Outcomes of hip fracture surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: To investigate if changes to hospital operational models during the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted overall time to surgery (TtS) as well as morbidity and mortality rates of hip fractures (HFx). METHODS: 416 patients treated for OTA 31 fractures at a single institution between January 2019 and November 2020 were reviewed. TtS as well as morbidity and mortality rates were obtained from pre-pandemic and pandemic groups. RESULTS: 263 patients were treated pre-pandemic and 153 were treated during the pandemic. There were no significant differences in median TtS, readmission rates (p = 0.134), reoperation rates (p = 0.052), 30-day (p = 0.095) and 90-day (p = 0.22) mortality rates. CONCLUSION: Reallocation of hospital resources in response to the COVID-19 pandemic did not negatively impact surgical timing or complications. TtS for HFx remains a challenge and often requires multidisciplinary care, which is complicated by a pandemic. However, this study demonstrates HFx standard of care can be maintained despite COVID-19 obstacles to treatment efficiency and efficacy.

Parsonage-Turner Syndrome Following Lumbar Laminectomy and Discectomy: A Unique Case.

We describe the case of a 32-year-old female who developed bilateral Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS) following laminectomy/discectomy and fusion of L4-L5. As an underdiagnosed condition, this case serves as a critical reference for physicians to recognize and include PTS in their differential diagnosis when patients present with similar symptoms following a surgery with prone positioning. This can aid physicians to make a prompt diagnosis and begin proper treatment. Finally, this case also reinforces the importance of proper positioning in the operating room.

Characteristics of Traumatic Versus Atraumatic Rotator Cuff Tears in Patients Under 50 Years of Age.

BACKGROUND:  The prevalence of rotator cuff tears (RCTs) is known to be lower in younger patients compared to older patients. Recent studies in patients less than 50 years of age who sustain an RCT have focused on etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical outcomes following treatment. There are fewer studies that have focused on the demographics and clinical characteristics that may predispose this patient population to develop a tear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the difference in risk factors for degenerative tears compared to traumatic tears in patients under 50 years of age. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study utilized an internal registry of patients who had RCT injuries identified by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 code M75.1x and confirmed by MRI between 2018 and 2023. Patients 50 years of age or younger were included and then classified into traumatic versus atraumatic RCT etiology groups. Demographics, tear characteristics, and clinical comorbidities were compared between the cohorts. Statistical analyses included a two-sided student's t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: A total of 177 patients under 50 years of age were identified. There was a higher prevalence of traumatic tears (59.9% vs. 40.1%; p = 0.008), the majority of whom identified as male (75.5% vs. 49.3%, p<0.001) when compared to the atraumatic cohort. Full-thickness tears were more likely to be traumatic (p = 0.04) and seen in patients insured by workers' compensation (p = 0.05). There was no significant difference in the age or preoperative comorbidities between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals a higher incidence of traumatic RCTs in a younger patient group. Sex, severity of tear, and workers' compensation were found to differ between traumatic and atraumatic cohorts. Further research is required to understand the interplay of these factors in younger patients' tear risk.

Differences in Risk Factors for Rotator Cuff Tears in Young Versus Old Individuals.

Background The etiology of rotator cuff tears is thought to be multifactorial with current literature that varies with regard to identifiable risk factors. The purpose of this retrospective review was to identify risk factors for full-thickness rotator cuff tears and determine whether they differ in young versus older individuals. Methods To determine the presence or absence of a rotator cuff tear, 1,561 patients with a shoulder MRI were reviewed. If a tear was present, it was further classified into a partial or full-thickness tear. Demographic variables and clinical data were collected and analyzed with a two-sided Student's t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and a Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Age and BMI were dichotomized using receiver operator curves. Results Charlson Comorbidity Index, age, BMI, sex, race, and work status were all factors that variably affected a patient's risk of experiencing a rotator cuff tear, with different factors carrying more influence on outcomes within those who are older versus those who are younger. Gender and race were found to differ as risk factors between young and older individuals. Conclusion We were able to identify risk factors overall associated with increased odds of sustaining a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. Our analyses also showed differences in the effect of gender and race as risk factors between young and older patients with rotator cuff tears. This finding may aid clinicians in counseling patients on more specific risks for their given age.

