Fantasy football points capture performance declines in National Football League offensive skill players following an ankle injury.

Background: The ankle is one of the anatomic sites most frequently injured in National Football League (NFL) players. Ankle injuries have previously been shown to have long-lasting negative impacts, and have been associated with impaired athletic performance. The aim of this study was to use fantasy football points as a metric to evaluate the impact of ankle injuries on NFL offensive skill player performance. Methods: An open-access online database was used to identify NFL players who sustained ankle injuries from 2009 to 2020. Another public online database was used to determine fantasy points and other performance metrics for injured offensive skill players in the seasons before and after their ankle injury. Injured players were matched to a healthy control by position, age, and BMI. Paired T-tests were performed to evaluate performance metrics before and after the ankle injury. An ANCOVA was performed to assess the effect of return to play (RTP) time and injury type on fantasy performance. Results: 303 players with ankle injuries were included. Fantasy output, including average points per game (PPG) and total fantasy points accrued in one season, significantly decreased in the season following a player's ankle injury (p < 0.0001). In running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers, performance significantly decreased in every metric evaluated (p < 0.0001). In quarterbacks, there was no significant change in performance, except for a decrease in the number of games played (p = 0.0033) and in the number of interceptions thrown (p = 0.029). Conclusion: Assessing fantasy football output revealed a decrease in player performance in the season following an ankle injury, especially in route-running players. These results can be used to inform injury prevention and rehabilitation practices in the NFL.

The weight of complications: high and low BMI have disparate modes of failure in total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Body mass index (BMI) has been shown to influence risk for revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA), but few studies have specifically examined which causes of rTHA are most likely in different BMI classes. We hypothesized that patients in different BMI classes would undergo rTHA for disparate reasons. METHODS: Ninety-eight thousand six hundred seventy patients undergoing rTHA over 2006-2020 were identified in the National Inpatient Sample. Patients were classified as underweight, normal-weight, overweight/obese, or morbidly obese. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of BMI on rTHA for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), dislocation, periprosthetic fracture (PPF), aseptic loosening, or mechanical complications. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, insurance, geographic region, and comorbidities. RESULTS: Compared to normal-weight patients, underweight patients were 131% more likely to have a revision due to dislocation and 63% more likely due to PPF. Overweight/obese patients were 19% less likely to have a revision due to dislocation and 10% more likely due to PJI. Cause for revision in morbidly obese patients was 4s1% less likely to be due to dislocation, 8% less likely due to mechanical complications, and 90% more likely due to PJI. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight/obese and morbidly obese patients were more likely to undergo rTHA for PJI and less likely for mechanical reasons compared to normal weight patients. Underweight patients were more likely to undergo rTHA for dislocation or PPF. Understanding the differences in cause for rTHA among the BMI classes can aid in patient-specific optimization and management to reduce postoperative complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Total knee arthroplasty survivorship and outcomes in young patients: a review of the literature and 40-year update to a longitudinal study.

INTRODUCTION: Growing numbers of younger patients are electing to undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for end-stage osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to compare established literature regarding TKA outcomes in patients under age 55, to data from an ongoing longitudinal young patient cohort curated by our study group. Further, we aimed to provide a novel update on survivorship at 40 years post-TKA from our longitudinal cohort. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, using terms related to TKA, patients under age 55, and osteoarthritis. Demographic and outcome data were extracted from all studies that met the inclusion criteria. Data were divided into the "longitudinal study (LS) group," and the "literature review (LR) group" based on the patient population of the study from which it came. RESULTS: After screening, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria; 6 studies comprised the LR group, and 4 studies comprised the LS group. 2613 TKAs were performed among the LR group, and 114 TKAs were longitudinally followed in the LS group. The mean patient ages of the LR and LS groups were 46.1 and 51, respectively. Mean follow-up was 10.1 years for the LR group. Mean postoperative range of motion was 113.6° and 114.5° for the LR and LS groups, respectively. All-cause survivorship reported at 10 years or less ranged from 90.6% to 99.0%. The LS cohort studies reported survivorship ranges of 70.1-70.6% and 52.1-65.3% at 30 and 40 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Young TKA patients demonstrated improved functionality at each follow-up time point assessed. Survivorship decreased with increasing lengths of follow-up, ultimately ranging from 52.1-65.3% at 40 years post-TKA. The paucity of literature on long-term TKA outcomes in this patient population reinforces the necessity of further research on this topic.

