underlying deformities, such as malunion, bowing, rotational malalignment, coxa vara, and acetabular protrusio, pose specific surgical challenges and underscore the importance of preoperative planning.

ISSLS Prize Winner: Dynamic Loading-Induced Convective Transport Enhances Intervertebral Disc Nutrition.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental animal study of convective transport in the intervertebral disc. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the effects of mechanical loading rate on net transport into the healthy and degenerative intervertebral disc in vivo. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Intervertebral disc degeneration is linked with a reduction in transport to the avascular disc. Enhancing disc nutrition is, therefore, a potential strategy to slow or reverse the degenerative cascade. Convection induced by mechanical loading is a potential mechanism to augment diffusion of small molecules into the disc. METHODS: Skeletally mature New Zealand white rabbits with healthy discs and discs degenerated via needle puncture were subjected to low rate axial compression and distraction loading for 2.5, 5, 10, 15, or 20 minutes after a bolus administration of gadodiamide. Additional animals with healthy discs were subjected to high-rate loading for 10 minutes or no loading for 10 minutes. Transport into the disc for each loading regimen was quantified using post-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Low-rate loading resulted in the rapid uptake and clearance of gadodiamide in the disc. Low-rate loading increased net transport into the nucleus by a mean 16.8% and 12.6% in healthy and degenerative discs, respectively. The kinetics of small molecule uptake and clearance were accelerated in both healthy and degenerative discs with low-rate loading. In contrast, high-rate loading reduced transport into nucleus by a mean 16.8%. CONCLUSION: These results illustrate that trans-endplate diffusion can be enhanced by forced convection in both healthy and degenerative discs in vivo. Mechanical loading-induced convection could offer therapeutic benefit for degenerated discs by enhancing uptake of nutrients and clearance of by-products. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

MRI for the evaluation of knee pain: comparison of ordering practices of primary care physicians and orthopaedic surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Knee pain is one of the most common reasons for outpatient visits in the U.S. The great majority of such cases can be effectively evaluated through physical examination and judicious use of radiography. Despite this, an increasing number of magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of the knee are being ordered for patients with incomplete work-ups or for inappropriate indications. We hypothesized that MRIs ordered by orthopaedic providers were more likely to result in changes in diagnoses and/or plans for care than those ordered by non-orthopaedic providers. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of all consecutive new patients seen at our orthopaedic outpatient office between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011, with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes for meniscal or unspecific sprains and strains of the knee. A total of 1592 patients met our inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups: those initially evaluated and referred by their primary care physician (PCP) (n = 747) and those initially evaluated by one of our staff orthopaedic surgeons (n = 845). RESULTS: MRI-ordering rates were nearly identical between orthopaedic surgeons and PCPs (25.0% versus 24.8%; p = 0.945). MRIs ordered by orthopaedic surgeons, however, resulted in significantly more arthroscopic interventions than those ordered by PCPs (41.2% versus 31.4%; p = 0.042). Orthopaedic surgeons ordered MRIs for patients who were more likely to benefit from arthroscopic intervention, including patients who were younger (mean age, 45.1 years versus 56.5 years for those with PCP-ordered MRIs; p < 0.001), patients with acute symptoms (39.3% versus 22.2%; p < 0.001), and patients with a history of trauma (49.3% versus 36.2%; p = 0.019). Finally, orthopaedic surgeons were less likely than PCPs to order MRIs for patients with substantial osteoarthritis who subsequently underwent total knee arthroplasty (4.3% versus 9.2%; p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: MRI utilization by orthopaedic surgeons results in more appropriate interventions for patients with symptoms and findings most amenable to surgical intervention.

Preliminary trauma radiographs misrepresent pubic diastasis injuries.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of portable primary trauma survey radiographs in the evaluation and management of anteroposterior (AP) compression pelvic injuries. A retrospective analysis was conducted at a level I academic trauma center. Twenty-seven adults with AP compressive class pelvic ring injuries who received both portable pelvic radiographs and pelvic computed tomography (CT) imaging in an unbound pelvic state were included. Three orthopedic surgeons performed independent measurements of diastasis on portable pelvic radiographs and coronal pelvic CT reconstructions. Measurement techniques were standardized among observers and were repeated after 8 weeks to assess intraobserver reliability. Nonoperative vs operative treatments were correlated with the initial magnitude of pelvic injury on CT and portable radiographic images. Independent measurements of diastasis on both radiographs and CT scans showed excellent intraobserver reliability (average correlation coefficient, 0.986) and interobserver reliability (average correlation coefficient, 0.979). Compared with diastasis measurements on CT scans, portable pelvic radiographs overestimated diastasis by an average of 49%, or 12.6 mm (P<.0001; 95% confidence interval, 9.6-15.6). Portable pelvic films were less precise than standard pelvic radiographs in measuring the size of femoral head controls (R(2)=0.919 vs 0.759; P=.004). In 12 of the 27 patients evaluated, radiographic indications for operative pelvic fixation were met by portable radiographs but not CT scans, and 11 of these patients ultimately underwent operative fixation. Portable AP pelvic radiographs may distort and exaggerate pelvic bony injuries, especially those involving anterior pelvic structures. Surgeons should use caution when making management decisions based on preliminary portable pelvic radiographs.

