Temporary immobilization methods for closed low-energy ankle fracture-dislocations: comparative analysis of a retrospective cohort.

PURPOSE: Ankle fracture-dislocations (AFD) often necessitate staged management involving temporary external fixation (EF) due to mechanical instability or blistering. However, limited literature exists on the optimal temporary immobilization method for low-energy closed AFD. This study compared baseline patient and fracture characteristics, along with clinical and radiological outcomes between AFD initially immobilized with EF versus splinting. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving patients with AFD temporarily immobilized using EF or splinting, followed by definitive open reduction and internal fixation. Quality of reduction (QOR) was assessed for each patient post-initial immobilization and after the definitive surgery. RESULTS: The study encompassed 194 patients: 138 treated with a splint (71.1%) and 56 (28.9%) with EF. Secondary loss of reduction had occurred in three patients who were splinted (2.2%). The mean ages in the EF and splint groups were 63.2 and 56.1 years, respectively (p = 0.01). Posterior malleolus fracture (PMF) and blisters were more prevalent in EF patients (69.6% vs. 43.5% for PMF and 76.8% vs. 20.3% for blisters, respectively; p = 0.05 and p < 0.01). Postoperative complication rates were 8.9% for EF versus 10.9% for splinting (p = 0.69). Satisfactory final QOR was attained in 79.8% of patients treated with a splint versus 64.3% with EF (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Patients immobilized by EF presented with poorer baseline characteristics and had more unstable injuries. Nevertheless, postoperative complication rates were comparable. Thus, EF appears to be a valuable tool for standardizing outcomes in AFD patients with a less favorable prognosis.

Multiligament knee injuries. Ten years' experience at a public university, level I Trauma Center.

PURPOSE: To describe our institutional experience and results in the surgical management of multiligament knee injuries (MLKI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective series of MLKI consecutively operated on at a single, level I Trauma Center. Data on patients' baseline characteristics, injuries, treatments, and outcomes were recorded up to one-year follow-up. Recorded outcomes included the Tegner-Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (TLKSS), return to work, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: MLKI incidence was 0.03% among 9897 orthopedic trauma admissions. Twenty-four patients of mean age 43.6 years were included in analysis. The mean Injury Severity Score was 12.6. Five patients presented with knee dislocations and six had fracture-dislocations, two of them open fractures. There was one popliteal artery injury requiring a bypass and four common peroneal nerve palsies. Staged ligamental reconstruction was performed in all cases. There were seven postoperative complications. The median TLKSS was 80 and, though patient satisfaction was high, and dissatisfaction was largely restricted to recreational activities (only 58.3% satisfied). Seventeen patients returned to their previous employment. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high aggregation of fracture-dislocations secondary to road traffic accidents. One in four patients experienced complications, particularly stiffness. Complications were more common in cases involving knee dislocation. Most patients had good functional results, but 25% were unable to return to their previous work, which demonstrates the long-lasting sequelae of this injury.

Allografts and lateral extra-articular tenodesis for revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: enhanced rotational stability and improved functional outcomes.

PURPOSE: Multiple studies have shown higher failure rate and patient-reported outcomes to be significantly worse following revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive (ACLR) surgery, especially using allografts. One of the reasons being rotational instability. Because of this, augmentation with lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) is often considered. Good short-term results in regards to functional and perceived scores and low complication rate can be expected in revision ACLR using allografts in combination with LET. METHODS: Between 2014 and 2021, 46 patients were registered for revision ACLR using allografts and extra-articular augmentation (modified Lemaire) and included in this prospective study. Patients' demographic and clinical data were collected preoperatively, postoperatively, and during the follow-up period of 12 months. RESULTS: Patient-reported functional outcomes were statistically significant for IKDC, Lysholm, and SF-12 physical scale (p < 0.05). Tegner score showed a decreased number of patients who were able to return to sport at their previous level (p = 0.001). Stability examination tests (Lachman and pivot-shift) showed significant improvements. Concomitant lesions were present in 76.1% of patients. Ten patients (21.7%) presented major complications, including six cases of anteroposterior instability, three cases of knee pain and one graft re-rupture. CONCLUSION: Revision procedures are inherently challenging with a high number of associated chondral and meniscus lesions. However, good short-term functional outcomes and enhanced rotational stability with an acceptable complication rate can be expected in most cases where revision ACLR using allografts is augmented with LET. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective; Case series; Level of evidence IV.

Risk factors for symptomatic retears after arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

BACKGROUND: Factors affecting a rotator cuff symptomatic retear after arthroscopic repair have yet to be clearly identified, since they usually influence the surgical decisions. METHODS: Consecutive patients with full-thickness tear of the supraspinatus who underwent arthroscopic repair were retrospectively analyzed. Cases of symptomatic retear, defined as Sugaya type IV and V on magnetic resonance imaging, associated with intensive pain and/or functional impairment were identified at follow-up. The patients with no symptomatic retear were selected as the control group. Information from potential risk factors of symptomatic retear, including depression and subacromial corticosteroid injections, was extracted from the medical records. The statistical analysis included multivariant logistic regression. RESULTS: The symptomatic retear rate was 9.5% in 158 patients. Patients in the symptomatic retear group were more likely to be smoking, to have massive tears, a short acromiohumeral distance, and moderate to severe fatty infiltration. They also had had more frequently subacromial corticosteroid injections and depression. However, following the multiple logistic regression analysis, only massive tears and moderate to severe fatty infiltration remained significantly associated. Similarly, in relation to the study hypothesis, both corticosteroid injections (odds ratio [OR] 6.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.49, 29.81; P = .013) and depression (OR 8.26, IC 1.04, 65.62; P = .046) were significantly associated with symptomatic retear risk. CONCLUSIONS: This study found support for the hypothesis that both depression and corticosteroid infiltration before surgery are independent risk factors for symptomatic retear after arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff.

Usefulness of PCR Screening in the Initial Triage of Trauma Patients During COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals worldwide have postponed all nonessential surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, but non-COVID-19 patients are still in urgent need of care. Uncertainty about a patient's COVID-19 status risks infecting health care workers and non-COVID-19 inpatients. We evaluated the use of quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) screening for COVID-19 on admission for all patients with fractures. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients older than 18 years admitted with low-energy fractures who were tested by RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 at any time during hospitalization. Two periods based on the applied testing protocol were defined. During the first period, patients were only tested because of epidemiological criteria or clinical suspicion based on fever, respiratory symptoms, or radiological findings. In the second period, all patients admitted for fracture treatment were screened by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: We identified 15 patients in the first period and 42 in the second. In total, 9 (15.8%) patients without clinical or radiological findings tested positive at any moment. Five (33.3%) patients tested positive postoperatively in the first period and 3 (7.1%) in the second period (P = 0.02). For clinically unsuspected patients, postoperative positive detection went from 3 of 15 (20%) during the first period to 2 of 42 (4.8%) in the second (P = 0.11). Clinical symptoms demonstrated high specificity (92.1%) but poor sensitivity (52.6%) for infection detection. CONCLUSIONS: Symptom-based screening for COVID-19 has shown to be specific but not sensitive. Negative clinical symptoms do not rule out infection. Protocols and separated areas are necessary to treat infected patients. RT-qPCR testing on admission helps minimize the risk of nosocomial and occupational infection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.