Ten Year Outcomes of Contemporary Total Hip Arthroplasty in Adolescent and Young Adult Patients are Favorable.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess 10-year patient-reported outcome measures, complications, polyethylene wear-rates, and implant survivorships in patients ≤30 years of age treated with contemporary total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 121 patients (144 hips) who underwent THA at age ≤30 years (mean 23 [range, 11 to 30]) at an average follow-up duration of 10.7 years (range, 8 to 17). Highly-crosslinked polyethylene acetabular liners were used in all cases. Femoral heads were ceramic (74%) or cobalt-chrome (26%). There were 52 hips (36%) that had previous surgery and 31 hips (22%) were in patients who had associated major systemic comorbidities. We analyzed the modified Harris Hip scores, University of California Los Angeles Activity Scores, major complications, polyethylene wear-rates, and implant survivorships. RESULTS: At final follow-up, the average modified Harris Hip scores improved from 47 (±15.1) to 81 (±19.5) with an average 34-point improvement. The University of California Los Angeles scores improved from 4.0 (±2.3) to 6.0 (±2.4). The major complication rate was 5.6%. There were 6 hips (4.2%) that were revised. Indications for revision included instability (3, 2.1%), late infection (1, 0.7%), liner dissociation (1, 0.7%), and acetabular loosening (1, 0.7%). Mean linear (0.0438 mm/y) and volumetric (29.07 mm3/y) wear rates were low. No periprosthetic osteolysis was detected in any hip. Survivorship free from revision for any reason was 97.2, 95.8, and 95.8% at 5, 10, and 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary THA in patients ≤30 years of age is associated with marked clinical improvements at 10-year follow-up and encouraging survivorship estimates at 15 years.

A Psycholgical Intervention Delivered by Automated Mobile Phone Messaging Stabilized Hip and Knee Function During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) delivered via a mobile phone messaging robot to patients who had their total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty procedures postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Ninety patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty who experienced surgical delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic were randomized to the ACT group, receiving 14 days of twice daily automated mobile phone messages, or the control group, who received no messages. Minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) in preintervention and postintervention patient-reported outcome measures were utilized to evaluate the intervention. RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent of ACT group participants improved and achieved MCID on the Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Information System Physical Health compared to 17.5% in the control group (P = .038; number needed to treat [NNT] 5). For the joint-specific Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Joint Replacement and Knee Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Joint Replacement (KOOS JR), 24% of the ACT group achieved MCID compared to 2.5% in the control group (P = .004; NNT 5). An improvement in the KOOS JR was found in 29% of the ACT group compared to 4.2% in the control group (P = .028; NNT 5). Fourteen percent of the ACT group participants experienced a clinical important decline in the KOOS JR compared to 41.7% in the control group (P = .027; NNT 4). CONCLUSION: A psychological intervention delivered via a text messaging robot improved physical function and prevented decline in patient-reported outcome measures in patients who experienced an unexpected surgical delay during the COVID-19 pandemic. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1.

Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients With Osteoarthritis Associated With Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: Perioperative Complications and Patient-Reported Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Complications and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) have demonstrated variable results. The purpose of this study was to use a validated grading scheme to analyze complications associated with THA in patients with residual LCPD deformities. Second, we report PROs and intermediate-term survivorship in this patient population. METHODS: A retrospective, single-center review was performed on 61 hips in 61 patients who underwent THA for residual Perthes disease. Average patient age was 42 years and 26% of hips had previous surgery. Complications were determined and categorized using a validated grading scheme that included five grades based on the treatment required to manage the complication and on persistent disability. PROs were compared from preoperative to most recent follow-up time points. RESULTS: Major complications (grade III) occurred in three patients (5%) which each required a second surgical intervention. The most common minor grade I or II complications (11.5%) were asymptomatic heterotopic ossification (3.3%). Patients were lengthened on the surgical side an average of 1.4 cm with no nerve palsies. All patient PROs improved from preoperative to postoperative time points with the modified Harris Hip Score improving from 46.9 preoperatively to 85.4 postoperatively (P < .01). Patients free from revision for any reason at final follow-up (5.6 years; range 2-13 years) was 98.4% with one patient needing a revision of their femoral component. CONCLUSIONS: THA for the sequelae of the LCPD has an acceptable complication rate and provides excellent patient reported outcomes at mid-term follow-up.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Delivered via a Mobile Phone Messaging Robot to Decrease Postoperative Opioid Use in Patients With Orthopedic Trauma: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a pragmatic approach to help individuals decrease avoidable pain. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effects of ACT delivered via an automated mobile messaging robot on postoperative opioid use and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with orthopedic trauma who underwent operative intervention for their injuries. METHODS: Adult patients presenting to a level 1 trauma center who underwent operative fixation of a traumatic upper or lower extremity fracture and who used mobile phone text messaging were eligible for the study. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group, who received twice-daily mobile phone messages communicating an ACT-based intervention for the first 2 weeks after surgery, or the control group, who received no messages. Baseline PROs were completed. Two weeks after the operative intervention, follow-up was performed in the form of an opioid medication pill count and postoperative administration of PROs. The mean number of opioid tablets used by patients was calculated and compared between groups. The mean PRO scores were also compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 82 subjects were enrolled in the study. Of the 82 participants, 76 (38 ACT and 38 controls) completed the study. No differences between groups in demographic factors were identified. The intervention group used an average of 26.1 (SD 21.4) opioid tablets, whereas the control group used 41.1 (SD 22.0) tablets, resulting in 36.5% ([41.1-26.1]/41.1) less tablets used by subjects receiving the mobile phone-based ACT intervention (P=.004). The intervention group subjects reported a lower postoperative Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Information System Pain Intensity score (mean 45.9, SD 7.2) than control group subjects (mean 49.7, SD 8.8; P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the delivery of an ACT-based intervention via an automated mobile messaging robot in the acute postoperative period decreased opioid use in selected patients with orthopedic trauma. Participants receiving the ACT-based intervention also reported lower pain intensity after 2 weeks, although this may not represent a clinically important difference. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03991546; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03991546.

Opioid Prescription Refills After Osteochondral Procedures of the Knee.

PURPOSE: (1) To assess the incidence of postoperative opioid prescription refills in patients undergoing osteochondral autograft transplant (OAT) and osteochondral allograft transplant (OCA) procedures of the knee; (2) to evaluate the effect of filling preoperative opioid prescriptions on the incidence of postoperative filling; and (3) to assess the impact of age, sex, and diagnosis of low-back pain on postoperative opioid prescription filling. METHODS: The Humana administrative claims database was queried for patients undergoing knee OAT and OCA procedures between 2007 and 2017 by use of Current Procedural Terminology codes. Patients were stratified by age, diagnosis of low-back pain, preoperative opioid use, autograft and allograft procedures, and open and arthroscopic procedures. Preoperative opioid users were defined as those having filled an opioid prescription within 3 months before surgery. The relative risk (risk ratio) for opioid prescription refills was calculated monthly for 12 months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine odds ratios (ORs) at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: We identified 300 patients: 133 (44%) underwent OAT and 167 (56%) underwent OCA procedures. Of the patients, 236 (79%) were aged 49 years or younger, and 31% of patients filled opioid prescriptions preoperatively. Of those who filled preoperative opioid prescriptions, 28% were still filling prescriptions 12 months after surgery. Multivariate analysis showed an increased risk of opioid prescription filling at 3 months (OR, 7.46 [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.26-17.38]), 6 months (OR, 15.41 [95% CI, 5.52-41.99]), and 12 months (OR, 13.45 [95% CI, 5.41-33.75]) postoperatively in preoperative opioid users. CONCLUSIONS: Filling opioid prescriptions preoperatively increased the risk of postoperative filling of opioid prescriptions after cartilage restoration procedures of the knee. Over 30% of patients were found to have filled an opioid prescription preoperatively. Univariate analysis showed that age of 50 years or older and low-back pain increased the risk of postoperative prescription refilling, but only age of 50 years or older provided a significantly increased risk at 3 months postoperatively using a multivariate analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective case-control study.

PROMIS: a valid and efficient outcomes instrument for patients with ACL tears.

