Trends in Open Versus Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release From 2010 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: This study compared trends in use, predictive factors, and reimbursement of endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) withthose of open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) from 2010 to 2021 using a national administrative database. METHODS: ECTR and OCTR patients were identified in the PearlDiver M151Ortho data set. Numeric and proportional utilization of these procedures was characterized for each year of study. Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify predictive factors for having ECTR performed. The average 90-day reimbursement of ECTR and OCTR was determined. RESULTS: From 2010 through 2021, 441,023 ECTR and 1,767,820 OCTR procedures were identified. The proportional use of ECTR compared with OCTR rose from 2010 (15.7% of procedures) to 2021 (26.1%). Independent predictors of having ECTR performed rather than OCTR included geographic variation (compared with having surgery in the Midwest, Northeast odds ratio [OR], 1.53; West OR, 1.62; and South OR, 1.66), having Medicare or commercial insurance (compared with commercial, Medicare OR, 0.94, and Medicaid OR, 0.69), female sex, and fewer comorbidities. The average 90-day reimbursement for ECTR was $3,114.82, compared with $3,087.62 for OCTR. DISCUSSION: As of 2021, over one-fourth of carpal tunnel releases are done endoscopically. Several factors independently predict whether patients receive ECTR or OCTR.

Billing rules / global period affect postoperative follow-up practices following total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common procedure following which postoperative visits are important to optimize outcomes. The associated global billing period includes the 90 postoperative days (or approximately 13 weeks), during which professional billing is included with the surgery itself. The current study assessed clinical practice patterns relative to the global billing period. METHODS: Using the PearlDiver M91Ortho dataset, the incidence and timing of Evaluation and Management (E&M) codes in the 26 weeks following THA were assessed. The follow-up visits within and beyond the global billing period, and those conducted by surgeons versus non-surgeon advanced practice providers (APPs) were determined. RESULTS: 77,843 THAs were identified. Follow-up visits peaked at postoperative weeks 3, 7, and 14. The greatest week-to-week variation in the number of follow-ups was from weeks 13 to 14 immediately following the global billing period (representing a greater than 4-fold increase in visits.) During the first 13 postop weeks, 73.8% of patients were seen by orthopedic surgeons (as opposed to APPs). In the following 13 weeks, a significantly greater percentage of visits were with surgeons (86.8%, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Following the THA global billing period, there was marked increase in the number of follow-ups and transition to a greater percentage being performed by the surgeons. These results provide interesting insight into the potential impact of the billing structure on how practice is pursued.

Characterizing Gabapentinoid Use Among Patients With Isolated Low Back Pain.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: Gabapentinoids have been increasingly studied as a non-narcotic option for neuropathic and postoperative pain. However, there is evidence suggesting that off-label use of these medications for the treatment of isolated LBP is not effective. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate prescription patterns for gabapentinoids among patients with isolated low back pain. METHODS: Adult patients with LBP were abstracted from the 2019 M91Ortho PearlDiver dataset using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) code M54.5. Patients were excluded if they had a diagnosis of neurologic symptoms, history of spinal surgery, spinal fracture, or conditions for which gabapentinoids are FDA approved. Gabapentinoid and narcotic prescriptions within one year of LBP diagnosis were identified. Patient characteristics and prescriber specialty were extracted from the dataset and predictors of gabapentinoid prescriptions were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Among the 1,158,875 isolated LBP patients, gabapentinoids were prescribed for 11%, narcotics for 8%, and both for 3%. The most common prescriber specialties included: primary care physicians (45%), nurse practitioners (15%), and pain management physicians (5%). Independent predictors of gabapentinoid prescriptions included: female sex, region of the country, and insurance type (P-values <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Of nearly 1.2 million patients with isolated LBP, 14.2% were prescribed gabapentinoids within one year of their LBP diagnosis. Patient characteristics predictive of receiving gabapentinoids were predominantly non-clinical factors.

Differential Utilization Patterns of Total Ankle Arthroplasty vs Arthrodesis: A United States National Ambulatory Database Analysis.

