Fixation of Proximal Tibial Fractures with Intramedullary Nail and Immediate Weightbearing: A Beneficial Alternative.

Newer intramedullary (IM) nails have become another option in the fixation of proximal tibia fractures. There is limited data on the successful use of these implants in intra-articular and extra-articular fractures of the proximal tibia, and no studies assessing the ability of these implants to maintain alignment with early weight bearing. Our objective was to determine whether immediate weight bearing after IM fixation, with or without supplemental plate or screw fixation, of proximal third tibial fractures (OTA/AO 41A-C) results in a change in alignment prior to union. 35 patients with 39 proximal tibia fractures from 2015 to 2020, all treated with IM nailing with or without supplemental plate or screw fixation, all made weight-bearing as tolerated following surgery, were included. The main outcomes were change in medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and posterior proximal tibial angle (PPTA) from initial post-operative films to final follow up. 12 fractures were OTA/AO 41 type A, 14 were type B, and 13 were type C. Mean initial MPTA was 87.0 +/-2.53 degrees, while mean initial PPTA was 79.6 +/- 3.50 degrees. The mean change in MPTA was 0.048 +/- 2.8 degrees (P=0.92), and mean change in PPTA was 0.264 +/- 3.67 degrees. 92.3% of fractures had normal final coronal plane alignment, with MPTA between 85.0 and 90.0 degrees. 89.7% of fractures had normal final sagittal plane alignment, with PPTA between 77.0 and 84.0 degrees. No patients required reoperation for malalignment. In OTA/AO type 41 fractures, immediate weight bearing after IM nail fixation, with or without supplemental plate or screw fixation when indicated, leads to minimal change in final coronal or sagittal alignment, and was well tolerated in most patients. [authors blinded for review].

Age Is Not Just a Number: The Intersection of Age, Orthopedic Injuries, and Worsening Outcomes Following Low-Energy Falls.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to stratify the age at which older adults are most likely to sustain injuries and major complications resulting from low-energy falls so that fall prevention strategies may be targeted to more susceptible age groups. METHODS: A consecutive series of 12 709 patients older than 55 years enrolled in an orthopedic trauma registry from October 2014 to April 2021 were reviewed for demographic factors, hospital quality measures, and outcomes. Patients were grouped by age brackets in 5-year intervals. Comparative analyses were conducted across age groups with an additional post hoc analysis comparing the 75- to 79-year-old cohort with others. All statistical analyses were conducted utilizing a Bonferroni-adjusted alpha. RESULTS: Of the 12 709 patients, 9924 patients (78%) sustained a low-energy fall. The mean age of the cohort was 75.3 (range: 55-106) years and the median number of complications per person was 1.0 (range: 0-7). The proportion of females increased across each age group. The mean Charlson Comorbidity Index increased across each age group, except in the cohort of 90+ years of age. There was a varied distribution of fractures among age groups with the incidence of hip fractures most prominently increasing with age. Complication rates varied significantly between all age groups. Between the ages of 70 to 74 years and 80 to 84 years, there was a 2-fold increase in complication rate, and between the ages of 70 to 74 years and 75 to 79 years, there was a near 2×/1.5×/1.4× increase in inpatient, 30-day, and 1-year mortality rate, respectively. When controlling for confounding demographic variables between age groups, the rates of complications and mortality still differed. CONCLUSIONS: Fall prevention interventions, while applicable to all older adult patients, could improve outcomes by offering additional resources particularly for individuals between 70 and 80 years of age. These additional resources can help minimize excessive hospitalizations, prolonged lengths of stay, and the detrimental complications that frequently coincide with falls. Although hip fractures are the most common fracture as patients get older, other fractures still occur with frequency, and fall prevention strategies should account for prevention of these injuries as well.

Nonunion of conservatively treated humeral shaft fractures is not associated with anatomic location and fracture pattern.

