Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND: This video presents the digitized, original, reel-to-reel footage of Victor Frankel's groundbreaking 1960s experiments demonstrating the viscoelastic properties and fracture mechanics of loaded bone. As can be seen, novel instrumentation was used that resulted in an easily reproducible method of controlling bone loading rates. The innovation, and associated experiments, radically advanced our understanding of the mechanisms of acute fractures and bone's response to energy. METHODS: Using the "Standard Torsion Testing Machine" that he helped design, the author explains how the mechanical and functional properties of bone are affected by various defects. Examples used include an intact dog femur, a femur with a hole in the cortex, and a femur with an open section defect. Slow motion depiction allows the viewer to appreciate the potential soft tissue damage associated with bone fragmentation and how this varies with energy input. The video concludes with a demonstration of the effect of torsional motion on the vasculature. RESULTS: Graphs produced by the torsion tester display torque versus angular deformation plots for each experiment. These illustrate the relationship between bone structure, fracture, and energy. The x-ray contrast segment provides an example of associated arterial damage secondary to a fracture. CONCLUSION: This previously unreleased piece of orthopaedic history provides viewers with perspective on the early days of biomechanical study and an easy-to-understand tutorial on acute fracture mechanics and the role of energy in injury.

Background Isolated medial tibial plateau injuries are uncommon and underdescribed in the literature. As such, the range of fracture severity and outcomes in comparison to more frequently described tibial plateau fractures are lacking. Method To assess outcomes of this rare injury, we compared two cohorts of patients. Overall, 27 patients who sustained 27 isolated medial plateau (Schatzker type IV) fractures and 81 patients with 81 split depression lateral plateau (Schatzker type II) fractures were compared. The outcomes were stratified by injury mechanism energy and assessed with radiographs, clinical and arthroscopic examinations, and functional status with the short musculoskeletal function assessment questionnaire (SMFA). Results Overall, 52% of Schatzker type IV fractures versus 71% of Schatzker type II were associated with high-energy injuries. Schatzker type IV fractures were more often nondisplaced and amenable to being managed, nonoperatively, 22 versus 6%, with excellent results. Schatzker type II fractures had a corresponding higher proportion of postoperative articular step off greater than 12 mm and poorer 12-month SMFA scores. Schatzker type IV fractures were more often treated with an external fixator than Schatzker type II fractures (22 vs. 1%). Within Schatzker type IV fractures, high- versus low-energy injuries did not differ significantly with regards to initial articular step off (4.2 vs. 5.1 mm), ligamentous and meniscal injury, or SMFA outcomes. Conclusions Isolated medial plateau fractures had low- and high-energy patterns with differing management and outcomes. Schatzker type IV fractures overall were associated with lower energy mechanisms, less initial articular step off, and better functional outcomes than Schatzker II comparisons in this cohort. Level of Evidence: The level of evidence is 4.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to summarize the recent developments in the field of tissue engineering as they relate to multilayer scaffold designs in musculoskeletal regeneration. METHODS: Clinical and basic research studies that highlight the current knowledge and potential future applications of the multilayer scaffolds in orthopaedic tissue engineering were evaluated and the best evidence collected. Studies were divided into three main categories based on tissue types and interfaces for which multilayer scaffolds were used to regenerate: bone, osteochondral junction and tendon-to-bone interfaces. RESULTS: In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that the use of stratified scaffolds composed of multiple layers with distinct compositions for regeneration of distinct tissue types within the same scaffold and anatomic location is feasible. This emerging tissue engineering approach has potential applications in regeneration of bone defects, osteochondral lesions and tendon-to-bone interfaces with successful basic research findings that encourage clinical applications. CONCLUSIONS: Present data supporting the advantages of the use of multilayer scaffolds as an emerging strategy in musculoskeletal tissue engineering are promising, however, still limited. Positive impacts of the use of next generation scaffolds in orthopaedic tissue engineering can be expected in terms of decreasing the invasiveness of current grafting techniques used for reconstruction of bone and osteochondral defects, and tendon-to-bone interfaces in near future.