PURPOSE: The current study compares the Patient Reported Outcomes Information System Physical Function Computer Adaptive Test (PROMIS PF CAT) to traditional knee PRO instruments in a healthy population undergoing surgery for ACL injuries with the following objectives: (1) identify and determine the strength of any correlations between the scores of PROMIS PF CAT and current knee PROs or their subscales that measure physical function; (2) evaluate PROMIS PF CAT's test burden; and (3) determine if PROMIS PF CAT has any floor or ceiling effects in this population. METHODS: Patients indicated for ACL surgery completed the Short Form-36 Physical Function (SF-36 PF), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Marx Knee Activity Rating Scale (Marx), the EuroQol 5-dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D), and PROMIS PF CAT. Correlations between PROs were defined as follows: High (≥ 0.7); high-moderate (0.61-0.69); moderate (0.4-0.6); moderate-weak (0.31-0.39); and weak (≤ 0.3). Floor or ceiling effects were considered significant if 15% or more patients reported the lowest or highest possible total score, respectively. RESULTS: 100 patients participated with a mean age of 26 years (range 11-57). The PROMIS PF CAT demonstrated high correlations with SF-36 PF (r = 0.82, p < 0.01), EQ-5D (r = - 0.70, p < 0.01) KOOS ADL (r = 0.74, p < 0.01), and KOOS Sport (r = 0.70, p < 0.01). There were no ceiling or floor effects for PROMIS PF CAT (0%). The mean number of items completed for the PROMIS PF CAT was 4.2 (median 4; range 4-11). CONCLUSIONS: The PROMIS PF CAT shows a high correlation with commonly employed PROs that also measure physical function with low test burden and without ceiling effects in this relatively young and healthy population.

The Seasonal Variability of Surgical Site Infections in Knee and Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) after total knee (TKA) and total hip (THA) arthroplasty are devastating to patients and costly to healthcare systems. The purpose of this study is to investigate the seasonality of TKA and THA SSIs at a national level. METHODS: All data were extracted from the National Readmission Database for 2013 and 2014. Patients were included if they had undergone TKA or THA. We modeled the odds of having a primary diagnosis of SSI as a function of discharge date by month, payer status, hospital size, and various patient co-morbidities. SSI status was defined as patients who were readmitted to the hospital with a primary diagnosis of SSI within 30 days of their arthroplasty procedure. RESULTS: There were 760,283 procedures (TKA 424,104, THA 336,179) in our sample. Our models indicate that SSI risk was highest for patients discharged from their surgery in June and lowest for December discharges. For TKA, the odds of a 30-day readmission for SSI were 30.5% higher at the peak compared to the nadir time (95% confidence interval [CI] 20-42). For THA, the seasonal increase in SSI was 19% (95% CI 9-30). Compared to Medicare, patients with Medicaid as the primary payer had a 49% higher odds of 30-day SSI after TKA (95% CI 32-68). CONCLUSION: SSIs following TKA and THA are seasonal peaking in summer months. Payer status was also a significant risk factor for SSIs. Future studies should investigate potential factors that could relate to the associations demonstrated in this study.

Use of an Automated Mobile Phone Messaging Robot in Postoperative Patient Monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Mobile phone messaging software robots allow clinicians and healthcare systems to communicate with patients without the need for human intervention. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe a method for communicating with patients postoperatively outside of the traditional healthcare setting by utilizing an automated software and mobile phone messaging platform and to (2) evaluate the first week of postoperative pain and opioid use after common ambulatory hand surgery procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The investigation was a prospective, multicenter investigation of patient-reported pain and opioid usage after ambulatory hand surgery. Inclusion criteria included any adult with a mobile phone capable of text messaging, who was undergoing a common ambulatory hand surgical procedure at one of three tertiary care institutions. Participants received daily, automated text messages inquiring about their pain level and how many tablets of prescription pain medication they had taken in the past 24 h. Initial 1-week response rate was assessed and compared between different patient demographics. Patient-reported pain and opioid use were also quantified for the first postoperative week. Statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Forty-seven (n = 47) patients were enrolled in this investigation. Total response rate of both pain and opioid medication questions through 7 days was 88.3%. Pain trended down on a daily basis for the first postoperative week, with the highest levels of pain being reported in the first 48 h after surgery. Patients reported an average use of 15.9 ± 14.8 tablets of prescription opioid pain medication. CONCLUSIONS: We find that a mobile phone messaging software robot allows for effective data collection of postoperative pain and pain medication use. Patients undergoing common ambulatory hand procedures utilized an average of 16 tablets of opioid medication in the first postoperative week.

Communication with Orthopedic Trauma Patients via an Automated Mobile Phone Messaging Robot.

