Are extra locking bolts or fibular plating more important in extreme nailing of distal tibia fractures? A cadaveric biomechanical analysis.

OBJECTIVES: In far-distal extra-articular tibia fracture "extreme" nailing, debate surrounds the relative biomechanical performance of plating the fibula compared with extra distal interlocks. This study aimed to evaluate several constructs for extreme nailing including one interlock (one medial-lateral interlock), one interlock + plate (one medial-lateral interlock with lateral fibula compression plating), and two interlocks (one medial-lateral interlock and one anterior-posterior interlock). METHODS: Fifteen pairs of fresh cadaver legs were instrumented with a tibial nail to the physeal scar. A 1 cm segment of bone was resected from the distal tibia 3.5 cm from the joint and an oblique osteotomy was made in the distal fibula. We loaded specimens with three different distal fixation constructs (one interlock, one interlock + plate, and two interlocks) through 10,000 cycles form 100N-700 N of axial loading. Load to failure (Newtons), angulation and displacement were also measured. RESULTS: Mean load to failure was 2092 N (one interlock), 1917 N (one interlock + plate), and 2545 N (two interlocks). Linear mixed effects modeling demonstrated that two interlocks had a load to failure 578 N higher than one interlock alone (95 % CI, 74N-1082 N; P = 0.02), but demonstrated no significant difference between one interlock and one interlock + plate. No statistically significant difference in rates or timing of displacement >2 mm or angulation >10° were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: When nailing far-distal extra-articular tibia and fibula fractures, adding a second interlock provides more stability than adding a fibular plate. Distal fibula plating may have minimal biomechanical effect in extreme nailing.

Peripheral Nerve Block Delays Mobility and Increases Length of Stay in Patients With Geriatric Hip Fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral nerve blocks (PNB) has been increasingly used in the care of patients with geriatric hip fracture to reduce perioperative opiate use and the need for general anesthesia. However, the associated motor palsy may impair patients' ability to mobilize effectively after surgery and subsequently may increase latency to key mobility milestones postoperatively, as well as increase inpatient length of stay (LOS). The aim of this study was to investigate time-to-mobility milestones and length of hospital stay between peripheral, epidural, and general anesthesia. METHODS: A retrospective review identified 1,351 patients aged 65 years or older who underwent surgery for hip fracture between 2012 and 2018 at a single academic health system. Patients were excluded if baseline nonambulatory, restricted weight-bearing postoperatively, or sustained concomitant injuries precluding mobilization, with a final cohort of 1,013 patients. Time-to-event analyses for discharge and mobility milestones were assessed using univariate Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. RESULTS: PNB was associated with delayed postoperative time to ambulation ( P < 0.001) and time to out-of-bed ( P = 0.029), along with increased LOS ( P < 0.001). Epidural anesthesia was associated with less delay to first out-of-bed ( P = 0.002), less delay to ambulation ( P = 0.001), and overall reduced length of stay ( P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: PNB was associated with slower mobilization and longer hospitalization while epidural anesthesia was associated with quicker mobilization and shorter hospital stays. Epidural anesthesia may be a preferable anesthesia choice in patients with geriatric hip fracture when possible. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

The Impact of Time and State Opioid Legislation on Opioid Prescription Filling in Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is an increasingly utilized treatment for ankle arthritis, and opioids are commonly used as part of perioperative pain control. However, many states have enacted opioid-limiting legislation to reduce perioperative opioid prescribing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of time and state legislation on perioperative opioid prescribing in TAA. This study is a retrospective, observational review of 90-day perioperative opioid prescribing in 1,829 patients undergoing TAA throughout the United States using a large insurance database. Initial and cumulative volumes and rates of opioid prescription filling were recorded along with baseline patient and operative characteristics. Dates of state legislation enactment were also recorded. Student t-tests, analysis of variance, and multivariable linear and logistic regression were utilized to analyze the impact of time and state legislation on opioid prescription filling. In the 90-day perioperative time period, initial and cumulative opioid prescription filling in oxycodone 5-mg equivalents has decreased significantly from 2010 (63.8 initial and 163.3 cumulative) to 2019 (41.1 initial and 67.2 cumulative). States with opioid-limiting legislation saw larger and more significant reductions in initial and cumulative opioid prescription filling preact to postact (63.3-50.6 with legislation vs 61.4-51.9 without legislation initial and 146.4-93.3 with legislation vs 125.1-108.6 without legislation cumulative). This study demonstrates that foot and ankle surgeons in states with opioid-limiting legislation have responded by significantly reducing 90-day perioperative opioid prescribing in TAA. These results encourage states without legislation to enact opioid-specific laws to reduce opioid prescribing.

