Clinical and radiological outcomes in lateralized versus nonlateralized and distalized glenospheres in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Lateralization in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has been used to theoretically offer the potential benefits of reduced scapular notching rates and improved stability and range of motion (ROM), particularly external rotation. The aim of this study was to compare ROM and clinical and radiographic outcomes between patients who underwent RTSA with a lateralized vs. a nonlateralized and distalized glenosphere. METHODS: A single-surgeon randomized control trial was conducted comparing 27 patients with a lateralized glenosphere and 26 patients with a nonlateralized and distalized glenosphere. A total of 66 patients were enrolled, 2 patients died before 2-year follow-up, 4 patients withdrew from the study, and 7 patients were lost to follow-up. All patients in the lateralized group received 6 mm of lateralization through the glenosphere. Participants represented a population presenting to an orthopedics sports medicine clinic with any indication for RTSA including revision arthroplasty. Patients completed preoperative and routine postoperative functional outcome measures 3, 6, 12, and a minimum of 24 months postoperatively, including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Upper Extremity, and Activities of Daily Living Requiring Active External and Internal Rotation assessments. Patients were also evaluated with ROM and radiographic measurements. The primary outcome of interest in this study was ROM, particularly external rotation. RESULTS: At 2-year follow-up, both groups had significant improvement in their American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Upper Extremity, and Activities of Daily Living Requiring Active External and Internal Rotation scores with no significant difference observed between the groups. There were no statistically significant differences in incidence of scapular notching or acromial stress fractures. ROM in both groups improved significantly at their 2-year assessment with the only exception to this being external rotation at 90° of abduction in the nonlateralized and distalized group (39° ± 31° vs. 48° ± 24°, P = .379). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of glenosphere lateralization status, patients in both groups had significant improvement in functional outcome scores and ROM, and there were no significant differences observed between the groups at 2-year follow-up. Longer follow-up is needed to determine the effect of implant design on late complications, long-term outcomes, and implant retention.

The "Well-Cap" Technique: Screw Insertion for Pelvic Nutrient Foramen Hemostasis.

Several approaches to the pelvis and acetabulum involve subperiosteal dissection of the iliacus from the internal iliac fossa.Typically bleeding is encountered from the nutrient foramen located near the sacroiliac joint. Bone wax and electrocautery have traditionally been used to achieve hemostasis from this foramen but produce inconsistent results.The authors of this technical tip describe a novel technique of inserting a cortical screw directly into the foramen tocontrol osseous hemorrhage.This technique has been consistently effective at achieving hemostasis in cases of refractory bleeding and has produced no complications. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 27(3):246-250, 2018).

Low interobserver and intraobserver reliability using the Matta radiographic system for intraoperative assessment of reduction following acetabular ORIF.

INTRODUCTION: The system described by Matta for rating acetabular fracture quality of reduction following ORIF has been used extensively throughout the literature. However, the reliability of this system remains to be validated. We sought to determine the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of this system when used by fellowship-trained pelvic and acetabular surgeons to evaluate intraoperative fluoroscopy. METHODS: This is a retrospective evaluation of a prospectively collected acetabular fracture database at an academic level I trauma center. The quality of reduction of all acetabular fractures treated with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) between May 2013 and December 2015 was assessed using three standard intraoperative fluoroscopic views (anteroposterior and two 45˚ oblique Judets). Displacement of ≤1 mm was considered to be an anatomic reduction, 2-3 mm imperfect, and >3 mm poor according to the system described by Matta. A total of 107 acetabular fractures treated with ORIF with complete intraoperative fluoroscopic images during that time period were available for review. Acetabular fracture reductions were reviewed by the operative surgeon at the time of surgery and subsequently reviewed by two fellowship-trained pelvic and acetabular surgeons. All reduction assessments were performed in a blinded fashion. The primary outcome measure was interobserver reliability for assessing reduction quality. This was evaluated using a weighted kappa (κw) statistic between each evaluator and the operative surgeon and a generalized kappa (κg) for all 3 surgeons. After a 6-week "washout interval," the surgeons reviewed the images again and intraobserver agreement was calculated using a weighted kappa statistic. RESULTS: Interobserver reliability based on the initial assessment was low (κg = 0.09); however, did slightly improve with the second assessment to fair (κg = 0.24). Intraobserver reliability ranged from slight (κw = 0.20) to moderate (κw = 0.53) among the surgeons. DISCUSSION: Low interobserver and intraobserver reliability was found when quality of reduction was assessed with intraoperative fluoroscopic images by the operative and two other pelvic and acetabular surgeons using the Matta system. Given the importance of an anatomic reduction on functional and radiographic outcomes, an accurate and reliable system for assessing intraoperative quality of reduction is essential.

