Smoking Is Not an Independent Risk Factor for Increased Opioid Consumption in Patients Being Treated for Ankle Fractures.

Using narcotics for pain management is an integral part of orthopaedic surgery, especially after traumatic injuries such as ankle fractures. Although narcotics are often necessary for adequate pain control, prolonged duration of opioid treatment is becoming more common, and the detrimental effects of opioid use are well known. To treat this epidemic, we need to better understand the factors that put patients at risk for increased narcotic requirements and potential opioid misuse after orthopaedic injuries. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare opioid use among ankle fracture patients in smokers versus nonsmokers to better elucidate whether tobacco use is a risk factor for increased opioid consumption. A retrospective review was conducted for all patients who presented with an ankle fracture (Weber A to C) to any of 8 institutions in a large mid-Atlantic regional hospital system and subsequently underwent surgery between the November 2013 and January 2017. Exclusion criteria included patients age <18 years, a diagnosis of a pilon fracture, polytrauma, history of substance abuse, chronic pain syndromes, and osteoporosis. This yielded a total of 130 patients (96 nonsmokers and 34 smokers). A repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to compare opioid consumption between the 2 groups. Model analysis demonstrated no difference between the 2 groups (p = .782). There was no difference in opioid consumption at 1 month (p = .838), 2 months (p = .569), or 3 months (p = .656) between smokers and nonsmokers. Our study revealed no significant difference in opioid consumption among smokers compared with nonsmokers in patients treated for ankle fractures.

Radiographic Assessment of First Tarsometatarsal Joint Shape and Orientation.

BACKGROUND: Hypermobility within the first tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint is a predisposing factor for hallux valgus. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the shape and angulation of the first TMT joint are affected by the positioning of the foot in radiographs. METHODS: Ten adult above-knee fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens were placed into a radiolucent apparatus that allowed controlled angulation of each foot at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 degrees in dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion. For each specimen, the first TMT joint angle (1TMTJA), shape of the distal articular surface of the medial cuneiform (flat or curved), and image quality of the first TMT joint were measured. RESULTS: The mean value for 1TMTJA was 22.9 degrees (95% confidence interval [CI] 21.9-24). Individual anatomical variations of the specimens as well as the different angulations due to foot positioning significantly influenced the 1TMTJA (both P < .001). Joints that were found to have a flat configuration showed significantly increased 1TMTJA on average when compared to the ones with curved articular surface, 25.9 (95% CI 24.4-27.4) and 20.8 degrees (95% CI 19.5-22.0) (P < .001), respectively. Image quality for visualization of the first TMT joint was progressively better for increased angles of dorsiflexion and inversion. CONCLUSION: The shape and angulation of the first TMT joint on radiographic evaluation are affected by the positioning of the foot. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinical usefulness of these radiographic characteristics is limited and should not influence operative planning in patients with possible instability of the first TMT joint.

Lateral Transfer of the Flexor Digitorum Longus for Peroneal Tendinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have reported midterm outcomes after single-stage flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendon transfer to the lateral foot for irreparable rupture of the peroneal tendons. METHODS: Over a 7-year period (2008-2015), 25 consecutive patients underwent transfer of the FDL to the fifth metatarsal for irreparable peroneal tendon tears. Of these, 15 patients were available for inclusion with a mean follow-up of 53.7 ± 23.3 months, mean age at surgery of 48.4 years, and mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.8 kg/m2. Patients completed the pain visual analog scale (VAS), Foot Function Index (FFI), Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA), and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and participated in range of motion, peak force, and peak power testing. RESULTS: All 15 patients were satisfied with their surgery and reported a reduction in their pain level with a decreased VAS of 5.6 ± 2.5. The mean FFI was 12.8 ± 9.2, the SMFA Function Index was 12.4 ± 8, and the mean SMFA Bothersome Index was 11.5 ± 11. The mean FAAM was 86.4 ± 9.7. Patients had on average 58% less eversion and 28% less inversion compared with the nonoperative side. Isometric peak torque and isotonic peak velocity were 38.4% and 28.8% less compared with the contralateral side, respectively. The average power in the operative limb was diminished by 56% compared with the nonoperative limb. CONCLUSION: In this small case series with midterm follow-up, FDL transfer to the lateral foot for significant, irreparable peroneal tendinopathy was an effective and durable treatment option. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.