Median Nerve Ultrasonography Measurements Correlate With Electrodiagnostic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Severity.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess whether median nerve ultrasonography (US) measurements correlate with the severity scale of electrodiagnostic studies (EDS) of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of patients aged ≥18 years who underwent both median nerve US and EDS. US measurements of the median nerve cross-sectional area at the distal wrist crease and forearm were used to calculate the median nerve wrist-to-forearm ratio. EDS severity was classified according to guidelines from the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. RESULTS: A total of 112 wrists (n = 112) in 78 consecutive patients with a mean age of 59 (range, 26 to 88) years were included. Increased cross-sectional area at the distal wrist crease and wrist-to-forearm ratio were significantly correlated with increased EDS severity (P < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: Median nerve US measurements not only distinguished between normal and abnormal EDS but also correlated with the category of EDS severity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic III.

Elevated Bone Turnover Markers Are Associated With Distal Radius Fractures in Premenopausal Women.

PURPOSE: To examine whether premenopausal women with distal radius fractures (DRF) have lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and increased levels of serum bone turnover markers (BTM) compared with control subjects without fracture. METHODS: Premenopausal women with DRF (n = 20) were prospectively enrolled and compared with age-matched individuals without a fracture (n = 20). Outcome measures included serum levels of 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), markers of bone formation (osteocalcin [OC], N-terminal extension propeptide of type I collagen [P1NP], and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [BSAP]), and markers of bone resorption (C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen [CTX]). We assessed associations between BTM and DRF with conditional logistic regression and the utility of markers for fracture prediction with a receiver operator characteristic analysis. RESULTS: The fracture group and control group were comparable in terms of age at menarche and BMI. Patients who had fractures had significantly greater levels of OC and P1NP, and demonstrated a nonsignificant increase in CTX. Levels of 25(OH)D, PTH, and BSAP were similar between groups. Conditional logistic regression revealed independent associations between DRF and increased levels of OC and CTX. Levels of 25(OH)D and PTH were not associated with DRF. Receiver operator characteristic analyses demonstrated moderate performance for OC, P1NP, BSAP, and CTX in predicting DRF. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of 25(OH)D were not associated with DRF in premenopausal women. However, patients with DRF had increased levels of BTM of formation and resorption. Bone turnover markers may be helpful in predicting future fragility fractures in premenopausal women. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic II.

Is Disuse Osteopenia a Favorable Prognostic Sign After Femoral Neck Fracture?

