Post-fracture care programs for prevention of subsequent fragility fractures: a literature assessment of current trends.

Post-fracture care (PFC) programs evaluate and manage patients with a minimal trauma or fragility fracture to prevent subsequent fractures. We conducted a literature review to understand current trends in PFC publications, evaluate key characteristics of PFC programs, and assess their clinical effectiveness, geographic variations, and cost-effectiveness. We performed a search for peer-reviewed articles published between January 2003 and December 2020 listed in PubMed or Google Scholar. We categorized identified articles into 4 non-mutually exclusive PFC subtopics based on keywords and abstract content: PFC Types, PFC Effectiveness/Success, PFC Geography, and PFC Economics. The literature search identified 784 eligible articles. Most articles fit into multiple PFC subtopics (PFC Types, 597; PFC Effectiveness/Success, 579; PFC Geography, 255; and PFC Economics, 98). The number of publications describing how PFC programs can improve osteoporosis treatment rates has markedly increased since 2003; however, publication gaps remain, including low numbers of publications from some countries with reported high rates of osteoporosis and/or hip fractures. Fracture liaison services and geriatric/orthogeriatric services were the most common models of PFC programs, and both were shown to be cost-effective. We identified a need to expand and refine PFC programs and to standardize patient identification and reporting on quality improvement measures. Although there is an increasing awareness of the importance of PFC programs, publication gaps remain in most countries. Improvements in established PFC programs and implementation of new PFC programs are still needed to enhance equitable patient care to prevent occurrence of subsequent fractures.

Incidence of hardware-related pain and its effect on functional outcomes after open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To document the incidence of late pain and hardware removal after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of ankle fractures. To test the hypothesis that late pain overlying the distal tibial and fibular hardware is associated with poorer functional outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Level II trauma center. PATIENTS: One hundred twenty-six skeletally mature patients undergoing ORIF of unstable malleolar fractures who were followed up for at least six months from injury were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Analog pain score, Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), and Short Form Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA). RESULTS: Thirty-nine (31 percent) of the 126 patients had lateral pain overlying their fracture hardware. Twenty-nine patients (23 percent) had had their hardware removed or desired to have it removed. Of the twenty-two patients with hardware-related pain who had undergone hardware removal, only eleven had improvement in their lateral ankle pain; the mean analog pain score decreased from 6 +/- 3.16 (mean +/- standard deviation) before hardware removal to 3 +/- 2.9 after hardware removal (p = 0.008). In general, SF-36 and SMFA scores at final follow-up were significantly lower for patients who had pain overlying their lateral hardware than for those who had no pain. For the group of patients who had lateral ankle pain, no significant difference was noted in SMFA or SF-36 scores for patients who had and who had not had their lateral hardware removed (p > 0.5). CONCLUSION: The incidence of late pain overlying the distal tibial and fibular plate or screws is not insignificant. Although pain is generally decreased after hardware removal, nearly half of patients continue to have pain even after hardware removal. Functional outcome scores are poorer for patients with pain overlying lateral ankle hardware than in those with no pain at this location; this poorer outcome seems to be independent of whether the hardware was removed. Although the results of this study do not support or condemn the routine removal of fracture hardware after healing of unstable ankle fractures, they give orthopaedic surgeons some information that may assist them in counseling patients as to the expected functional outcome after ORIF of ankle fractures and the likelihood of relief of pain after removal of fracture hardware from the distal tibia and fibula.

Reliability in evaluating letters of recommendation.

To measure the interobserver reliability in evaluating letters of recommendation for residency applicants, three letters were collected from each of the application files of 58 residents at one program. The letters were rated by six faculty. Interobserver reliability, calculated using the kappa statistic, was slight. These preliminary results show significant variability in the interpretation of letters of recommendation.

Radiographic fracture assessments: which ones can we reliably make?