INTRODUCTION: Humeral shaft fractures make up 1-3% of all fractures and are most often treated nonoperatively; rates of union have been suggested to be greater than 85%. It has been postulated that proximal third fractures are more susceptible to nonunion development; however, current evidence is conflicting and presented in small cohorts. It is our hypothesis that anatomic site of fracture and fracture pattern are not associated with development of nonunion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, 147 consecutive patients treated nonoperatively for a humeral shaft fracture were assessed for development of nonunion during their treatment course. Their charts were reviewed for demographic and radiographic parameters such as age, sex, current tobacco use, diabetic comorbidity, fracture location, fracture pattern, AO/OTA classification, and need for intervention for nonunion. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-seven patients with 147 nonoperatively treated humeral shaft fractures were eligible for this study and included: 39 distal, 65 middle, and 43 proximal third fractures. One hundred and twenty-six patients healed their fractures by a mean 16 ± 6.4 weeks. Of the 21 patients who developed a nonunion, two were of the distal third, 10 of the middle third, and nine were of the proximal third. In a binomial logistic regression analysis, there were no differences in age, sex, tobacco use, diabetic comorbidity, fracture pattern, anatomic location, and OTA fracture classification between patients in the union and nonunion cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Fracture pattern and anatomic location of nonoperatively treated humeral shaft fractures were not related to development of fracture nonunion.

Risk Factors for Gram-Negative Fracture-Related Infection.

In this study, we evaluated risk factors for gram-negative fracture-related infection in a mixed cohort of gram-positive and gram-negative fracture-related infections to guide perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical fixation of fractures. We performed a retrospective review of all patients with fracture who were treated at an urban academic level I trauma center between February 1, 2012, and June 30, 2017. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) open or closed fracture with internal fixation; (2) deep, acute to subacute (<6 weeks), culture-positive fracture-related infection; and (3) age 18 years or older. Infections were classified as gram positive, gram negative, or polymicrobial. Demographic, surgical, and postoperative characteristics were compared among groups. Of 3360 patients, 43 (1.3%) had a fracture-related infection (15 gram negative, 14 gram positive, and 14 polymicrobial). Risk factors for gram-negative infection included initial external fixation (P=.038), the need for soft tissue coverage of an open fracture site (P=.039), lower albumin level at the time of infection (P=.005), and hospitalization for longer than 10 days (P=.018). Perioperative gram-negative antibiotic prophylaxis for fracture fixation surgery should be considered for those who have been staged with external fixation, require soft tissue coverage, are at risk for malnutrition in the postoperative period, and have prolonged inpatient hospitalization. [Orthopedics. 2022;45(2):91-96.].

Radiographic outcomes of cortical screw fixation as an alternative to Kirschner wire fixation for temporary lateral column stabilization in displaced Lisfranc joint fracture-dislocations: a retrospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Injuries of the tarsometatarsal joint complex ranging from purely ligamentous to multidirectionally unstable midfoot fracture-dislocations are anatomically fixed to minimize long-term sequelae including post-traumatic arthritis, pes planus deformity, and chronic pain. Lateral column disruption is commonly treated with temporary Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation, maintaining alignment during healing and allowing resumption of physiologic motion after hardware removal. More unstable fracture patterns may require temporary cortical screw fixation to maintain adequate reduction. We evaluated the efficacy of temporary lateral column screw fixation compared to K-wire fixation for Lisfranc fracture-dislocation treatment. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study reviewed 45 patients over fourteen years who underwent Lisfranc fracture-dislocation fixation at a level-one trauma center. All patients underwent medial and middle column fixation; 31 underwent lateral column fixation. Twenty six patients remained after excluding those without electronic records or follow-up. The primary outcome was radiographic lateral column healing before and after hardware removal; secondary outcomes included pain, ambulation, and return to normal shoe wear. RESULTS: Twenty patients were male, with mean age 41 years. Thirteen patients underwent cortical screw fixation and twelve K-wire fixation. One had both implants. Twenty four patients underwent lateral column hardware removal; all had radiographic evidence of bony healing before hardware removal. Mean follow-up was 88.2 ± 114 weeks for all patients. The cortical screw cohort had significantly longer mean time to hardware removal (p = 0.002). The K-wire cohort had significantly more disuse osteopenia (p = 0.045) and postoperative pain (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Radiographic and clinical outcomes of unstable Lisfranc fracture-dislocation treatment support temporary lateral column screw fixation as an alternate technique. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE: 3 (retrospective cohort study).

