Opioid-Sparing Nonsteroid Anti-inflammatory Drugs Protocol in Patients Undergoing Intramedullary Nailing of Tibial Shaft Fractures: A Randomized Control Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective analgesics commonly used in fracture management. Although previously associated with delayed fracture healing, multiple studies have demonstrated their safety, with minimal risks of fracture healing. Given the current opioid crisis in the United States, alternate pain control modalities are essential to reduce opioid consumption. This study aims to determine whether the combination of oral acetaminophen and intravenous ketorolac is a viable alternative to opioid-based pain management in closed tibial shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nailing. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial evaluating postoperative pain control and opioid consumption in patients with closed tibial shaft fractures who underwent intramedullary nailing. Patients were randomized into an NSAID-based pain control group (52 patients) and an opioid-based pain control group (44 patients). Visual analog scale (VAS) scores and morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) were evaluated at 12-hour postoperative intervals during the first 48 hours after surgery. Nonunion and delayed healing rates were recorded for both groups. RESULTS: A statistically significant decrease in MMEs was noted at every measured interval (12, 24, 36, and 48 hours) in the NSAID group compared with the opioid group (P-value 0.001, 0.001, 0.040, 0.024, respectively). No significant change in visual analog scale scores was observed at 12, 36, and 48 hours between both groups (P-value 0.215, 0.12, and 0.083, respectively). A significant decrease in VAS scores was observed at the 24-hour interval in the NSAID group compared with the opioid group (P-value 0.041). No significant differences in union rates were observed between groups (P-value 0.820). DISCUSSION: Using an NSAID-based postoperative pain protocol led to a decrease in opioid consumption without affecting pain scores or union rates. Owing to the minimal risk of short-term NSAID use, their role in the perioperative management of tibia shaft fractures is justified, especially when they reduce opioid consumption markedly. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I.

Reporting of Facet Joint Inflammation in Lumbar Spine MRI Studies in Patients With Low Back Pain.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the frequency of facet joint inflammatory features noted in routine radiology reports of lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies among patients with chronic low back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Facet joint arthropathy is one of the most common causes of chronic low back pain. It may encompass various inflammatory imaging characteristics, such as facet joint effusion, bone marrow edema, and soft tissue edema. The extent to which radiology reports mention inflammatory features of the lumbar facet joints and the accuracy of these reports have not been investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors performed a chart review on 49 subjects with previous facet-related interventions ( i.e . medial branch blocks or intra-articular facet joint injection) and MRI available in the medical record. One senior musculoskeletal radiologist and a musculoskeletal radiology fellow graded the inflammatory features using a published facet joint inflammation grading system [Gold Standard (GS)]. The authors identified the inflammatory markers mentioned in the radiology reports and calculated the sensitivity and positive predictive value of the radiology reports compared with GS readings. RESULTS: Compared with the GS, the sensitivity of radiology reports for facet joint effusion, bone marrow, and soft tissue edema ranged from 6% to 22%, and the positive predictive value ranged from 25% to 100%. L4/5 had the highest number of cases with inflammatory features noted on the reports. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory findings, such as facet joint effusion, bone marrow edema, and soft tissue edema, are not commonly identified in radiology reports. Further investigations are needed to determine the clinical importance of MRI-detected lumbar facet joint inflammatory features as a potential mechanism of nociception and as a predictor of outcomes following injections or other therapies.

Racial Disparities in Periprosthetic Joint Infections after Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study.

In the United States, racial disparities have been observed in complications following total joint arthroplasty (TJA), including readmissions and mortality. It is unclear whether such disparities also exist for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The clinical data registry of a large New England hospital system was used to identify patients who underwent TJA between January 2018 and December 2021. The comorbidities were evaluated using the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI). We used Poisson regression to assess the relationship between PJI and race by estimating cumulative incidence ratios (cIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We adjusted for age and sex and examined whether ECI was a mediator using structural equation modeling. The final analytic dataset included 10,018 TJAs in 9681 individuals [mean age (SD) 69 (10)]. The majority (96.5%) of the TJAs were performed in non-Hispanic (NH) White individuals. The incidence of PJI was higher among NH Black individuals (3.1%) compared with NH White individuals (1.6%) [adjusted cIR = 2.12, 95%CI = 1.16-3.89; p = 0.015]. Comorbidities significantly mediated the association between race and PJI, accounting for 26% of the total effect of race on PJI incidence. Interventions that increase access to high-quality treatments for comorbidities before and after TJA may reduce racial disparities in PJI.