OBJECTIVE: To identify the fracture characteristics that can be reliably assessed by analysis of plain radiographs of tibial plateau fractures. DESIGN: Radiographic review study. PARTICIPANTS: Five orthopaedic traumatologists served as observers. INTERVENTION: Observers made assessments based on the radiographs of fifty-six tibial plateau fractures. Precise definitions of the assessments to be made were agreed on by all observers. The tested assessments included raters' abilities to identify and locate fracture lines, identify the presence of fracture displacement and comminution, make quantitative measurements of displacement, and characterize qualitative features of fractures. For thirty-eight of the fractures that had a computed tomography (CT) scan available, assessments were repeated using both radiographs and CT scans. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To characterize interobserver reliability, percentage agreement and kappa statistics were calculated for categorical variables, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for noncategorical variables. RESULTS: Reliability of the assessments varied widely. Determining the location of fracture lines had the greatest reliability, whereas the subjective assessments of fracture stability and energy showed the poorest reliability. Although the ICCs for quantitative measurements approached acceptable levels, the tolerance limits were extremely wide. The addition of a CT scan improved the reliability of most assessments, but not to a statistically significant degree. CONCLUSIONS: Many basic radiographic interpretations relied on in making treatment decisions are made variably by observers. Using experienced raters and precise definitions of fracture assessments does not guarantee a high level of agreement. Discrete assessments have higher interrater agreements than do more qualitative assessments. Quantitative measures have wide tolerance limits and, therefore, probably cannot be used reproducibly to classify fractures or make treatment decisions. We conclude the reliability of fracture classification is limited by raters' abilities to agree on basic radiographic assessments.

Bone mineral density 6 years after a hip fracture: a prospective, longitudinal study.

The purpose of this prospective study was to extend the results of previous studies to determine if an accelerated rate of loss of bone mineral density (BMD) continues for 6 years after a hip fracture. Eighty-five elderly patients who had sustained a hip fracture had determinations of BMD made at the time of fracture; 55 of these patients were available for reassessment of BMD 1 year later, and 21 were available for reassessment of BMD 6 to 7 years later. The change in BMD from injury to 1 year and from 1 to 6 years was determined and correlated with pre- and postinjury variables, such as ambulatory ability, dietary intake of calcium, serum vitamin D levels, and mental status. There was a marked decrease in BMD in the in the first year after fracture, with the mean change in BMD being -4.3% at the femoral neck and -1.8% at the lumbar spine. Between 1 and 6 years after fracture, however, there was a dramatic increase in the BMD at both the femoral neck and lumbar spine measurement sites. Relative to 1 year after fracture, the mean increases were 7.7% at the femoral neck and 4.5% at the lumbar spine. In many cases, the loss of bone mineral that occurred in the first year after fracture was completely recouped in the subsequent 5 years. Five of the 21 patients (24%) sustained a contralateral hip fracture in the 6 years after the index fracture. Lumbar spine BMD was lower at baseline (p = 0.112), 1 year after fracture (p = 0.007), and 6 years after fracture (p = 0.003) in patients who sustained a second hip fracture than in those who did not. There was a general decrease in the functional activity level of patients in the 6 years after a hip fracture, but there were no statistically significant relationships between changes in BMD and the functional mobility of patients. The mean calcium intake in patients improved remarkably in the 6 years after fracture, but there was no correlation between daily calcium intake and changes in BMD. During the first year after a hip fracture, there is a rapid loss of bone mineral from the lumbar spine and contralateral femoral neck. Between 1 and 6 years after fracture, however, BMD is likely to increase, perhaps to levels greater than those at baseline. Although this investigation is small, the findings of this study point to the importance of further larger studies to further clarify the natural history of BMD after a hip fracture and the potential impact of pharmacological intervention on that natural history.

Rank order analysis of tibial plafond fractures: does injury or reduction predict outcome?

We investigated the effects of severity of initial injury pattern and the quality of the articular reduction on outcome of displaced intra-articular distal tibial fractures, using a series of 25 patients who were treated with articulated external fixation and limited internal fixation, which provided a spectrum of reduction quality. Outcome was assessed by clinical ankle scores and radiographic arthrosis. The results demonstrate the rank order method to be a reliable means of stratifying severity of injury and quality of reduction. Neither injury nor reduction correlated with clinical ankle score. Reduction had a significant correlation with radiographic arthrosis. We conclude that the rank order method is useful in stratification of fracture patients, and that factors other than injury pattern and quality of articular reduction are important in determining outcome of patients with this severe articular injury.