BACKGROUND: Communication with orthopedic trauma patients is traditionally problematic with low response rates (RRs). The purpose of this investigation was to (1) evaluate the feasibility of communicating with orthopedic trauma patients postoperatively, utilizing an automated mobile phone messaging platform; and (2) assess the first 2 weeks of postoperative patient-reported pain and opioid use after lower extremity orthopedic trauma procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective investigation at a Level 1 trauma center in the United States. Adult patients who were capable of mobile phone messaging and were undergoing common, lower extremity orthopedic trauma procedures were enrolled in the study. Patients received a daily mobile phone message protocol inquiring about their current pain level and amount of opioid medication they had taken in the past 24 h starting on postoperative day (POD) 3 and continuing through POD 17. Our analysis considered (1) Patient completion rate of mobile phone questions, (2) Patient-reported pain level (0-10 scale), and (3) Number and percentage of daily prescribed opioid medication patients reported taking. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were enrolled in this investigation. Patients responded to 87.5% of the pain and opioid medication inquiries they received over the 2-week study period. There were no differences in RRs by patient age, sex, or educational attainment. Patient-reported pain decreased over the initial 2-week study period from an average of 4.9 ± 1.7 on POD 3 to 3 ± 2.2 on POD 16-17. Patients took an average of 68% of their maximum daily narcotic prescription on POD 3 compared with 35% of their prescribed pain medication on POD 16-17. CONCLUSIONS: We found that in orthopedic trauma patients, an automated mobile phone messaging platform elicited a high patient RR that improved upon prior methods in the literature. This method may be used to reliably obtain pain and medication utilization data after trauma procedures.

Brake Reaction Time After Ankle and Subtalar Arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate preoperative and postoperative brake reaction time (BRT) of patients undergoing right-sided ankle or subtalar arthroscopy. METHODS: Patients who underwent right-sided ankle or subtalar arthroscopy were evaluated between May 2015 and February 2017. The inclusion criteria consisted of patients older than 18 years who possessed a valid driver's license, primarily drove vehicles that had automatic transmission, and used their right foot to depress the brake pedal. Patients were excluded if they had medical problems that precluded safe and legal driving. An automotive simulation device was used to calculate BRT from all participants. Each patient underwent testing on a computerized driving simulator preoperatively and then postoperatively at 2, 6, and 12 weeks or until their BRT was equal to or less than 0.7 seconds. BRT was defined as the time from stop stimulus until brake depression of 5%. RESULTS: The study enrolled 17 patients and 19 age-matched normal subjects. Patients showed an average BRT at 2 weeks postoperatively (0.57 ± 0.06 seconds) that was greater than the BRT in the control group (0.55 ± 0.06 seconds, P = .84) and lower than the patients' preoperative BRT (0.59 ± 0.06 seconds, P = .08). These BRTs were lower than the 0.70-second BRT threshold for safe driving in the United States. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that emergency BRT after right-sided ankle or subtalar arthroscopy improves by 2 weeks after surgery and is under the previously set benchmark of 0.7 seconds. In patients who undergo right-sided ankle or subtalar arthroscopic procedures, it is not unsafe to drive a vehicle at 2 weeks. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Opioid Consumption After Rotator Cuff Repair.

PURPOSE: Rising perioperative opioid use in the United States is of increasing concern. The purposes of this study were (1) to define opioid consumption after rotator cuff repair (RCR) in the United States and (2) to evaluate patient factors that may be associated with prolonged opioid use after arthroscopic RCR. METHODS: All arthroscopic RCRs performed between 2007 and 2014 were identified by use of Current Procedural Terminology code (29,827). Patients who filled opioid prescriptions preoperatively were divided into those who filled prescriptions at 1 to 3 months preceding RCR and those who filled opioid prescriptions only in the 1 month preceding RCR. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated by dividing the cumulative incidence of opioid prescriptions in patients with each patient factor by the cumulative incidence in those without each patient factor. RESULTS: During the study period, 35,155 arthroscopic RCRs were performed. Of the patients, approximately 43% had filled an opioid prescription in the 3 months before RCR. At 3 months after RCR, patients who filled opioid prescriptions at 1 to 3 months before RCR were 7.45 (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.95-7.98) times more likely to be filling opioid medication prescriptions than those who had not been prescribed opioid medications before surgery; patients who filled opioid prescriptions in the month before RCR were 3.04 (95% CI, 2.8-3.29) times more likely to be filling opioid prescriptions at 3 months after RCR. Patients with psychiatric diagnoses (RR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.85-2.04), myalgia (RR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.6-1.75), and low-back pain (RR, 2.09; 95% CI, 2-2.2) were also found to be at risk of filling opioid prescriptions at 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: We found approximately 43% of patients undergoing RCR received opioid medications before RCR. Patients who are prescribed narcotics before RCR are at increased risk of postoperative opioid demand. Patients with psychiatric diagnoses, myalgia, and low-back pain may be at increased risk of prolonged opioid use after surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective case-control study.