Background: End-stage ankle osteoarthritis is a condition that can be treated with ankle arthrodesis (AA) or total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). The goal of this study is to estimate the 2016-2017 United States' utilization of TAA and AA in specific ambulatory settings and delineate patient and hospital factors associated with the selection of TAA vs AA for treatment of ankle osteoarthritis. Methods: TAA and AA procedures performed for ankle osteoarthritis were identified in the 2016-2017 Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample (NASS) Database. Notably, the NASS database only examines instances of ambulatory surgery encounters at hospital-owned facilities. As such, instances of TAA and AA performed at privately owned or freestanding ambulatory surgical centers or those performed inpatient are excluded from this analysis. Cases were weighted using nationally representative discharge weights. Univariate analyses and a combined multiple logistic regression model were used to compare demographic, hospital-related, and socioeconomic factors associated with TAA vs AA. Results: In total, 6577 cases were identified, which represents 9072 cases after weighting. Of these, TAA was performed for 2233 (24.6%). Based on the logistic regression model, several factors were associated with increased utilization of TAA vs AA. With regard to patient factors, older patients were more likely to undergo TAA, as well as females. Conversely, patients with a higher comorbidity burden were less likely to receive TAA over AA.With regard to socioeconomic factors, urban teaching and urban nonteaching hospitals were significantly more likely to use TAA compared to rural hospitals. Similarly, privately insured patients and those with a median household income of $71 000 or more were also more likely to receive TAA over AA. Private hospitals ("not-for-profit" and "investor-owned") were significantly more likely to offer TAA over AA. Conclusion: Using a large nationally representative cohort, the current data revealed that during 2016-2017, 24.6% of operatively treated cases of end-stage ankle osteoarthritis in the ambulatory setting are treated with TAA. Associations between socioeconomic and hospital-level factors with TAA utilization suggest that nonclinical factors may influence surgical treatment choice for ankle osteoarthritis. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Changes in the Utilization of Cervicothoracic Injections Between 2010 and 2020.

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiologic study. OBJECTIVE: To analyze trends and patient characteristics of those undergoing cervicothoracic transforaminal, interlaminar, and facet injections over time. BACKGROUND: Cervicothoracic transforaminal, interlaminar, and facet injections are considered for varied spinal pathologies. Evolving literature, changing physician preferences, insurance reimbursement policies, and patient factors may influence the utilization of such injections over time. METHODS: Patients undergoing cervicothoracic transforaminal, interlaminar, and facet injections 2010-2020 were identified in the M151Ortho PearlDiver database using Current Procedural Terminology coding. Patient age, sex, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, insurance plan (commercial, Medicaid, Medicare), and region of the country where the procedure was performed (Midwest, Northeast, South, and West) were extracted and assessed over study intervals based on prevalence per 100,000 covered lives. RESULTS: Cervicothoracic transforaminal, interlaminar, and facet injections were identified for 195,221 (11.3%), 951,191 (55.2%), and 575,228 (33.4%) patients, respectively. Patient characteristics for each injection type were defined. The annual number of injections performed per 100,000 covered lives decreased during the study period for transforaminal (17.1% decrease) and interlaminar (9.3% decrease) but increased for facet (3.7% increase) injections (P<0.0001 for each). Stratifying by patient insurance type, administration of transforaminal, interlaminar, and facet injections per 100,000 covered lives was proportionally greatest for commercially insured patients (55%, 50%, and 45%, respectively), and proportionally smallest for Medicaid patients (10%, 13%, and 13%, respectively). Anesthesiology physicians performed the most injections, followed by physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, with both provider types most frequently performing interlaminar injections, followed by facet and transforaminal injections. CONCLUSION: Annual cervicothoracic transforaminal and interlaminar injection utilization declined by 17.1% and 9.3% from 2010 to 2020, whereas facet injection administration increased by 3.7% over the same interval. Evolving practice patterns are important to consider in characterizing the overall landscape of spine care.

Emergency Department Visits Following Patellofemoral Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Readmissions are a typical postoperative metric; however, postoperative emergency department (ED) utilization also negatively affects patient care. Few studies have explored this metric after patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA); thus, we investigated the incidence, timing, predictive factors, and reasons for ED utilization within 90 days after PFA. METHODS: Using the 2010 to 2021 PearlDiver M151Ortho data set, a national billing claims database containing information of over 151 million US orthopaedic patients across all payer types, the study examined weekly ED visits up to 90 days after PFA and conducted univariate and multivariate analyses to identify predictive factors. RESULTS: Of 7765 PFA patients, 11.2% (922) had ED visits within 90 days, with 46.7% (431) occurring in the first 3 weeks. Independent predictors of ED utilization included younger age (OR 1.40 per decade decrease), higher Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (OR 1.44 per 2-point increase), surgery in the South or Midwest (OR 1.27 and 1.31), and Medicaid insurance (OR 1.74). Postoperative pain accounted for 50.6% of visits. CONCLUSIONS: 11.2% of PFA patients visited the ED within 90 days, primarily for postoperative pain. Younger, more comorbid, and Medicaid-insured patients were most likely to use the ED. This study suggests the need for targeted perioperative pain management to reduce ED utilization after PFA.

The Burden of Revision Total Ankle Replacement Has Increased From 2010 to 2020.