Dedicated orthopaedic operating rooms: beneficial to patients and providers alike.

OBJECTIVE: Dedicated orthopaedic operating rooms (DOORs) are increasingly popular solutions to reducing after-hours procedures, physician fatigue, and elective schedule disruptions. Although the benefits to surgeons are well understood, there are comparatively few studies that explore the effects of DOORs on patient care. We compared treatments and outcomes for all consecutive patients with femoral neck fractures, 4 years before and 4 years after implementation of a DOOR-based schedule. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Level 1 academic trauma center. PATIENTS: A total of 111 consecutive trauma patients undergoing surgical management of isolated OTA group 31-B femoral neck fractures. INTERVENTION: Based on individual patient factors and fracture characteristics, patients were managed with either hemiarthroplasty or open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgical timing, intervention type, perioperative complications, and postoperative length of stay. RESULTS: Retrospective analysis revealed a significant decrease in after-hour surgery (4 PM-7:30 AM) for all femoral neck fractures (66.7%-19.3%; P < 0.001). No significant differences were found between the rates of arthroplasty versus those of open reduction internal fixation. Patients undergoing surgical treatment for femoral neck fractures after DOOR suffered significantly fewer morbidities, including significantly decreased rates of postoperative intensive care unit admissions, stroke, infections, and myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure exacerbations. We also observed a significant decrease in postoperative mortality (5.6% pre-DOOR vs. 0% post-DOOR; P = 0.04). Patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty experienced a significant shorter hospitalization (14.5 days pre-DOOR vs. 9.9 days post-DOOR; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, a weekday DOOR is closely associated with improvements in both patient safety and outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Low rate loading-induced convection enhances net transport into the intervertebral disc in vivo.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The intervertebral disc primarily relies on trans-endplate diffusion for the uptake of nutrients and the clearance of byproducts. In degenerative discs, diffusion is often diminished by endplate sclerosis and reduced proteoglycan content. Mechanical loading-induced convection has the potential to augment diffusion and enhance net transport into the disc. The ability of convection to augment disc transport is controversial and has not been demonstrated in vivo. PURPOSE: To determine if loading-induced convection can enhance small molecule transport into the intervertebral disc in vivo. STUDY DESIGN: Net transport was quantified via postcontrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) into the discs of the New Zealand white rabbit lumbar spine subjected to in vivo cyclic low rate loading. METHODS: Animals were administered the MRI contrast agent gadodiamide intravenously and subjected to in vivo low rate loading (0.5 Hz, 200 N) via a custom external loading apparatus for either 2.5, 5, 10, 15, or 20 minutes. Animals were then euthanized and the lumbar spines imaged using postcontrast enhanced MRI. The T1 constants in the nucleus, annulus, and cartilage endplates were quantified as a measure of gadodiamide transport into the loaded discs compared with the adjacent unloaded discs. Microcomputed tomography was used to quantify subchondral bone density. RESULTS: Low rate loading caused the rapid uptake and clearance of gadodiamide in the nucleus compared with unloaded discs, which exhibited a slower rate of uptake. Relative to unloaded discs, low rate loading caused a maximum increase in transport into the nucleus of 16.8% after 5 minutes of loading. Low rate loading increased the concentration of gadodiamide in the cartilage endplates at each time point compared with unloaded levels. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study indicate that forced convection accelerated small molecule uptake and clearance in the disc induced by low rate mechanical loading. Low rate loading may, therefore, be therapeutic to the disc as it may enhance the nutrient uptake and waste product clearance.

Diagnosis and management of langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare group of disorders without a well-understood etiology. Known formerly as histiocytosis X, the disease has a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, including eosinophilic granuloma (solitary bone lesion), diabetes insipidus, and exophthalmos. It is also known by several eponyms, including Hand-Schüller-Christian disease when it manifests as a triad of cranial bone lesions and Letterer-Siwe disease when it is found in infantile patients with severely disseminated disease. Children aged 5 to 15 years are most commonly affected. Many of these patients initially present to orthopaedic surgeons, and misdiagnosis is frequent. To accurately diagnosis and treat these patients, the orthopaedic surgeon must be familiar with the clinical manifestations and pathophysiology of the disease as well as the treatment guidelines and outcomes for Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Spontaneous septic arthritis of the lumbar facet caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an otherwise healthy adolescent.

We report the case of a 16-year-old boy with isolated septic arthritis of a lumbar facet. This rare presentation of an infection in a lumbar facet joint occurred after minor trauma sustained in a football game. Septic arthritis of the spinal facet joint is an uncommon phenomenon. Only 5 cases have been reported in immunocompromised pediatric patients. To our knowledge, no case of septic arthritis in an immunocompetent pediatric patient has been reported. An otherwise healthy 16-year-old boy presented with 4 weeks of escalating back pain after a minor athletics-related trauma. Evaluation showed incapacitating pain, lumbar musculature spasms, and the absence of fever, hemodynamic, or neurologic changes. Laboratory values were within normal limits. Magnetic resonance images showed a fluid collection within the L3-L4 facet and a localized abscess. Computed tomographic-guided aspiration showed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection, for which the patient received 6 weeks of vancomycin with complete resolution of symptoms. Refractory lumbago in an adolescent requires careful evaluation.

