Faculty Bibliography

SUMMARY:There are a variety of ways to treat chronic elbow dislocations, including repeat closed reduction and immobilization, transarticular pinning, temporary bridge plating, hinged or rigid external fixation, and internal fixator application. Although each have distinct advantages and disadvantages, avoiding recurrent instability is critical. The internal-fixator is a relatively new option to maintain a stable, concentric reduction and facilitate early range of motion. This article and accompanying video describe the surgical technique of using an internal joint stabilizer for treatment of a chronically unstable ulnohumeral joint.

This case presentation and surgical technique demonstrates a complete distal triceps tendon rupture repair with single-row suture anchor fixation through a posterior midline approach to the elbow in a 17-year-old male rugby player. Key procedure points include complete triceps mobilization for adequate excursion to facilitate repair, identification of the ulnar nerve, isolation and sharp debridement of torn tissue to healthy tendon, thorough debridement of the olecranon reattachment site, suture construct, and order of fixation to optimize tendon-bone apposition.

»:The induced membrane technique (IMT) takes advantage of an osteoinductive environment that is created by the placement of a cement spacer into a bone defect. »:Most commonly, a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) spacer has been used, but spacers made from other materials have emerged and achieved good clinical outcomes. »:The IMT has demonstrated good results for long-bone repair; however, more research is required in order to optimize union rates as well as delineate more precise indications and surgical timing.

CASE:A 41-year-old man presented with a transverse patella fracture and proximal patellar tendon avulsion after a fall from standing. Disruption of the extensor mechanism of the knee at multiple points is rare. He was treated operatively for his patella fracture and patellar tendon avulsion but experienced early failure of the patellar tendon fixation requiring reoperation. Both components of injury ultimately healed, and he returned to function. CONCLUSION:This case describes a rare presentation of an uncommon injury pattern affecting the extensor mechanism. This is the first report to describe multifocal failure of the extensor chain from a low-energy mechanism.

Purpose/UNASSIGNED:To evaluate outcomes for a combined osteoligamentous reconstruction technique for Neer Type IIB clavicle fractures. Methods/UNASSIGNED:Patients with Neer Type IIB clavicle fractures treated with combined clavicular locking plate and coracoclavicular ligament suture reconstruction were identified. Demographics, clinical outcomes, and radiographic outcomes were collected. Results/UNASSIGNED:Twenty-four patients with mean 13 months of follow-up were included. Bony union and normal radiographic coracoclavicular relationship were achieved in 23 (96%) patients. The mean UCLA Shoulder score was 33.3. Three (13%) complications occurred. Discussion/UNASSIGNED:The combined osteoligamentous reconstruction approach as described is a successful option for treating Neer Type IIB clavicle fractures.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To examine the feasibility of a novel anesthetic option for hip fracture fixation with short cephalomedullary nails. DESIGN/METHODS:Retrospective cohort study. SETTING/METHODS:An urban, academic level 1 trauma center, a tertiary care academic medical center, and an orthopedic specialty hospitalPatients/Participants: 20 recent and 40 risk-matched (1:1:1 by anesthesia type) historical hip fracture patients. INTERVENTION/METHODS:All patients with an OTA 31.A1-3 IT hip fracture presenting from October 1st 2019 - March 31st, 2020 treated with a short cephalomedullary nail (CMN) underwent a new intraoperative anesthesia protocol using monitored anesthesia care (MAC) and soft-tissue infiltration with local anesthesia (STILA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS/METHODS:Intraoperative measures, postoperative pain scores, narcotic and acetaminophen use, hospital quality measures, and inpatient cost. RESULTS:A total of 60 patients (20 each: MAC, general, spinal) were identified. There were differences among the groups regarding mean minimum and maximum intraoperative heart rate with MAC-STILA protocol demonstrating the best maintenance of normal heart rate parameters (60-100 bpm). For the first 3 hours post-operatively, MAC-STILA patients reported consistently lower pain scores (VAS <1) than spinal or general patients (VAS>1). Through 48 hours postoperatively, MAC-STILA narcotic usage was similar to that of the spinal cohort and approximately five times less than the general cohort. There were no differences in procedural time, length of stay, minor or major complications, inpatient and 30-day mortality, or 30-day readmissions, or post-operative ambulatory distance. There was no difference in inpatient cost among cohorts. CONCLUSIONS:This feasibility study demonstrates safety for the MAC-STILA protocol with comparison to spinal and general anesthesia. The MAC-STILA protocol is a viable option for treatment of OTA 13.A1-3 IT fractures with a short CMN, and may be the preferred method for patients with severe medical co-morbidities or relative contraindications to general and/or spinal anesthesia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of Levels of Evidence.