Background: Total ankle replacement (TAR) surgery has increased in recent decades. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolving burden of revision surgery and risk factors and timing of revision or explant. Methods: Using the 2010 to 2020 PearlDiver M151Ortho data set, this retrospective cohort study identified primary TAR, TAR revision, and TAR explant patients via Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Disease Procedural (ICD-P) codes. This database contains billing claims information across all payers and sites of care in the United States. Patient factors investigated included age, sex, and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI). Annual incidence for primary TAR was normalized per 100 000 covered lives in the data set for each year of study and recorded. Annual incidence of revision TAR and explant were normalized per 100 TARs performed for each year of study. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent risk factors for revision TAR or explant. For explants, the eventual intervention by 2 years was analyzed. Ten-year timing and survival to revision or explant surgery following unilateral TAR were characterized. Results: A total of 10 531 primary, 1218 revision, and 1735 explant TARs were identified. After normalization, TAR utilization increased by 284% from 2010 to 2020, annual TAR revisions rose 28%, and annual TAR explants decreased 65%. Independent predictors of revision TAR were younger age (odds ratio [OR] 1.29 per decade decrease) and higher ECI (OR 1.23 per 2-point increase). Independent predictors of explant included younger age (OR 1.80 per decade decrease), female sex (OR 1.17), and higher ECI (OR 1.35 per 2-point increase). The 10-year implant survival rate was 91.8%, of which 73% of revisions and 83% of explants occurred in the first 3 years following index TAR. Conclusion: TAR utilization has grown substantially over the past decade, with minimal increases in the annual rate of revision surgery with respect to index procedures performed. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Risk of Contralateral Hip Fracture Following Initial Hip Fracture Among Geriatric Fragility Fracture Patients.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric hip fractures are common and associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, timing, and risk factors of contralateral hip fracture after initial hip fracture. METHODS: Initial hip fractures in patients older than 65 years were abstracted from the national, administrative M91Ortho PearlDiver data set. Incidence and timing of contralateral hip fractures in the following 10 years were identified. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis until contralateral hip fracture was conducted. To account for patient mortality over the later years, 2-year univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine factors predictive of contralateral hip fracture. RESULTS: Of the initial 104,311 hip fractures identified, contralateral hip fracture in the 10 years that followed was identified for 7,186 (6.9%), of which 68.4% occurred in the first 2 years. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis until contralateral fracture revealed the 10-year incidence to be 12.9% when controlling for those lost from the data set during the study period. Multivariate logistic regression revealed independent predictors of contralateral hip fracture in the 2 years after index hip fracture, when the incidence was greatest, to be female sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.15), body mass index < 20 (OR 1.30), and percutaneous pinning surgery for initial hip fracture fixation (OR 1.58) (P < 0.0001 for each). CONCLUSIONS: In a national cohort of 104,311 geriatric hip fractures, Kaplan-Meier analysis for contralateral hip fracture found the 10-year incidence to be 12.9%, of which nearly 70% were in the first 2 years, and predisposing factors were defined. As such, future research should aim to identify the cause and mitigate the risk of secondary contralateral hip fractures in geriatric patients.

Decline in Separate Incision Autograft for Spine Surgery Over the Past Decade: A Fading "gold standard".

BACKGROUND: Spinal fusion is a common procedure for which bone grafting is a critical component. Although iliac crest (separate incision autograft) is typically referred to as the "gold standard" grafting material, it seems to be used less and less frequently. METHODS: The 2010 to Q3 2020 MSpine PearlDiver data set was used to identify patients receiving separate incision autograft versus local autograft/allograft/graft supplement for spinal fusion. Grafting trends over the decade were determined. Patient age, sex, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, smoking status, insurance plan, region of the country where the surgery was conducted, and surgeon specialty were characterized and compared by the type of bone graft using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of 373,569 spinal bone grafting procedures, separate incision autografts were used for 32,401 (8.67%). A gradual decline was observed from 2010 (10.57% of spinal grafting procedures) to 2020 (4.69%, P -value < 0.00001). Independent predictors of having had a separate incision autograft in order of decreasing odds included surgeon specialty (relative to neurosurgery, orthopaedic odds ratio [OR], 2.45), smoking status (relative to nonsmokers, smokers OR, 1.45), region of the country (relative to Midwest, Northeast OR, 1.11; West OR, 1.42; and South OR, 1.48), insurance (relative to commercial, Medicare OR, 1.14), younger age (OR, 1.04 per decade increase), and lower Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (OR, 0.95 per two-point increase) ( P < 0.0001 for each). CONCLUSION: Iliac crest autograft continues to be referred to as the gold standard grafting material for spine fusions. However, the use of this has faded over the past decade to only 4.69% of spinal fusions in 2020. While some patient factors had an effect on when separate incision autograft was used, nonsurgical factors, including surgeon specialty, geographic region where the surgery was conducted, and insurance factors, suggested that external factors/physician training influence this choice.