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes following surgical fixation of unstable ankle fractures. DESIGN: Prospective follow-up study. SETTING: Academic medical center with two Level-I trauma centers and a tertiary care center. PATIENTS: One hundred forty-one patients who underwent surgical repair of an unstable ankle fracture. INTERVENTION: Open reduction internal fixation of an unstable ankle fracture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) scores and radiographic outcomes based on the van Dijk criteria at a mean of 11.6 years follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 281 patients meeting the inclusion criteria for this study, follow-up data was obtained from 141 patients (50%), at a mean of 11.6 years following surgery. Overall, mean long-term SMFA scores were improved when compared to scores at 1-year. ASA Class 1 or 2 was found to be a significant predictor of recovery based on SMFA scores. Sixty-three percent of follow-up radiographs demonstrated evidence of radiographic arthritis, including 31% with mild osteoarthritis, 22% with moderate osteoarthritis, and 10% with severe osteoarthritis. Fracture-dislocation at injury was found to be a significant predictor of radiographic posttraumatic osteoarthritis at latest follow-up. One patient (0.7%) underwent a tibiotalar fusion secondary to symptomatic posttraumatic arthrosis. One patient (0.7%) underwent total ankle replacement due to severe osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that over a decade after ankle fracture fixation, the majority of patients are doing well. Despite the presence of radiographic arthritis in 63% of patients, few experience pain or have restrictions in function, and mean long-term functional outcome scores are improved when compared to scores at 1-year. Patients undergoing operative fixation of unstable ankle fractures can anticipate functional outcomes that are maintained over time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential benefits and risks associated with weight-bearing after intramedullary (IM) nailing of unstable tibial shaft fractures. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Two New York State level 1 trauma centers, one level 2 trauma center, and 1 tertiary care orthopaedic hospital in a large urban center in New York City. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-eight patients with 90 tibial shaft fractures were enrolled. The following were used as inclusion criteria: (1) skeletally mature adult patients 18 years of age or older, (2) displaced fractures of tibial diaphysis (OTA type 42) treated with operative intervention, and (3) radiographs, including injury, operative, and completion of follow-up. Sixty-eight patients with 70 tibial shaft fractures completed follow-up. INTERVENTION: All patients were treated with locked IM nailing. Patients were randomized to 1 of 2 groups: immediate weight-bearing-as-tolerated (WBAT) or non-weight-bearing for the first 6 postoperative weeks (NWB). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fracture union or treatment failure/revision surgery. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the observed time to union between groups (WBAT = 22.1 +/- 11.7 weeks vs. NWB = 21.3 +/- 9.9 weeks; P = 0.76). Rates of complications did not statistically differ between groups. No fracture loss of reduction leading to malunion was encountered. Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment scores for all domains did not statistically differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate weight-bearing after IM nailing of tibial shaft fractures is safe and is not associated with an increase in adverse events or complications. Patients should be allowed to bear weight as tolerated after IM nailing of OTA subtype 42-A and 42-B tibial shaft fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Rumpel-Leede phenomenon is a rare clinical sign involving the appearance of purpura after application of a tourniquet or in noninvasive arterial blood pressure monitoring. This sign has been most commonly associated with hypertensive and diabetic microvascular fragility and thrombocytopenia. We describe a case of Rumpel-Leede phenomenon in an otherwise healthy patient with positive laboratory markers for Sjogren disease, a previously undescribed relationship. We aim to inform physicians of this potential complication in patients with Sjogren disease and suggest special consideration be given to patients with autoimmune diseases with secondary vascular or dermal manifestations.