Proximal tibia and tibial plateau nail-plate combinations: technical trick and case series.

Proximal tibia fractures and combined tibial shaft-plateau injuries are increasingly common. Prolonged nonweightbearing may result in poor outcomes, particularly in elderly patients. Nail-plate combination constructs offer an attractive solution to facilitate early weight-bearing in these complex problems. We describe strategies and tips for these constructs and present the results of a small patient series treated with this technique.

Range of motion following percutaneous fixation of pediatric supracondylar humerus fracture is independent of anterior osseous fragment resorption.

The objective of this study was to understand postoperative resorption of the anterior osseous fragment following closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures and its effect on final range of motion (ROM). Eighty-six patients that underwent CRPP had sagittal and or axial plane deformities resulting in an anterior fragment. Humerocapitellar angle (HCA), anterior humeral line (AHL) and angle of rotation (AoR) were measured. A total of 11 (12.8%) patients failed to resorb the anterior fragment, 10 (90.9%) had satisfactory ROM. HCA initially was acceptable in 40 (46.5%) patients, and 37 (92.5%) demonstrated acceptable ROM. Final HCA was acceptable in 44 (51.2%) patients and 42 (95.4%) had acceptable final ROM. AHL was in the anterior third of the capitellum in 35 (40.6%) patients and 33 (94.3%) had acceptable ROM. Final AHL was in the anterior third of the capitellum in 43 (50.0%) patients and 41 (95.3%) had acceptable final ROM. No difference was found between acceptable ROM and HCA or AHL at either follow-up. Sixty-five and 21 patients had an AoR of 0° and between 23 and 36°, respectively. A total of 59 (90.7%) patients with an AoR of 0°, and 18 (85.7%) patients with an AoR of 23-36° displayed acceptable ROM. A total of 57 (87.7%) patients with an AoR of 0° and 18 (85.7%) with an AoR of 23-36° resorbed the anterior fragment. No association was found between rotational deformity and postoperative ROM or fragment resorption. Postoperative sagittal and axial plane alignment, HCA, AHL, AoR and resorption of the anterior osseous fragment does not correlate with final ROM.

No change in outcome ten years following locking plate repair of displaced proximal humerus fractures.

PURPOSE: To assess longer-term (> 5 years) function and outcome in patients treated with anatomic locking plates for proximal humerus fractures. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at an urban, academic level 1 trauma center and an orthopedic specialty hospital. Patients treated operatively for proximal humerus fractures with an anatomic locking plate by three orthopedic trauma surgeons and two shoulder surgeons from 2003 to 2015 were reviewed. Patient demographics and injury characteristics, disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) scores, complications, secondary surgeries, and shoulder range of motion were compared at 1 year and at latest follow-up. RESULTS: Seventy-five of 173 fractures were eligible for analysis. At a minimum 5 years and a mean of 10.0 ± 3.2 years following surgery, DASH scores did not differ from one-year compared to long-term follow-up (16.3 ± 17.4 vs. 15.1 ± 18.2, p = 0.555). Shoulder motion including: active forward flexion (145.5 vs. 151.5 degrees, p = 0.186), internal rotation (T10 vs. T9, p = 0.204), and external rotation measurements (48.4 vs. 57.9, p = 0.074) also did not differ from one year compared to long-term follow-up. By one year, all fractures had healed. After 1-year post-operatively, four patients underwent reoperation, but none for AVN or screw penetration. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-reported functional outcome scores and shoulder range of motion are stable after one year following proximal humerus fracture fixation, and outcomes do not deteriorate thereafter. After one-year, long-term follow-up of fixed proximal humerus fractures may be unnecessary for those without symptoms.