Single-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Results in Lower Five-year Revisions than Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy in a Large National Cohort.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study using the 2010-2020 MSpine PearlDiver administrative data set. OBJECTIVE: To compare perioperative adverse events and five-year revisions for single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) versus posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cervical disk disease can often be treated surgically using single-level ACDF or PCF. Prior studies have suggested that posterior approaches provide similar short-term outcomes as ACDF; however, posterior procedures may have an increased risk of revision surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The database was queried for patients undergoing elective single-level ACDF or PCF (excluding cases performed for myelopathy, trauma, neoplasm, and/or infection). Outcomes, including specific complications, readmission, and reoperations, were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to ascertain odds ratios (OR) of 90-day adverse events controlling for age, sex, and comorbidities. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to determine five-year rates of cervical reoperation in the ACDF and PCF cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 31,953 patients treated by ACDF (29,958, 93.76%) or PCF (1995, 6.24%) were identified. Multivariable analysis, controlling for age, sex, and comorbidities, demonstrated that PCF was associated with significantly greater odds of aggregated serious adverse events (OR 2.17, P <0.001), wound dehiscence (OR 5.89, P <0.001), surgical site infection (OR 3.66, P <0.001), and pulmonary embolism (OR 1.72, P =0.04). However, PCF was associated with significantly lower odds of readmission (OR 0.32, P <0.001), dysphagia (OR 0.44, P <0.001), and pneumonia (OR 0.50, P =0.004). At five years, PCF cases had a significantly higher cumulative revision rate compared with ACDF cases (19.0% vs. 14.8%, P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The current study is the largest to date to compare short-term adverse events and five-year revision rates between single-level ACDF and PCF for nonmyelopathy elective cases. Perioperative adverse events differed by procedure, and it was notable that the incidence of cumulative revisions was higher for PCF. These findings can be used in decision-making when there is clinical equipoise between ACDF and PCF.

Emergency department visits within 90 days of lumbar discectomy.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Lumbar discectomy is a common procedure following which emergency department (ED) visits may occur. Although many quality improvement initiatives target reemissions, ED visits may be more common, be a marker of quality of care, affect patient satisfaction, and contribute to health-care resource utilization and costs. PURPOSE: To analyze the timing and risk factors predicting ED utilization following lumbar discectomy and thereby facilitate better-targeted risk reduction. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective database review of the 2010 to April 30th, 2021, M157Ortho PearlDiver dataset. PATIENT SAMPLE: Single-level lumbar laminotomy/discectomy between 2010 and April 30th, 2021, in the PearlDiver M157Ortho dataset. OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional measures-ED utilization in the 90 days following lumbar discectomy, patient-level predictors for ED utilization, and number and type of reoperations performed in the 90 days following lumbar discectomy. METHODS: Lumbar laminotomies/discectomies were identified. Patients were excluded if additional procedures were performed or if there was not 90-day follow-up in the dataset. Patient factors were extracted, including age, sex, Elixhauser comorbidity index (ECI), region of the country in which their procedure was performed (Midwest, Northeast, South, West), and patient insurance plan (Commercial, Medicaid, Medicare). The incidence, timing, and frequency of ED utilization within 90 days of lumbar discectomy were then determined. Cohort average weekly ED utilization at 1-year postoperatively was calculated as a baseline for reference. Patient factors predictive of postoperative ED utilization were then determined with univariate and multivariate analyses. Primary diagnoses for ED visits were also categorized. Patients who underwent reoperation for complications related to lumbar discectomy following ED visits were determined, and types of reoperation procedures were characterized. RESULTS: Of 281,103 lumbar discectomy patients identified, ED visits within 90 days of surgery were identified for 28,632 (10.2%). Of note, 40.4% of these ED visits occurred in the first 2 postoperative weeks. Multivariate analysis revealed several independent predictors of ED utilization following lumbar discectomy, including: younger age (odds ratio [OR] 1.21 per decade decrease), female sex (OR 1.12 relative to male), higher ECI (OR 1.42 per 2-point increase), having surgery performed in the Northeast, Midwest, or West United States (OR 1.05, 1.17, and 1.13, respectively, relative to South), and Medicaid coverage (OR 1.89 relative to Medicare). Forty-three percent of ED visits were surgical site related, of which surgical site pain predominated at 34.2% of overall reasons. Of patients who visited the ED, 943 (3.3%) underwent reoperation in the subsequent 2 weeks. Laminectomy with nerve root decompression was the most performed reoperation (30.9%), followed by incision and drainage (22.5%), posterior nonsegmental instrumentation (10.3%), laminectomy facetectomy and foraminotomy (9.97%), repair of dural/CSF leak or pseudomeningocele with laminectomy (9.3%), repair of dural/CSF leak not requiring laminectomy (8.9%), arthrodesis (4.3%), and posterior segmental instrumentation (3.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Following lumbar discectomy, over 1 in 10 patients were found to visit the ED in the 90 days following their surgery, most commonly in the first 2 postoperative weeks. Specific patient characteristics were associated with such ED visits, with the most common primary diagnoses among ED visitors being surgical site pain. About 3.3% of patients who visited the ED underwent reoperation in the subsequent 2 weeks. Through identification of the timing, risk factors, primary reasons for, and risk of reoperation following ED utilization in the 90-day period after lumbar discectomy, care pathways can be modified to improve patient satisfaction, outcomes, and reduce excess health-care expenditures.

