Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVES:: The purpose of this study is to characterize the presentation, size, treatment, and complications of pulmonary embolism (PE) in a large series of orthopaedic trauma patients who developed PE after injury. METHODS:: We reviewed the records of orthopaedic trauma patients who developed a PE within 6 months of injury at 9 trauma centers and 2 tertiary care facilities. RESULTS:: There were 312 patients, 186 men and 126 women, avg age 58. Average BMI was 29.6, avg ISS was 18. 17% received anticoagulation prior to injury, and 5% had a prior history of PE. After injury, 87% were placed on prophylactic anticoagulation; 68% with low molecular weight heparin. 53% of patients exhibited shortness of breath or chest pain. Average heart rate and O2 saturation prior to PE diagnosis were 110 and 94, respectively. 39% had abnormal ABG and 30% had abnormal EKG findings. 89% had CTPA for diagnosis. Most clots were segmental (63%), followed by subsegmental (21%), lobar (9%), and central (7%). The most common treatment was unfractionated heparin and Coumadin (25%). Complications of anticoagulation were common: 10% had bleeding at the surgical site. Other complications of anticoagulation included GI bleed, anemia, wound complications, death, and compartment syndrome. PE recurred in 1%. 4% died of PE within 6 months. CONCLUSIONS:: This is the first large data set to evaluate the course of PE in an orthopaedic trauma population. The complications of anticoagulation are significant and were as common in the patients with lower risk clots as those with higher risk clots. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: III (retrospective).

The evolution of locking plates and modern nail constructs provides the orthopaedic trauma surgeon with a myriad of options with regard to implant selection for common fractures. There is a significant amount of biomechanical literature comparing modern constructs with those conventionally used. A basic understanding of this literature is required to make informed decisions with regard to implant selection in the management of these injuries. This article reviews the most recent biomechanical literature regarding implant selection and application for a variety of commonly treated injuries, including fractures of the clavicle, proximal humerus, distal humerus, intertrochanteric hip region, distal femur, and bicondylar tibial plateau.

Distal radius fractures are the most common fracture involving the upper extremity. Despite their frequency, there is a lack of consensus within the orthopedic community regarding indications for operative management of these injuries in the elderly population. An increase in the rate of operative fixation has been cited in the past decade, however, there is no definitive evidence in the literature to support such a trend. Although studies have reported successful functional outcomes with both operative and nonoperative management, the current evidence regarding indications for operative management remains inconclusive due to a lack of large-scale, prospective, randomized trials in the elderly population. Until evidence-based algorithms can be established, treatment decisions must be made based on clinical judgment and risk assessment, while taking into account the functional demands of each patient. 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

Pain emanating from an orthopaedic implant can be a difficult problem to identify. Hardware removal frequently is performed with successful results but may not always lead to resolution of all symptoms. A combination of patient history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing should guide management. Proper patient counseling on treatment options and outcomes is equally important to give patients reasonable expectations. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current literature and advise on the most appropriate means to evaluate and treat these patients.

Open knee joint injuries are potentially devastating injuries if not properly diagnosed and treated. Current diagnostic techniques, such as the saline load test (SLT), are based on outdated literature. Diagnosis of traumatic arthrotomies via the presence of intra-articular air on computed tomography (CT) scan has recently been shown to be 100% sensitive and specific to detect these injuries. Additionally, open knee joint injuries have a high rate of associated periarticular fractures (51%). The workhorse open surgical approach to the knee is the medial parapatellar approach; however, arthroscopic irrigation and debridement (I&D) should be considered in the setting of small puncture wounds (e.g., gunshot wounds). Antibiotic therapy following I&D of an open knee joint injury includes 24 to 48 hours of intravenous antibiotics. Oral antibiotic therapy can be administered afterwards for 3 to 5 days if the original injury was grossly contaminated. Ultimately, a unified management algorithm for open knee joint injuries based on current literature should be followed to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment of this potentially devastating injury.

For almost 15 years bisphosphonates have been the mainstay of prevention and treatment of fragility fractures, particularly in post-menopausal women. As a result, there has been a decrease in fragility fractures, along with the health care costs associated with treating them. However, with all drugs, there are always concerns with side effects and potential complications. Atypical femur fractures have been observed in women taking bisphosphonates, a complication the drug was designed to prevent. There is no definitive link between bisphosphonates and atypical femur fractures and no proto- col to managing these fractures. This review discusses the evolution and development of bisphosphonates and offers the latest information regarding evidence surrounding the link to atypical femur fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Operative fixation of displaced inferior pole patella fractures has now become the standard of care. This study aims to quantify clinical, radiographic and functional outcomes, as well as identify complications in a cohort of patients treated with non-absorbable braided suture fixation for inferior pole patellar fractures. These patients were then compared to a control group of patients treated for mid-pole fractures with K-wires or cannulated screws with tension band wiring. METHODS: In this IRB approved study, we identified a cohort of patients who were diagnosed and treated surgically for a displaced patella fracture. Demographic, injury, and surgical information were recorded. All patients were treated with a standard surgical technique utilizing non-absorbable braided suture woven through the patellar tendon and placed through drill holes to achieve reduction and fracture fixation. All patients were treated with a similar post-operative protocol and followed up at standard intervals. Data were collected concurrently at follow up visits. For purpose of comparison, we identified a control cohort with middle third patella fractures treated with either k-wires or cannulated screws and tension band technique. Patients were followed by the treating surgeon at regular follow-up intervals. Outcomes included self-reported function and knee range of motion compared to the uninjured side. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients with 49 patella fractures identified retrospectively were treated over 9 years. This cohort consisted of 31 females (63.3%) and 18 males (36.7%) with an average age of 57.1 years (range 26 - 88 years). Patients had an average BMI of 26.48 (range 19 - 44.08). Thirteen patients with inferior pole fractures underwent suture fixation and 36 patients with mid-pole fractures underwent tension band fixation (K-wire or cannulated screws with tension band). In the suture cohort, one fracture failed open repair (7.6%), which was revised again with sutures and progressed to union. Of the 36 fractures repaired with a tension band fixation, 11 underwent secondary surgery due to hardware pain or fixation failure (30.6%). At one year, no difference was seen in knee range of motion between cohorts. All fractures healed radiographically. Those patients who required reoperation or removal of hardware had significantly diminished range of motion about their injured knee (p > 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who sustain inferior pole patella fractures have limited options for fracture fixation. Suture repair is clinically acceptable, yielding similar results to patella fractures repaired with metal implants. Importantly, patients undergoing suture repair appear to have fewer hardware related postoperative complications than those receiving wire fixation for midpole fractures.