Time and State Legislation Have Decreased Opioid Prescribing in Elective Foot and Ankle Surgery in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Legislation in the United States has been enacted to reduce opioid overuse and abuse in the setting of the opioid epidemic, and a notable target has been opioid overprescription. However, the impact of this legislation on elective foot and ankle surgery is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of opioid-limiting legislation on opioid prescribing in elective foot and ankle surgery. METHODS: The 90-day perioperative opioid prescription filling in oxycodone 5-mg equivalents was identified in all patients 18 years of age and older undergoing nontrauma, nonarthroplasty foot and ankle surgery from 2010 to 2019 using a commercial database. States with and without legislation were identified, and opioid prescription filling before and after the legislation were tabulated. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of time and state legislation on perioperative opioid prescribing in this patient population. RESULTS: Initial and cumulative opioid prescribing decreased significantly from 2010 to 2019 (39 vs 35.7 initial and 98.1 vs 55.7 cumulative). States with legislation had larger and more significant reductions in initial and cumulative opioid prescribing compared with states without legislation over similar time frames (41.6 to 35.1 with legislation vs 40.6 to 39.1 without legislation initial prescription filling volume and 87.7 to 62.8 vs 88.6 to 74.1 cumulative prescription filling volume). CONCLUSION: State legislation and time have been associated with large, clinically relevant reductions in 90-day perioperative cumulative opioid prescription filling, although reductions in initial opioid prescription filing have remained low. These results encourage states without legislation to enact restraints to reduce the opioid epidemic. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level III: Retrospective, prognostic cohort study.

Beware the rebound effect: regional anesthesia increases opioid utilization after humerus fracture surgery.

Introduction: Regional anesthesia (RA) is used reduce pain in proximal humerus and humeral shaft fracture surgery. The study hypothesis was that RA would decrease opioid demand in patients undergoing fracture surgery. Materials and methods: Opioid demand was recorded in all patients ages 18 and older undergoing proximal humerus or humeral shaft fracture surgery at a single, Level I trauma center from 7/2013 - 7/2018 (n = 380 patients). Inpatient opioid consumption from 0-24, 24-48, and 48-72 h and outpatient opioid demand from 1-month pre-operative to 90-days post-operative were converted to oxycodone 5-mg equivalents (OE's). Unadjusted and adjusted models were constructed to evaluate the impact of RA and other factors on opioid utilization. Results: Adjusted models demonstrated increases in inpatient opioid consumption in patients with RA (6.8 estimated OE's without RA vs 8.8 estimated OE's with RA from 0-24 h post-op; 10 vs 13.7 from 24-48 h post-op; and 8.7 vs 11.6 from 48-72 h post-op; all p < 0.05). Estimated cumulative outpatient opioid demand was significantly higher in patients with RA at all timepoints. Discussion: In proximal humerus and humeral shaft fracture surgery, RA was associated with increased inpatient and outpatient opioid demand after adjusting for baseline patient and treatment characteristics.