The correlation of psoriasis and its treatment medications with lumbar discectomy postoperative infections.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease of the skin that affects approximately 3% of the US adult population. Patients with psoriasis may be predisposed to spine surgical site infections (SSI) related to the condition and/or related medications following surgeries such as lumbar laminotomy/discectomy. PURPOSE: To assess the potential correlation of psoriasis and its related treatment medications on the risk of infection-related complications after lumbar laminotomy/discectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case control, national administrative database study. PATIENT SAMPLE: Adult patients who underwent isolated single-level lumbar discectomy between 2010 and Q1 of 2021 were identified in the PearlDiver Mariner Ortho151 national administrative database (excluding those with concurrent diagnoses of fractures, neoplasms, or infections). OUTCOME MEASURES: Ninety-day postoperative rates of surgical site infection and sepsis. METHODS: Lumbar laminotomy/discectomy patients with versus without psoriasis were matched 1:4 based on age, sex, and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index. The risk of SSI and sepsis in the 90-day postoperative window between the cohorts were compared with multivariable analyses. Five-year reoperation rates were also compared with log rank test. The matched psoriasis cohort was further subdivided by psoriasis treatment regimens - no medication treatment (NT), topical therapies only (TT), topical therapies with oral systemic treatments (TT/OS), and topical therapies with biologics (TT/B). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the risk of SSI and sepsis within 90 days after lumbar laminotomy/discectomy for each treatment subgroup compared to patients without psoriasis. RESULTS: In total, 2,262 patients with psoriasis who underwent single-level lumbar laminotomy/discectomy were identified and matched by age, sex, and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index to 9,044 patients without psoriasis. Multivariable logistic regression showed that, compared to the patients without psoriasis, patients with psoriasis had a 1.795 times higher chance of developing SSI (odds ratio [OR]) (p<.001) and sepsis (OR: 1.743, p=.027) within 90 days of surgery. Having psoriasis did not significantly correlate with 5-year reoperation rates. Of those with psoriasis, NT subcohort had 1,038 patients, TT subcohort 571 patients, TT/OS subcohort 226 patients, and TT/B subcohort 140 patients. Based on multivariable analysis and compared to nonpsoriasis patients, those in the NT, TT, TT/OS were not at greater odds of postoperative SSI or sepsis. Conversely, those in the TT/B subcohort were at significantly greater odds of SSI (OR: 3.102, p=.019) and sepsis (OR: 6.367, p=.027). CONCLUSIONS: Of single-level lumbar laminotomy/discectomy patients with psoriasis, only those on topical therapies and biologics were at greater risk of postoperative SSI and sepsis. This subcohort warrants specific attention when undergoing lumbar laminotomy/discectomy and possibly holding such medications for a period prior to surgery may be warranted if possible.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Year Prior to Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Potential Overutilization of Healthcare Resources.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common procedure for late-stage degenerative changes, a situation for which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is typically not considered useful. In an era attempting to contain healthcare expenditures, the rate, timing, and predictors for MRI before TKA were assessed in a large, national, administrative data set. METHODS: The 2010 to Q3 2020 MKnee PearlDiver data set was used to identify patients undergoing TKA for osteoarthritis. Those with lower extremity MRI for knee indications within 1 year before TKA were then defined. Patient age, sex, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, region in the country, and insurance plan were characterized. Predictors of having had an MRI were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. The costs and timing of the obtained MRIs were also assessed. RESULTS: Of 731,066 TKAs, MRI was obtained within 1 year prior for 56,180 (7.68%) with 28,963 (51.9%) within the 3 months of TKA. Independent predictors of having had an MRI included younger age (odds ratio [OR], 0.74 per decade increase), female sex (OR, 1.10), higher Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (OR, 1.15), region of the country (relative to South, Northeast OR, 1.08, West OR, 1.22, Midwest OR, 1.36), and insurance (relative to Medicare, Medicaid OR, 1.36 and Commercial OR, 1.35) with P < 0.0001 for each. The total cost of MRIs among patients who received a TKA is $44,686,308. CONCLUSION: Noting that TKA is typically done for advanced degenerative changes, MRI should rarely be indicated in the preoperative period for this procedure. Nonetheless, this study found that MRI was done within the year before TKA for 7.68% of the study cohort. In an era striving for evidence-based medicine, the almost $45 million dollars spent on MRI in the year before TKA may represent overutilization.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients are at increased risk for adverse events following lumbar discectomy.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Lumbar discectomy is a common procedure for which patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be considered. RA is an autoinflammatory disease that may predispose patients to postoperative adverse outcomes. PURPOSE: To assess the relative odds of adverse events after lumbar discectomy for those with versus without RA in a large, national, administrative dataset. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective cohort study using the 2010 to 2020 MSpine PearlDiver dataset. PATIENT SAMPLE: After exclusion of patients under 18 years old, those with any trauma, neoplasm, or infection diagnosis within the month before lumbar discectomy, and any patients who had any alternative lumbar spinal surgery performed on the same day as lumbar discectomy, we identified 36,479 lumbar discectomy patients. 2,937 (8.1%) of these patients had a prior diagnosis of RA. After matching 4:1 by patient age, sex, and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI, a longitudinal measure of patient comorbidity burden generated via ICD-9 and 10 diagnosis codes), 8,485 lumbar discectomy patients without RA and 2,149 with RA were included. OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of severe and minor adverse events in the 90-days following lumbar discectomy, predictive factors for adverse events within 90-days of lumbar discectomy, risk of adverse events within 90-days of lumbar discectomy stratified by patient medication regimen, 5-year survival to reoperation following lumbar discectomy. METHODS: Patients undergoing lumbar discectomy were identified from the PearlDiver MSpine dataset. The subset of those with versus without RA were identified and matched 1:4 based on patient age, sex, and ECI scores. The incidence of 90-day adverse events in the two groups was determined and compared by univariate and multivariate analyses. Subgroup analysis was performed based on RA medications being taken. RESULTS: Matched lumbar discectomy patients with RA (n=2,149) and without RA (n=8,485) were identified. Controlling for patient age, sex, and ECI, those with RA were at significantly higher odds of any (odds ratio [OR] 3.30), severe (OR 2.78), and minor (OR 3.30) adverse events (p<.0001 for all). Stratifying by medications being taken (and relative to those without RA), there was increasing odds of all adverse events (AAE) based on potency of medications (no biologic or disease modifying antirheumatic drugs [DMARDs] OR 2.33, DMARDs only OR 3.86, biologic±DMARDs OR 5.69 (p<.0001 for all). Despite this, no statistically significant difference in 5-year survival from subsequent lumbar surgery was found between those with versus without RA (p=.1000). CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar discectomy patients with RA were found to be at significantly higher risk for 90-day adverse events following lumbar discectomy, and this was incrementally greater for those on increasingly suppressive medications. Lumbar discectomy patients with RA bear specific consideration and perioperative monitoring when considered for lumbar discectomy.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Physical Therapy Utilization After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common orthopaedic procedure, after which many patients benefit from physical therapy (PT). However, such services may not be uniformly accessible and used. To that end, disparities in access to care such as PT after interventions may be a factor for those of varying race/ethnicities. METHODS: TKAs were abstracted from the 2014 to 2016 Standard Analytic Files PearlDiver data set-a large national health administrative data set containing information on more than 60 million Medicare patients. Occurrences of home or outpatient PT within 90 days after TKA were identified. Patient demographic factors were extracted, including age, sex, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, estimated average household income of patient based on zip code (low average household income [<75k/year] or high average household income [>75k/year]), and patient race/ethnicity (White, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Black, or Other). Predictive factors for PT utilization were determined and compared with univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of 23,953 TKA patients identified, PT within 90 days after TKA was used by 18,837 (78.8%). Patients self-identified as White (21,824 [91.1%]), Black (1,250 [5.2%]), Hispanic (268 [1.1%]), Asian (241 [1.0%]), Native American (90 [0.4%]), or "Other" (280 [1.2%]) and were of low household income (19,957 [83.3%]) or high household income (3,994 [16.7%]). When controlling for age, sex, and ECI, PT was less likely to be received by those of low household income (relative to high household income OR 0.79) or by those of defined race/ethnicity (relative to White or Black OR 0.81, Native American OR 0.58, Asian OR 0.50, or Hispanic OR 0.44) ( P < 0.05 for each). DISCUSSION: In a large Medicare data set, disparities in utilization of PT after TKA were identified based on patient's estimated household income and race/ethnicity. Identification of such factors may help facilitate the expansion of care to meet the needs of all groups adequately. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Usage Has Leveled Out From 2010 to 2021.

