Are our actions matching our words? A review of trainee ethnic and gender diversity in orthopaedic surgery.

Background: There is a lack of physician ethnic and gender diversity amongst surgical specialties. This study analyzes the literature that promotes diversity amongst surgical trainees. Specifically, this study sought to answer (i) how the number of publications regarding diversity in orthopaedic surgery compares to other surgical specialties, (ii) how the number of publications amongst all surgical subspecialties trends over time and (iii) which specific topics regarding diversity are discussed in the surgical literature. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used to query articles from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Broad inclusion criteria for both ethnic and gender diversity of any surgical specialty were utilized. Results: Our query resulted 1429 publications, of which 408 duplicates were removed, and 701 were excluded on title and abstract screening, leaving 320 to be included. The highest number of related publications was in orthopaedic surgery (n = 73) followed by general surgery (n = 56). Out of 320 total articles, 260 (81.3 %) were published after 2015, and 56 of 73 (76.7 %) orthopaedic-specific articles were published after 2015. Conclusion: Orthopaedic surgery published the most about ethnic and gender diversity, however, still remains one of the least diverse surgical specialties. With the recent increase in publications on diversity in surgical training, close attention should be paid to ethnic and gender diversity amongst surgical trainees over the coming years. Should diversity remain stagnant, diversification efforts may need to be restructured to achieve a diverse surgeon workforce. Key message: Orthopaedic surgery is the surgical subspecialty that publishes the most about trainee ethnic and gender diversity followed by general surgery. With most of this literature being published over the last eight years, it is imperative to pay close attention to the ethnic and gender landscape of the surgeon workforce over the coming years.

Alternative and Adjunct Treatments for Scoliosis: A Google Trends Analysis of Public Popularity Compared With Scientific Literature.

Purpose As Google searches have often been found to provide inaccurate information regarding various treatments for orthopedic conditions, it becomes important to analyze search trends to understand what treatments are most popularly considered and the quality of information available. We sought to compare the public interest in popular adjunct/alternative scoliosis treatments to the published literature on these topics and assess any temporal trends in the public interest in these treatments. Methods The study authors compiled the most common adjunct/alternative treatments for scoliosis on PubMed. Chiropractic manipulation, Schroth exercises, physical therapy, pilates, and yoga, along with "scoliosis," were each entered into Google Trends, collected from 2004 to 2021. A linear regression analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was done to determine whether there was a linear relationship between Google Trends' popularity and PubMed publication data. The seasonal popularity of the terms was assessed using locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (LOESS) regression. Results Google Trends and publication frequency linear regression curves were different for chiropractic manipulation (p < 0.001), Schroth exercises (p < 0.001), physical therapy (p < 0.001), and pilates (p = 0.003). Chiropractic manipulation (p < 0.001), Schroth exercises (p = 0.003), and physical therapy (p < 0.001) had positive trends, and yoga (p < 0.001) had a negative trend. Chiropractic manipulation and yoga were more popular in the summer and winter months. Conclusion Google Trends can provide orthopedic surgeons and other healthcare professionals with valuable information on which treatments are gaining popularity with the public, so physicians may specifically inform themselves prior to patient encounters, leading to more productive shared decision-making.

Socioeconomic Factors Correlation With Idiopathic Scoliosis Curve Type and Cobb Angle Severity.

INTRODUCTION: Race and socioeconomic status correlate with disease outcomes and treatment in patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) to varying degrees, although there is no clear association with Cobb angle and curve type. The purpose of this study was to assess socioeconomic factors and their association with Cobb angles in patients with IS. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was completed with the radiographic analysis of 89 patients diagnosed with IS and spinal curves >10° between the ages of six and 18. Associations between the Cobb angles and socioeconomic categorical variables were analyzed using a nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test and continuous variables using a Spearman Rank correlation.  Results: There were no significant associations between proximal thoracic, main thoracic, or thoracolumbar/lumbar Cobb angles and sex, insurance type, race, access to healthy food, financial difficulty, or income. BMI and proximal thoracic Cobb angle (ρ = 0.2375, p=0.0268) had a significant positive correlation, and BMI and income (ρ = -0.2468, p=0.0228) shared a significant negative correlation. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of IS proximal thoracic Cobb angles was positively associated with BMI and income. Other socioeconomic factors such as age, race, sex, access to food, insurance, and financial difficulties related to scoliosis treatment were not correlated with Cobb angle severity. The data presented suggest that patients with IS have varying degrees of curve type and severity that overall do not correlate with various socioeconomic factors. Validating which factors are predictive of curve severity could lead to early intervention preventing further morbidity of IS.

Novel classification system for periprosthetic distal femoral fractures: a consideration for comminution.