Regional Anesthesia Decreases Inpatient But Not Outpatient Opioid Demand in Ankle and Distal Tibia Fracture Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Regional anesthesia (RA) is commonly used in ankle and distal tibia fracture surgery. However, the pragmatic effects of this treatment on inpatient and outpatient opioid demand are unclear. The hypothesis was that RA would decrease inpatient opioid consumption and have little effect on outpatient demand in patients undergoing ankle and distal tibia fracture surgery compared with patients not receiving RA. METHODS: All patients aged 18 years and older undergoing ankle and distal tibia fracture surgery at a single institution between July 2013 and July 2018 were included in this study (n = 1310). Inpatient opioid consumption (0-72 hours postoperatively) and outpatient opioid prescribing (1 month preoperatively to 90 days postoperatively) were recorded in oxycodone 5-mg equivalents (OEs). Adjusted models were used to evaluate the impact of RA versus no RA on inpatient and outpatient opioid demand. RESULTS: Patients without RA had higher rates of high-energy mechanism of injury, additional injuries, open fractures, and additional surgery compared with patients with RA. Adjusted models demonstrated decreased inpatient opioid consumption in patients with RA (12.1 estimated OEs without RA vs 8.8 OEs with RA from 0 to 24 hours postoperatively, P < .001) but no significant difference after that time (9.7 vs 10.4 from 24 to 48 hours postoperatively, and 9.5 vs 8.5 from 48 to 72 hours postoperatively). Estimated cumulative outpatient opioid demand was significantly increased in patients receiving RA at all time points (112.5 OEs without RA vs 137.3 with RA from 1 month preoperatively to 2 weeks, 125.6 vs 155.5 OEs to 6 weeks, and 134.6 vs 163.3 OEs to 90 days, all P values for RA <.001). DISCUSSION: In ankle and distal tibia fracture surgery, RA was associated with decreased early inpatient opioid demand but significantly increased outpatient demand after adjusting for baseline patient and treatment characteristics. This study encourages the use of RA to decrease inpatient opioid use, although there was a worrisome increase in outpatient opioid demand. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III: Retrospective, therapeutic cohort study.

Hip Fracture Surgery: Regional Anesthesia and Opioid Demand.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture surgery is painful, and regional anesthesia (RA) has been used in an attempt to reduce pain and opioid consumption after surgery. Despite potential analgesic benefits, the effect of RA on inpatient and outpatient opioid demand is not well known. We hypothesized that RA would be associated with decreased inpatient opioid demand and has little effect on outpatient opioid demand in hip fracture surgery. METHODS: This study retrospectively evaluated all patients of 18 years and older undergoing hip fracture surgery from July 2013 to July 2018 at a single, level I trauma center (n = 1,659). Inpatient opioid consumption in 24-hour increments up to 72-hour postoperative and outpatient opioid prescribing up to 90-day postoperative were recorded in oxycodone 5-mg equivalents (OE's). Adjusted models evaluated the effect of RA on opioid demand after adjusting for other baseline and treatment variables. RESULTS: After adjusting for baseline and treatment variables, there were small increases in inpatient opioid consumption in patients with RA (2.6 estimated OE's without RA versus three OE's with RA from 0 to 24 hours postoperatively, 2.1 versus 2.4 from 24 to 48 hours postoperatively, and 1.6 versus 2.2 from 48 to 72 hours postoperatively, all P values for RA <0.001). However, there were no notable differences in outpatient opioid demand. DISCUSSION: RA did not decrease inpatient or outpatient opioid demand in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery in this pragmatic study. In fact, there were slight increases in inpatient opioid consumption, although these differences are likely clinically insignificant. These results temper enthusiasm for RA in hip fracture surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective, therapeutic cohort study.

Psychological resilience as a predictor of opioid consumption after orthopaedic trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Psychological distress after orthopaedic trauma negatively affects patient outcomes. Resilience may mediate distress and therefore be associated with post-operative outcomes, including opioid use. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between resilience and post-operative opioid demand with the hypothesis that low levels of resilience are associated with increased opioid consumption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients age 18 - 65 at a single, tertiary care level 1 trauma center who underwent operative treatment of pelvic and/ or extremity fractures between 3/2017 - 6/2018 were contacted by phone to complete the OSPRO-YF, a ten-item screening tool that assesses psychological distress. Participants were screened for scores in the worst quartile (i.e., yellow flag) for resilience. Baseline patient and injury characteristics and opioid demand were compared between patients with and without positive yellow flags for resilience using Wilcoxon rank-sum for continuous variables and Fisher exact test for categorical variables. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients were surveyed. Patients with positive yellow flag screening scores for resilience had significantly higher opioid demand, number of opioid prescriptions filled, and were more likely to refill prescriptions long-term (3-months post-discharge to one-year post-discharge). Patients with a positive yellow flag for resilience had a significantly higher number of opioid prescriptions filled in the cumulative (one-month pre-op to one-year post-discharge) time period. DISCUSSION/ CONCLUSION: Lower long-term resilience scores were associated with higher postoperative opioid consumption, fill and refill rates. These results suggest low resilience may be a risk factor for increased long-term opioid consumption following surgical treatment for orthopaedic trauma.