OBJECTIVES: Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a devastating complication following fixation of femoral neck fractures in younger adults. In this study, we investigate the prognostic utility of disuse osteopenia. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Three academic Level 1 trauma centers. PATIENTS: One hundred twenty patients younger than 60 years treated for a femoral neck fracture. INTERVENTION: N/A. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence of sclerosis or osteopenia, compared to the contralateral femoral head, was measured 6 weeks from injury both subjectively and using a novel radiographic measure, the relative density ratio (RDR). The outcome measure was radiographic development of AVN. RESULTS: The presence of relative sclerosis was associated with AVN and overall treatment failure. Patients with subjective relative sclerosis had a 12.6 (95% confidence interval, 2.9-61.3; P < 0.001) times higher odds of developing AVN. Multiple logistic regression showed that for every 0.10 increase in the RDR, there was a 5.2 increase in the odds (95% confidence interval, 2.1-26.9; P = 0.009) of developing AVN. Patients with an RDR of ≥1.2 have an 80% probability of AVN, whereas those with an RDR ≤0.8 have a <1% probability of developing AVN. CONCLUSIONS: Disuse osteopenia detected on 6-week radiographs is a favorable prognostic sign following fixation of femoral neck fractures. Patients who have relative sclerosis of the femoral head at 6-week follow-up are at a higher risk of developing AVN. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Reducing Cost and Radiation Exposure During the Treatment of Pediatric Greenstick Fractures of the Forearm.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesize that after successful closed reduction of pediatric greenstick fractures of the forearm, there is a low rate of lost reduction requiring intervention. By reducing the frequency of clinical and radiographic follow-up, we can reduce costs and radiation exposure. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients aged 2 to 16 years treated with closed reduction and cast immobilization for greenstick fractures of the forearm at our institution between 2003 and 2013. The primary endpoint was a healed fracture with acceptable alignment at the final radiographic evaluation. Time-derived activity-based costing was used for cost analysis. We estimated radiation exposure in consultation with our hospital's radiation safety office. RESULTS: One hundred and nine patients with an average age of 6.9 years (range, 2 to 15 y) met the inclusion criteria. The initial maximal fracture angulation of the affected radius and/or ulna averaged 19.3 (SD=±8.7) degrees (range, 2 to 55 degrees). Patients were followed for an average of 60 days (range, 19 to 635 d). On average, patients received 3.6 follow-up clinical visits and 3.5 sets of radiographs following immediate emergency department care. Ninety-four percent of patients met criteria for acceptable radiographic alignment. Only 1 patient (0.9%; 95% confidence interval, 0.2%-5.0%) underwent rereduction, as determined by the treating physician. If clinical follow-up were limited to 2 visits and 3 sets of radiographs total, there would be a 14.3% reduction in total cost of fracture care and a 41% reduction in radiation exposure. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study suggests that pediatric greenstick fractures of the forearm rarely require intervention after initial closed reduction. We propose that 2 clinical follow-up visits and 3 sets of radiographs would reduce overall care costs and radiation exposure without compromising clinical results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-economic and decision analyses.

Chronic posterior sternoclavicular joint fracture dislocations in children and young adults: results of surgical management.

BACKGROUND: Posterior sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) fracture dislocations in children and young adults can be missed on initial examination or could fail closed treatment. We hypothesize that surgical interventions (open reduction and ligamentous reconstruction or medial clavicle resection depending on the clinical scenario) are safe treatment options in patients with symptomatic chronic posteriorly displaced SCJ injuries. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients younger than 25 years of age who underwent surgical treatment for chronic posteriorly displaced SCJ injuries at our institution from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2011. Chronic injuries were defined as those presenting and/or treated at a minimum of 6 weeks from the causative injury. Indications for surgery included symptomatic posterior SCJ dislocations or posteriorly angulated physeal fractures that did not remodel and were refractory to nonoperative treatment. Subjective patient outcomes were obtained by mailed survey and telephone contact. Outcomes included a Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, patient-rated levels of pain and/or disability, SCJ stability, and symptom improvement. RESULTS: Seven patients met the inclusion criteria and all patients reported postoperative improvement or complete resolution of pain at last clinical follow-up (mean, 13 mo). At average 5.5 years follow-up, all respondents (n=4) reported that their injury did not interfere with normal social activities or daily activities. No patients reported difficulty with employment; however, all patients reported mild difficulty with return to their level of athletic activity before SCJ fracture dislocation. Patients rated their level of pain or disability as 1.5 on a 10-point scale. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical intervention can reliably provide pain relief and facilitate successful return to activities including work in patients with symptomatic chronic posterior SCJ fracture dislocations. However, patients must be counseled that they may experience persistent symptoms with return to their previous level of sport performance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Study-Investigating the Results of Treatment: Level IV.

Recurrent bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation of the ulna with erosion of the adjacent radius: case report.

Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation is an unusual entity that should be considered when evaluating a patient with a surface-based bone lesion. The aggressive features of bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation have occasionally led to misdiagnoses as malignant neoplasms and subsequent aggressive treatment. We present a case of a recurrent forearm bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation with unique radiographic features. This report serves to illustrate the importance of both radiographic and histopathologic review for correct diagnosis and discusses the successful management of a recurrent forearm lesion.

External fixator kickstands for free soft tissue flap protection: case series and description of technique.