OBJECTIVES:To determine the factors associated with successful union and eradication of infection in the setting of staged procedures to treat obviously infected nonunions of long bones. We hypothesize that patients with positive intraoperative cultures obtained at the time of definitive surgery for infected nonunions are more likely to have persistent nonunion than those with negative cultures. DESIGN:Multicenter retrospective review. SETTING:Eight academic Level 1 trauma centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS:Patients who underwent staged management for obviously infected nonunion of a long bone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:For each patient, initial fracture management, management of retained implants, number of debridements, grafting, bacteriology, antibiotic course, bone defect management, soft-tissue coverage, and definitive surgery performed were reviewed. RESULTS:A total of 134 patients were treated with staged procedures for obviously infected nonunion of a long bone (mean age 49 years, 60% open fractures, and mean follow-up 22 months). During definitive procedures, 120 patients had intraoperative cultures taken with 43% having positive cultures. For culture-positive patients, 41 patients achieved eventual union and 10 had persistent nonunion. Of 69 culture-negative patients, 66 achieved eventual union and 3 had persistent nonunion. The number of patients with union versus persistent nonunion was statistically significant between culture-positive and culture-negative groups (P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS:Management of infected nonunion in long bones with staged treatments before definitive fixation are beneficial but ultimately less effective when performed in the setting of positive bacterial cultures at the time of definitive management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Introduction/UNASSIGNED:Operative hip fractures are known to cause a loss in functional status in the elderly. While several studies exist demonstrating the association between age, pre-injury functioning, and comorbidities related to this loss of function, no studies have predicted this using a validated risk stratification tool. We attempt to use the Score for Trauma Triage for Geriatric and Middle-Aged (STTGMA) tool to predict loss of ambulatory function and need for assistive device use. Materials and Methods/UNASSIGNED:Five hundred and fifty-six patients ≥55 years of age who underwent operative hip fracture fixation were enrolled in a trauma registry. Demographics, functional status, injury severity, and hospital course were used to determine a STTGMA score and patients were stratified into risk quartiles. At least 1 year after hospitalization, patients completed the EQ-5D questionnaire for functional outcomes. Results/UNASSIGNED:Two hundred and sixty-eight (48.2%) patients or their family members responded to the questionnaire. Of the 184 patients alive, 65 (35.3%) reported a return to baseline function. Eighty-nine (48.4%) patients reported a loss in ambulatory status. Patients with higher STTGMA scores were older, had more comorbidities, reported greater need for help with daily activities, increased difficulty with self-care, and a reduction in return to activities of daily living (all p ≤ 0.001). Patients with lower STTGMA scores were more likely to never require an assistive device while those with higher scores were more likely to continue needing one (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001). Patients in the highest STTGMA risk groups were 1.5x more likely to have an impairment in ambulatory status (need for ambulatory assistive device or decreased ambulatory capacity) (p = 0.004). Discussion/UNASSIGNED:Patients in higher STTGMA risk quartiles were more likely to experience impairment after hip fracture surgery. The STTGMA tool can predict loss of ambulatory independence following hip fracture. At-risk populations can be targeted for enhanced physiotherapy and rehabilitation services for optimal return to prior functioning.

Introduction/UNASSIGNED:Distal radius fractures are the second most common fracture in the elderly population. The incidence of these fractures has increased over time, and is projected to continue to do so. The aim of this study is to utilize a validated trauma risk prediction tool to stratify middle-aged and geriatric patients with operative distal radius fractures as well as compare hospital quality metrics and inpatient hospitalization costs among the risk groups. Materials and Methods/UNASSIGNED:Patients were prospectively enrolled in an orthopedic trauma registry. The Score for Trauma Triage in Geriatric and Middle Aged (STTGMA) was calculated using patient demographics, injury severity, and functional status. Patients were then stratified into minimal-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk cohorts based on their scores. Length of stay, need for escalation of care, complications, mortality, discharge location, 1-year patient reported outcomes, and index admission costs were evaluated. Results/UNASSIGNED:= .019). There were no complications or mortality in any of the risk groups. No patients required intensive care and all patients were discharged home. There was no difference in readmission rates, inpatient cost, or 1-year patient reported outcomes among the risk cohorts. Discussion/Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:The Score for Trauma Triage in Geriatric and Middle-Aged is able to risk-stratify patients that undergo operative intervention of distal radius fractures. Middle aged and elderly patients with isolated closed distal radius fractures can be safely managed on an outpatient basis regardless of risk. Standardized pathways can be created in the management of these injuries, thereby optimizing value-based care. Level of evidence/UNASSIGNED:Prognostic Level III.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:It is important to understand the current characteristics of orthopaedic surgery program leadership, especially in the current climate of modern medicine. The purpose of this report was to describe the demographic, academic, and geographic characteristics of current orthopaedic chairs and program directors (PDs). METHODS:Orthopaedic surgery residency programs were obtained from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education website and cross-referenced with the Electronic Residency Application Service, identifying 161 residency programs for the 2018 to 2019 cycle. All data were collected in January 2020 to best control for changes in leadership. Demographic and academic information were collected from public websites. For geographic analysis, the United States was divided into five regions, and training locations were categorized as appropriate. RESULTS:A total of 153 chairs and 161 PDs were identified. 98.0% of chairs were men versus 88.8% of PDs (P = 0.001). Chairs had been in practice and in their current position for longer than PDs (26.4 vs 16.8 years [P < 0.005] and 9.1 vs 7.1 years [P = 0.014], respectively). Chairs had more publications and were more likely to be professors than PDs. PDs were more likely to remain at both the same region and institution that they trained in residency. The most common subspecialty was sports among chairs and trauma among PDs, although when compared with national averages orthopaedic trauma and orthopaedic oncology were the most overrepresented subspecialties. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Orthopaedic chairs are more likely to be men, have had longer careers, and have more academic accomplishments than their PD counterparts. Geography appears to have an association with where our leaders end up, especially for PDs. Subspecialization does not notably influence leadership positions, although orthopaedic trauma and orthopaedic oncology surgeons are more commonly represented than expected. This report serves to identify the current state of orthopaedic leadership and may provide guidance for those who seek these leadership positions.