"Damage Control" Fixation of Displaced Femoral Neck Fractures in High-Risk Elderly Patients: A Feasibility Case Series.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcomes of patients who underwent closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) with cannulated screws for treatment of a displaced femoral neck fracture (DFNF) as they were deemed too high risk to undergo hemiarthroplasty (HA). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: One urban academic medical center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen patients treated with CRPP and 32 risk-level-matched patients treated with HA. INTERVENTION: CRPP for patients with DFNFs who were deemed too ill to undergo HA. The concept being that CRPP would aid in pain control and facilitate mobilization and if failed, the patient could return electively after medical optimization for conversion to arthroplasty. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Complications, readmissions, mortality, inpatient cost, and functional status. RESULTS: The CRPP cohort had a greater incidence of exacerbations of chronic medical conditions or new onset of acute illness and an elevated mean American Society of Anesthesiologist score. There were no differences in discharge location, length of stay, major complication rate, ambulation before discharge, or 90-day readmission rate. Patients undergoing CRPP were less likely to experience minor complications including a significantly decreased incidence of acute blood loss anemia. Three patients (18.7%) in the CRPP cohort underwent conversion to HA or THA. There was no difference in inpatient, 30-day, or 1-year mortality. CONCLUSION: In the acutely ill patients with DFNFs, "damage control" fixation with CRPP can be safely performed in lieu of HA to stabilize the fracture in those unable to tolerate anesthesia or the sequelae of major surgery. Patients should be followed closely to evaluate the need for secondary surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of Levels of Evidence.

Multifocal Disruption of the Extensor Mechanism of the Knee: A Case Report.

CASE: A 41-year-old man presented with a transverse patella fracture and proximal patellar tendon avulsion after a fall from standing. Disruption of the extensor mechanism of the knee at multiple points is rare. He was treated operatively for his patella fracture and patellar tendon avulsion but experienced early failure of the patellar tendon fixation requiring reoperation. Both components of injury ultimately healed, and he returned to function. CONCLUSION: This case describes a rare presentation of an uncommon injury pattern affecting the extensor mechanism. This is the first report to describe multifocal failure of the extensor chain from a low-energy mechanism.

Monitored Anesthesia Care and Soft-Tissue Infiltration With Local Anesthesia: An Anesthetic Option for High-Risk Patients With Hip Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the feasibility of a novel anesthetic option for hip fracture fixation with short cephalomedullary nails. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: The study setting involved an urban, academic Level 1 trauma center, a tertiary care academic medical center, and an orthopaedic specialty hospital. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Twenty recent and 40 risk-matched (1:1:1 by anesthesia type) historical hip fracture patients were included in the study. INTERVENTION: All patients with an OTA/AO 31.A1-3 intertrochanteric hip fracture presenting from October 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 treated with a short cephalomedullary nail underwent a new intraoperative anesthesia protocol using monitored anesthesia care (MAC) and soft-tissue infiltration with local anesthesia (STILA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Intraoperative measures, postoperative pain scores, narcotic and acetaminophen use, hospital quality measures, and inpatient cost. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients (20 each: MAC, general, and spinal) were identified. There were differences among the groups regarding mean minimum and maximum intraoperative heart rate with MAC-STILA protocol demonstrating the best maintenance of normal heart rate parameters (60-100 beats per minute). For the first 3 hours postoperatively, MAC-STILA patients reported consistently lower pain scores (visual analog scale <1) than spinal or general patients (visual analog scale > 1). Through 48 hours postoperatively, MAC-STILA narcotic usage was similar to that of the spinal cohort and approximately 5 times less than the general cohort. There were no differences in procedural time, length of stay, minor or major complications, inpatient and 30-day mortality, or 30-day readmissions, or postoperative ambulatory distance. There was no difference in inpatient cost among cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: This feasibility study demonstrates safety for the MAC-STILA protocol with comparison to spinal and general anesthesia. The MAC-STILA protocol is a viable option for treatment of OTA/AO 13.A1-3 intertrochanteric fractures with a short cephalomedullary nail and may be the preferred method for patients with severe medical comorbidities or relative contraindications to general and/or spinal anesthesia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of Levels of Evidence.