Racial Disparities in 30-day Readmission After Orthopaedic Surgery: A 5-year National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Readmission rate after surgery is an important outcome measure in revealing disparities. This study aimed to examine how 30-day readmission rates and causes of readmission differ by race and specific injury areas within orthopaedic surgery. METHODS: The American College of Surgeon-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for orthopaedic procedures from 2015 to 2019. Patients were stratified by self-reported race. Procedures were stratified using current procedural terminology codes corresponding to given injury areas. Multiple logistic regression was done to evaluate associations between race and all-cause readmission risk, and risk of readmission due to specific causes. RESULTS: Of 780,043 orthopaedic patients, the overall 30-day readmission rate was 4.18%. Black and Asian patients were at greater (OR = 1.18, P < 0.01) and lesser (OR = 0.76, P < 0.01) risk for readmission than White patients, respectively. Black patients were more likely to be readmitted for deep surgical site infection (OR = 1.25, P = 0.03), PE (OR = 1.64, P < 0.01), or wound disruption (OR = 1.45, P < 0.01). For all races, all-cause readmission was highest after spine procedures and lowest after hand/wrist procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Black patients were at greater risk for overall, spine, shoulder/elbow, hand/wrist, and hip/knee all-cause readmission. Asian patients were at lower risk for overall, spine, hand/wrist, and hip/knee surgery all-cause readmission. Our findings can identify complications that should be more carefully monitored in certain patient populations.

Multiple Ankle Injuries Are Associated With an Increased Risk of Subsequent Concussion in National Football League Players.

Background: There is a gap in the literature regarding musculoskeletal risk factors for concussion within the National Football League (NFL), which is an avenue that must be explored to promote player safety given the high incidence of both injury types. This study aims to observe if ankle injuries are associated with an increased risk of subsequent concussion in NFL players. Methods: The public online database ProFootballReference.com was used to identify ankle injuries and concussions in NFL players from the 2009-2010 to 2019-2020 seasons. Multivariable logistic regression for subsequent concussion and ankle injury was performed, adjusting for body mass index (BMI), age, and player position. For descriptive statistics, unpaired t tests with unequal variance were performed for continuous variables, including BMI and age. χ2 testing was performed for categorical variables, including player position, and whether the position was offensive, defensive, or on special teams. Results: Of the 5538 NFL players included in the study, 941 had an ankle injury, 633 had a concussion, and 240 had both an ankle injury and a subsequent concussion. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for concussion following a single ankle injury was 0.90 (95% CI 0.72-1.14, P = .387); however, the aOR for concussion following multiple ankle injuries was 2.87 (95% CI 1.23-6.75, P = .015). Special teams players had the lowest risk for concussion (aOR 0.17, 95% CI 0.069-0.36, P < .001) following ankle injury, and there was no significant difference in risk between offense and defense (aOR 0.91, 95% CI 0.77-1.08, P = .295). Conclusion: Multiple ankle injuries were associated with an increased risk of a subsequent concussion after adjusting for BMI; player position; and offense, defense, or special teams designation. These findings can inform injury prevention practices in the National Football League. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Epidemiologic trends in hand injuries in the National Football League from 2009-2010 to 2019-2020.

OBJECTIVES: In American football, hand injuries have been shown to negatively impact performance. The purpose of this study is to characterize the prevalence and severity of hand injuries in National Football League (NFL) players. METHODS: A public online database was utilized to identify hand injuries in NFL players from 2009-2010 to 2019-2020. The primary outcome was to analyze the overall incidence of hand injuries (including wrist, metacarpus, finger, and thumb), injury type by each aforementioned anatomic location, and player position. Injury severity was evaluated based on percentage of injuries in which players returned to play (RTP), number of games missed before RTP, and the percentage of injuries resulting in the player being placed on injured reserve (IR). RESULTS: Of the 6,127 players included, 847 (13.8%) players sustained a hand injury, of which 24.8%, 34.3%, 17.9%, and 22.9% occurred at the wrist, metacarpus, finger, and thumb, respectively. Of the injured players, 97.4% returned to play following their injury, 14.8% were put on IR, and an average of 1.7 (SD 3.3) games were missed. Quarterbacks were the most likely to sustain hand injuries at all anatomic locations. Wrist injuries were associated with the lowest RTP rate (93.3%), the most players placed on injured reserve (28.6%), and the greatest number of games missed (mean 2.5, SD 4.2). CONCLUSION: Hand injuries decreased in prevalence by 65.6% over the 11 NFL seasons evaluated. This trend coincides with the implementation of several safety rules that relate to components of play involving the hands. Quarterbacks experienced the greatest prevalence and severity for all hand injuries. Wrist injuries represent the anatomic location associated with the greatest severity. These findings may be able to inform tailored injury prevention practices by position, and advocate for the further adoption of safety rules to protect players from further injury.