Management of chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain results from a complex interplay of mechanical, biochemical, psychological, and social factors. Effective management is markedly different from that of acute musculoskeletal pain. Understanding the physiology of pain transmission, modulation, and perception is crucial for effective management. Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies such as psychotherapy and biofeedback exercises can be used to manage chronic pain. Evidence-based treatment recommendations have been made for chronic pain conditions frequently encountered by orthopaedic surgeons, including low back, osteoarthritic, posttraumatic, and neuropathic pain. Extended-release tramadol; select tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and anticonvulsants; and topical medications such as lidocaine, diclofenac, and capsaicin are among the most effective treatments. However, drug efficacy varies significantly by indication. Orthopaedic surgeons should be familiar with the widely available safe and effective nonnarcotic options for chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Spinal cord compression in pseudohypoparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spinal cord compression associated with pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is an increasingly reported sequelae of the underlying metabolic syndrome. The association of neurologic dysfunction with PHP is not well appreciated. We believe this to be secondary to a combination of underlying congenital stenosis, manifest by short pedicles secondary to premature physeal closure, and hypertrophic ossification of the vertebral bony and ligamentous complexes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report is to review the case of spinal stenosis in a child with PHP Type Ia. We are aware of only eight published reports of patients with PHP Type Ia and spinal stenosis-there are only two previously known cases of pediatric spinal stenosis secondary to PHP. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This is a case report detailing the symptoms, diagnosis, interventions, complications, and ultimate outcomes of a pediatric patient undergoing spinal decompression and fusion for symptomatic stenosis secondary to PHP Type Ia. Literature search was reviewed regarding the reports of spinal stenosis and PHP, and the results are culminated and discussed. PATIENT SAMPLE: We report on a 14-year-old obese male with PHP and progressive lower extremity weakness secondary to congenital spinal stenosis. Examination revealed functional upper extremities with spastic paraplegia of bilateral lower extremities. The patient's neurologic function was cautiously monitored, but he deteriorated to a bed-bound state, preoperatively. METHODS: The patient's chart was reviewed, summarized, and presented. Literature was searched using cross-reference of PHP and the terms "spinal stenosis," "myelopathy", "myelopathic," and "spinal cord compression." All relevant case reports were reviewed, and the results are discussed herein. RESULTS: The patient underwent decompression and instrumented fusion of T2-T11. He improved significantly with regard to lower extremity function, achieving unassisted ambulation function after extensive rehabilitation. Results from surgical decompression in previously reported cases are mixed, ranging from full recovery to iatrogenic paraplegia. CONCLUSIONS: The association of neurologic dysfunction with PHP is not well appreciated. It is important to highlight this rare association. Surgical decompression in patients with PHP yields mixed results but may be of greatest efficacy in younger patients who receive early intervention.

Phenotypic variability of osteogenesis imperfecta type V caused by an IFITM5 mutation.

In a large cohort of osteogenesis imperfecta type V (OI type V) patients (17 individuals from 12 families), we identified the same mutation in the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of the interferon-induced transmembrane protein 5 (IFITM5) gene by whole exome and Sanger sequencing (IFITM5 c.-14C > T) and provide a detailed description of their phenotype. This mutation leads to the creation of a novel start codon adding five residues to IFITM5 and was recently reported in several other OI type V families. The variability of the phenotype was quite large even within families. Whereas some patients presented with the typical calcification of the forearm interosseous membrane, radial head dislocation and hyperplastic callus (HPC) formation following fractures, others had only some of the typical OI type V findings. Thirteen had calcification of interosseous membranes, 14 had radial head dislocations, 10 had HPC, 9 had long bone bowing, 11 could ambulate without assistance, and 1 had mild unilateral mixed hearing loss. The bone mineral density varied greatly, even within families. Our study thus highlights the phenotypic variability of OI type V caused by the IFITM5 mutation.

Bone grafts, bone substitutes and orthobiologics: the bridge between basic science and clinical advancements in fracture healing.

The biology of fracture healing is better understood than ever before, with advancements such as the locking screw leading to more predictable and less eventful osseous healing. However, at times one's intrinsic biological response, and even concurrent surgical stabilization, is inadequate. In hopes of facilitating osseous union, bone grafts, bone substitutes and orthobiologics are being relied on more than ever before. The osteoinductive, osteoconductive and osteogenic properties of these substrates have been elucidated in the basic science literature and validated in clinical orthopaedic practice. Furthermore, an industry built around these items is more successful and in demand than ever before. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the basic science, clinical utility and economics of bone grafts, bone substitutes and orthobiologics.