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiologic study. OBJECTIVE: To compare trends in utilization and predictive factors for single-level cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) relative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) over the years. BACKGROUND: CDA is an alternative to ACDF for the treatment of cervical spine pathologies. With both procedures performed for similar indications, controversy on best practices exists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent single-level CDA or ACDF were identified in the 2010 through 2021 PearlDiver M151Ortho data set. The yearly number of CDAs performed and proportionality was assessed. Predictive patient factors for undergoing CDA as opposed to ACDF were determined. Kaplan Meyer survival analysis with an endpoint of cervical spine reoperation compared 5-year outcomes between CDA and ACDF. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2021, 19,301 single-level CDAs and 181,476 single-level ACDFs were identified. The proportional utilization of CDA relative to ACDF increased from 4.00% in 2010 to 14.15% in 2018 ( P < 0.0001), after which there was a plateau between 2018 and 2021 where proportional utilization was 14.47% ( P = 0.4654). Multivariate analysis identified several predictors of undergoing CDA rather than ACDF, including: younger age [odds ratio (OR) per decade decrease: 1.72], having surgery performed in the Midwest, Northeast, or West (relative to South, OR: 1.16, 1.13, 2.26, respectively), having Commercial insurance (relative to Medicare, OR: 1.75), and having surgery performed by an orthopedic surgeon (relative to a neurological surgeon, OR: 1.54) ( P < 0.0001 for each). There was no statistically significant difference in 5-year survival to further cervical spine surgery between CDA and ACDF at 5 years (97.6% vs. 97.7%, P = 0.4249). CONCLUSIONS: Although the use of CDA relative to ACDF rose from 2010 to 2018, its use has subsequently plateaued between 2018 and 2021 and remained a relatively low percentage of the single-level anterior cervical surgeries performed (14.47% in 2021). The causes for such changes in the trend are unclear.