Pediatric and Adolescent Fractures of the Acetabulum Treated With ORIF: What Are Their Functional Outcomes?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the functional outcomes of pediatric and adolescent patients (<18 year old) who sustained acetabulum fractures that were treated with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS: Thirty-four pediatric and adolescent patients underwent acetabulum fracture ORIF between 2001 and 2018. Of the operatively treated patients, 21 patients had sufficient follow-up (>6 months), one died after fixation secondary to other traumatic injuries, and 12 patients were lost to follow-up. INTERVENTION: Acetabulum fracture ORIF. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: The SF-36 Health Survey and Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA) were compared with population norms. The modified Merle d'Aubigné clinical hip score, Matta radiologic outcome, and postoperative complications were also documented. RESULTS: Functional outcome data were available at a mean of 5 years 2 months. Mean SF-36 scores were 44.8 and 50.1 for the physical component score and mental component scores, respectively, which did not differ significantly from US population norms (physical component score mean: 50, P = 0.061 and mental component score mean: 50, P = 0.973). Furthermore, the mean SMFA Bother Index score was 18.6, which is not significantly different from the population norm mean of 13.8 (P = 0.268). However, the function index mean was 31.9, which was significantly worse than the population norm mean of 12.7 (P = 0.001). Two patients with a delayed reduction (>6 hours) of an acetabulum fracture dislocation had poor outcomes related to the development of avascular necrosis and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION: In this small cohort, 86% (18/21) of these patients had a favorable functional outcome with the exception of the SMFA Functional Index that was significantly less than population norms. Although long-term follow-up is needed, we advocate for operative management of pediatric and adolescent acetabulum fractures when adult displacement and instability criteria are present. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Prevention of the Infected Fracture: Evidence-Based Strategies for Success!

There is a significant burden of disease associated with infected fractures, and their management is challenging. Prevention of infection after musculoskeletal trauma is essential because treatment of an established infection continues to be a major obstacle. Despite the need for evidence-based decision making, there is a lack of consensus around strategies for prevention and surgical management of the infected fracture. The current evidence for the prevention of the infected fracture is reviewed here with a focus on evidence for antibiotic therapy and debridement, the induced membrane technique, management of soft-tissue defects, patient optimization, and adjuncts to prevent infection.