Regional Anesthesia Associated With Decreased Inpatient and Outpatient Opioid Demand in Tibial Plateau Fracture Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Regional anesthesia (RA) has been used to reduce pain and opioid usage in elective orthopedic surgery. The hypothesis of this study was that RA would be associated with decreased opioid demand in tibial plateau fracture surgery. METHODS: Inpatient opioid consumption and 90-day outpatient opioid prescribing in all patients ≥18 years of age undergoing tibial plateau fracture surgery from July 2013 to July 2018 (n = 264) at a single, level I trauma center were recorded. The presence or absence of perioperative RA was noted. Of 60 patients receiving RA, 52 underwent peripheral nerve blockade (PNB) with single-shot sciatic-popliteal (40.0%; n = 24), femoral (26.7%; n = 16), adductor canal (18.3%; n = 11), or fascia iliaca (1.7%; n = 1) block with ropivacaine. Ten patients received epidural analgesia (EA) with either single-shot spinal (11.7%; n = 7) blocks or continuous epidural (5.0%; n = 3). Additional baseline and treatment characteristics were recorded, including age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), smoking, chronic opioid use, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, injury mechanism, additional injuries, open injury, and additional inpatient surgery. Statistical models, including multivariable generalized linear models with propensity score weighting to adjust for baseline patient and treatment characteristics, were used to assess perioperative opioid demand with and without RA. RESULTS: RA was associated with reduced inpatient opioid usage from 0 to 24 hours postoperatively of approximately 5.2 oxycodone 5-mg equivalents (0.74 incident rate ratio [IRR]; 0.63-0.86 CI; P < .001) and from 24 to 48 hours postoperatively of approximately 2.9 oxycodone 5-mg equivalents (0.78 IRR; 0.64-0.95 CI; P = .014) but not at 48 to 72 hours postoperatively. From 1 month preoperatively to 2 weeks postoperatively, RA was associated with reduced outpatient opioid prescribing of approximately 24.0 oxycodone 5-mg equivalents (0.87; 0.75-0.99; P = .044) and from 1 month preoperatively to 90 days postoperatively of approximately 44.0 oxycodone 5-mg equivalents (0.83; 0.71-0.96; P = .011), although there was no significant difference from 1 month preoperatively to 6 weeks postoperatively. There were no cases of acute compartment syndrome in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: In tibial plateau fracture surgery, RA was associated with reduced inpatient opioid consumption up to 48 hours postoperatively and reduced outpatient opioid demand up to 90 days postoperatively without an associated risk of acute compartment syndrome. RA should be considered for patients undergoing tibial plateau fracture fixation.

Current Trends in Revision Hip Arthroplasty: Indications and Types of Components Revised.

BACKGROUND: The materials and techniques for both primary and revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) have changed over time. This study evaluated if the indications for revision THA, rates of components utilized (femoral or acetabulum, both, or head/liner exchange), length of stay (LOS), and payments to surgeons and facilities have also changed. METHODS: A retrospective study, utilizing the PearlDiver database, of 38,377 revision THA patients from January 2010 through December 2018 was performed. Data included the indication for revision, components revised (femoral or acetabulum, both, or head/liner exchange), LOS, and payments. Indications and components were analyzed by logistic regression (Dunnett's post hoc test). Revision totals were analyzed with a linear regression model. Analysis of variance assessed changes in LOS and payments. RESULTS: Patients' median age was 67 years (Q1-Q3: 59-74), and 58.7% were female. Revisions for dislocation decreased between 2010 and 2018 (odds ratio [OR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68-0.98). Revisions for component loosening increased (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.25-1.91). Dislocation remained the most common indication (19.3%), followed by PJI (17.3%) and loosening (17.1%). Both-component (OR:1.45; 95% CI:1.25-1.67) and femoral component only revisions increased; acetabular component only and head/liner exchanges decreased. Acetabular (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.47-0.70) and head/liner exchange (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.20-0.43) revisions decreased, while both component exchange (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.25-1.67) and femoral revisions (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.99-1.37) increased. Average LOS (-0.68 days; P < .001) and surgeon payments decreased (-$261.8; P < .001) while facility payments increased ($4,211; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Indications for revision THA in this database study changed over time, with revision for dislocation decreasing and revision for loosening increasing over time. Both component and femoral revisions increased, and acetabular component and head/liner exchanges decreased. It is possible that these associations could be attributed to a number of details, the method of femoral fixation, surgical approach, and cementing, all of which require additional study.