Timing of Adverse Events Within 90 Days of Hip Fracture Surgery: A Database Study.

INTRODUCTION: Hip fracture surgery is associated with notable morbidity. Understanding the timing of adverse events can inform strategies for prevention and management. Owing to database limitations, many studies have limited postoperative follow-up to 30 days. However, adverse events may not have plateaued by this time. This study evaluated adverse events after hip fracture surgery out to 90 days. METHODS: Hip fracture surgeries in patients 65 years or older were identified in the 2010 to 2020 Q3 M91Ortho PearlDiver data set using administrative codes. The 90-day incidence and time of diagnosis of 10 common adverse events were determined and used to calculate median, interquartile range, and middle 80% for time of diagnosis. The number of events occurring before and after 30 days was also determined. RESULTS: A total of 258,834 hip fracture surgery patients were identified. On average, 70% of adverse events occurred in postoperative days 0 to 30 and 30% occurred in days 31 to 90. The percentage of events in days 31 to 90 ranged from 8% (transfusion) to 42% (wound dehiscence). Compared with patients with a 0- to 30-day adverse event, those with 31- to 90-day adverse events had higher average Elixhauser Comorbidity Index scores (8.6 vs. 7.8, P < 0.001) and a slightly greater proportion of men (31.5% vs. 30.2%, P < 0.001).For specific adverse events, the time of diagnosis (median; interquartile range; middle 80%) were as follows: transfusion (2 days; 1 to 4 days; 1 to 24 days), acute kidney injury (5; 2 to 26; 1 to 55), cardiac event (9; 3 to 35; 1 to 64), urinary tract infection (13; 3 to 39; 1 to 65), hematoma (14; 6 to 28; 3 to 52), pneumonia (15; 5 to 39; 2 to 66), venous thromboembolism (16; 5 to 40; 2 to 64), surgical site infection (23; 14 to 37; 7 to 56), sepsis (24; 9 to 48; 3 to 71), and wound dehiscence (26; 15 to 41; 7 to 64). DISCUSSION: Nearly one-third of 90-day adverse events after hip fracture surgery were found to occur after postoperative day 30. An understanding of the timing of adverse events is important for improving patient counseling and optimizing patient care.