In end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis (HD), it is known that renal bone disease has a negative impact on postoperative complication rate of fracture repair compared to non-ESRD patients. Previous studies have examined complications following surgical hip fracture repair in ESRD patients on HD. However, there is paucity of information outside of hip fracture repair. This study was undertaken to investigate complications associated with surgical fracture repair in ESRD patients on hemodialysis and to compare quality measures with a control group for various fracture types. Data of all consecutive ESRD patients on HD was collected prospectively starting in 2013. Charts of 2,558 ESRD patients on HD from 2010 to 2013 were also reviewed. Thirty-four patients who underwent surgical fracture repair were included in the study. Additionally, 1,000 patients without ESRD who underwent fracture repair were also identified, and a random sample of 267 patients was selected for inclusion as a control group. Primary outcomes were major complications as defined by the Clavien-Dindo complication rating system for orthopaedic surgery. Secondary outcomes were minor complications, defined by the same method. Demographic information and hospital quality measures, such as hospital length of stay (LOS) and discharge disposition, were also collected. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of BMI, ethnicity, or gender distribution. The ESRD patients were older than control patients (62.6 versus 46.8 years; p > 0.01). Overall, the complication rate in the ESRD group was 14.7% compared to 3% in the control group (p < 0.05) while the rate of major complications was similar (5.8% versus 2.2%, p = 0.2). The rate of minor complications was higher in the ESRD group though this did not reach statistical significance (8.8% versus 1%, p = 0.07). Median LOS was significantly higher in the ESRD group (15.9 versus 6.4 days; p < 0.01), and patients in the ESRD group were less likely to be discharged to home (29.4% versus 78%; p < 0.01). Surgical fracture repair in ESRD patients can be performed with similar major complication rate as a control group. However, the higher rate of minor complications and poorer hospital quality measures in the ESRD group must be taken into account as we move toward "pay for performance" and bundled payment initiatives for orthopaedic trauma patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of initial varus or valgus surgical neck alignment on outcomes of patients who sustained proximal humerus fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). METHODS: An institutional review board approved database of proximal humerus fractures treated with locked plates was reviewed. Of 185 fractures in the database, 101 fractures were identified and met inclusion criteria. Initial varus displacement was seen in 47 fractures (OTA types 11.A2.2, A3.1, A3.3, B1.2, B2.2, C1.2, C2.2, or C2.3) and initial valgus displacement was observed in 54 fractures (OTA types 11.A2.3, B1.1, C1.1, or C2.1). All patients were treated in a similar manner and examined by the treating physician at standard intervals. Functional outcomes were quantified via the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and physical examination data at 12 months. Radiographs were reviewed for complications of healing. Additionally, complication rate and reoperation rate were investigated. RESULTS: Patients who presented with initial varus displacement had an average age of 59.3 years, while patients in the valgus group had an average age of 62.4 years. Overall, there was no statistically significant difference in age, sex distribution, BMI, fracture parts, screws used, or implant plate type between the two groups. At a minimum 12 months follow up, there was no significant difference in DASH scores between those presenting with varus versus valgus fracture patterns. In addition, no significant differences were seen in final shoulder range of motion in any plane. Overall, 30 patients included in this study developed a complication. A significantly greater number of patients in the initial varus cohort developed complications (40.4%), as compared to 20.3% of patients in the initial valgus cohort (P=0.03). Fourteen patients in this study underwent reoperation. Nine of these patients were in the varus cohort, while 5 were in the valgus cohort (P=0.15). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, initial surgical neck displacement in varus or valgus was found to not significantly affect functional outcome. Based upon our findings, patients with varus displaced proximal humerus fractures are at a greater risk of developing postoperative complications than those who present with initial valgus displaced fracture patterns.

Ankle fracture nonunion is a rare occurrence following closed or operative intervention. When it does occur, patients can experience debilitating symptoms that limit daily function. Malleolar nonunion can be caused by patient factors, such as smoking, malnutrition, or vascular insufficiency. Surgeon factors, such as insufficient or inappropriate operative fixation, also play a role. Several adjuncts, such as bone grafting, bone morphogenic protein, and bone stimulation, are useful in treating nonunions. Through a multimodal approach, malleolar nonunions are reliably treated with operative fixation leading to good patient outcomes with minimal complications.