High pressure pulsatile lavage irrigation of intraarticular fractures: effects on fracture healing.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of pulsatile lavage and bulb syringe irrigation on fracture healing in vivo. DESIGN: Randomized prospective trial in an animal model. SETTING: Medical school orthopaedic department. SUBJECTS: Thirty New Zealand white rabbits. INTERVENTION: The control group (C) underwent osteotomy of the medial femoral condyle, stabilization, and closure. The bulb syringe and pulsatile lavage groups underwent the same procedure as group C, with the addition of irrigation with one liter of normal saline via a bulb syringe (B) or a pulsatile lavage system (P). Animals were administered two fluorescent bone stains: xylenol orange at the time of operation, and calcein green one week postoperatively. Animals were euthanized two weeks postoperatively and femurs were retrieved for histological analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Union was determined by examination of microradiographs under light microscopy. The viability of bone along the fracture site was determined by evaluation of xylenol orange and calcein green staining under fluorescent microscopy. The density of new bone formed in the osteotomy site was assessed by computerized digitization of standardized regions of the proximal and distal osteotomy. RESULTS: Xylenol orange bands were present a mean of 66 +/- 8 percent (mean +/- standard error of the mean), 65 +/- 6 percent, and 44 +/- 5 percent of the distance along the osteotomy in groups C, B, and P, respectively (p < 0.001). Calcein green bands were present throughout the osteotomy site in all specimens. Calcified new bone was present in 62 +/- 4 percent, 58 +/- 7 percent, and 41 +/- 9 percent of the area measured in groups C, B, and P, respectively (p = 0.07). Twenty percent of the osteotomies in groups C and B did not unite, compared with 30 percent in group P (p > 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Pulsatile lavage irrigation of fresh intraarticular fractures in rabbits has a detrimental effect on early new bone formation; this effect, however, is no longer apparent two weeks following irrigation. While this study evaluated the effects of pulsatile lavage irrigation in noncontaminated fractures without extensive soft tissue injury, the detrimental effects observed on early new bone formation may translate to an increased risk of nonunion in the setting of a contaminated open fracture with extensive soft tissue injury. Based on the results of this investigation, the selective use of pulsatile lavage irrigation appears warranted. In the absence of gross wound contamination, irrigation with a bulb syringe appears less likely to impair fracture healing than does pulsatile lavage irrigation. Expansion of the model used in this study to include bacterial contamination and soft tissue crushing may further elucidate the effects of pulsatile lavage irrigation on fracture healing.

Effects of binary decision making on the classification of fractures of the ankle.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of binary decision making on interobserver reliability in the classification of fractures of the ankle. DESIGN: Radiographic review study. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Observers: two PGY-2 orthopaedic residents, two PGY-5 residents, and two orthopaedic attending surgeons. INTERVENTION: Radiographs of fifty ankle fractures were classified. Each observer classified the radiographs by using the original AO/ASIF system and its recent binary modification. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Interobserver reliability was assessed by using a kappa coefficient and compared for the two classification methods. RESULTS: The mean kappa value for interobserver reliability for type only and for type and group classification when using the original AO/ASIF system was 0.77 and 0.61, respectively. Using binary decision making, the mean kappa values for type only and for type and group were 0.78 and 0.62, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in reliability between the original and binary classification systems. CONCLUSION: The interobserver reliability of both the original AO/ASIF classification system and its binary modification is substantial. The results of the present study, however, cast doubt on the effectiveness of binary decision making in improving interobserver reliability in the classification of fractures. To our knowledge, this study is the first to compare the original AO/ASIF classification system with its binary modification. Additional study of other fractures may help elucidate the effectiveness of binary decision making in improving interobserver reliability in the classification of all fractures.

Reuse of external skeletal fixator components: effects on costs and complications.

BACKGROUND: Although many community hospitals and trauma centers reuse external fixator components, no published studies have examined the cost-effectiveness or the effect on the rate of complications of reuse. This study reports the preliminary results of a program for the reuse of selected components of external fixators at a trauma center. METHODS: After removal from the patient, fixators were cleaned and examined by a single nurse responsible for the program. Components in good repair were returned to the operating room stock for reuse, whereas those showing specific signs of wear were discarded. No component was used more than three times. The medical center charged patients a loaner fee equal to the hospital's cost for reusable components of external fixators. Data were collected for all fixators applied in the 15 months before and after institution of the program (69 and 65 fixators, respectively). RESULTS: The overall mean hospital charge for a fixator decreased 32% as a result of the reuse program (from $4,067 to $2,791). For the two fractures most commonly treated with external fixation, the distal radius and tibial plafond fractures, the mean charge decreased 44 and 29%, respectively. The mean hospital cost for a fixator decreased 34% as a result of the program (from $1,864 to $1,238). There were no differences in the rates of reoperation or complications before and after institution of the reuse program. No patient had mechanical failure of a new or reused fixator body. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results of this program are encouraging. We recommend that institutions reusing these devices develop specific programs outlining criteria for reuse and guidelines for reprocessing devices for reuse. The results of this study represent an important first step in the validation of the efficacy and safety of reuse of external fixator components.

A critical assessment of factors influencing reliability in the classification of fractures, using fractures of the tibial plafond as a model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate three factors that may influence the reliability of a fracture classification system: (a) the quality of the radiographs; (b) the ability of observers to identify the fracture fragments; and (c) the use of binary decision making. DESIGN: Assessment of interobserver reliability of blinded observers. SETTING: Medical school department of orthopaedics. PARTICIPANTS: Two attending orthopaedists, two PGY-5 orthopaedic residents, and two PGY-3 orthopaedic residents served as observers. INTERVENTION: Observers classified radiographs of twenty-five tibial plafond fractures according to the Rüedi-Allgöwer and binary classification systems, and also rated the quality of each radiograph as adequate or inadequate for accurately classifying the fracture. At a second session, observers classified the same radiographs after marking the fragments of the tibial articular surface, as well as radiographs that had the articular fragments premarked by the senior author. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pairwise interobserver reliability was analyzed by kappa statistics, and mean kappa values were compared for each method of fracture classification. RESULTS: No difference in interobserver reliability was detected between the Rüedi-Allgöwer and binary classification systems. Interobserver agreement on the adequacy of the radiographs was poorer than agreement on the classification of the fractures themselves. Having observers mark the fragments of the tibial articular surface had no effect on interobserver reliability; having the articular fragments premarked, however, significantly improved interobserver reliability in classifying the fractures. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study underscore the complexity of tibial plafond fractures and the difficulty observers have in reliably interpreting fracture radiographs. Fracture classification systems, such as the Rüedi-Allgöwer, predicated on identification of the number and displacement of articular fragments, may inherently perform poorly on reliability analyses because of observer difficulty in reliably identifying the fragments. Because binary decision making did not improve the reliability of fracture classification in this study, further investigation of the effectiveness of binary decision making may be advisable before such strategies are put into widespread use.

Accelerated bone mineral loss following a hip fracture: a prospective longitudinal study.

The purpose of this prospective study was to monitor the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and contralateral femoral neck in the first year following an osteoporosis-related fracture of the hip. Eighty-three elderly patients (mean age 77 years) who had sustained a hip fracture had determinations of BMD made at the time of fracture; 49 of these patients were available for reassessment of BMD 1 year later. The change in BMD was correlated with pre- and postinjury variables, such as ambulatory ability, dietary intake of calcium, serum vitamin D levels, mental status, and routine serologies. The mean decrease in BMD in the year following fracture was 5.4% from the contralateral femoral neck and 2.4% from the lumbar spine. Calcium intake correlated with the loss of BMD from the femoral neck (p = 0.015), but not the lumbar spine. Patients with daily calcium intakes of less than 500 mg/day had a more than 10% decrease in femoral neck BMD in the year following their hip fracture. Serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D level correlated with loss of MBD from the lumbar spine (p = 0.001), but not from the femoral neck. There was no correlation between the loss of bone mineral from either measurement site and age, sex, level of ambulation, or mental status. The loss of BMD from the femoral neck in the year following a hip fracture is more than five times that reported in the nonfractured population. This accelerated rate of loss can have drastic consequences in an elderly population already exhibiting osteopenia and propensity to fall. Investigation of pharmacologic or other interventions in the first critical year following a hip fracture may potentially blunt this accelerated rate of bone loss and lessen the risk of subsequent fractures.

Current treatment of tibial plateau fractures.

Treatment of tibial plateau fractures is evolving, and two treatment methods have emerged. One is the use of small incisions and percutaneous stabilization of depression fractures; another is the use of thin wire external fixation for bicondylar fractures. Preoperative planning is aided by classifying fractures as depressed, split, or bicondylar. Depressed fractures can often be treated with insertion of subchondral screws and supporting bone graft under fluoroscopic or arthroscopic guidance. Split fractures are treated with an open approach and application of a buttress plate. Bicondylar fractures require both medial and lateral support to prevent collapse and subsequent varus or valgus deformity. Current treatment of these fractures favors reassembling the articular surface and using thin wire external fixators to align the reconstructed articular block with the diaphysis. Avoiding extensive dissection of comminuted metaphyseal fragments can speed healing, so dissection is generally limited to the region near the tibial articular surface.

Fractures of the radius and ulna in adults: an analysis of factors affecting outcome.

