Faculty Bibliography

Treatment of intertrochanteric hip fracture is based on patient medical condition, preexisting degenerative arthritis, bone quality, and the biomechanics of the fracture configuration. A critical review of the evidence-based literature demonstrates a preference for surgical fixation in patients who are medically stable. Stable fractures can be successfully treated with plate-and-screw implants and with intramedullary devices. Although unstable fractures may theoretically benefit from load-sharing intramedullary implants, this result has not been demonstrated in the current evidence-based literature

During the past 10 years, there has been a worldwide effort in all medical fields to base clinical health care decisions on available evidence as described by thorough reviews of the literature. Hip fractures pose a significant health care problem worldwide, with an annual incidence of approximately 1.7 million. Globally, the mean age of the population is increasing, and the number of hip fractures is expected to triple in the next 50 years. One-year mortality rates currently range from 14% to 36%, and care for these patients represents a major global economic burden. Surgical options for the management of femoral neck fractures are closely linked to individual patient factors and to the location and degree of fracture displacement. Nonsurgical management of intracapsular hip fractures is limited. Based on a critical, evidence-based review of the current literature, we have found minimal differences between implants used for internal fixation of displaced fractures. Cemented, unipolar hemiarthroplasty remains a good option with reasonable results. In the appropriate patient population, outcomes following total hip arthroplasty are favorable and appear to be superior to those of internal fixation

The evaluation and management of chronic glenohumeral dislocations can be challenging. By definition, chronic glenohumeral dislocations represent injuries that were not identified at the time of injury. Therefore, the primary goal is to avoid circumstances in which these injuries are not recognized. This includes undertaking a comprehensive clinical evaluation as well as appropriate imaging studies to understand the pathoanatomic changes-specifically, the humeral head impression fracture and any associated glenoid changes. The size of the impression fracture and duration of the dislocation are important factors in determining the appropriate treatment approach. Satisfactory outcomes can be achieved by using a variety of techniques, including open reduction combined with tendon transfers, allograft reconstruction, disimpaction and bone grafting and prosthetic replacement. Equally important, however, is recognizing patients in whom successful outcomes can be achieved with nonsurgical management

BACKGROUND: The implementation of Section 405 of the New York State Public Health Code and the adoption of similar policies by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in 2002 restricted resident work hours to eighty hours per week. The effect of these policies on operative volume in an orthopaedic surgery residency training program is a topic of concern. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the work-hour restrictions on the operative experiences of residents in a large university-based orthopaedic surgery residency training program in an urban setting. METHODS: We analyzed the operative logs of 109 consecutive orthopaedic surgery residents (postgraduate years 2 through 5) from 2000 through 2006, representing a consecutive interval of years before and after the adoption of the work-hour restrictions. RESULTS: Following the implementation of the new work-hour policies, there was no significant difference in the operative volume for postgraduate year-2, 3, or 4 residents. However, the average operative volume for a postgraduate year-5 resident increased from 274.8 to 348.4 cases (p = 0.001). In addition, on analysis of all residents as two cohorts (before 2002 and after 2002), the operative volume for residents increased by an average of 46.6 cases per year (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the findings of this study, concerns over the potential adverse effects of the resident work-hour polices on operative volume for orthopaedic surgery residents appear to be unfounded

A prospective study was undertaken to determine if patients recover pre-injury level of shoulder function 1 year after 1 part proximal humeral fractures. Of the 67 patients enrolled, 43 were female and 24 male with an average age of 64.8 years (range, 25-90 years). All patients underwent a similar treatment protocol consisting of early therapy for range of shoulder motion and strengthening. Baseline demographics and functional assessment, including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) evaluation form and the SF-36, were obtained at the time of injury. Functional and demographic data were evaluated with a Student's t test. Fifty-four patients (80%) completed a 1-year follow-up. By 3 months, all patients attained radiographic and clinical evidence of union and no loss of reduction. At 1 year, the ASES score was similar to pre-injury status (93.7 vs 99.1; P = .12). The range of shoulder motion of the affected side was diminished compared to the unaffected extremity in internal rotation (P < .001) and external rotation (P < .001) but not forward flexion. Patients, who sustain minimally displaced proximal humeral fractures treated nonoperatively, largely returned to preoperative functional status at 1-year follow-up. Patients should be counseled and made aware of the decreased range of shoulder motion following this fracture

PURPOSE: To examine our incidence of early complications that occur using the Proximal Humeral Internal Locking System (PHILOS) and to determine the contributing factors. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENTS: Fifty-one consecutive patients treated with a proximal humerus locking plate. OUTCOME: Development of an intraoperative, acute postoperative, or delayed postoperative complication. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was undertaken of a consecutive series of proximal humerus fractures treated with a locking plate between February 2003 and January 2006 at our institution. Fifty-one fractures or fracture nonunions were identified in 18 male and 33 female patients with an average age of 61. All acute injuries were treated with a similar protocol of open reduction internal fixation with the PHILOS plate followed by early range of shoulder motion. Nonunions were treated in a similar manner with the addition of iliac crest bone graft placement. Patients were objectively assessed on their outcome by physical as well as radiological examination. All complications were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed to determine if patient age, fracture type, or number of screws placed in the humeral head contributed to complications. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were available for minimum 6-month follow-up (mean, 16 months; range, 6 to 45 months). Radiographically, 92% of the cases united at 3 months after surgery, and 2 fractures had signs of osteonecrosis at latest follow-up. Sixteen complications were seen in 12 patients (24%). Eight shoulders in eight patients (16%) had screws that penetrated the humeral head. Two patients developed osteonecrosis at latest follow-up. One acute fracture and one nonunion failed to unite after index surgery. Significant heterotopic bone developed in 1 patient. Early implant failure occurred in 2 patients; one was revised to a longer plate, and one underwent resection arthroplasty. There was one acute postoperative infection. CONCLUSION: The major complication reported in this study was screw penetration, suggesting that exceptional vigilance must be taken in estimating the appropriate number and length of screws used to prevent articular penetration; although the device provides exceptional fixation stability, its indication must be scrutinized for each individual patient, taking the extent of trauma/fracture and age into consideration and carefully weighing it against other forms of treatment

The use of subacromial injections to treat shoulder pain has remained one of the most common procedures for the practicing orthopedist, rheumatologist, and general practitioner. Despite this, many prospective studies have questioned the efficacy of corticosteroid injections compared with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or injections of local anesthetics alone, or both, when used for the treatment of symptomatic rotator cuff disease. Accurate diagnosis of the etiology of a patient's shoulder pain and proper injection technique are important in achieving satisfactory clinical outcomes. Both extrinsic as well as intrinsic etiologies for rotator cuff disease should be considered and must be elucidated with appropriate physical examination techniques. Although subacromial injections appear straightforward, more recent cadaveric, radiographic, and clinical studies have demonstrated variable accuracy rates using the two common techniques. In addition, absolute sterile technique must be used because infections of the subacromial space after injections, although uncommon, have generally led to debilitating conditions. This article reviews the etiology and pathophysiology of rotator cuff disease and the indications and techniques for subacromial corticosteroid injections