Are we putting ourselves in danger? Occupational hazards and job safety for orthopaedic surgeons.

As physicians, we strive to meet the needs of our patients. In doing so, we are often exposed to hazards that have the potential to not only compromise our health, but also our ability to deliver the best possible healthcare. Occupational hazards specific to the field of orthopaedics include infectious organisms, radiation, surgical smoke, chemicals, hazardous noise, musculoskeletal injury, and psychosocial stressors. Even though orthopaedic surgeons acknowledge the risk, most lack in-depth knowledge of the associated long-term harm associated with these hazards and ways of reducing risk of exposure. Orthopaedic surgeons should increase awareness, follow established guidelines, and integrate preventative measures to create the safest possible work environment. It is our hope that by improving our own health, we will be better equipped to address the health concerns of those we serve-our patients.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Meniscal Repair Versus Partial Meniscectomy in the Setting of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To compare the cost-effectiveness of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with meniscal repair to ACL reconstruction with partial meniscectomy. METHODS: A decision-analytic Markov disease progression model with a 40-year horizon was created simulating outcomes after both meniscal repair and partial meniscectomy at the time of ACL reconstruction. Event probabilities, costs, and utilities were used for the index procedures. The development of osteoarthritis and subsequent knee replacement were either calculated or selected from published literature. Difference in cost, difference in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effective ratio were calculated to determine which index procedure is most cost-effective. RESULTS: There is total direct cost from ACL reconstruction with meniscus repair of $17,898 compared with that with partial meniscectomy of $24,768 (cost savings of $6,870). There was an estimated gain of 18.00 QALYs after ACL reconstruction with meniscus repair compared with 17.16 QALYs with partial meniscectomy (increase of 0.84 QALYs). In this scenario, meniscus repair is the dominant index procedure at the time of ACL reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Meniscal repair at the time of ACL reconstruction is more cost-effective than partial meniscectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, economic and decision analysis.

Reliability of 3-Dimensional Glenoid Component Templating and Correlation to Intraoperative Component Selection.

Although implant-specific intraoperative targeting devices for glenoid sizing exist, a validated method for preoperatively templating glenoid component size in primary total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) based on digital imaging does not. We conducted a study to determine if 3-dimensional (3-D) digital imaging could be used for preoperative templating of glenoid component size and to compare templated glenoid sizes with implanted glenoid sizes. We created 3-D digital models from 3 glenoid component implant sizes and preoperative scapular computed tomography scans of 24 patients who underwent primary TSA. In study arm 1, surgeons templated the 3-D components using only 2 df (superior-inferior and anterior-posterior planes). In study arm 2, surgeons templated the 3-D components using 6 df (superior-inferior, anterior-posterior, and rotational planes). Overall intraobserver agreement was substantial (0.67) in study arm 1 (P < .001) and moderate (0.58) in study arm 2 (P < .001). In arm 1, overall interobserver agreement was fair (0.36) for trial 1 (P < .001) and fair (0.32) for trial 2 (P < .001). In arm 2, overall interobserver agreement was moderate (0.54) for trial 1 (P < .001) and moderate (0.43) for trial 2 (P < .001). In both arms, surgeons tended to template glenoid components smaller than those implanted intraoperatively, particularly for female patients. Our findings show that 3-D digital models can be consistently and reliably used for preoperative templating of glenoid com-ponent size.

Effect of lower extremity fasciotomy length on intracompartmental pressure in an animal model of compartment syndrome: the importance of achieving a minimum of 90% fascial release.