BACKGROUND: Protected elevation represents a critical component of postoperative care, particularly in posteriorly located flaps, to prevent pressure on the flap's vascular pedicle and ensure a successful skin graft. Although several short case series and technique papers have described kickstand placement to prevent heel ulcers as an adjuvant to fixator placement for fracture management, there remains a paucity of reports describing external fixator placement solely for extremity elevation and pressure alleviation in the postoperative care of flap coverage procedures. METHODS: Patients who underwent lower extremity free flap coverage procedures requiring temporary elevation were included. Age, diagnosis, soft tissue procedures performed, type of external fixator placed, duration of frame placement, mode of removal, and complications related to external fixator placement were documented. Patients requiring external fixator placement for fracture management were excluded. RESULTS: Twelve patients with 13 lower limb soft tissue defects were included in our case series. A thin-wire ring external fixator kickstand was applied in 5 limbs while the rest underwent placement of a uniplanar carbon fiber bar type external fixator kickstands. The average time for removal of the frames was 4 weeks. No complications were reported from kickstand placement. CONCLUSION: The use of external fixator kickstands is an effective and safe adjuvant to soft tissue flap procedures for the lower extremity. Our case series is the largest in the literature and first to address the technical considerations for frame placement, positioning, and removal for external fixator kickstands placed solely for flap coverage procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Diagnostic errors in orthopedic surgery: evaluation of resident documentation of neurovascular examinations for orthopedic trauma patients.

The need for accuracy in neurovascular examinations of the extremities of trauma patients is well recognized. The goals of this study were to (a) evaluate the completeness of orthopedic house staff documentation of the neurovascular status of adult patients with extremity trauma, (b) identify the frequency of individual element documentation, and (c) determine if completeness was related to experience. The trauma center's database was reviewed for patients with extremity injuries (June 2006 through January 2008). For 114 patients, the authors assessed the neurovascular examination documentation for completeness (sensory, motor function, and vascular elements) and "perfection" (complete bilateral elements), identified the frequency of individual element documentation, and determined the relationship of completeness to experience (Pearson correlation coefficients; significance, P ≤ .05). There was no complete (all elements) or perfect (complete bilateral) documentation. The element most often documented completely was the sensory examination. Increased examiner experience was significantly associated with decreased sensory and vascular documentation.

Laminectomy in patients with achondroplasia: the impact of time to surgery on long-term function.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis, survey. OBJECTIVE: To describe a cohort of individuals with achondroplasia undergoing thoracolumbar laminectomy and to examine if shorter time to surgery was related to improvement in long-term functional outcome. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Data on the long-term benefits of laminectomy are mixed for such patients. Earlier intervention may be associated with greater likelihood of long-term benefit, but quantified data are lacking. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 49 patients with achondroplasia who underwent primary laminectomy for spinal stenosis. Patients completed a questionnaire to assess symptoms, walking distance, and independence (per Modified Rankin Scale), before surgery and currently. Responses were analyzed for the likelihood of improved walking distance or Rankin level. RESULTS: Our patients had the following mean values: age, 37.7 ± 10.6 years; body mass index, 31.8 ± 5.5; symptom duration, 74.0 ± 100.1 months; preoperative symptom severity score, 2.7 ± 1.0 points; mean changes in blocks walked, +0.39 ± 2.0; and Rankin level, +0.08 ± 1.47. Patients with a time-to-surgery interval of <6 months were 7.13 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-36.66) more likely to experience improvement in walking distance and 4.00 times (95% CI, 1.05-15.21) more likely to experience Rankin level improvement than patients whose interval was >6 months. Intervals of up to 12 and 24 months were associated with increased likelihoods of 4.95 (95% CI, 1.41-17.41) and 3.43 (95% CI, 1.05-11.22), respectively, of improved walking distance compared with those with longer time-to surgery intervals, but those Rankin level improvements were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Time from symptom onset to surgery in patients with achondroplasia is an important predictor of long-term functional outcome. For sustained long-term postsurgical improvement, the window of opportunity might be relatively narrow. Patients with achondroplasia should seek medical advice for spinal stenotic symptoms as soon as possible.