Factors Predictive of Blocking Screw Placement in Retrograde Nailing of Distal Femur Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: (1) Identify factors that predict blocking screw placement in the treatment of a distal femur fracture with retrograde nail fixation and (2) determine whether acceptable alignment and stability were achieved in fractures that received blocking screws. DESIGN: Retrospective Comparative Study. SETTING: Level I Trauma Center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Between 2011 and 2017, we identified 84 patients with distal third femur fractures treated with a retrograde femoral nail. Data were analyzed according to those who did (BLOCK, n = 30) and did not (NO BLOCK, n = 54) receive blocking screws. Patients in both groups were treated by orthopaedic trauma surgeons; postoperative weight-bearing radiographs were obtained of every patient. INTERVENTION: Fixation using a retrograde femoral nail with or without blocking screws. Blocking screws were placed at the discretion of the treating surgeon to reduce malaligned fractures or improve stability. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: (1) Demographics, radiographic apparent bone gap (RABG), space available for the nail (SAFN), and distal segment length [as a ratio of bicondylar width (BCW)]; and (2) post-operative alignment and stability (change in alignment over time). RESULTS: Patients treated with blocking screws had a higher body mass index (BMI) (BLOCK: 29.0, NO BLOCK 25.7, P = 0.03). In addition, the BLOCK group had larger RABGs (BLOCK: 8.2 mm, NO BLOCK: 3.6 mm, P = 0.02), more SAFN (BLOCK: 51.4 mm, NO BLOCK: 39.8 mm, P = 0.02), and shorter distal segments (BLOCK: 1.7 × BCW, NO BLOCK: 2.0 × BCW, P = 0.01). In a multivariable logistic regression, the combination of these factors was significantly predictive of blocking screw placement with a large effect size (R = 0.36, P < 0.01). A distal segment length ≤ ×2 BCW was 77% sensitive for blocking screw placement, and a BMI ≥25 kg/m was 70% sensitive. Negative predictive values for blocking screw placement were distal segment length > ×2 BCW (79%), BMI <25 kg/m (77%), RABG <4 mm (76%), and SAFN <50 mm (71%). Patients that received blocking screws had acceptable postoperative alignment and stability, similar to fractures that did not receive blocking screws (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study of distal femur fractures treated with retrograde nails identified several factors that can be used to predict when blocking screw placement may be useful for increasing stability and maintaining alignment in distal third femur fractures treated with retrograde IM nails. Patients treated with blocking screws had a higher BMI, greater cortical bone loss, more SAFN, and shorter distal segments. There was no difference in postoperative alignment or stability between the 2 groups. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Patient Perceptions of Surgeon Reimbursement for Rotator Cuff Repair.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies in the arthroplasty, spine, and shoulder and elbow literature have shown that patients perceive Medicare reimbursement to surgeons to be much higher than current reimbursement schedules. PURPOSE: To evaluate patient perceptions of surgeon reimbursement for various rotator cuff repair (RCR) procedures. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: We surveyed 153 patients who presented to a single surgeon's orthopaedic sports medicine clinic between October 2016 and March 2017. Patients with a new complaint of hip or knee pain, those with a new complaint of shoulder pain, or those who had undergone shoulder surgery 1 year or more prior to their current visit were included. Patients were asked how much they thought surgeons should be reimbursed for RCR procedures, including arthroscopic repair of a simple tear and a massive tear as well as open repair of an acute tear and a chronic tear. They were also asked to estimate how much they thought surgeons were reimbursed by Medicare for these procedures. They were then given actual Medicare reimbursement rates for these procedures and asked whether they believed surgeons should be reimbursed that amount. RESULTS: For arthroscopic repair of a rotator cuff tear, patients believed that surgeons should receive a mean (±SEM) reimbursement of US$5645 ± $442. This was significantly more than their estimate of what surgeons were actually reimbursed by Medicare ($3644 ± $408; P = .001). Patients also believed that surgeons should be reimbursed more than their estimate of what surgeons were actually reimbursed for arthroscopic repair of a massive tear ($8066 ± $708 vs $4694 ± $476; P = .0001), open repair of an acute tear ($8428 ± $768 vs $4549 ± $396; P = .00001), and open repair of a chronic tear ($8902 ± $844 vs $4639 ± $438; P = .00001). Both types of patient perceptions were higher than the actual state Medicare reimbursement data for all procedures surveyed (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Consistent with previous literature, patients perceive Medicare reimbursement for RCR to be higher than what surgeons are actually reimbursed. As the United States health care system enters a bundled care environment, price transparency is increasingly important. This study indicates a need for patient education on how their health care costs are allocated.

Underappreciated Factors to Consider in Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Current Concepts Review.

Primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions (ACLRs) are being performed with increasing frequency. While many of these will have successful outcomes, failures will occur in a subset of patients who will require revision ACLRs. As such, the number of revision procedures will continue to rise as well. While many reviews have focused on factors that commonly contribute to failure of primary ACLR, including graft choice, patient factors, early return to sport, and technical errors, this review focused on several factors that have received less attention in the literature. These include posterior tibial slope, varus malalignment, injury to the anterolateral ligament, and meniscal injury or deficiency. This review also appraised several emerging techniques that may be useful in the context of revision ACL surgery. While outcomes of revision ACLR are generally inferior to those of primary procedures, identifying these potentially underappreciated contributing factors preoperatively will allow the surgeon to address them at the time of revision, ideally improving patient outcomes and preventing recurrent ACL failure.

Spondylocostal Dysostosis: A Literature Review and Case Report with Long-Term Follow-Up of a Conservatively Managed Patient.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with spondylocostal dysostosis (SCD) have congenital spine and rib deformities associated with frequently severe thoracic insufficiency and respiratory compromise. The literature is largely composed of case reports and small cohorts, and there is little information regarding adults with this condition. In this report, we describe the natural history of a conservatively treated patient and include quality-of-life issues such as childbearing, athletic participation, and occupational selection. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a patient with SCD who was conservatively treated by a single physician from birth for 31 years. Our patient was capable of a reasonably good quality of life through adulthood, including participation in gymnastics and employment. At age 18, she became pregnant and subsequently terminated the pregnancy due to obstetrical concerns for compromised respiration. She has had intermittent respiratory complaints and occasionally experiences dyspnea with exertion, but this only has limited her during certain activities in the past three years. Currently, she takes naproxen for chronic back pain with periodic exacerbations. DISCUSSION: Other cases in the literature have described adult SCD patients who have received nonoperative treatment and achieved a wide range of functional outcomes. This provides some limited evidence to suggest that select patients with SCD may be treated conservatively and achieve a reasonable quality of life. However, close clinical follow-up with these patients is recommended, particularly early on, considering the high rates of infant morbidity and mortality. Chest physiotherapy and early pulmonary care have been associated with favorable outcomes in infancy. Surgery to increase thoracic volume and correct scoliosis has been shown in some cases to improve respiratory function. Treatment depends on the degree of thoracic insufficiency and quality of life. The natural history of SCD remains largely unknown, but some patients are capable of relatively favorable life spans, employment, and participation in athletics.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Adamantinoma of the Tibia Complicated by Metastases and a Second Unrelated Primary Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Adamantinoma is a rare, low-grade malignant tumor of the bone which grows slowly and typically occurs in the diaphysis of long bones, particularly in the tibia. Adamantinomas have the potential for local recurrence and may metastasize to the lungs, lymph nodes, or bone. We report a case of a 14-year-old female with a tibial adamantinoma who underwent wide resection with limb salvage and has subsequently been followed up for 18 years. The patient went on to have both a local soft tissue recurrence 5 years after the resection and metastases to both an inguinal lymph node and the right lower lobe of the lung 8 years after that recurrence, all of which have been treated successfully with marginal resections. Unique to this case, the patient was also incidentally found to have chromophobe-type renal cell carcinoma when undergoing a partial nephrectomy to resect a presumed metastasis of her adamantinoma. Genetic testing has not revealed any known genetic predisposition to cancer.

"Iatrogenic" Segmental Defect: How I Debride High-Energy Open Tibial Fractures.

High-energy, open tibial shaft fractures may result in significant comminution, bone loss, and soft tissue injuries. Early, thorough debridement of all nonviable tissue is of critical importance in treating these fractures as an inadequate initial debridement increases the risk of infection and nonunion. Large iatrogenic bone and soft tissue defects can result from debridement and will require subsequent reconstruction by both orthopaedic and plastic surgeons. Although a variety of approaches exist to address these reconstructions, successful management of bone defects remains a considerable challenge. In this article, we detail our approach to debridement and reconstruction of segmental tibial defects and provide a review on the literature on this topic.