Loss of Ambulatory Level and Activities of Daily Living at 1 Year Following Hip Fracture: Can We Identify Patients at Risk?

INTRODUCTION: Operative hip fractures are known to cause a loss in functional status in the elderly. While several studies exist demonstrating the association between age, pre-injury functioning, and comorbidities related to this loss of function, no studies have predicted this using a validated risk stratification tool. We attempt to use the Score for Trauma Triage for Geriatric and Middle-Aged (STTGMA) tool to predict loss of ambulatory function and need for assistive device use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred and fifty-six patients ≥55 years of age who underwent operative hip fracture fixation were enrolled in a trauma registry. Demographics, functional status, injury severity, and hospital course were used to determine a STTGMA score and patients were stratified into risk quartiles. At least 1 year after hospitalization, patients completed the EQ-5D questionnaire for functional outcomes. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-eight (48.2%) patients or their family members responded to the questionnaire. Of the 184 patients alive, 65 (35.3%) reported a return to baseline function. Eighty-nine (48.4%) patients reported a loss in ambulatory status. Patients with higher STTGMA scores were older, had more comorbidities, reported greater need for help with daily activities, increased difficulty with self-care, and a reduction in return to activities of daily living (all p ≤ 0.001). Patients with lower STTGMA scores were more likely to never require an assistive device while those with higher scores were more likely to continue needing one (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001). Patients in the highest STTGMA risk groups were 1.5x more likely to have an impairment in ambulatory status (need for ambulatory assistive device or decreased ambulatory capacity) (p = 0.004). DISCUSSION: Patients in higher STTGMA risk quartiles were more likely to experience impairment after hip fracture surgery. The STTGMA tool can predict loss of ambulatory independence following hip fracture. At-risk populations can be targeted for enhanced physiotherapy and rehabilitation services for optimal return to prior functioning.

Is There Value in Early Postoperative Visits Following Hip Fracture Surgery?

INTRODUCTION: Despite the recommendation for postoperative orthopedic follow-up after a hip fracture in elderly patients, many patients do not return for these visits. In this study, we attempt to determine if early follow-up (<4 weeks post-discharge) changes orthopedic post-operative management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1232 patients aged > 55 years old who underwent operative fixation for hip fractures were enrolled into an orthopedic trauma registry and followed from hospitalization through one year. Demographics, comorbidities, injury severity, and hospital course data were collected. Need for readmission and orthopedic follow-up were ascertained through chart review. RESULTS: 417 patients (33.8%) patients did not return for any follow-up and 30 (2.4%) patients died <30 days from discharge. 370 (45.5%) patients had early orthopedic follow-up ≤28 days after discharge. 317 (38.9%) patients were seen ≥29 days after discharge (late follow-up). 127 (15.6%) patients returned for isolated non-orthopedic care. There were 23 (6.2%) readmissions in the early group, 17 (5.4%) in the late group, and 24 (18.9%) in the no follow-up group (p < 0.001). Patients discharged home were more likely to present for early follow-up compared to those with late and non-orthopedic follow-up (p = 0.002), however there was no difference in readmission rates between those discharged home vs. SNFs/SARs. DISCUSSION: Patients who received isolated non-orthopedic follow-up within 4 weeks of surgery experienced more hospital readmissions than those with follow-up in that time period; however, these readmissions were primarily due to medical issues. There was no difference in orthopedic-related readmissions and changes in orthopedic management between groups. Patients discharged to SNFs/SARs did not present for early orthopedic as often as those discharged home. CONCLUSION: Early orthopedic follow up after hip fracture care does not change post-operative management in these patients and has implications for value-based care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III.