Mental Health Disorders and Surgical Outcomes in Patients With Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a study to investigate the relationship between a mental health diagnosis (MHD) and postoperative outcomes in orthopedic patients with bone and soft tissue sarcoma. We hypothesized that patients with sarcoma with a preoperative MHD would have worse outcomes and more postoperative complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 356 patients who underwent surgical treatment for bone or soft tissue sarcoma. Patients were divided into two groups: those with a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and/or schizophrenia and those with no previous MHD. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t, Mann-Whitney U, and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Statistical analysis demonstrated significant differences between the MHD group and the control group in three outcomes: length of stay, 90-day readmission rate, and incidence of surgical site infections. Subgroup analysis of the MHD group yielded significantly higher 90-day readmission rates for patients who were diagnosed during sarcoma treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients with sarcoma and an MHD had a longer postoperative hospital stay, an increased 90-day readmission rate, and a greater risk of surgical site infection. Given the rising prevalence of mental health disorders nationwide, orthopedic surgeons should be aware of differences in postoperative outcomes between patients with sarcoma with and without mental illness. [Orthopedics. 20XX;4X(X):XXX-XXX.].

A Review of Surgical Irrigation Solutions for Infection Prevention in Orthopaedic Surgery.

¼ Intraoperative surgical irrigation is a common practice in orthopaedic procedures, although there is no universally established standard of care due to a lack of concrete data supporting an optimal irrigation agent.¼ Isotonic normal saline has long been considered a safe and cost effective solution for wound irrigation as compared with other antibiotic and antiseptic irrigation solutions.¼ Currently, the only adjunct to saline that is formally supported by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and World Health Organization is povidone-iodine.¼ Further in vivo clinical studies are needed to identify the ideal irrigation solution that carries low cytotoxic effects while also exerting optimal antimicrobial properties.

Cefiderocol for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia prosthetic joint infection: a case report.

Treatment of Stenotrophonomas maltophilia infections is difficult due to its predilection to form biofilms and susceptibility to a limited number of antibiotics. We report a case of S. maltophilia-associated periprosthetic joint infection successfully treated with a combination of the novel therapeutic agent, cefiderocol, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole after debridement and implant retention.

Characterization of the gut microbiome in an osteosarcoma mouse model.

Compelling evidence has mounted surrounding the relationship between the gut microbiome and many intestinal and extraintestinal cancers. Few studies exist investigating the relationship between the gut microbiome and sarcoma. We hypothesize that the presence of distant osteosarcoma induces change to the profile of flora within the mouse. Twelve mice were used for this experiment: six were sedated and received an injection of human osteosarcoma cells into the flank, while six served as controls. Baseline stool and weight were collected. Tumor size and mouse weight were recorded weekly, and stool samples were collected and stored. Fecal microbiomes of the mice were profiled by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analyzed for alpha diversity, relative abundances of microbial taxa, and abundance of specific bacteria at different time points. Alpha diversity was increased in the osteosarcoma group compared with the control group. The family Lachnospiraceae had the second strongest negative net average change in relative abundance over time in the osteosarcoma group whereas it had a positive net average change in the control group. An increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidota (F/B) ratio was observed in the osteosarcoma group relative to the control mice. These differences suggest that there may be an interplay between the gut microbiome and osteosarcoma. Clinical significance: Due to the paucity of literature available, our work can support novel research on this relationship and the development of new, personalized treatments for osteosarcoma.

Mental health disorders and pain modulation in orthopedic shoulder patients.

