Clinical Outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty With Concomitant Total Ankle Arthroplasty Versus Ankle Arthrodesis.

Prior studies have demonstrated a high incidence of ankle osteoarthritis (OA) in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) as well as inferior outcomes in the setting of ankle OA or hindfoot malalignment. Little is known about the effect of the 2 most common surgical treatments for ankle OA, ankle arthrodesis and total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) on TKA. This hypothesis is that the preservation of ankle motion afforded by total ankle arthroplasty may reduce pathologic stresses across the knee joint. This study compares outcomes of patients who underwent both TKA and TAA versus those that underwent TKA and ankle arthrodesis. We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of patients who had undergone TKA and either TAA or ankle arthrodesis at this institution, examining knee injury and OA outcome scores, foot and ankle ability measure scores, revision surgery, knee range of motion, and pain. There were 69 eligible subjects, 13 who had undergone total knee arthroplasty and total ankle arthroplasty and 56 who had undergone TKA and ankle arthrodesis. No significant differences were observed in KOOS Jr scores, FAAM scores, incidence of revision, knee range of motion, or pain at final follow up (p > .05). Mean follow-up time was 46 months after both surgeries were completed. Equivalent outcomes were observed between the 2 groups. The presence of a TKA should not alter the indications for treatment of ankle OA with TAA versus arthrodesis. Further studies are needed as these relatively rare concomitant procedures are likely to become more common in the future.

Traditional Versus Digital Media-Based Hand Therapy After Distal Radius Fracture.

PURPOSE: Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are common injuries with a rising incidence. A substantial portion of the cost of care is attributable to therapy services. Our purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-directed hand therapy program guided by digital media compared with that of traditional therapy. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in patients aged 18 years or older who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of a DRF with volar plating. Subjects were randomized to traditional hand therapy using a 12-week protocol or an identical protocol presented in digital videos and performed at home. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) scores were collected as the primary outcome at 2 weeks (baseline), 6 weeks, and 12 weeks or greater. Pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) scores, wrist and forearm range of motion, wrist circumference, and grip strength were recorded as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were enrolled. Forty-nine patients were included in the analysis-21 in the digital media group and 28 in the traditional group. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in QuickDASH scores between baseline and 12-week or greater time points. The QuickDASH scores in the digital media group were slightly more improved than those in the traditional group at the 6-week and 12-week or greater time points; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Pain VAS and VR-12 scores were comparable between group differences at each time point. CONCLUSIONS: Our digital media program was at least as effective as traditional therapy for patients undergoing volar plating of DRF. These results may help inform the design of future trials investigating the effectiveness of digital media-based hand therapy programs. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic II.

The Risk of Curve Progression and Surgery in African Americans With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To determine if certain risk factors (age, curve magnitude, skeletal maturity, gender, and curve pattern) traditionally associated with curve progression and surgical intervention in the general population apply equally to African Americans. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Currently, information is limited on the role that a patient's race plays in the risk of curve progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), and existing studies have conflicting results. METHODS: Retrospective search of records identified patients who were African American, had been diagnosed with AIS, had a major curve Cobb angle of 10 degrees or more, and had at least two clinical visits with spinal radiographs at least 90 days apart to determine the risk factors for surgical treatment, and 2 years apart to determine the risk factors for curve progression. Patients with a medical condition likely to cause scoliosis were excluded. RESULTS: Of 738 African American patients with AIS, 223 were assessed for surgical risk factors, and 72 were assessed for curve progression risk factors. Fifty-six (29.17%) had progression of the major coronal curve, and 38 (17.04%) underwent surgery. Age at presentation and curve magnitude at presentation were significant risk factors for surgical intervention. Curve magnitude at presentation was a significant risk factor for curve progression. No significant relationships were found for gender or curve type as they relate to surgical intervention or curve progression. CONCLUSION: Age and curve magnitude at presentation were significantly associated with surgery, as is true in other scoliosis populations. Curve magnitude at presentation was associated with curve progression. In contrast to studies in other populations, however, no significant association was observed between curve progression and age at presentation, curve type, or gender, or between surgery and curve type or gender. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, prognostic cohort study.