BACKGROUND: There has been an increase in minimally invasive surgery for chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS), despite the potential for incomplete compartment release and iatrogenic injuries. To our knowledge, no study has examined the effect of the length of fascial release on compartment pressures. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose was to explain the high failure rate seen in fascial release for CECS by evaluating the effect of fasciotomy length on intracompartmental pressures. We hypothesized that complete fascial release would need to be performed to return pressures to baseline levels. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Five male swine (10 lower extremities) were anesthetized. A slit catheter, connected to a pressure monitor, was inserted into the anterior compartment and a solution containing 5% swine albumin was injected into the compartment until the compartment pressure was >25 mm Hg for 10 minutes. Pressures were measured at rest, after the injection, and after each 10% incremental fasciotomy release. RESULTS: The mean resting intracompartmental pressure was 3.2 mm Hg (range, 0-6 mm Hg), which increased after the injection to a mean of 37 mm Hg (range, 26-67 mm Hg). After complete fasciotomy, the mean pressure was 1.1 mm Hg (range, 0-4 mm Hg). There was a strong negative correlation (r=-0.693) between fasciotomy length and intracompartmental pressure. In 90% of the specimens, the pressures were <15 mm Hg after 80% fascial release, and after 90% release, all pressures were ≤8 mm Hg. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a strong correlation between fasciotomy length and a reduction in intracompartmental pressures in a swine model. Our study suggests that 90% fascial release may represent a possible watershed zone, returning the intracompartmental pressure to a value at or near baseline values. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results suggest that even in cases with near complete fascial release, intracompartmental pressures may decrease enough to provide symptomatic relief and avoid possible iatrogenic injuries associated with percutaneous release. It is unknown whether the swine model may adequately translate to the clinical setting; thus, recommendations should be taken with caution, and future studies should be performed to examine the correlation in a human model.

Physical examination of the patellofemoral joint.

Examination of the patellofemoral joint can prove to be challenging. Although certain acute injuries such as patella fracture or tendon rupture can be diagnosed quickly, more chronic injuries such as patellar subluxation and patellofemoral pain syndrome are more difficult to diagnose because of the subtlety of the examination findings. The source of the problem can also vary, and must be identified to direct treatment. Adding to the complexity is that other structures around the knee may present with anterior knee pain and can be mistaken for patellofemoral disorder, which is why the patellofemoral examination should be performed in the context of a complete knee examination. For all of these reasons, performing a thorough and systematic examination of the patellofemoral joint can lead to optimal outcomes for patients.

Glenoid morphology after reaming in computer-simulated total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The relationships between reaming parameters for glenoid-implant surface area and bone loss in total shoulder arthroplasty have not been well established. The hypotheses of this study are: (1) for large version corrections, a large reaming depth of 5 mm is not sufficient to obtain complete glenoid implant contact; (2) glenoid bone is removed in a linear proportion with reaming depth; and (3) initial reamer placement has no effect on glenoid bone removal. METHODS: Ten computer models from computed tomography scans of patients with advanced osteoarthritis were created for computer-simulated reaming as performed during total shoulder arthroplasty. Reaming variables studied included reaming depth, reamer placement, and version correction. The resulting reamed glenoid surface area available for implantation and bone volume removed were calculated for each permutation. RESULTS: Reamed surface area significantly increased with larger depths of reaming (P < .0001) and smaller version corrections (P < .0001). Bone volume removed and reaming depth had a strong quadratic relationship (r(2) = 0.999). With off-center reamer placement, volume removed when deviating in the posterior direction was significantly greater than when deviating in the anterior, superior, or inferior direction (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Performing smaller version corrections allows for greater attainable implant-bone surface contact because increasing reaming depth results in small increases in conforming surface area but large losses in glenoid bone stock. Bone volume removed was most sensitive to off-center position errors in the posterior direction.

Isolated rupture of the teres major tendon.

Acute isolated rupture of the teres major is an uncommon injury. This article presents the first report of midterm subjective and objective functional results following nonoperative management of an isolated teres major rupture. A 30-year-old right hand dominant man presented after a waterskiing traction injury to his left upper extremity. On physical examination, the patient had swelling and retraction of the teres major at the lower scapular border, which was accentuated with resisted adduction of the extremity. His teres major attachment at the humerus was not palpable. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an isolated teres major tendon rupture. The patient was treated non-operatively with a rehabilitation protocol emphasizing rotator cuff, periscapular, and latissimus muscle strengthening. By 3 months postinjury, the patient had returned to all of his usual sporting activities, despite a persistent muscle retraction deformity over the teres major. At 3-year follow-up, the patient had no subjective complaints in the injured extremity and excellent functional outcome scores. A mean 37 kg loss of internal rotation strength (as measured by dynamometer) in the affected extremity with the arm abducted to 90° existed, although this difference was not subjectively appreciable. Although previously published reports have presented various options for the management of teres major injuries, the present case demonstrates that nonoperative treatment can produce excellent midterm subjective results in spite of objective internal rotation weakness.