Preoperative opioid use in patients undergoing shoulder surgery.

BACKGROUND: Opioids are commonly used to manage pain from acute injury or chronic degenerative diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of preoperative opioid use in patients undergoing shoulder surgery and the clinical factors associated with preoperative opioid use. METHODS: This was an analytical cross-sectional study of 175 patients undergoing shoulder surgery at an urban hospital from June 2015 to June 2017. Multivariable regression models were used to determine independent associations. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients reported preoperative opioid use, which was significantly associated with primary procedure performed (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT]), higher body mass index (BMI), unemployment, lower income, smoking, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score, greater number of previous surgeries, higher comorbidity burden, and decreased expectations to exercise and do recreational activities (p < 0.05). Preoperative opioid use was independently associated with worse scores on the: Numeric Pain Scale, ASES, IPAQ, and PROMIS domains of Physical Function, Pain Interference, and Social Satisfaction (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: More than one in four patients reported preoperative opioid use. Several health measures, including worse pain, function, and social satisfaction were independently associated with preoperative opioid use. These findings suggest that orthopaedic surgeons need to identify patients using opioids preoperatively in order to effectively establish and execute a plan for pain management, which may include weaning off opioids prior to surgery, managing psychological distress, and optimizing coping strategies.Level of Evidence: III.

Preoperative Expectations of Patients Undergoing Knee Surgery.

There is limited validated data regarding the relationship between preoperative expectations and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients undergoing knee surgery. The purpose of this study was to (1) assess the preoperative expectations of patients undergoing knee surgery and (2) determine the relationship between preoperative patient demographics, PROs, and preoperative patient expectations. We hypothesized that younger patients with worse function and worse general health status would have greater expectations of knee surgery. We analyzed data from 399 patients undergoing knee surgery at an urban academic medical center. We utilized the Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management System to measure preoperative expectations. Multiple legacy PRO measures were recorded, as well as the new Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) Computer Adaptive Testing. Nonparametric statistical analyses were performed to determine significance. Overall, patients undergoing knee surgery had high expectations, with a mean of 88.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 86.7-89.3) and median of 91.7 (95% CI, 89.2-94.3). Greater preoperative expectations of knee surgery were associated with higher income, surgically naïve knee, lower Charlson Comorbidity Index, better PROMIS Depression and Anxiety scores, greater Marx knee activity scores, and lower total body pain (p < 0.05). Preoperative expectations of patients undergoing knee surgery are associated with a history of prior knee surgery, income, general and mental health, activity, and pain. Expectations were also found to be associated with PRO measures of function and psychological well-being. These findings may have implications for patient education and shared decision-making preoperatively. The level of evidence for the study is IV.

PROMIS physical function two weeks following orthopaedic surgery.

Many patients opt for elective orthopaedic procedures to regain physical function. However, little data exist about patient-reported early postoperative function. PURPOSE: To characterize physical function two weeks postoperative from upper and lower extremity orthopaedic surgery and to determine pre-operative factors that are associated with physical function two weeks following surgery. METHODS: Patients 17 years and older undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery at one institution were enrolled prospectively and completed questionnaires prior to surgery and again two weeks postoperatively. The questionnaires included: six of the PROMIS computer adaptive questionnaires: Physical Function (PF), Pain Interference, Fatigue, Social Satisfaction, Anxiety, and Depression; a joint-specific function questionnaire, a joint numeric pain scale, and a body numeric pain scale. Physical activity levels were measured using Tegner, IPAQ, and Marx. Responses were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient, ANOVA, and multivariate linear stepwise regression with two-week PF as the dependent variable. RESULTS: 435 patients (47% female) with mean age 41.1 ± 15.7 were included in our final analysis. Mean baseline PF score was 42.1 and mean two-week PF score was 35.5 (p < .0001). Patients undergoing upper extremity surgery had higher PF at two weeks than those undergoing lower extremity surgery (39.1 vs 32.2, p < .0001). Younger age, Hispanic ethnicity, preoperative narcotic use, injury prior to surgery, and procedure all had a significant relationship with lower 2-week postoperative PF score (p < 0.05). Numerous baseline and 2-week measures were correlated with postoperative PF score, with 2-week Social Satisfaction demonstrating the strongest correlation (rs = 0.604, p < .0001). Multivariable regression confirmed that the better preoperative PF score and upper extremity surgery were independent preoperative predictors of better 2-week PF scores. CONCLUSIONS: Patients have a significant decline in physical function following orthopaedic surgery, with those undergoing lower extremity surgery having a significantly greater decline. Many factors are associated with activity levels, including mental health, pain, and satisfaction. This information can be used to help manage patients' short-term expectations.