Preoperative Performance of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System in Patients With Rotator Cuff Pathology.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System upper extremity item bank (PROMIS UE) and physical function computerized adaptive test (PROMIS PF CAT) in patients with rotator cuff (RC) pathology at their preoperative clinic visit. METHODS: Patient data were collected from January 2015 to September 2015. Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of RC pathology were prospectively enrolled at the time of their surgical indication for RC repair. Each patient was asked to fill out the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Assessment Form, Marx Shoulder Activity Scale, Short Form 36 Health Survey Physical Function and General Health (SF-36 PF and GH), EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D), PROMIS PF CAT, and PROMIS UE. Correlation was defined as excellent (>0.7), excellent-good (0.61-0.7), good (0.4-0.6), and poor (0.2-0.3). RESULTS: Patient data were collected from January 2015 to September 2015. No patients were excluded from participation in the study. In 82 patients with preoperative RC pathology, the PROMIS UE showed excellent correlation with American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Assessment Form (r = 0.77, P < .01), WORC (r = 0.73, P < .01), and the EQ-5D (r = 0.73, P < .01); there was excellent-good correlation with the SF-36 PF (r = .66, P < .01) and PROMIS PF CAT (r = .70, P < .01). The PROMIS PF CAT showed excellent correlation with the SF-36 PF (r = 0.77, P < .01); there was excellent-good correlation with EQ-5D (r = 0.65, P < .01) and WORC (r = 0.61, P < .01). There were no significant floor or ceiling effects using the PROMIS UE item bank or PROMIS PF CAT. CONCLUSIONS: We report that in a patient population with preoperative RC pathology, the PROMIS UE and PROMIS CAT are valid patient-reported outcome alternatives that have high correlation with traditional shoulder and upper extremity patient-reported outcomes. We find a decreased question burden using the PROMIS PF CAT. We find no significant floor or ceiling effects present in the PROMIS UE or PROMIS PF CAT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective diagnostic study.

Hip Fractures: Appropriate Timing to Operative Intervention.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to (1) identify the incidence of surgical delay in hip fractures, (2) evaluate the time point surgical delay puts patients at increased risk for complications, and (3) identify risk factors for surgical delay in the setting of surgical management of hip fractures. METHODS: A multi-center database was queried for patients of 60 years of age or older undergoing surgical treatment of a hip fracture. Surgical delay was defined by days from admission until surgical intervention. Univariate analyses and multivariate analyses were performed on all groups. RESULTS: A total of 4215 patients underwent surgery for their hip fracture. Of those experiencing surgical delay, 3304 (78%) patients experienced surgical delay of ≥1 day, 1314 (31%) had delay of ≥2 days, and 480 (11%) experienced delay of ≥3 days. There was a significant difference in complications if patients experienced surgical delay of ≥2 days (P ≤ .01). Multivariate analyses identified multiple risk factors for delay of ≥2 days including congestive heart failure (odds ratio 3.09, 95% confidence interval 2.04-4.66) and body mass index ≥40 (odds ratio 2.31, 95% confidence interval 1.31-4.08). Subgroup analysis identified that patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty were not at risk for complications with surgical delay of ≥2 days. CONCLUSION: Surgical delay of ≥2 days in the setting of hip fractures is common and confers an increased risk of complications in those undergoing non-total hip arthroplasty procedures. We recommend surgical intervention prior to 48 hours from hospital admission when possible. Healthcare systems can utilize our non-modifiable risk factors when performing quality assessment and cost accounting.