Can We Stratify Quality and Cost for Older Patients With Proximal and Midshaft Humerus Fractures?

INTRODUCTION: This study sought to investigate whether a validated trauma triage tool can stratify hospital quality measures and inpatient cost for middle-aged and geriatric trauma patients with isolated proximal and midshaft humerus fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients aged 55 and older who sustained a proximal or midshaft humerus fracture and required inpatient treatment were included. Patient demographic, comorbidity, and injury severity information was used to calculate each patient's Score for Trauma Triage in the Geriatric and Middle-Aged (STTGMA). Based on scores, patients were stratified to create minimal, low, moderate, and high risk groups. Outcomes included length of stay, complications, operative management, ICU/SDU-level care, discharge disposition, unplanned readmission, and index admission costs. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients with 74 humerus fractures met final inclusion criteria. Fifty-eight (78.4%) patients presented with proximal humerus and 16 (21.6%) with midshaft humerus fractures. Mean length of stay was 5.5 ± 3.4 days with a significant difference among risk groups (P = 0.029). Lower risk patients were more likely to undergo surgical management (P = 0.015) while higher risk patients required more ICU/SDU-level care (P < 0.001). Twenty-six (70.3%) minimal risk patients were discharged home compared to zero high risk patients (P = 0.001). Higher risk patients experienced higher total inpatient costs across operative and nonoperative treatment groups. CONCLUSION: The STTGMA tool is able to reliably predict hospital quality measures and cost outcomes that may allow hospitals and providers to improve value-based care and clinical decision-making for patients presenting with proximal and midshaft humerus fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III.

Modification of a Validated Risk Stratification Tool to Characterize Geriatric Hip Fracture Outcomes and Optimize Care in a Post-COVID-19 World.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To demonstrate how a risk assessment tool modified to account for the COVID-19 virus during the current global pandemic is able to provide risk assessment for low-energy geriatric hip fracture patients. (2) To provide a treatment algorithm for care of COVID-19 positive/suspected hip fractures patients that accounts for their increased risk of morbidity and mortality. SETTING: One academic medical center including 4 Level 1 trauma centers, 1 university-based tertiary care referral hospital, and 1 orthopaedic specialty hospital. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One thousand two hundred seventy-eight patients treated for hip fractures between October 2014 and April 2020, including 136 patients treated during the COVID-19 pandemic between February 1, 2020 and April 15, 2020. INTERVENTION: The Score for Trauma Triage in the Geriatric and Middle-Aged ORIGINAL (STTGMAORIGINAL) score was modified by adding COVID-19 virus as a risk factor for mortality to create the STTGMACOVID score. Patients were stratified into quartiles to demonstrate differences in risk distribution between the scores. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Inpatient and 30-day mortality, major, and minor complications. RESULTS: Both STTGMA score and COVID-19 positive/suspected status are independent predictors of inpatient mortality, confirming their use in risk assessment models for geriatric hip fracture patients. Compared with STTGMAORIGINAL, where COVID-19 patients are haphazardly distributed among the risk groups and COVID-19 inpatient and 30 days mortalities comprise 50% deaths in the minimal-risk and low-risk cohorts, the STTGMACOVID tool is able to triage 100% of COVID-19 patients and 100% of COVID-19 inpatient and 30 days mortalities into the highest risk quartile, where it was demonstrated that these patients have a 55% rate of pneumonia, a 35% rate of acute respiratory distress syndrome, a 22% rate of inpatient mortality, and a 35% rate of 30 days mortality. COVID-19 patients who are symptomatic on presentation to the emergency department and undergo surgical fixation have a 30% inpatient mortality rate compared with 12.5% for patients who are initially asymptomatic but later develop symptoms. CONCLUSION: The STTGMA tool can be modified for specific disease processes, in this case to account for the COVID-19 virus and provide a robust risk stratification tool that accounts for a heretofore unknown risk factor. COVID-19 positive/suspected status portends a poor outcome in this susceptible trauma population and should be included in risk assessment models. These patients should be considered a high risk for perioperative morbidity and mortality. Patients with COVID-19 symptoms on presentation should have surgery deferred until symptoms improve or resolve and should be reassessed for surgical treatment versus definitive nonoperative treatment with palliative care and/or hospice care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of Levels of Evidence.