Use of a custom website by orthopaedic sports medicine surgical patients: If you build it, will they come?

BACKGROUND: Internet use is nearly ubiquitous, and orthopaedic patients are increasingly utilizing the Internet for medical information. The quality of resources available to patients is variable, and patients may benefit from physician guidance. A recent study showed only 11% of orthopaedic trauma patients accessed a custom-designed website developed by a physician. The purpose of this study was to determine whether orthopaedic sports medicine patients would use a custom-designed website and what factors would be associated with website use. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted of patients undergoing eight common orthopaedic sports medicine procedures from April 2017 to December 2017.108 patients were enrolled and provided access to the website that allowed tracking of each patient's website use. The sports medicine cohort was compared to a previously published trauma cohort using the same methodology in a similar population at the same institution. The custom-designed website was replicated from the previous trauma study, but with the patient information now focused on sports medicine conditions and procedures. Patients' access to the website, tracking of website use, data collection, and analysis was identical to the previous trauma cohort. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine which patient factors were associated with website use. RESULTS: 33 orthopaedic sports medicine patients (31%) accessed the website, and of those, 96% found the website helpful or very helpful. Orthopaedic sports medicine patients were nearly 3 times more likely to use the designated website than orthopaedic trauma patients (31% vs. 11%; p = 0.0004). Higher education predicted website use (p = 0.006). Age, gender, race, employment status, and household income were not predictive of use (p = 0.49, 0.27, 0.23, 0.15, 0.58; respectively). Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction was associated with website use as compared to meniscus and cartilage surgery (42% vs. 20%; p = 0.037). Nominal logistic regression analysis confirmed higher level of education (p = 0.00001) and ACL reconstruction (p = 0.0005) independently predicted website use. CONCLUSION: Orthopaedic sports medicine surgical patients are more likely to use a custom-designed informational website than orthopaedic trauma patients. However, only 31% of sports medicine patients accessed the website. Inherent differences between groups may account for the differences in website use. Higher level of education is predictive of website use, as is ACL reconstruction for knee surgery patients. Physicians should work to direct patients to high quality Internet resources given the vast amount of potentially unreliable information available.

Patients undergoing shoulder surgery have high preoperative expectations.

PURPOSE: The primary aims of this study were to (1) assess the preoperative expectations of patients undergoing shoulder surgery, and (2) determine the relationship between preoperative patient demographics, PROs, and preoperative patient expectations. It was hypothesized that younger patients with worse function and worse health status had higher expectations of shoulder surgery. METHODS: Data from a total of 319 patients (319 shoulders) from 2015-2018 were analyzed. Patients completed a series of questionnaires covering demographics and patient-reported outcome measures. Expectations of treatment were evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management System. Bivariate analyses were performed to determine the significance of identified associations. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 186 males and 133 females. The mean age was 46.9 (± 17.2), and the mean BMI was 30.1 (± 6.8). Overall, patients had high expectations of shoulder surgery, with a mean score of 84.7 (± 19.3). The most commonly performed procedure in the study population was arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. There was a significant association between pre-treatment expectations and ethnicity, previous shoulder surgery, employment status, income level, tobacco use, preoperative opioid use, depression, and ASA score. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that patients undergoing shoulder surgery have high overall preoperative expectations, which were significantly associated with ethnicity, surgical history, opioid use, and employment status, and with multiple patient-reported outcome measures including physical function, pain interference, fatigue, and depression. Nevertheless, by discussing expectations preoperatively, orthopaedic surgeons can help patients develop high but realistic expectations to improve outcomes and satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Evaluation of Preoperative Pain Using PROMIS Pain Interference in Knee Surgery Patients.