Incidence of and Preoperative Risk Factors for Surgical Delay in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: Analysis From the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

BACKGROUND: Total joint arthroplasty is a proven treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee and hip that has failed conservative treatment. While most of total joint arthroplasty is considered elective with surgery on the day of admission, a small subset of patients may require delay in surgery past the day of admission. Recently, surgical delay for primary total knee arthroplasty has been identified. However, the incidence, outcomes, and risk factors for delay in surgery before total hip arthroplasty (THA) have not been previously defined. QUESTIONS/PURPOSE: In patients undergoing THA, we sought to define (1) the incidence of and risk factors for delay in surgery, (2) the postoperative complications between surgical delay and no surgical delay cohorts, and (3) association of the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) in patients with delay of surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively queried the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database using Current Procedural Terminology billing codes and identified 7890 THAs performed between 2006 and 2010. Univariate and subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis were then used to identify risk factors for surgical delay. Correlation between CCI and surgical delay in THA was evaluated. RESULTS: One-hundred seventy-nine patients (2.31%) were identified as experiencing a surgical delay before THA. Multivariate analysis identified congestive heart failure (CHF) (P = .0038), bleeding disorder (P < .0001), sepsis (P < .0001), prior operation in past 30 days (P = .0001), dependent functional status (P < .0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 (P = .0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists class 4 (P = .0023), significant weight loss (P = .0109), and hematocrit <38% (P < .0001) as independent risk factors for delay in surgery. Compared with the nondelay cohort, those experiencing surgical delay before THA had higher rates of postoperative surgical (8.9% vs 3.1%, P < .0001) and medical complications (23.5% vs 10.1%, P < .0001). Mean CCI was higher in the THA surgical delay cohort (3.16 vs 2.24, P < .0001) compared with the nondelay group. CONCLUSION: Surgical delay in patients undergoing THA may cause undue disruption in surgeon and hospital resource utilization. In an era of quality assessment and cost consciousness, it is important to understand that the short-term outcomes of elective, same day THA differ dramatically from those hospitalized for medical necessity before surgery. Surgeons should consider thorough medical evaluation in those with CHF, bleeding disorders, sepsis, significant weight loss, and hematocrit <38% before hospital admission.

What Are Risk Factors for 30-day Morbidity and Transfusion in Total Shoulder Arthroplasty? A Review of 1922 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is an effective treatment for end-stage glenohumeral joint pathology with good long-term results. Previous descriptions of morbidity and blood transfusion in TSA are limited by preoperative risk factors and postoperative complications considered and single-center studies. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purpose of this study was to define in a group of patients undergoing TSA (1) the type and incidence of complications; (2) the frequency of and risk factors for both minor and major complications; and (3) the risk factors for bleeding resulting in transfusion. METHODS: We retrospectively queried the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database using Current Procedural Terminology billing codes and identified 1922 cases of TSA performed between 2006 and 2011. Postoperative outcomes were divided into one of four categories: any complication, major morbidity (systemic life-threatening event or a substantial threat to a vital organ) or mortality, minor morbidity (localized to the operative upper extremity or not posing a major systemic threat to the patient), or bleeding resulting in transfusion. Univariate and multivariate analyses were then used to identify risk factors for complications. RESULTS: There were a total of 155 complications (8% of the 1922 patients identified). The most common complication was bleeding resulting in transfusion (82 patients [4.26%]) followed by urinary tract infections (27 patients [1.40%]), return to the operating room (14 patients [0.73%]), pneumonia (10 patients [0.52%]), and peripheral nerve injury (nine patients [0.47%]). The incidence of major morbidity was 2% (44 patients), which included five patients (0.26%) who died; the incidence of any minor morbidity was 7% (136 patients). After controlling for likely confounding variables, we found steroid use (odds ratio [OR], 3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2-6), hematocrit < 38% (OR, 2; 95% CI, 1-3), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class 4 (OR, 3; 95% CI, 1-7), and operating time > 2 hours (OR, 2; 95% CI, 1-3) as independent predictors of complication and congestive heart failure (OR, 12; 95% CI, 1-106) as an independent risk factor for major morbidity or mortality. Hematocrit < 38% (OR, 3; 95% CI, 2-6), resident involvement (OR, 3; 95% CI, 2-5), steroid use (OR, 3; 95% CI, 1-6), and ASA Class 3 versus 1 or 2 (OR, 2; 95% CI, 1-5) were independent risk factors for bleeding resulting in transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term morbidity after TSA is higher than previously reported. The prevalence of complications within 30 days of surgery and our outlined risk factors should guide surgeon-driven preoperative patient evaluation, management, and counseling. Surgeons who perform TSA should be aware operative time > 2 hours is associated with increased complications. Patients with preoperative hematocrit < 38%, history of steroid use, ASA Class > 2, and patients with congestive heart failure should receive medical optimization before TSA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Obtaining Imaging Cost and Quality Information in Femoroacetabular Impingement: The Patient Experience.