Increased Mortality and Major Complications in Hip Fracture Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A New York City Perspective.

OBJECTIVES: To examine one health system's response to the essential care of its hip fracture population during the COVID-19 pandemic and report on its effect on patient outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Seven musculoskeletal care centers within New York City and Long Island. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred thirty-eight recent and 115 historical hip fracture patients. INTERVENTION: Patients with hip fractures occurring between February 1, 2020, and April 15, 2020, or between February 1, 2019, and April 15, 2019, were prospectively enrolled in an orthopaedic trauma registry and chart reviewed for demographic and hospital quality measures. Patients with recent hip fractures were identified as COVID positive (C+), COVID suspected (Cs), or COVID negative (C-). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Hospital quality measures, inpatient complications, and mortality rates. RESULTS: Seventeen (12.2%) patients were confirmed C+ by testing, and another 14 (10.1%) were suspected (Cs) of having had the virus but were never tested. The C+ cohort, when compared with Cs and C- cohorts, had an increased mortality rate (35.3% vs. 7.1% vs. 0.9%), increased length of hospital stay, a greater major complication rate, and a greater incidence of ventilator need postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 had a devastating effect on the care of patients with hip fracture during the pandemic. Although practice patterns generally remained unchanged, treating physicians need to understand the increased morbidity and mortality in patients with hip fracture complicated by COVID-19. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of Levels of Evidence.

Ability of a Risk Prediction Tool to Stratify Quality and Cost for Older Patients With Tibial Shaft and Plateau Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a validated trauma triage tool can identify the middle-aged and geriatric trauma patients with tibial shaft and plateau fractures who are at the risk for costly admissions and poorer hospital quality measures. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Level-1 trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-four patients older than 55 years hospitalized with isolated tibial shaft or plateau fractures. INTERVENTION: Patients with either isolated tibial plateau fractures or tibial shaft fractures over a 3-year period were prospectively enrolled in an orthopedic trauma registry. Demographic information, injury severity, and comorbidities were assessed and incorporated into the Score for Trauma Triage in Geriatric and Middle Aged (STTGMA) score, a validated trauma triage score that calculates inpatient mortality risk upon admission. Patients were then grouped into tertiles based on their STTGMA score. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Length of stay, complications, discharge location, and direct variable costs. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients met inclusion criteria. Thirty-three patients (51.6%) presented with tibial plateau fractures and 31 (48.4%) with tibial shaft fractures. The mean age was 66.7 ± 10.2 years. Mean length of stay was significantly different between risk groups with a mean of 6.8 ± 4 days (P < 0.001). Although 19 (90.5%) of the minimal risk patients were discharged home, only 7 (33.3%) and 5 (22.7%) of moderate- and high-risk patients were discharged home, respectively (P < 0.001). Higher-risk patients experienced a significantly greater number of complications during hospitalization but had no differences in the need for intensive care unit-level care (P = 0.027 and P = 0.344, respectively). The total cost difference between the lowest- and highest-risk group was nearly 50% ($14,070 ± 8056 vs. $25,147 ± 14,471; mean difference, $11,077; P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Application of the STTGMA triage tool allows for the prediction of key hospital quality measures and cost of hospitalization that can improve clinical decision-making. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Associations of the melanocortin 3 receptor C17A + G241A haplotype with body composition and inflammation in African-American adults.