Concurrent data were collected by the authors for 104 fractures of the shafts of the radius and ulna in 102 adult patients to determine the relationship of subjective, objective, radiographic and economic outcome parameters to the method of treatment, type of fracture (open or closed), degree of comminution, and the presence of other injuries. Patients treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) had less pain, lost less forearm rotation, and returned to the same work following injury more frequently than those treated by closed reduction and casting (CR) or pins-in-plaster (PIP). The greatest advantages of ORIF over other treatment methods were improved skeletal alignment and forearm rotation, the factors most often associated with return to the same work following injury. Except for a longer time to union and a higher rate of infection, the outcomes of open and closed fractures were very similar. The presence of other injuries was a strong predictor of a compromised end result, primarily because of more pain, greater loss of forearm rotation, and less frequent return to the same work. The inclusion of patient satisfaction and work status in the assessment of outcomes and the concept of "functional malunion", an outcome-based interpretation of a radiographic finding, should help in counselling patients as to the likely economic and functional impacts of these injuries.

Correlates of bone mineral density in elderly patients with hip fractures.

Ninety-seven elderly patients with acute fractures of the proximal femur sustained as a result of minimal trauma were studied with regard to variables that may potentially influence the incidence or outcome of fractures of the proximal femur. The mean bone mineral density (BMD) measured at the femoral neck was approximately 2 SDs below age- and sex-adjusted normals. There was a preferential loss of bone mineral from the femoral neck in younger patients with hip fractures (Z score -3.10 +/- 0.23) (mean +/- SEM) compared with the lumbar spine (Z score -1.71 +/- 0.41). Mean daily calcium intake was well below the recommended levels and calcium intake < 400 mg/day was associated with lower lumbar spine BMD Z scores (p = 0.01). Ambulatory ability was unassociated with BMD Z scores. The results of this study suggest that the femoral neck is a site of preferential bone loss in younger postmenopausal patients, and screening of patients at risk of hip fracture should measure BMD at this site. Calcium supplementation may play a role in decreasing the incidence of hip fractures.

Acute pyogenic osteomyelitis in children.

Acute pyogenic osteomyelitis in children continues to be a problem in orthopaedics. The causes of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis are not adequately known, but the histologic progression of the disease has been described. Early diagnosis with culture of an aspiration specimen is of paramount importance. Treatment with antibiotic agents is often successful unless pus is obtained on aspiration. In patients with an established abscess, surgical drainage is often required in addition to antibiotic therapy. Oral antibiotics appear to be as effective as parenteral antibiotics, provided adequate serum bactericidal titers can be demonstrated. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative organism, although other organisms are often found in special circumstances, such as in neonates, patients with sickle-cell disease, and those with puncture wounds of the foot.

Osteomyelitis. Common causes and treatment recommendations.

Infections involving bone continue to be a common problem. In children this is usually an acute haematogenous osteomyelitis. Early diagnosis with culture of an aspiration specimen is of paramount importance. Treatment with antibacterial agents is often successful unless pus is obtained in aspiration. In cases with an established abscess, surgical drainage is often needed in addition to antibiotic treatment. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative organism, although other microbes are often found in special circumstances such as in neonates, patients with sickle cell disease and those with nail puncture wounds. In adults, a pyogenic osteomyelitis is often due to direct trauma and generally is chronic in nature. Surgical debridement is the mainstay of treatment in these cases. Antibiotic treatment is often helpful but not curative by itself. Fungal and mycobacterial osteomyelitis is especially common in immunocompromised hosts. Amphotericin B remains the preferred treatment for fungal infections. Long term antituberculous multiple drug therapy is often sufficient to treat mycobacterial osteomyelitis.

Topical antibiotic irrigation in the prophylaxis of operative wound infections in orthopedic surgery.

1. Although the orthopedic literature on the clinical use of topical antibiotics is sparse, the effectiveness of topical antibiotics has been shown well enough in vitro and in the surgical literature to justify strong consideration of their use in orthopedic procedures. 2. Saline irrigation should not be relied upon to reduce bacterial contamination completely, although it does remove debris, foreign material, and clot, which often contain bacteria, from the surgical wound. 3. Topical antibiotic agents used for irrigation should have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Triple antibiotic solution (neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin) provides the most complete coverage against the organisms most likely to cause infections in both clean and contaminated orthopedic surgical cases. These agents should be allowed to remain in the wound for at least 1 minute before their removal. 4. Further studies of topical antibiotic irrigation in orthopedic surgery are needed to demonstrate the most effective antibiotic(s) and technique of administration. 5. There is evidence to suggest that the more often an irrigant is used, the more effective it is in preventing infection. 6. The use of bacitracin as an irrigant should probably be avoided in patients previously exposed to that agent. 7. Antibiotic-containing solutions should be utilized with pulsatile lavage systems. Saline alone may drive previously administered antibiotics from bone, leaving insufficient local antibiotic levels.