Ninety-Day Emergency Department Visits After Ankle Fracture Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Emergency department (ED) visits after orthopaedic procedures such as ankle fracture open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) have received less attention than other outcomes. This study analyzed 90-day ED visits after ankle fracture surgery in a national database to better characterize the incidence, timing, risk factors, and reasons. METHODS: Ankle fractures undergoing ORIF were extracted from the PearlDiver M91Ortho 2010 to 2020Q3 data set. Patients were excluded for age younger than 18 years, presence of concomitant fractures, and <90 days of database follow-up. Patient age, sex, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index score, region of the country, and insurance plan were analyzed as predictors for 90-day ED utilization using multivariate logistic regression. Incidence of readmissions and incidence, timing, risk factors, and reasons for ED visits were determined. RESULTS: Of 87,662 ankle fracture ORIF patients identified, ED visits were noted within 90 days of surgery for 10,087 (11.5%) while 4,030 (4.6%) were readmitted. One ED visit was noted for 6,102 patients, two visits for 2,654, three visits for 787, and more than three visits for 544. The greatest weekly incidence of ED visits was observed in weeks 1 and 2, with 2.9% and 3.1% of the entire cohort visiting in each week respectively. Factors independently associated with 90-day ED utilization included younger age (odds ratio [OR] 1.21 per decade decrease, P < 0.001), greater Elixhauser Comorbidity Index score (OR 1.40 per two-point increase, P < 0.001), and Medicaid insurance (OR 1.92, P < 0.001). In the first two postoperative weeks, 71% of ED visits were attributed to issues directly involving the surgical site while in subsequent weeks, most visits did not involve the surgical site (65%). DISCUSSION: Many patients visit the ED after ankle fracture surgery. The greatest ED utilization was during the first two postoperative weeks, and reasons for visits were defined. These findings have implications for optimizing care pathways and targeting resource allocation.

Home and Outpatient Physical Therapy Utilization Following Total Ankle Replacement.

Background: Physical therapy (PT) following total ankle replacement (TAR) is often considered, but guidelines for its use are not standardized. Although patient factors may dictate recommendations, this retrospective cohort study aims to characterize baseline utilization practices to set the stage for establishing generalizable recommendations. Methods: TAR patients were identified from the 2010-2019 M91 Ortho PearlDiver data set based on administrative coding. Patient factors were extracted, including age, sex, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI), region of the country in which patients' surgery was performed (Midwest, Northeast, South, West), and insurance plan (commercial, Medicaid, Medicare). The incidence, timing, and frequency of home or outpatient PT utilization in the 90 days following TAR were identified. Inpatient PT was not captured. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses allowed identification of predictive factors for PT utilization. Results: Of 5412 TAR patients identified, postoperative PT services were used by 2453 (45.3%). Most PT was outpatient (38.3% of the study population) compared to home (4.1% of the study population). Weekly utilization of PT was greatest in the first week following surgery (17.7% of PT visits) and thereafter followed a roughly bell-shaped curve, with utilization greatest at 7 weeks following surgery (14.9% of PT visits).Independent predictors of PT utilization following TAR included having surgery performed in the Midwest (relative to the South, OR 1.37, P < .0001), Northeast (OR 1.20, P = .0217), or West (OR 1.26, P < .0021) and having commercial (relative to Medicare, OR 1.87, P < .0001) or Medicaid insurance (OR 1.46, P = .0239). Conclusion: Of 5412 TAR patients, 42.5% used PT within 90 days of surgery. PT utilization was highest in the first and seventh weeks following surgery, and demographic predictors of PT use were defined. Through identification of timing and predictors of PT utilization following TAR, PT care pathways may be better defined. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Emergency Department Visits Within 90 Days of Total Ankle Replacement.

Background: Total ankle replacement (TAR) utilization in the United States has steeply increased in recent decades. Emergency department (ED) visits following TAR impacts patient satisfaction and health care costs and warrant exploration. Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized the 2010 to 2019 M91Ortho PearlDiver data set to identify TAR patients with at least 90 days of follow-up. PearlDiver contains billing claims data across all sites of care throughout the United States for all indications for care. Patient factors extracted included age, sex, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI), region of the country in which surgery was performed, insurance plan, and postoperative hospital length of stay. Ninety-day postoperative ED visit incidence, timing, frequency, and primary diagnoses were identified and compared to 1-year postoperative ED visit baseline data. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors for ED visits. Results: Of 5930 TAR patients identified, ED visits within 90 days were noted for 497 (8.4%) patients. Of all ED visits, 32.0% occurred within 2 weeks following surgery. Multivariate analysis revealed several predictors of ED utilization: younger age (odds ratio [OR] 1.35 per decade decrease), female sex (OR 1.20), higher ECI (OR 1.32 per 2-point increase), TAR performed in the western US (OR 1.34), and Medicaid coverage (OR 2.70; 1.71-4.22 relative to Medicare) (P < .05 each). Surgical site issues comprised 78.0% of ED visits, with surgical site pain (57.0%) as the most common problem. Conclusion: Of 5930 TAR patients, 8.4% returned to the ED within 90 days of surgery, with predisposing demographic factors identified. The highest incidence of ED visits was in the first 2 postoperative weeks, and surgical site pain was the most common reason. Pain management pathways following TAR should be able to be adjusted to minimize the occurrence of postoperative ED visits, thereby improving patient experiences and decreasing health care utilization/costs. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.