Progression of low back and lower extremity pain in a cohort of patients with achondroplasia.

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to assess the natural history of pain associated with spinal stenosis in individuals with achondroplasia and to characterize pain patterns and associated functional and psychological effects. METHODS: The authors measured pain severity, spatial distribution of pain, functional disability, psychological distress, physical symptoms other than pain, and healthcare utilization in 181 individuals with achondroplasia. They also assessed low back and/or lower extremity pain at the initial visit and 1-year follow-up via self-rated patient questionnaires, calculated composite scores from responses via component analyses, and used repeated measures linear regression analyses for score changes (significance, p < or = 0.05). RESULTS: At the follow-up, back pain severity was unchanged. Patients reported significant progression of pain toward involvement of the lower extremities and significant increases in lower extremity pain severity overall. There were also significant increases in healthcare utilization overall. Compared with patients with back pain only, those with back pain and proximal or distal leg pain had higher self-rated pain severity; higher functional disability; and more bowel and bladder dysfunction symptoms, sleep disturbances, extremity numbness, and psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with achondroplasia and symptomatic spinal stenosis often experience back pain, which may progress to lower extremity pain and debilitating consequences. A more thorough understanding of the progression of spatial pain characteristics and pain severity may aid clinical decision making regarding the optimal timing for intervention.

Surgical decompression for lumbar stenosis in pediatric achondroplasia.

BACKGROUND: Spinal stenosis is a common complication of achondroplasia. To our knowledge, no study has evaluated a greater than 2-year outcome after surgical intervention for spinal stenosis in such children or compared decompression with and without instrumentation in relation to revision surgery. Our purpose was to assess the efficacy of lumbar decompression and instrumentation for symptomatic stenosis in children with achondroplasia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our institution's database to identify children (< or =18 y old) with achondroplasia undergoing initial spinal decompression for lumbar stenosis from 1995 through 2003. We identified 18 such patients and reviewed their medical records for demographic data, presenting signs and symptoms, and treatment and outcome data. Mean follow-up was 72.0+/-27.6 months. We determined each patient's symptom score (SS) based on presence of leg weakness, numbness, or pain; abnormal reflexes; incontinence; and walking intolerance (unable to walk > or =5 blocks). Each finding was scored 1 point (6 points maximum). Nine patients requiring revision surgery were assigned a revision postoperative SS. All patients were contacted at the end of data collection and assigned a final follow-up SS. Baseline SS values were compared with postoperative, revision postoperative, and final follow-up scores using a paired t test (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: The mean preoperative and final SS values were significantly different: 4.0+/-0.9 (most common symptoms, leg weakness and incontinence) and 1.6+/-1.7 (most common symptom, leg weakness), respectively. Nine patients underwent decompression with instrumentation initially; 9 did not; 7 of the latter required instrumentation during revision; and 2 of the former also required revision. Those without initial instrumentation were 3.5 times more likely (odds ratio=12.3) to require revision. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical decompression with instrumentation significantly reduced the symptoms of lumbar stenosis and the likelihood of revision surgery in children with achondroplasia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III therapeutic study.