PURPOSE: Comminution is an aspect of periprosthetic distal femoral fractures (PDFFs) that can influence postoperative outcomes and treatment selection, but is not included in current classification systems. We propose a new classification system for PDFFs based on comminution and cortical reads. This study aims to prove its reliability and efficacy to predict fracture severity and guide treatment. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients treated with single or dual locking plates for PDFFs was performed. Two fellowship-trained orthopedic joint reconstruction specialists used available imaging to classify each PDFF as either type 1 (minimal or no comminution allowing for reconstruction of medial and lateral cortices), type 2 (comminution reasonably allowing for reconstruction of either medial or lateral cortex), and type 3 (extensive comminution not allowing reasonable reconstruction of medial or lateral cortex). Each PDFF was then analyzed for radiographic outcomes including lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) and the posterior distal femoral angle (PDFA). RESULTS: Interobserver reliability assessed by Cohen's Kappa statistic was 0.707, and average intraobserver reliability was 0.843, showing substantial reliability. Type 3 PDFFs had greater varus deformity than type 1 (p = 0.0457) or 2 (0.0198). CONCLUSION: The proposed classification system accounts for comminution, demonstrates strong interobserver and intraobserver reliability, and can be used to guide treatment in regard to single versus dual plating. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective comparative study, Level IV.

Cannabis Use Among Lower-Extremity Arthroplasty Patients Does Not Lead to Worse Postoperative Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking and general categorizations of substance use are linked with increased postoperative complications following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA). There is a lack of similar evidence on how cannabis use may affect outcomes after arthroplasty. The present study aims to compare postoperative outcomes in cannabis users versus non-cannabis users who underwent THA/TKA. We hypothesize that cannabis users will have no difference in primarily the complication rate, revision rate, and secondarily post-operative Patient-Reported Outcomes Information System (PROMIS) scores, hospital stay, or pain compared to matched controls. METHODS: Billing codes were used to generate lists of hip/knee arthroplasty patients from 2013 to 2019 at our institution. In the case group, cannabis use was confirmed via chart review. Cannabis-using patients were matched appropriately with non-users by (1) the same arthroplasty procedure; (2) BMI ± 3.5; (3) age ± 3 years; (4) sex. Data on postoperative outcomes were collected from charts and compared between groups using either a Chi-square test for qualitative variables or a paired t-test for quantitative variables. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients with an average age of 57.1 and a BMI of 30.6 were confirmed to have isolated cannabis use. They were matched to 24 patients with an average age of 57.6 and a BMI of 31.4. There were no significant differences in the complication rate (4.2% vs 4.2%, p=1.00), the revision rate (0% vs 4.2%, p=0.31), days of hospital stay (2.7 vs 3.3, p=0.22), or postoperative pain (4.7 vs 4.9, p=0.86). Similarly, there were no significant differences in all PROMIS score measures. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Current research shows that cannabis use may lead to increased revision arthroplasty and decreased mortality, with mixed findings regarding post-surgical complications. The present study suggests that cannabis-using patients have no difference in postoperative complication rate, revision rate, PROMIS scores, hospital stay, or pain compared to matched controls.

Comminuted periprosthetic distal femoral fractures have greater postoperative extension malalignment.

INTRODUCTION: Comminution is a significant aspect of periprosthetic distal femoral fracture characterization and may influence post-surgical outcomes. Existing classification systems that guide treatment decisions do not take into account comminution and current literature is unclear on which surgical approach is optimal. We hypothesize that fractures with comminution will have poorer quality post-reduction alignment, especially with a lateral approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 37 study patients were identified with billing codes designating a distal femoral periprosthetic fracture. A retrospective chart review was performed to categorize fractures by absence or presence of comminution and medial parapatellar versus lateral surgical approach. These patients underwent an imaging evaluation for the primary outcome of reduction quality including the anatomic lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) and the posterior distal femoral angle (PDFA). Differences in radiographic outcomes were analyzed with Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis tests, and analysis by approach was through Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Patients with comminuted fractures had significantly greater extension of the fragment (PDFA = 95.4° vs 90.0°, p = 0.018) and similar coronal alignment (LDFA = 85.3° vs 86.3°, p = 0.83) of the knee compared to non-comminuted fractures after surgical reduction. This difference was more prominent amongst those treated with a lateral approach (PDFA = 96.1° vs 89.4°, p = 0.032) than with a medial approach (PDFA = 93.7° vs 91.5°, p = 0.41) (Table 1). DISCUSSION: Current classification systems and treatment guidelines for periprosthetic distal femoral fractures do not adequately address several issues that may influence treatment outcomes, especially comminution. Comminuted fractures had greater post-reduction extension malalignment, falling outside the recommended PDFA range of 87-90°, especially with a lateral approach. Consideration should be given to surgical approach and techniques to reduce excessive extension when treating comminuted periprosthetic distal femoral fractures.

Summary of Guidelines for the Treatment of Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.

Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is a common cause of low back pain, affecting about 11.5% of the United States population. Patients with symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis may first be treated with conservative management strategies including, but not limited to, non-narcotic and narcotic pain medications, epidural steroid injections, transforaminal injections, and physical therapy. For well-selected patients who fail conservative management strategies, surgical management is appropriate. This article summarizes the guidelines for the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis.