Return to Sport Rates and Subjective Outcomes Are Similar After Open or Endoscopically Assisted Compartment Release for Chronic Lower-Extremity Exertional Compartment Syndrome.

Purpose: To retrospectively compare return to sport rates and subjective outcomes of patients who underwent open or endoscopic compartment release for the surgical management of chronic exertional compartment syndrome. Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent lower-extremity fasciotomy for chronic exertional compartment syndrome from June 2012 to June 2020. Eligibility included patients 15 to 45 years of age who identified as an athlete and had at least 6 months of follow-up. Fasciotomies for trauma or infection were excluded. One surgeon exclusively performed each type of surgery. Postoperative outcome measures included the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, the Marx Activity Scale, and a return to play survey. Results: In total, 24 patients (13 endoscopically assisted fasciotomies, 11 open fasciotomies) had a mean follow-up of 3.8 ± 2.1 years; 19 patients returned to their sporting activity. No significant difference existed between return to play rates (P = .630) or return to play times (P = .351). There were no significant differences between the groups in the Lower Extremity Functional Scale score, Marx Activity Scale score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, pain score at rest, and during sporting activity. Overall satisfaction rates were found to be significantly greater in the endoscopically assisted fasciotomy group (P = .041). Conclusions: In this small sample of heterogenous groups of patients, we found no significant differences in return to sport rates or subjective results after surgery. Patients experienced a high subjective recurrence rate. The endoscopically assisted fasciotomy group reported greater subjective patient satisfaction compared with the open fasciotomy group. Level of Evidence: Level III, comparative study, retrospective.

Articular Cartilage Damage Worsens from First-time to Recurrent Patellar Dislocation-A Longitudinal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Purpose: To compare the frequency and severity of articular cartilage injury on longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients after their initial dislocation and subsequent recurrent dislocations for those undergoing patellar stabilization surgery. Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2017, patients undergoing patellar stabilization surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Only patients with an MRI after both the initial dislocation and subsequent dislocation events were included. The MRI scans were blindly examined to assess the Outerbridge classification grade of articular cartilage injury following each dislocation. Comparison was performed of each MRI for grade of articular cartilage damage and location. Results: Thirty-five patients undergoing patellar stabilization surgery with recurrent instability were eligible. The incidence of articular cartilage injury following initial dislocation was 45.7%. Following a second dislocation, the incidence of articular cartilage injury increased to 62.9%, a statistically significant increase of 17.2% (P = .031). Furthermore, of the 16 patients with articular cartilage injury following their initial dislocation, 56.2% of patients (9) had an increase in grade of articular cartilage injury following the second dislocation, whereas 43.8% (7) of patients had no progression in their articular cartilage injury. Six (17.1%) patients had no articular cartilage injury following their initial dislocation but did have articular cartilage injury following their second dislocation. Conclusions: Articular cartilage injury following patellar dislocation is common, and delayed surgical treatment may lead to an increase in articular cartilage damage. The incidence of articular cartilage injury following recurrent patellar dislocation was high (62.9%), and the majority of patients experienced an increase in their articular cartilage injury grade between their initial and recurrent dislocation on MRI evaluation. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures in the Skeletally Immature Current State of the Art.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in children and adolescents are increasing every year. This patient population has unique risk factors and treatment considerations depending on specific patient factors and the level of bone maturity. This review summarizes the current data regarding pertinent features of the history and physical exam, indications for nonoperative management, assessment of skeletal maturity, and the surgical management of patients based on their unique physeal considerations. To prevent physeal injury, the surgical considerations differ from the adult population with respect to graft choice, location of fixation, reconstruction technique, and postoperative protocol. Orthopedic surgeons should be familiar with the various surgical techniques, graft selection choices, postoperative rehabilitation programs, controversies, and outcomes associated with the management of ACL injuries in the pediatric population.

Preoperative Bariatric Surgery Utilization Is Associated With Increased 90-day Postoperative Complication Rates After Total Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the incidence of bariatric surgery (BS) before total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in New York State and compares patient comorbidities and 90-day postoperative complications of patients with and without BS before TJA. METHODS: The NY Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database between 2005 and 2014 was reviewed and 343,710 patients with TJA were identified. Patients were stratified into the following three cohorts: group 1 (patients who underwent BS < 2 years before TJA [N = 1,478]); group 2 (obese patients without preoperative BS [N = 60,259]); and group 3 (nonobese patients without preoperative BS [N = 281,973]). Principal outcomes measured were patient comorbidities, 90-day complication rates, length of inpatient stay, discharge disposition, mortality rate, and total hospital costs. RESULTS: BS before TJA incidence increased from 0.11 of 100,000 to 2.4 of 100,000 from 2006 to 2014. Preoperative BS did not notably change the number of patient comorbidities at the time of TJA. Group 1 had more patients with 90-day complications (40.7% versus 36.0%, P < 0.001) than group 2. No difference was found between group 1 and the other groups in home discharge, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and mortality rates. Total hospital costs were higher for group 1 ($18,869 ± 9,022 versus $17,843 ± 8,095, P < 0.001) compared with those for group 2. CONCLUSION: BS before TJA has increased annually over a 10-year period in New York State and is associated with greater 90-day postoperative complication rates and higher immediate hospital costs when compared with obese patients without BS.

Failure of Adjustably Aligned Modular Radial Head Arthroplasty With Head-Neck Dissociation and Metallosis.

Radial head arthroplasty was introduced in 1941 and the literature supports satisfactory overall midterm patient outcomes and acceptable complication profiles with several models. There are several previously described mechanisms by which radial head complications typically occur. We present the case of a rarely described mechanism of radial head implant failure: elbow synovitis and pain from partial dissociation and metallosis in an adjustably aligned, modular, monopolar, mixed metal, press-fit radial head arthroplasty.

Cytotoxicity evaluation of chlorhexidine gluconate on human fibroblasts, myoblasts, and osteoblasts.

Introduction: Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) is widely used as a preoperative surgical skin-preparation solution and intra-wound irrigation agent, with excellent efficacy against wide variety of bacteria. The cytotoxic effect of CHX on local proliferating cells following orthopaedic procedures is largely undescribed. Our aim was to investigate the in vitro effects of CHX on primary fibroblasts, myoblasts, and osteoblasts. Methods: Cells were exposed to CHX dilutions (0%, 0.002%, 0.02%, 0.2%, and 2%) for either a 1, 2, or 3-minute duration. Cell survival was measured using a cytotoxicity assay (Cell Counting Kit-8). Cell migration was measured using a scratch assay: a "scratch" was made in a cell monolayer following CHX exposure, and time to closure of the scratch was measured. Results: All cells exposed to CHX dilutions of ≥ 0.02% for any exposure duration had cell survival rates of less than 6% relative to untreated controls (p < 0.001). Cells exposed to CHX dilution of 0.002% all had significantly lower survival rates relative to control (p < 0.01) with the exception of 1-minute exposure to fibroblasts, which showed 96.4% cell survival (p = 0.78). Scratch defect closure was seen in < 24 hours in all control conditions. However, cells exposed to CHX dilutions ≥ 0.02% had scratch defects that remained open indefinitely. Conclusions: The clinically used concentration of CHX (2%) permanently halts cell migration and significantly reduces survival of in vitro fibroblasts, myoblasts, and osteoblasts. Further in vivo studies are required to examine and optimize CHX safety and efficacy when applied near open incisions or intra-wound application.

Topical vancomycin and its effect on survival and migration of osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and myoblasts: An in vitro study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of topical vancomycin on cell migration and survival of tissue healing cells. Human osteoblasts, myoblasts and fibroblasts were exposed to vancomycin at concentrations of 1, 3, 6, or 12 mg/cm2 for either a 1-h or 48-h (continuous) duration. Continuous exposure to all vancomycin concentrations significantly reduced cell survival (<22% cells survived) and migration in osteoblasts and myoblasts (P < 0.001). 1-h vancomycin exposure reduced osteoblast and myoblast survival and migration only at 12 mg/cm2 (P < 0.001). Further in vivo studies are warranted to optimize the dosage of intrawound vancomycin.

Preoperative Bariatric Surgery and the Risk of Readmission Following Total Joint Replacement.

