Biomechanical Analysis of Fixation Devices for Basicervical Femoral Neck Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Basicervical femoral neck fractures are challenging fractures in geriatric populations. The goal of this study was to determine whether compression hip screw (CHS) constructs are superior to cephalomedullary constructs for the treatment of basicervical femoral neck fractures. METHODS: Thirty cadaver femurs were osteotomized and received a CHS with derotation screw, a long cephalomedullary nail (long Gamma nail), or a short cephalomedullary nail (short Gamma nail). All constructs were loaded dynamically in compression until dynamic failure. RESULTS: All failed CHS constructs demonstrated superior femoral head cutout. In the long Gamma nail and short Gamma nail groups, constructs failed by nail cutout through the medial wall of the trochanter or rotationally. Normalized fluoroscopic distance was found to increase markedly with an increasing cycle count when considering all treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Given our results and those of previous studies, we could not determine superiority of one implant and recommend that surgeons select fixation constructs based on the individual patient's anatomy and the surgeon's comfort with the implant.

Fixation Strength in Full and Limited Fixation of Osteoporotic Distal Radius Fractures.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether osteoporotic intra-articular distal radius fractures surgically treated by filling all 7 distal screws of a volar plate will have a higher load to failure than those treated by filling only 4 distal screws. METHODS: Ten matched pairs of fresh frozen cadaveric forearms were randomized within each pair to be treated by using either all 7 of the distal holes of a volar plate or only 4 distal screws. The distal radius fixation was performed with unicortical screws going to but not through the dorsal cortex, and the most distal screws were placed within 4 mm of the joint surface. An AO C2 type fracture was then created. All specimens were tested cyclically, with an axial load of 60 N, at 3 Hz for 1000 cycles to simulate early postoperative motion. All specimens were subsequently tested to mechanical failure. RESULTS: There were no failures in either group during cyclic testing. There was no difference detected between groups for mean stiffness, yield load, peak load, or load to clinical failure. In both groups, the yield load, peak load, and load to clinical failure were higher than the 60- to 100-N forces encountered during postoperative rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference detected between osteoporotic intra-articular distal radius fractures treated by utilizing all 7 of the distal screws of a volar plate compared with those treated with only 4 distal screws.

Orthopedic Surgery Resident Debt Load and Its Effect on Career Choice.

Student loan debt has become a topic of discussion and debate among physicians and legislators. This study seeks to assess the level of debt of orthopedic surgery residents and to determine whether debt burden affects the career choice of orthopedic trainees. A 26-question, anonymous survey was distributed via email to resident trainees enrolled in different medical and surgical specialty training programs across the United States. Orthopedic trainees were compared with trainees in other specialties using comparative statistics. Of the approximately 13,503 residents who were sent the survey, a total of 3076 responded, including 167 of an estimated 580 orthopedic residents, for approximate response rates of 22.8% and 28.8%, respectively. On average, orthopedic surgery residents were at a later post-graduate year than overall respondents (P<.025). When asked if student loan debt would influence the next step in their career, nonorthopedic residents were statistically more likely to respond "yes" compared with orthopedic surgery residents (57.21% vs 49.08%, respectively; P=.041). More than 50% of all respondents agreed that student loan debt would affect their type or location of practice. The majority of orthopedic residents take student loan debt into consideration when determining their final location and type of practice, although less so for orthopedic trainees compared with other specialties. As medical education continues to become more expensive and the threat of dropping physician reimbursement looms on the horizon, student debt may become a primary driving factor for young American physicians' career plans. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(3):e438-e443.].

Cost benefit analysis of topical tranexamic acid in primary total hip and knee arthroplasty.

The purpose of this study was to provide a cost-benefit analysis of topical tranexamic acid (TXA) in primary total hip and knee arthroplasty patients. A retrospective cohort of 591 consecutive patients, 311 experimental and 280 control, revealed a transfusion rate reduction from 17.5% to 5.5%, increased postoperative hemoglobin, and decreased delta hemoglobin without an increase in adverse events (all P < 0.001). This led to saving $83.73 per patient based on transfusion costs alone after accounting for the cost of TXA. Hospital disposition to home compared to subacute nursing facility was also significantly increased by 9.3% (P < 0.02). We conclude that topical TXA reduces transfusion rate, increases home disposition, and reduces cost in primary hip and knee arthroplasty.