Data-driven body mass index threshold associated with increased risk of 2-year periprosthetic joint infection following total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Body mass index (BMI) is a modifiable risk factor for medical and infectious complications following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Previous studies investigating BMI were limited to the conventional classification system, which may be outdated for modern day patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify BMI thresholds that are associated with varying risk of 90-day medical complications and 2-year prosthetic joint infection (PJI) following TSA. METHODS: A national database was utilized to identify 10,901 patients who underwent primary elective TSA from 2013 to 2022. Patients were only included if they had a BMI value recorded within 1 month prior to TSA. Separate stratum-specific likelihood ratio analyses, an adaptive technique to identify data-driven thresholds, were performed to determine data-driven BMI strata associated with varying risk of 90-day medical complications and 2-year PJI. The incidence rates of these complications were recorded for each stratum. To control for confounders, each BMI strata was propensity-score matched based on age, sex, hypertension, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes mellitus to the lowest identified BMI strata for both outcomes of interest. The risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were recorded for each matched analysis. RESULTS: The average age and BMI of patients was 70.5 years (standard deviation ±9.8) and 30.7 (standard deviation ±6.2), respectively. Stratum-specific likelihood ratio analysis identified two BMI strata associated with differences in the rate of 2-year PJI: 19-39 and 40+. The same strata were identified for 90-day major complications. When compared to the matched BMI 19-39 cohort, the risk of 2-year PJI was higher in the BMI 40+ cohort (RR: 2.7; 95% CI 1.39-5.29; P = .020). After matching, there was no significant difference in the risk of 90-day major complications between identified strata (RR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.86-1.64; P = .288). CONCLUSION: A data-driven BMI threshold of 40 was associated with a significantly increased risk of 2-year PJI following TSA. This is the first TSA study to observe BMI on a continuum and observe at what point BMI is associated with increased risk of 2-year PJI following TSA. Our identified BMI strata can be incorporated into risk-stratifying models for predicting both PJI and 90-day major complications to minimize both.

The Financial Burden of Aspirin versus Oral Factor Xa Inhibitors for Thromboprophylaxis Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin and oral factor Xa inhibitor thromboprophylaxis regimens are associated with similarly low rates of venous thromboembolism following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the rate of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is lower with aspirin use. This study aimed to compare the cost differential between aspirin and factor Xa inhibitor thromboprophylaxis with respect to PJI management. METHODS: We used previously published rates of PJI following aspirin and factor Xa inhibitor thromboprophylaxis in primary TKA patients at a single, large institution. Prices for individual drugs were obtained from our hospital's pharmacy service. The cost of PJI included that of 2-stage septic revision, with or without the cost of 1-year follow-up. National data were obtained to determine annual projected TKA volume. RESULTS: The per-patient costs associated with a 28-day course of aspirin versus factor Xa inhibitor thromboprophylaxis were $17.36 and $3,784.20, respectively. Including cost of follow-up, per-patient costs for a 28-day course of aspirin versus factor Xa inhibitors increased to $73,358.76 and $77,125.60, respectively. The weighted average per-patient costs for a 28-day course were $237.38 and $4,370.93, respectively. The annual cost difference could amount to over $14.1 billion in the United States by 2040. CONCLUSIONS: The per-patient cost associated with factor Xa inhibitor thromboprophylaxis is as much as 1,980.6% higher than that of an aspirin regimen due to increased costs of primary treatment, differential PJI rates, and high costs of management. In an era of value-based care, the use of aspirin is associated with major cost advantages.