Given that pain relief is often the primary goal of orthopaedic surgery, an accurate assessment of pain is paramount. The objectives of this cross-sectional analytical study were to (1) compare how the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pain interference (PI) computer adaptive test (CT) performs against the Numeric Pain Scale (NPS) measure in evaluating pain, and (2) to determine demographic, clinical, and psychosocial correlates of PI in an urban population undergoing a variety of knee surgeries. We hypothesized that there would be a strong correlation between PI and NPS, with minimal floor and ceiling effects; and that a worse PI score would be associated with a worse general health profile. The sample consisted of 412 patients undergoing knee surgery at an urban academic center. Patients were preoperatively administered measures of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Bivariate and multivariable statistical analyses were performed to identify significant independent predictors. The mean PI score was 60.3 ± 7.2 and had no floor or ceiling effects, whereas NPS demonstrated a greater percentage of patients scoring at the extremes of the measure. Worse PI scores were associated with older age, higher body mass index (BMI), greater comorbidity, lower income, smoking, female gender, Hispanic ethnicity, Black race, unemployment, opioid use, lower expectations, and greater American Society of Anesthesiologists score (p < 0.05). Compared with other procedures, total knee arthroplasty was associated with worse PI scores and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was associated with better PI scores. Furthermore, PI demonstrated significant associations with a wide range of HRQOL measures. After controlling for confounding variables, worse PI was independently associated with older age, lower income, higher BMI, and smoking.

Evaluation of the PROMIS Physical Function Computer Adaptive Test in Patients Undergoing Knee Surgery.

A cross-sectional analysis of data derived from patients undergoing knee surgery at a single institution was conducted. The objectives of the study were to (1) compare how the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System physical function (PROMIS PF) computer adaptive test performs against the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form in evaluating functional status, and (2) to determine demographic, clinical, and psychosocial correlates of each outcome measure in an urban population undergoing a variety of knee surgeries. We hypothesized that there would be a strong correlation between PROMIS PF and IKDC, with minimal floor and ceiling effects, and similar clinical correlates. The sample consisted of 412 patients undergoing knee surgery. Bivariate and multivariable statistical analyses were performed to identify significant independent predictors. The PROMIS PF and IKDC scores were strongly correlated (r s = 0.71, p < 0.001), and neither exhibited floor nor ceiling effects. Lower body mass index, no preoperative opioid use, lower Charlson comorbidity index score, employment, and lower income were found to be significant independent predictors for better scores on both PROMIS PF and IKDC. Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty had significantly lower PROMIS PF and IKDC scores (p < 0.05). Potential explanations for these findings are presented, and clinical implications are discussed.

Management of symptomatic os acromiale: a survey of the American shoulder and elbow surgeons.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this paper was to survey members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) to assess their opinion on management options, help highlight important clinical factors, and elucidate surgical preferences for the treatment of a symptomatic meso-os. METHODS: An online questionnaire was distributed to the active members of the ASES. The survey queried surgeon demographics and perioperative management preferences, and presented multiple clinical case scenarios of patients with a presumed symptomatic, unstable os acromiale. RESULTS: There were 116 ASES members who responded to the survey, and 26% (n = 30) who stated they do not operatively manage a symptomatic os. We identified two main clusters of respondents. Cluster 1 (n = 67) (as compared to cluster 2, n = 19) was comprised of surgeons with significantly more experience treating a symptomatic os acromiale (p < 0.05). These surgeons regarded gender, age, BMI, and hand dominance as important clinical factors when deciding when to proceed to surgery. Overall, arthroscopic management of the os was preferred, but those surgeons more experienced in treating os acromiale preferred open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in specific clinical cases. CONCLUSION: The survey findings reflect the current lack of consensus in the treatment of a unstable, symptomatic os acromiale. Overall, arthroscopic management was preferred by most surgeons, though ORIF was preferred in certain clinical scenarios by those more experienced with os acromiale. The overall preference for arthroscopy suggests a possible shift in the treatment paradigm for patients with symptomatic meso-acromions, but higher level studies are needed to substantiate these findings.

Orthopaedic surgery patients who use recreational marijuana have less pre-operative pain.

AIMS: To determine the baseline clinical characteristics of recreational marijuana users undergoing outpatient orthopaedic surgery. We hypothesized that patients who report marijuana use would have worse pain, function, and general health status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nine-hundred and thirty-seven patients undergoing outpatient orthopaedic surgery were asked to fill out patient-reported outcome (PRO) tools. These PROs included the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) computer adaptive tests and legacy PROs unique to each patients' surgical site. RESULTS: Forty patients (4.2%) reported marijuana use. Marijuana use was associated with younger age (33 vs. 43 years, p < 0.001), having a history of fewer operations (1.8 vs. 3.2, p < 0.05), single marital status (68 vs. 38%, p < 0.01), and having a history of smoking cigarettes (63 vs. 31%, p < 0.0001). Marijuana use was found to be significantly associated with greater Marx lower extremity activity rating scale scores (8.5 points vs. 6.1 points, p < 0.05) and decreased pain intensity in the operative site (3.7 points vs. 5.0 points, p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis found that marijuana use was an independent factor associated with less pain intensity in the operative site (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our studies support other national studies that report increased marijuana use among younger patients and those who smoke cigarettes. The results do not support our hypothesis, as marijuana use was associated with less pain and better lower extremity activity rating scale scores when compared to non-users. Further research is warranted to analyze the effects of marijuana use on orthopaedic surgery patients. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

Preoperative Opioid Use in Knee Surgery Patients.