Predictors of Outcomes After Lumbar Intra-Articular Facet Joint Injections and Medial Branch Blocks: A Scoping Review.

STUDY DESIGN: A scoping review. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify and describe the factors associated with the patient-reported response after lumbar intra-articular facet joint (FJ) injections or medial branch blocks (MBBs). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: FJ osteoarthritis is among the most common causes of chronic low back pain. Management often includes FJ intra-articular injection and MBBs (which may be followed by radiofrequency ablation of the nerves innervating these joints). However, the success of these approaches is variable, prompting interest in identifying patient characteristics (imaging features, clinical signs, and among others) associated with response to these types of facet injections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a literature search on factors associated with patient-reported outcomes after lumbar FJ intra-articular injections or MBBs for patients with low back pain published in English or Spanish between 2000 and 2023. We excluded duplicate papers that did not describe factors associated with outcomes or those describing other interventions. We collected data on the association of these factors with patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS: Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. These studies evaluated factors, such as age, depression, and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and among variables. Age and imaging findings of facet arthropathy were the most frequently described factors. Imaging findings of FJ arthropathy and positive SPECT were often associated with positive results after intra-articular FJ injections or MBBs. In contrast, younger age and smoking were frequently associated with less favorable clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Numerous factors were considered in the 37 studies included in this review. Imaging findings of facet arthropathy, duration of pain, and positive SPECT were consistently associated with favorable results after facet interventions.

Simultaneous Total Hip Arthroplasty for Delayed Management of Bilateral Acetabular Fractures due to Alcohol-Withdrawal Seizures.

Bilateral acetabular fractures after seizure activity are rare, as most of these injuries are associated with high-energy trauma. It is hypothesized that rapid forceful contracture of hip musculature during a seizure can lead to the femoral head fracturing the medial wall and driving in proximal and medial directions. Absence of standardized surgical treatment algorithms and literature-reported outcomes makes this fracture pattern challenging to orthopedic surgeons. To the best of our knowledge, no published data describe delayed simultaneous total hip arthroplasty for treating seizure-induced bilateral acetabular fractures with protrusio. We present a patient that sustained bilateral acetabular fractures after an alcohol-withdrawal seizure. The patient underwent delayed simultaneous total hip arthroplasty 3 months later with excellent functional outcomes at the 6-month follow-up.

Associated factors of patients with spinal stenosis who undergo reoperation after a posterior lumbar spinal fusion in a Hispanic-American population.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the associated factors of patients with LSS who undergo reoperation after a PLSF in a Hispanic-American population. METHODS: A retrospective single-center review was performed from all non-age-related Hispanic-Americans with LSS who underwent one or two-level PLSF from 2008 to 2018. Baseline characteristics were analyzed between the reoperation and no-reoperation group using a bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Out of 425 patients who underwent PLSF, 38 patients underwent reoperation. At a two-year follow-up, the reoperation rate was 6.1% (26/425), mostly due to pseudoarthrosis (39.5%), recurrent stenosis (26.3%), new condition (15.8%), infection (10.5%), hematoma (5.3%), and dural tear (2.6%). Patients who underwent reoperation were more likely to have a preoperative history of epidural steroid injection (ESI) (OR 5.18, P = 0.009), four or more comorbidities (OR 2.69, P = 0.028), and operated only with a posterolateral fusion without intervertebral fusion (OR 2.15, P = 0.032). Finally, the multivariable analysis showed that ESI was the only independent associated factor in patients who underwent reoperation after a PLSF in our group. CONCLUSION: Among this population who underwent surgery, a reoperation rate at two years of follow-up was less than ten percent. Our study did not find any associated factor inherent to Hispanic-Americans, as ethnic group, who were reoperated after LSS.