PURPOSE: Information regarding patient preferences is important to develop more diversity in healthcare providers. To our knowledge, no information exists regarding how patients choose their orthopaedic surgeon. The purpose of this study is to determine which demographic factors, if any, affect patient preferences when choosing an orthopaedic surgeon. METHODS: Five hundred new patients presenting to a large, urban, academic orthopaedic clinic from May 2011 to May 2013 were prospectively asked to participate in this study. Patients were asked to complete a survey designed with the help of the Division of Population Health that focused on demographic, professional and physical attributes of theoretical surgeons. Specifically, patient preference of surgeon age, gender, race, religion, importance of education prestige, training program prestige and number of medical publications were evaluated. Patients were then stratified by age, gender, race, religion, educational level and income level to assess whether their own demographics were related to their preferences. The data was then analyzed to determine whether correlations existed between patient preferences and their own demographics. RESULTS: Five hundred patients agreed to participate in the study. There were 195 (39.0%) males and 281 (56.2%) females with an average age of 40.8 years (SD=20.5), 24 patients (4.8%) did not respond to the question. Two hundred and twelve (42.4%) patients were Caucasian, 116 (23.2%) were Hispanic, 53 (10.6%) were African American, 44 (8.8%) were Asian, 32 (6.4%) were listed as other and 43 (8.6%) did not answer. 78.0% of patients had no preference for their surgeon's gender, but for those who did, both men and woman preferred male surgeons (weak positive correlation, not statistically significant, r=0.096, p=0.373). The majority of patients (84.8%) had no preference for the race of their surgeon, but those that had a preference tended to prefer surgeons of their own ethnicity (p<0.001). With increasing patient education level, medical school, residency and fellowship training prestige had more importance as a selection criterion. Increasing patient education level also demonstrated a corresponding importance given to physician education and training as categorized by the perception of residency training program prestige (p=0.04). A majority of patients (84.0%) had no preference for their surgeon's religion, but for those who did there was a strong correlation (r=0.65), between the patients' own religion and that of the physician (p<0.001). There was universal agreement in perception that neither physician age nor years in practice made any difference as selection criteria when choosing an orthopaedic surgeon (p>0.05). Finally patient income level had no effect on specific criteria when choosing a surgeon. CONCLUSION: The vast majority of patients surveyed had no preference in age, gender, race, or religion of their potential surgeon. However, patients who had preferences in these categories tended to choose surgeons of the same age, race and religion. These findings neither support or refute the need for diverse health care providers in the field of orthopaedics.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine functional outcomes following ORIF of displaced proxi- mal humerus fractures in patients who received brachial plexus blocks compared to those who underwent general anesthesia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed prospectively col- lected data on 92 patients. Patients were grouped according to anesthesia type: regional interscalene brachial plexus block, with or without general anesthesia, or general anes- thesia alone. Patients were asked to complete the Disabili- ties of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and range of motion assessments at a minimum of 6-month follow-up. Plain radiographic films were obtained to assess fracture healing. RESULTS: Forty-five (48.9%) patients with 45 proximal humerus fractures received a regional anesthetic, while 47 (51.1%) patients with 48 proximal humerus fractures had general anesthesia. No significant differences existed in demographic information or fracture type. DASH scores at the most recent follow-up were significantly better in the regional block group (38.6) compared to the general anes- thesia group (53.1) (p = 0.003). The regional block group had significantly better passive and active forward elevation and external rotation range and equivalent internal rotation (p = 0.002, 0.005, 0.002, and 0.507, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients who received regional anesthetic via a brachial plexus interscalene blocks had better functional outcomes and range of motion at the most recent clinical follow-up. Regional anesthesia provides patients with pro- longed postoperative pain relief, which may allow for early mobilization, increasing the likelihood that the patient's function and range of motion will return to baseline.

The relationship between pharmaceutical and biomedical technology companies (industry) and medical practitioners has been a topic of discussion and concern for several de- cades. The large monetary payments and extravagant gifts to physicians from these companies have been regulated and largely stopped; however, there still exists an active rapport between physicians and industry. Little formal instruction is given to medical students and residents on what constitutes a conflict of interest when entering these business partnerships. In this study, we presented a set of scenarios depicting industry-physician interactions to medical students, orthopaedic surgery residents, and attending physicians and asked them to decide whether a conflict of interest is depicted. Our goal was to determine whether a disparity exists in the ability to identify conflicts of interest across the levels of training. Of 200 potential participants, 70 provided responses to the survey (35%). Thirty-five (50%) were attending physicians, 18 (25.7%) residents, 12 (17.1%) medical students, and 8 (11.4%) de- clined to provide level of training. There was no significant difference in the ability to identify a conflict of interest across seniority level for the 13 questions. Our results suggest that both medical students and resident physicians are able to identify which interactions with industry pose a possible conflict of interest as accurately as attending physicians can.