Analysis of the pediatric orthopedic surgery questions on the Orthopaedic In-Training Examination, 2002 through 2006.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric orthopedics has been a frequently tested topic on the Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (OITE). Our goal was to provide direction for resident education efforts by: (1) analyzing the exam's number, topics, and types of pediatric orthopedic surgery questions; (2) examining references cited in the postexam answer packet supplied by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; and (3) examining the efficacy of the Orthopaedic Knowledge Update (OKU): Pediatrics 3 book as a source for answers to the pediatric orthopedic questions. METHODS: We reviewed 5 years (2002 through 2006) of OITEs and the associated American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' answer packets and assessed the OKU: Pediatrics 3 book for topic relativity. Each question was classified into 1 of 6 categories and labeled with a cognitive taxonomy level: 1 (simple recall), 2 (interpretation of data), or 3 (advanced problem-solving). The 6 categories included: (1) pediatric orthopedic knowledge; (2) knowledge of treatment modalities; (3) diagnosis; (4) diagnosis with recognition of associated conditions; (5) diagnosis with further studies; and (6) diagnosis with treatment. RESULTS: The overall percentage of pediatric questions was 14.1%. The most commonly addressed were pediatric elbow fractures, osteomyelitis, and scoliosis. The most common question types were categories 1 (pediatric orthopedic knowledge) and 6 (diagnosis with treatment). The most frequently referenced textbooks were Lovell and Winter's Pediatric Orthopaedics (31%) and Tachdjian's Pediatric Orthopaedics (16%). The most frequently referenced journals were the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics (American) (29%) and the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American) (19%). Using only the OKU: Pediatrics 3 review textbook, 65% of the questions could be answered. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the topics more likely to be tested may help the orthopedic educator direct a didactic curriculum geared toward the OITE and American Board of Surgery examinations. Although the OKU: Pediatrics 3 book seems to be a good, concise resource for studying for the board examination and OITE, residents should be encouraged to supplement their studying with primary sources. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Not applicable.

The diagnostic value of the facial features of Marfan syndrome.

PURPOSE: We examined the prevalence of known facial features of Marfan syndrome (MFS)-dolicocephaly, malar hypoplasia, enophthalmos, retrognathia, and down-slanting palpebral fissures-and the diagnostic utility (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, predictive values, and likelihood ratios) of using them for screening and diagnosis. METHODS: Frontal and lateral photographs of 76 subjects with MFS (average age 18.3 years) and of 76 age- and gender-matched controls were obtained, randomized, and compiled into an online survey. Three physicians experienced with MFS rated each photograph for the presence of each feature and indicated whether each photograph triggered a suspicion for MFS. Eight non-expert orthopaedic surgeons reviewed a subset of those photographs and indicated if each triggered a suspicion for MFS. Half of the non-experts then received a brief diagnosis instructional sheet, and all non-experts were retested. The results were compared using Chi-square tests and t-tests with a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: Using facial features alone, the accuracy of experienced physicians in identifying individuals with MFS was 73%. Facial features had a 54% sensitivity, a 91% specificity, an 86% positive predictive value (PPV), a 67% negative predictive value (NPV), a 6.9% positive likelihood ratio (PLR), and a 50% negative likelihood ratio (NLR) for MFS. There was no significant difference in the diagnostic accuracy between non-experts receiving and not receiving instructions. CONCLUSIONS: Facial features are more specific than sensitive for MFS. Therefore, the recognition of facial features of MFS can be used as an initial screening tool, but facial features do not have a high sensitivity for MFS.

A soluble activin type IIB receptor improves function in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurologic disease characterized by progressive weakness that results in death within a few years of onset by respiratory failure. Myostatin is a member of the TGF-beta superfamily that is predominantly expressed in muscle and acts as a negative regulator of muscle growth. Attenuating myostatin has previously been shown to produce increased muscle mass and strength in normal and disease animal models. In this study, a mouse model of ALS (SOD1(G93A) transgenic mice) was treated with a soluble activin receptor, type IIB (ActRIIB.mFc) which is a putative endogenous signaling receptor for myostatin in addition to other ligands of the TGF-beta superfamily. ActRIIB.mFc treatment produces a delay in the onset of weakness, an increase in body weight and grip strength, and an enlargement of muscle size whether initiated pre-symptomatically or after symptom onset. Treatment with ActRIIB.mFc did not increase survival or neuromuscular junction innervation in SOD1(G93A) transgenic mice. Pharmacologic treatment with ActRIIB.mFc was superior in all measurements to genetic deletion of myostatin in SOD1(G93A) transgenic mice. The improved function of SOD1(G93A) transgenic mice following treatment with ActRIIB.mFc is encouraging for the development of TGF-beta pathway inhibitors to increase muscle strength in patients with ALS.