A cross-sectional analysis of data derived from patients undergoing knee surgery at a single institution was conducted. The objectives of the study were to determine the demographic, diagnostic, and psychologic factors associated with opioid use; and to determine the clinical correlates of opioid use. We hypothesized that preoperative opioid use would be associated with worse patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures. The sample consisted of 383 patients undergoing knee surgery. The patients were classified as either opioid or nonopioid users on the basis of medical record review. All participants completed a battery of clinical assessments, including the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System computer adaptive testing in six domains: Physical Function, Pain Interference, Fatigue, Social Satisfaction, Anxiety, and Depression. Analyses were conducted to examine clinical variables as a function of opioid use. The results indicated that opioid use was associated with female gender, unemployment, smoking, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, greater number of previous surgeries, depression or anxiety, and worse expectation of surgery (p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis found opioid use to be a significant independent predictor of multiple PRO measures in patients undergoing knee surgery. Potential explanations for these findings are presented, and clinical implications are discussed.

Patients' Use and Perception of Internet-Based Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Resources.

BACKGROUND: Current research is sparse regarding how patients with orthopaedic injuries perceive and use internet-based information resources. HYPOTHESIS: The majority of patients use the internet to research their orthopaedic condition and are receptive to guidance from their provider. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 213 patients attending a sports medicine clinic on the East Coast of the United States were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their use of internet-based information. Data from 185 patients were available for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to determine the significance of identified associations. RESULTS: Overall, 54% of patients used the internet to find information about their orthopaedic condition prior to their consultation. A higher percentage of internet users were women (P = .01), were white (P = .03), and had internet access at home (P = .02). Multivariable analysis found home internet access to be the only significant independent factor predictive of patients using internet-based information sources (P < .01). The majority of patients (61%) were neutral toward orthopaedic information found online, and only 32% of patients trusted the orthopaedic information they found online. The majority of patients (83%) reported they would be receptive to providers' guidance on which internet resources to use. CONCLUSION: Only half of patients use the internet to research their orthopaedic condition. Most patients were either neutral toward or did not trust the internet-based information that they found and may forgo internet sources altogether. To help patients avoid misleading information, sports medicine providers should understand how patients are using the internet and guide patients in selecting high-quality, peer-reviewed sources of information. Doing so allows physicians to proactively educate their patients even after the clinic visit.

The Maryland Orthopaedic Registry (MOR): Design and baseline characteristics of a prospective registry.

BACKGROUND: Utilization of patient-reported outcome tools allows a more accurate assessment of the efficacy of treatment, which is critical to comparative effectiveness research. OBJECTIVES: The Maryland Orthopaedic Registry (MOR) was established to assess post-surgical outcomes related to patients' pain, functional status, met expectations, and satisfaction using an electronic data collection system. Secondary aims of the registry include assessment of patient expectations of treatment, activity level, and general health status. METHODS: Adult patients enrolled in this prospective observational study completed self-report measures assessing pre-operative pain, function, treatment expectations, and activity levels during the perioperative period. MOR utilizes the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®)'computer adaptive testing for physical function, pain interference, fatigue, social satisfaction, anxiety, and depression. Perioperative data is extracted from the medical record. RESULTS: 300 patients (40% of eligible) have been enrolled into the initial cohort. Most patients (94.1%) were aged 18-65, and 57% were male. Fifty-seven percent of enrollees were White, 33% Black, and 4% Asian. PROMIS physical function and social satisfaction were both more than half a standard deviation below the population mean. Participants reported PROMIS anxiety scores that were half a standard deviation above the population mean and pain interference scores that were more than a standard deviation above the mean. Physical function scores were significantly worse among participants with lower extremity orthopaedic issues, but scores on other measures were similar between participants undergoing lower or upper extremity surgery. CONCLUSIONS: MOR provides a comprehensive assessment of patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. The utilization of electronic clinical assessment tools as well as computer adaptive testing allows for time-efficient data collection. The diverse population is a particular strength of MOR.