Is Advanced Imaging to Assess Rotator Cuff Integrity Before Shoulder Arthroplasty Cost-effective? A Decision Modeling Study.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder arthroplasty is increasingly performed for patients with symptoms of glenohumeral arthritis. Advanced imaging may be used to assess the integrity of the rotator cuff preoperatively because a deficient rotator cuff may be an indication for reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) rather than anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). However, the cost-effectiveness of advanced imaging in this setting has not been analyzed. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: In this cost-effectiveness modeling study of TSA, all patients underwent history and physical examination, radiography, and CT, and we compared (1) no further advanced imaging, (2) selective MRI, (3) MRI for all, (4) selective ultrasound, and (5) ultrasound for all. METHODS: A simple chain decision model was constructed with a base-case 65-year-old patient with a 7% probability of a large-to-massive rotator cuff tear and a follow-up of 5 years. Strategies were compared using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) with a willingness to pay of both USD 50,000 and 100,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) used, in accordance with the Second Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine. Diagnostic test sensitivity and specificity were extracted from published systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and patient utilities were obtained using the Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry from the Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health. Final patient states were categorized as either inappropriate or appropriate based on the actual rotator cuff integrity and type of arthroplasty performed. Additionally, to evaluate the real-world impact of intraoperative determination of rotator cuff status, a secondary analysis was performed where all patients indicated for TSA underwent intraoperative rotator cuff examination to determine appropriate implant selection. RESULTS: Selective MRI (ICER of USD 40,964) and MRI for all (ICER of USD 79,182/QALY) were the most cost-effective advanced imaging strategies at a willingness to pay (WTP) of USD 50,000/QALY gained and 100,000/QALY gained, respectively. Overall, quality-adjusted life years gained by advanced soft tissue imaging were minimal: 0.04 quality-adjusted life years gained for MRI for all. Secondary analysis accounting for the ability of the surgeon to alter the treatment plan based on intraoperative rotator cuff evaluation resulted in the no further advanced imaging strategy as the dominant strategy as it was the least costly (USD 23,038 ± 2259) and achieved the greatest health utility (0.99 ± 0.05). The sensitivity analysis found the original model was the most sensitive to the probability of a rotator cuff tear in the population, with the value of advanced imaging increasing as the prevalence increased (rotator cuff tear prevalence greater than 12% makes MRI for all cost-effective at a WTP of USD 50,000/QALY). CONCLUSION: In the case of diagnostic ambiguity based on physical exam, radiographs, and CT alone, having both TSA and RSA available in the operating room appears more cost-effective than obtaining advanced soft tissue imaging preoperatively. However, performing selective MRI to assess rotator cuff integrity to indicate RSA or TSA is cost-effective if surgical preparedness, patient expectations, and implant availability preclude the ability to switch implants intraoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, economic and decision analysis.