BACKGROUND: The MC3R haplotype C17A + G241A, which encodes a partially inactivated receptor, has high prevalence in individuals of predominately African ancestry. In pediatric cohorts, homozygosity for this common variant has been associated with obesity, reduced lean mass, and greater fasting insulin. However, metabolic and body composition measures have not been well studied in adults with this haplotype. METHODS: A convenience sample of 237 healthy African-American adult volunteers was studied. TaqMan assays were used to genotype MC3R variants. Labs were drawn in the morning in the fasted state. Body composition data was obtained via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. An analysis of covariance was used to examine the associations of genotype with metabolic and body composition measures controlling for age and sex. RESULTS: Individuals homozygous for the MC3R C17A + G241A haplotype had significantly greater body mass index, fat mass, fat mass percentage, and C-reactive protein, with reduced lean mass percentage as compared to heterozygous and wild-type participants (all ps < 0.05); fasting insulin was marginally nonsignificant between groups (p = 0.053). After adjusting for fat mass, laboratory differences no longer remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: Homozygosity for MC3R C17A + G241A is associated with increased adiposity in African-American adults. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind these associations.

Colchicine to decrease NLRP3-activated inflammation and improve obesity-related metabolic dysregulation.

Obesity is a major risk-factor for the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Circulating molecules associated with obesity, such as saturated fatty acids and cholesterol crystals, stimulate the innate immune system to incite a chronic inflammatory state. Studies in mouse models suggest that suppressing the obesity-induced chronic inflammatory state may prevent or reverse obesity-associated metabolic dysregulation. Human studies, however, have been far less positive, possibly because targeted interventions were too far downstream of the inciting inflammatory events. Recently, it has been shown that, within adipose tissue macrophages, assembly of a multi-protein member of the innate immune system, the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, is essential for the induction of this inflammatory state. Microtubules enable the necessary spatial arrangement of the components of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the cell, leading to its activation and propagation of the inflammatory cascade. Colchicine, a medication classically used for gout, mediates its anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting tubulin polymerization, and has been shown to attenuate macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome arrangement and activation in vitro and in vivo. Given these findings, we hypothesize that, in at-risk individuals (those with obesity-induced inflammation and metabolic dysregulation), long-term colchicine use will lead to suppression of inflammation and thus cause improvements in insulin sensitivity and other obesity-related metabolic impairments.

Tailored, interactive text messages for enhancing weight loss among African American adults: the TRIMM randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Helping patients control obesity remains a clinical challenge for internists, and African Americans experience obesity rates higher than other racial/ethnic groups. PURPOSE: To investigate whether a behavioral theory-based mobile health intervention would enhance weight loss when added to standard care among overweight/obese African American adults. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial of 124 adults recruited from Baltimore-area African American churches. Participant follow-up ended March 2013. Participants were randomized to standard care (included one-on-one counseling sessions with a dietitian and a physician) or standard care plus daily tailored text messages for 6 months. Text messages were delivered in phases: preparation, reinforcement of participant-selected diet and exercise goals, reflection, goal integration, weight loss methods, and maintenance. There were follow-up visits at 3, 6, and 12 months. Primary outcome was weight change from baseline to end-intervention at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included weight change at 3 months, engagement, and satisfaction with the intervention. RESULTS: Sixty-three participants were randomized to the mobile health intervention and 61 to standard-care control. Weights were collected in-window for 45 (36.3%) at 3 months and 51 (41.1%) at 6 months. Mean weight loss at 3 months was 2.5 kg greater in the intervention group compared with standard care (95% confidence interval [CI], -4.3 to -0.6; P < .001), and 3.4 kg greater (95% CI, -5.2 to -1.7; P = .001) at 6 months. Degree of engagement with messages was correlated with weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: While attrition was high, this study supports a tailored, interactive text-message intervention to enhance weight loss among obese African-American adults.