Background: Various studies have examined the relationship between preoperative mental health diagnoses (MHDs) and postoperative outcomes in orthopedic shoulder patients. However, few investigations delve into the relationship between a preoperative MHD and postoperative opioid pain control regimens in patients who have undergone rotator cuff repair (RCR), total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), and reverse TSA (rTSA). We hypothesize that orthopedic shoulder patients with a preoperative MHD will be prescribed more opioids (ie, request more refills) postoperatively than those without a MHD. Methods: An institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review was performed on 438 patients, 18 years or older, who underwent RCR, TSA, or rTSA. Patients were divided into two groups: those diagnosed with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and/or schizophrenia (n = 193), and those with no previous MHD (n = 245). Statistical outcomes were analyzed with the independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, one-way Analysis of Variance, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Univariate analysis demonstrated significant differences between the MHD group and non-MHD group in average 90-day postoperative opioid scripts (2.10 vs. 1.55, respectively, P < .001) and median 90-day postoperative morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) prescribed (225 MME vs. 185.25 MME, respectively, P < .001). Among patients who were opioid naive 90 days preoperatively, significant differences were found in MMEs prescribed between the MHD and non-MHD group (225 MME vs. 150 MME, respectively, P < .001). Further analysis of opioid naive patients with specifically depression compared to patients with an alternate or no MHD diagnosis yielded significant differences in scripts (1.78 vs. 1.33, respectively, P = .031) and MMEs prescribed (225 MME vs. 150 MME, respectively, P < .001). Conclusion: This study found that RCR, TSA, or rTSA patients with a preoperative MHD were prescribed significantly more postoperative MMEs and more opioid scripts (ie, requested more refills) than those without MHD. This is despite preoperative education on postoperative pain expectations and limiting opioid use. Our findings support our hypothesis and emphasize the clinical importance of recognizing mental health disease while navigating postoperative pain control expectations. Given the rising prevalence of mental health disorders nationwide, considering the effect of these comorbidities on postoperative pain in RCR, TSA, and rTSA patients will be essential to enhance preoperative and postoperative counseling and management by orthopedic surgeons. We further recommend a multidisciplinary approach to help manage pain in these patients.

Teres Minor Muscle Atrophy: Anatomy, Patterns, and Clinical Manifestations.

➢: Isolated teres minor atrophy has a reported incidence in the literature of 3% to 6.2%. ➢: There are 2 distinct muscular bundles of the teres minor that have varying degrees of atrophy. Fatty degeneration of the medial-dorsal component exceeds that of the lateral-ventral component in most cases. ➢: A healthy and intact teres minor muscle is of functional importance in the setting of a complete infraspinatus tear because it becomes the only external rotator of the shoulder joint. ➢: Clinical and functional outcomes after rotator cuff repair and reverse shoulder arthroplasty for patients with teres minor atrophy in the setting of a rotator cuff tear are still controversial.

Intraosseous Lipoma: An Elusive Cause of Long Bone Pain: A Case Series.

Introduction: Intraosseous lipomas are benign tumors composed of mature fat that reside within the intramedullary canal. Although many cases are asymptomatic, some patients report pain that interferes with daily living. For patients presenting with refractory pain, surgical excision may be performed. These tumors were once thought to be rare, but a recent increase in awareness and diagnostic capability may contradict this. Case Presentations: A 27-year-old female presented with a 3-month history of deep and aching pain in her left shoulder. The second patient was a 24-year-old female who presented with a 3-year history of pain in her right tibia. The third was a 50 year old female who presented with a 4-month history of deep pain in her right humerus. The fourth patient was a 34-year-old female who presented with a 6-month history of the left heel pain. All were found to have intraosseous lipomas and were treated with excisional curettage, achieving resolution of symptoms. Conclusion: These cases may help orthopedists better understand the presentation and treatment of intraosseous lipomas due to several shared characteristics. We also hope that this report may lead clinicians to include this pathology in their differential diagnosis when patients present with similar symptoms. As the prevalence of these tumors appears to be increasing, efficient diagnosis and treatment will become increasingly valuable to orthopedists and patients.