Regional anesthesia does not decrease opioid demand in pelvis and acetabulum fracture surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures often have considerable pain in the perioperative period. Regional anesthesia (RA) including peripheral nerve blocks and spinal analgesia may reduce pain. However, the real-world impact of these modalities on inpatient opioid consumption and outpatient opioid demand is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of perioperative RA on inpatient opioid consumption and outpatient opioid demand. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational review of inpatient opioid consumption and outpatient opioid demand in all patients ages 18 and older undergoing operative fixation of pelvic and acetabular fractures at a single Level, I trauma center from 7/1/2013-7/1/2018 (n = 205). Unadjusted and adjusted analyses were constructed to evaluate the impact of RA on inpatient opioid consumption and outpatient opioid demand while controlling for age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), smoking, chronic opioid use, ASA score, injury mechanism, additional injuries, open injury, and additional inpatient surgery. RESULTS: Adjusted models demonstrated increases in inpatient opioid consumption in patients with RA (12.6 estimated OE's without RA vs 16.1 OE's with RA from 48 to 72 h post-op, p < 0.05) but no significant differences at other timepoints (17.5 estimated OE's without RA vs 16.8 OE's with RA from 0 to 24 h post-op, 15.3 vs 17.1 from 24 to 48 h post-op, p > 0.05). Estimated cumulative outpatient opioid demand was significantly higher in patients with RA at discharge to 90 days post-op (and 156.8 vs 207.9 OE's to 90 days, p < 0.05) but did not differ significantly before that time (121.5 OE's without RA vs 123.9 with RA from discharge to two weeks, 145.2 vs 177.2 OE's to 6 weeks, p > 0.05). DISCUSSION: In pelvis and acetabulum fracture surgery, RA was associated with increased inpatient and outpatient opioid demand after adjusting for baseline patient and treatment characteristics. Regional anesthesia may not be beneficial for these patients.

Is primary total hip arthroplasty in patients with Down's syndrome associated with increased complications at 2 years follow-up?

INTRODUCTION: Previous reports on primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with Down's syndrome (DS) are often small and/or lack a comparison cohort, and thus it is challenging to draw meaningful conclusions about this group. The purpose of this study was to report on the post-operative complications in patients with DS undergoing primary THA, compared to a non-DS cohort. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated patients from 2010 to 2018 using a national database. We assessed surgical complications: closed reduction for dislocation, revision, resection, periprosthetic fracture, and infection in patients with a diagnosis of DS undergoing primary THA and compared them to a THA group of patients without DS. Patients undergoing THA for hip fractures were excluded. Complications were evaluated at 90 days and 2 years. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for age, sex, body mass index, and Charlson comorbidity index. RESULTS: At 90 days patients with DS had an increased risk of revision (OR 3.1, CI 1.14-8.41), but no significant risk of resection (OR 5.24, CI 0.73-37.8), closed reduction (OR 2.03, CI 0.28-14.59), infection (OR 1.48, CI 0.6-3.62), or periprosthetic fracture (OR 1.97, CI 0.27-14.14). At 2 years patients with DS had an increased risk of periprosthetic fracture (OR 5.88, CI 1.84-18.78), but no significant increased risk of revision (OR 1.82, CI 0.66-5.01), resection (OR 2.37, CI 0.33-17.17), or infection (OR 0.65, CI 0.2-2.07). CONCLUSIONS: Primary THA in patients with DS is associated with increased 90-day revision, and periprosthetic fracture at 2 years.

Regional anesthesia reduces inpatient and outpatient perioperative opioid demand in periarticular elbow surgery.

HYPOTHESIS: Regional anesthesia (RA) can be used to manage perioperative pain in the treatment of periarticular elbow fracture fixation. However, the opioid-sparing benefit is not well-characterized. The hypothesis of this study was that RA had reduced inpatient opioid consumption and outpatient opioid demand in patients who had undergone periarticular elbow fracture surgery. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviews inpatient opioid consumption and outpatient opioid demand in all patients aged ≥18 years at a single Level I trauma center undergoing fixation of periarticular elbow (distal humerus and proximal forearm) fracture surgery (n=418 patients). In addition to RA vs. no RA, additional patient and operative characteristics were recorded. Unadjusted and adjusted models were constructed to evaluate the impact of RA and other factors on inpatient opioid consumption and outpatient opioid demand. RESULTS: Adjusted models demonstrated decreases in inpatient opioid consumption postoperation in patients with RA (13.7 estimated oxycodone 5-mg equivalents or OEs without RA vs. 10.4 OEs with RA from 0 to 24 hours postoperation, P = .003; 12.3 vs. 9.2 OEs from 24 to 48 hours postoperation, P = .045). Estimated cumulative outpatient opioid demand differed significantly in patients with RA (166.1 vs. 132.1 OEs to 6 weeks, P = .002; and 181 vs. 138.6 OEs to 90 days, P < .001). DISCUSSION: In proximal forearm and distal humerus fracture surgery, RA was associated with decreased inpatient and outpatient opioid demand after adjusting for baseline patient and treatment characteristics. These results encourage utilization of perioperative RA to reduce opioid use.