Background: Recent changes in healthcare have placed increased emphasis on price transparency, quality measures, and improving the patient experience. However, limited information is available for patient cost of obtaining a hip MRI and factors associated with cost variability. For a patient with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), this study sought to report (1) the availability of pricing and quality information for a hip magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the state of Iowa, (2) the time investment required to obtain pricing and quality information, and (3) factors that influence hip MRI cost, quality and the time investment required for patients to obtain cost and quality information. Methods: Within the state of Iowa, 126 unique hospital institutions and 30 active, private orthopaedic practices were identified. All 156 providers were contacted via telephone using a standardized script of a hypothetical 25-year-old adult male patient with FAI requesting a quote for a hip MRI. Cost of the MRI and its components, availability of payment discounts, and MRI magnet tesla (T) were requested. A final bundled cost (FBC) was calculated for each MRI provider with all available services and discounts applied. The total amount of time needed to obtain a quote from each location was recorded. Results: One hundred and thirty-six of the 156 institutions contacted provided hip MRI services (87%). Median call duration was 9.1 minutes (Range 2.3-25.6). Median FBC was $2,114.00 (Range $484.75-4,463.00) across all providers. Hospital median FBC was $2,261.70 (Range $909.62-4,463.00) versus $1,225.13 (Range $484.75-2,218.40) for independent imaging centers (P<0.0001). No difference in median cost was observed between nine available 3.0 T machines and eighty-nine 1.5 T machines (P=0.2655). Conclusions: MRI cost varies widely across the state of Iowa and within individual metropolitan areas. Hip MRIs cost less at independent imaging centers compared to hospital locations. The amount of time required to obtain quality and cost data for a hip MRI presents a substantial time burden for patients with FAI. Surgeons, healthcare systems, and policy makers should be cognizant of the large price differences for a hip MRI and the time burden placed on patients with FAI to obtain this information.Level of Evidence: IV.

Diabetic Foot Surveillance Using Mobile Phones and Automated Software Messaging, a Randomized Observational Trial.

Background: Early detection of diabetic foot ulcers can improve outcomes. However, patients do not always monitor their feet or seek medical attention when ulcers worsen. New approaches for diabetic-foot surveillance are needed. The goal of this study was to determine if patients would be willing and able to regularly photograph their feet; evaluate different foot-imaging approaches; and determine clinical adequacy of the resulting pictures. Methods: We recruited adults with diabetes and assigned them to Self Photo (SP), Assistive Device (AD), or Other Party (OP) groups. The SP group photographed their own feet, while the AD group used a selfie stick; the OP group required another adult to photograph the patient's foot. For 8 weeks, we texted all patients requesting that they text us a photo of each foot. The collected images were evaluated for clinical adequacy. Numbers of (i) submitted and (ii) clinically useful images were compared among groups using generalized linear models and generalized linear mixed models. Results: A total of 96 patients consented and 88 participated. There were 30 patients in SP, 29 in AD, and 29 in OP. The completion rate was 77%, with no significant differences among groups. However, 74.1% of photographs in SC, 83.7% in AD, 92.6% in OP were determined to be clinically adequate, and these differed statistically significantly. Conclusions: Patients with diabetes are willing and able to take photographs of their feet, but using selfie sticks or having another adult take the photographs increases the clinical adequacy of the photographs.Level of Evidence: II.

Detailing postoperative pain and opioid utilization after periacetabular osteotomy with automated mobile messaging.