The purpose of this study was to compare nonelective and all-cause readmission rates and to identify risk factors for readmission of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients who had preoperative bariatric surgery (BS) compared with TJA patients without preoperative BS. The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database was queried to identify 343,710 TJA patients between 2005 and 2014. Three patient groups were evaluated: group 1 (patients with preoperative BS within 2 years of TJA [N=1478]); group 2 (obese patients without preoperative BS [N=60,259]); and group 3 (nonobese patients without preoperative BS [N=281,973]). Nonelective and all-cause readmission rates (30 days, 90 days, and 1 year) were compared, and multivariate analyses of readmission risk factors were performed. Group 1 had no significant difference in nonelective readmission rates compared with groups 2 and 3. However, when elective TJA readmissions were included, group 1 had significantly higher all-cause readmission rates at 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year compared with groups 2 and 3. Bariatric surgery was not a risk factor for nonelective readmissions at any time point. When elective TJA admissions were included, BS was an independent risk factor for all-cause readmission at all time points. Patients who have BS prior to TJA do not have higher nonelective readmission rates than obese TJA patients without BS. Bariatric surgery is not a risk factor for nonelective readmissions. However, BS is a significant predictor of elective TJA admissions up to 1 year following the index TJA. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(2):107-114.].

Povidone-iodine Solutions Inhibit Cell Migration and Survival of Osteoblasts, Fibroblasts, and Myoblasts.

STUDY DESIGN: In vitro laboratory study. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of dilute povidone-iodine (PVI) solutions on human osteoblast, fibroblast and myoblast cells in vitro. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Dilute PVI wound lavage has been used successfully in spine and joint arthroplasty procedures to prevent postoperative surgical site infection, but their biologic effect on host cells is largely unknown. METHODS: Human primary osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and myoblasts were expanded in cell culture and subjected to various concentrations of PVI (0%, 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.1%, 0.35%, 1%) for 3 minutes. To assess the effect of PVI on cell migration, a scratch assay was performed, in which a "scratch" was made by a standard pipette tip in a cell monolayer following PVI exposure, and time to closure of the scratch was evaluated. Cell survival and proliferation was measured 48 hours post-PVI exposure using a cell viability and cytotoxicity assay. RESULTS: Closure of the scratch defect in all cell monolayers was achieved in <24 hours in untreated controls and following exposure to PVI concentrations <0.1%. The scratch defect remained open indefinitely following exposure to PVI concentrations of ≥0.1%. PVI concentrations <0.1% did not have significant effect on survival rates compared with control for all cell types. Cells exposed to PVI ≥ 0.1% had cell survival rates of less than 6% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically used concentration of PVI (0.35%) exerts a pronounced cytotoxic effect on osteoblasts, fibroblast, and myoblasts in vitro. Further investigation is required to systematically study the effect of PVI on tissue healing in vivo and also determine a safe and clinically potent concentration for PVI lavage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

The Regionalization of Total Ankle Arthroplasties and Ankle Fusions in New York State: A 10-Year Comparative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) provides an alternative to ankle fusion (AF). The purpose of this study is to (1) determine the extent of TAA regionalization, as well as examine the growth of TAA performed at high-, medium-, and low-volume New York State institutions and (2) compare this regionalization and growth with AF. METHODS: The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) administrative data were used to identify 737 primary TAA and 7453 AF from 2005 to 2014. The volume of TAA and AF surgery in New York State was mapped according to patient and hospital 3-digit zip code. RESULTS: The number of TAA per year grew 1500% (from 11 to 177) from 2005 to 2014, while there was a 35.6% reduction (from 895 to 576) in yearly AF procedures. TAA recipients were widely distributed throughout the state, while TAA procedures were regionalized to a few select metropolitan centers. AF procedures were performed more uniformly than TAA. The number of TAA has continued to increase at high- (15 to 91) and medium-volume (14 to 67) institutions where it has decreased at low-volume institutions (44 to 19). CONCLUSION: The increased utilization of TAA is attributed to relatively few high-volume centers located in major metropolitan centers. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level IV: well-designed case-control or cohort studies.

Intensive ketamine use for multiple years: A case report.

Ketamine is known within the medical field for its anesthetic properties, yet its unique psychedelic and antidepressant properties are being increasingly recognized. We document the case of a patient with bipolar I disorder and an extensive history of substance dependence who used large doses of ketamine (1-3 g) on a daily basis over a period of 5 years, and described acute antidepressant effects as well as diminished cravings for alcohol. While his use was untenable and ultimately led to an inpatient admission, it is notable that he did not experience a withdrawal syndrome nor did he have any observable cognitive deficits upon cessation of use. Such a unique drug profile suggests that further exploration of its risks and therapeutic potential in treating mood and addiction disorders is warranted.