The Value Added of Advanced Imaging in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Pathology.

PURPOSE: Pathology of the triangular fibrocartilage complex is a prevalent cause of ulnar-sided wrist pain that presents a diagnostic challenge. We hypothesized that a history and physical examination (H&P) would be more cost-effective alone or with diagnostic injection than with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic resonance arthrogram (MRA) in the diagnosis and treatment of a symptomatic triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormality. METHODS: A simple-chain decision analysis model was constructed to assess simulated subjects with ulnar-sided wrist pain and normal radiographs using several diagnostic algorithms: H&P alone, H&P + injection, H&P with delayed advanced imaging (MRI or MRA), and H&P + injection with delayed advanced imaging (MRI or MRA). Three years after diagnosis, effectiveness was calculated in Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand-adjusted life years. Costs were extracted from a commercial insurance database using US dollars. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis with 10,000 second-order trials with sampling of parameter distributions was performed. One-way and 2-way sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: All strategies had similar mean effectiveness between 2.228 and 2.232 Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand-adjusted life years, with mean costs ranging from $5,584 (H&P alone) to $5,980 (H&P, injection, and MRA). History and physical examination alone or with injection were the most cost-effective strategies. History and physical examination alone was the most preferred diagnostic strategy, though H&P + injection and H&P with delayed MRA were preferred with adjustments in willingness-to-pay and parameter inputs. As willingness-to-pay increased considerably (>$65,000 per Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand-adjusted life year), inclusion of MRA became the most favorable strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced imaging adds costs and provides minimal increases in effectiveness in the diagnosis and treatment of a symptomatic triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormality. The most cost-effective strategy is H&P, with or without diagnostic injection. Magnetic resonance arthrogram may be favored in situations with a high willingness-to-pay or poor examination characteristics. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Economic/Decision Analysis IV.

Regional anesthesia does not decrease inpatient or outpatient opioid demand in distal femur fracture surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Regional anesthesia (RA) is sometimes used to decrease pain and opioid consumption in distal femur fractures. However, the real-world impact of RA on inpatient opioid consumption and outpatient opioid demand is not well known. The hypothesis of this study is that RA would be associated with decreased inpatient opioid consumption and outpatient opioid demand. METHODS: This study evaluated inpatient post-operative opioid consumption (0-24 h, 24-48 h, 48-72 h) and outpatient opioid demand (discharge to 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 90 days) in all patients ages 18 and older undergoing operative treatment of distal femur fractures at a single institution from 7/2013 to 7/2018 (n = 230). Unadjusted and adjusted multivariable models were used to evaluate the impact of RA and other baseline patient and operative characteristics on inpatient opioid consumption and outpatient opioid demand. RESULTS: Adjusted models demonstrated a small, significant increase in inpatient opioid consumption in patients with RA compared to no RA (4.7 estimated OE's without RA vs 6.2 OE's with RA from 24- to 48-h post-op, p < 0.05) but otherwise no significant differences at other timepoints (6.7 estimated OE's without RA vs 6.9 OE's with RA from 0- to 24-h post-op and 4.5 vs 4.4 from 48- to 72-h post-op, p > 0.05). Estimated cumulative outpatient opioid demand was significantly higher in patients with RA from discharge to 6 weeks and to 90 days (55.8 OE's without RA vs 63.9 with RA from discharge to 2 weeks, p > 0.05; 74.9 vs 95.1 OE's to 6 weeks, and 85 vs 113.1 OE's to 90 days, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: In distal femur fracture surgery, RA was associated with increased inpatient and outpatient opioid demand after adjusting for baseline patient and treatment characteristics. These results call into question the routine use of RA in distal femur fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective, therapeutic cohort study.

Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Dementia.

There are few studies evaluating total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with dementia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate of revision, complication, emergency department (ED) visitation, and discharge disposition in patients with dementia undergoing primary TKA. In this retrospective study, we evaluated patients from 2007 to 2017 using a national database. Ninety-day complications in patients with dementia undergoing TKA were increased risk of ED visitation and skilled nursing facility (SNF) disposition (p ≤ 0.05). Two-year complications in patients with dementia undergoing TKA were increased risk of ED visitation and SNF disposition (p ≤ 0.05). Patients with dementia undergoing TKA are at an increased risk of resource utilization.

State regulation positively impacts opioid prescribing patterns in ankle fracture surgery: A national and state-level analysis.

BACKGROUND: The impact of time and state regulation on opioid prescribing in orthopedic trauma is not well known. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of time and state-level opioid legislation on 90-day perioperative opioid prescribing in ankle fracture surgery from 2010 to 2019. METHODS: This is a retrospective, cohort study using a national insurance database including commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and cash pay patients to evaluate 30-day pre-operative to 90-day post-operative opioid prescription filling in 40,286 patients ages 18 and older undergoing Current Procedural Terminology codes 27,766, 27,769, 27,792, 27,814, 27,822, and/or 27,823 between 2010 and 2019 in all 50 United States. The primary study outcome was initial and cumulative perioperative opioid prescription filling and rates of filling and refills over the study timeframe. RESULTS: Mean first prescription volume has not changed dramatically from 2010 (37 oxycodone 5 mg pills) to 2019 (33.3 oxycodone 5 mg pills). However, cumulative prescriptions within the 30PRE-90POST timeframe have decreased considerably from 2010 (128.5 oxycodone 5 mg pills) to 2019 (70.4 oxycodone 5 mg pills), and cumulative prescription filling in years 2018 and 2019 was significantly less than in 2010. Legislation targeting duration or duration and volume had the largest impacts on initial and cumulative opioid prescribing. CONCLUSIONS: In ankle fracture surgery, states with opioid prescribing legislation had larger reductions in perioperative opioid prescribing compared to states without opioid legislation. Legislation targeting duration or duration and volume had the largest impacts on opioid prescribing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Retrospective prognostic cohort study.

Opioid legislation and narcotic filling in total hip arthroplasty: descriptive study of time and state-level trends in the United States.

BACKGROUND: The opioid misuse epidemic focused national attention on reducing opioid overprescribing. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship of time and state-level interventions and opioid filling surrounding total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the United States. METHODS: A national database with diverse insurance constituents was queried for first-prescription and cumulative perioperative opioid filling volumes and rates in oxycodone 5-mg equivalents (OE's) in 487,942 patients undergoing primary THA from 30-days pre-operative to 90-days post-operative. Descriptive statistics evaluated pre-legislative and post-legislative opioid filling by state, legislative type, and surgery year. RESULTS: At the national level, initial opioid filling volumes have remained largely unchanged (56.2 OE's in 2010 to 51.7 OE's in 2018). Meanwhile, cumulative opioid filling volumes (151.9 OE's in 2010 to 111.7 OE's in 2018) have decreased considerably. Rates of initial opioid prescriptions exceeding 90 OE's were similar in 2010 (6.4%) and 2018 (5.6%). States with legislation targeting duration and volume of opioid prescriptions saw the largest decreases in opioid prescription filling. That is, 75% of states with opioid legislation had large (> 10 oxycodone 5-mg equivalents) decreases in cumulative 90-day opioid filling compared to only 20% of states without opioid legislation having large decreases in cumulative 90-day opioid filling. CONCLUSIONS: This descriptive study demonstrates decreases in perioperative opioid filling for THA. Although this study was descriptive in nature, states enacting opioid-limiting legislation had larger decreases. Although causal relationships could not be inferred from this analysis, the results suggest that states without legislation could improve prescriber compliance with national goals of decreased opioid overprescribing by enacting opioid-limiting legislation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective prognostic cohort study.