In the setting of periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), this investigation sought to (i) describe patient-reported pain scores and opioid utilization in the first 6 weeks following surgery and (ii) evaluate the effectiveness of postoperative communication using a robotic mobile messaging platform. Subjects indicated for PAO were enrolled from a young adult hip clinic. For the first 2 weeks after surgery, subjects received daily mobile messages inquiring about pain level on a 0-10 scale and the number of opioid pain medication tablets they consumed in the previous 24 h. Messaging frequency decreased to 3 per week in Weeks 3-6. Pain scores, opioid utilization and response rates with our mobile messaging platform were quantified for the 6-week postoperative period. Twenty-nine subjects underwent PAO. Twenty-one had concurrent hip arthroscopy. Average daily pain scores decreased over the first four postoperative days. Average pain scores reported were 5.9 ± 1.9, 4.1 ± 3.3 and 3.0 ± 3.5 on Day 1, Day 14 and Week 6, respectively. Reported opioid tablet utilization was 5.0 ± 3.2, 2.2 ± 2.0 and 0.0 ± 0.0 on Days 1 and 14 and at 6 weeks. Response rate for participants completing the 6-week messaging protocol was 84.1%. Patient-reported pain scores decreased over the first two postoperative weeks following PAO before plateauing in weeks 3-6. Opioid pain medication utilization increased in the first postoperative week before gradually declining to no tabs consumed at 6 weeks after PAO. Automated mobile messaging is an effective method of perioperative communication for the collection of pain scores and opioid utilization in patients undergoing PAO.

Performance of the PROMIS in Patients Undergoing 3 Common Elbow Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, distal biceps tendon repair, and elbow arthroscopic surgery are common elbow procedures performed in active patients. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized (1) good to excellent correlation between Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments and traditional orthopaedic upper extremity patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures; (2) that PROMIS instruments would demonstrate ceiling effects; and (3) that the PROMIS physical function computer adaptive test (PF CAT) would demonstrate a low question burden compared with other PRO instruments. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A total of 76 patients undergoing UCL repair/reconstruction, distal biceps tendon repair, or elbow arthroscopic surgery filled out the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) Physical Function subscale, EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire, PROMIS PF CAT, and PROMIS upper extremity item bank (UE). Excellent correlation between PROs was defined as ≥.70. RESULTS: The PROMIS PF CAT had excellent correlation with the SF-36 (r = 0.74; P < .0001), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) survey (r = -0.76; P < .0001), and PROMIS UE (r = 0.73; P < .0001). The PROMIS UE demonstrated excellent correlation with the SF-36 (r = 0.73; P < .0001) and DASH survey (r = -0.81; P < .0001). The PROMIS UE had ceiling effects in 33% of patients. The SF-36 showed ceiling effects in 20% of patients. On average, patients answered 5.1 ± 2.2 questions on the PROMIS PF CAT. CONCLUSION: The PROMIS PF CAT and PROMIS UE are valid in patients undergoing distal biceps tendon repair, elbow arthroscopic surgery, and UCL repair. The PROMIS UE demonstrated high ceiling effects in younger, higher functioning patients and should be used with caution in this group. A further evaluation and modification of the PROMIS UE in younger, high-functioning patients are warranted. Finally, the PROMIS PF CAT exhibited a low question burden relative to traditional PRO instruments without the loss of reliability.

Automated Mobile Phone Messaging Utilizing a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention: A Pilot Investigation.

Background: In the setting of outpatient orthopaedic surgery, this pilot study utilized automated mobile messaging to assess (1) the feasibility of and interaction rates with a software delivered cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) intervention for postoperative opioid utilization, (2) the reliability of patient reported opioid utilization through our platform, (3) daily patient reported pain and opioid utilization within the first two postoperative weeks, and (4) the effect of software delivered CBT intervention on patient reported opioid utilization. Methods: Musculoskeletal tumor patients scheduled for outpatient surgery were randomized into two study groups. Control patients received standard postoperative communication limited to a two-week postoperative follow-up visit. The intervention group received automated daily text-messages regarding pain, opioid utilization, and a daily CBT intervention. Interventional group patients also completed a patient satisfaction questionnaire at their two-week follow-up. Completion rates of all software delivered questions were determined in the interventional group. Median values of opioid utilization and interquartile range (IQR) were determined to compare utilization between groups. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to determine reliability of patient reported opioid utilization in the interventional group. Results: Fourteen patients completed the pilot study (seven controls, seven intervention). Patients in the intervention arm completed 90% of pain and opioid questions. Intervention group patients utilized less of their daily prescribed opioid medication (20%, IQR:10%-27%) compared to controls (50%, IQR:4%-68%). Correlation between in-office pill counts and patient reported opioid medication utilization via our software messaging system was high (r=0.90, p=0.037). Conclusion: Automated mobile phone messaging in outpatient tumor surgery yielded high interaction rates. Patient reported opioid utilization obtained through our platform demonstrated a high correlation with in-office pill counts. CBT delivered via automated mobile phone messaging demonstrated decreased opioid utilization in this pilot investigation.Level of evidence: II.