The Multiplicative Effects of Individual Risk Factors in the Development of Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head.

BACKGROUND: While individual risk factors, including chronic corticosteroid use, alcohol abuse, and smoking, are implicated in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), the degree to which multiple risk factors increase risk is unknown. This study aimed to: (1) identify the demographic characteristics of patients who have ONFH; (2) quantify the effects of individual risk factors on ONFH development; (3) quantify the effects of combined risk factors on ONFH development; and (4) determine the prognostic implications of combined risk factors on ONFH development. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. A national insurance database was used to study a population of 2,612,383 adult patients who had a 10-year follow-up period. There were 10,233 patients identified who had a diagnosis of ONFH. We identified patients who had chronic corticosteroid use, tobacco use, and/or alcohol abuse and assessed the risk of developing ONFH over a 10-year period. Patients who had individual and multiple risk factors were grouped for comparison, and Chi-square analyses were performed. RESULTS: Higher proportions of patients who had each individual risk factor developed ONFH compared to proportions of patients who did not have risk factors. Patients who had combined risk factors were at greater risk of developing ONFH compared to patients who had no risk factors and those who had single risk factors. Combined risk factors demonstrated multiplicative effects on the development of ONFH: tobacco-alcohol risk ratio (RR) 5.25, corticosteroid-alcohol RR 10.20, tobacco-corticosteroid RR 8.69, and corticosteroid-tobacco-alcohol RR 12.54. Patients who had combined risk factors developed ONFH at younger ages than those who had single risk factors. Kaplan-Meier curve analyses demonstrated worse 10-year hip survival in the setting of combined risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Combined risk factors have a multiplicative effect on the risk of developing of atraumatic ONFH. Orthopaedic surgeons may care for at-risk individuals through modulation of risk factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective Cohort Study, Level III.

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.

Advantages of an Anterior-Based Muscle-Sparing Approach in Transitioning From a Posterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty: Minimizing the Learning Curve.

BACKGROUND: Enthusiasm for anterior-based approaches for total hip arthroplasty (THA) continues to increase but there is concern for increased complications during the learning curve period associated. This study aimed to investigate if there was a difference in perioperative variables, intraoperative and immediate postoperative complications, or patient-reported outcomes when transitioning from a mini-posterior approach (mPA) to an anterior-based muscle-sparing (ABMS) approach for THA. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study on the first 100 primary THA cases (n = 96 patients) of the senior author (August 2016 to August 2017) using the ABMS approach. These cases were compared to primary THA cases done the year prior (July 2015 to July 2016, n = 91 cases in 89 patients) using an mPA. Data were extracted and analyzed via gamma regression with robust standard errors and using generalized estimating equation regression. RESULTS: We found no difference in the estimated blood loss (P = .452) and surgical time (P = .564) between the cohorts. The ABMS cases had a slightly shorter length of stay (P = .001) with an adjusted mean length of stay of 1.53 days (95% confidence interval 1.4-1.6) compared to 1.85 days (95% confidence interval 1.8-1.9) in the mPA cases. There was no difference in the frequency of immediate postoperative complications (all, P > .05). There was no difference in the adjusted mean change in patient-reported outcomes (all P > .05). In the ABMS group, there was no difference in surgical time or physical function computerized adaptive test between the first 20 cases (reference) and each subsequent group of 20 cases (all P > .05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates no associated learning curve for an experienced senior surgeon when switching routine THA approach from mPA to ABMS. We advise careful interpretation of our results, as they may not apply to all surgeons and practices. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III Therapeutic Study: retrospective comparative study.

Increased Opioid Use in Patients With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Before and After Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a disorder affecting synthesis of collagen, typically presents with chronic pain, hypermobility, and early osteoarthritis. EDS patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) are at risk of dislocation and revision. Opioid use and impact on outcomes among this population remain unknown. Methods: A retrospective review was performed with a large national database querying the International Classification of Disease, tenth revision procedure codes identifying 1,244,368 primary THAs from 2015-2020. Two hundred thirty-eight EDS patients underwent THA and were propensity matched with population control based on age, sex, and obesity when comparing opioid prescription. To compare dislocation and revision outcomes, EDS patients were stratified into those receiving opioid prescriptions and those not. Multivariate analysis evaluated the association. Results: EDS patients were more likely prescribed opioids 90 days before (49.1% vs 34.7.0%, P < .0001) and after THA (59.7% vs 41.2%, P < .0001), with more preoperatively (1163.6 mme ±1562.8, P < .0001) and postoperatively (900.1 mme ±1235.9, P < .0001) than controls. In EDS patients prescribed opioids 90 days before THA, dislocation rate was 12.8% vs 7.1% not prescribed (odds ratio 2.08, 95% confidence interval 0.85-5.1). 14.8% of EDS patients who received opioids 90 days after THA dislocated vs 2.1% not prescribed (odds ratio 8.13, 95% confidence interval 1.87-35.7). Conclusions: EDS patients are more likely prescribed opioids before and after THA. Opioid prescription was associated with risk of dislocation, though we caution interpretation of causation. However, this suggests that the risks of worse outcomes in EDS patients undergoing THA are multifactorial. We should look at strategies to reduce opioid use prior to THA.

Corrigendum to "Delayed diagnosis of catastrophic ceramic liner failure with resultant pelvic discontinuity and massive metallosis" [ARTD 3 (2017) 77-82].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.artd.2016.11.002.].

Delayed diagnosis of catastrophic ceramic liner failure with resultant pelvic discontinuity and massive metallosis.

With newer-generation ceramic components used in total hip arthroplasty, component fracture is a rare complication. However rare, when ceramic component fracture does occur, prompt identification and revision is necessary as delay can lead to dramatic failure with resultant metallosis as the extremely hard ceramic debris abrades remaining components. We present a case of a 70-year-old woman with ceramic liner fracture and an estimated 10-year delay in intervention with failure resulting in pelvic discontinuity and massive metallosis with associated cutaneous manifestation. She was treated with a complex revision and reconstruction and is 2 years postrevision without major complication.