Patient Utilization of Online Information and its Influence on Orthopedic Surgeon Selection: Cross-sectional Survey of Patient Beliefs and Behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Patient attitudes and behavior are critical to understand owing to the increasing role of patient choice. There is a paucity of investigation into the perceived credibility of online information and whether such information impacts how patients choose their surgeons. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes and behavior of patients regarding online information and orthopedic surgeon selection. Secondary purposes included gaining insight into the relative importance of provider selection factors, and their association with patient age and education level. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving five multispecialty orthopedic surgery groups. A total of 329 patients who sought treatment by six different orthopedic surgeons were asked to anonymously answer a questionnaire consisting of 25 questions. Four questions regarded demographic information, 10 questions asked patients to rate the importance of specific criteria regarding the selection of their orthopedic surgeon (on a 4-point Likert scale), and 6 questions were designed to determine patient attitude and behaviors related to online information. RESULTS: Patient-reported referral sources included the emergency room (29/329, 8.8%), friend (42/329, 12.8%), insurance company (47/329, 14.3%), internet search/website (28/329, 8.5%), primary care physician (148/329, 45.0%), and other (34/329, 10.3%). Among the 329 patients, 130 (39.5%) reported that they searched the internet for information before their first visit. There was a trend of increased belief in online information to be accurate and complete in younger age groups (P=.02). There was an increased relative frequency in younger groups to perceive physician rating websites to be unbiased (P=.003), provide sufficient patient satisfaction information (P=.01), and information about physician education and training (P=.03). There was a significant trend for patients that found a surgeon's website to be useful (P<.001), with the relative frequency increased in younger age groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that insurance network, physician referrals, appointment availability, and office location are important to patients, whereas advertising and internet reviews by other patients were considered to be not as helpful in choosing an orthopedic surgeon. Future studies may seek to identify obstacles to patients in integrating online resources for decision-making and strategies to improve health-seeking behaviors.

Removing Well-Fixed, Collared and Noncollared Tapered Hip Stems Without an Extended Trochanteric Osteotomy Using a Novel Stem Removal System.

Improvements in materials, components, and surgical techniques in cementless total hip arthroplasty are resulting in improved femoral stem fixation through bony ongrowth or ingrowth. While improved femoral stem fixation is one reason for the current excellent total hip survivorship, indications for stem removal such as infection, implant fracture, or osteolysis remain. A commonly used technique for fully ingrown femoral stems is an extended trochanteric osteotomy which can result in comminuted fractures of the proximal femur during stem removal requiring additional fixation. Therefore, a novel hip stem removal was developed to facilitate removal of these well-ingrown stems without the need for an extended trochanteric osteotomy. This study describes the removal system and surgical technique and presents a case series of successfully removed ingrown stems.

Characterizing Particle Evacuation in the Setting of Positive-pressure Body Exhaust Suit Using a Novel Gloving Technique.

The sterility of the gown-glove interface during total joint arthroplasty is a key factor in preventing contamination of the surgical field. To compare the potential of gown-glove interface contamination with a novel gloving technique versus standard gloving technique. We performed a study quantifying potential gown-glove interface contamination using two different gloving techniques. A 5 µm fluorescent powder simulated potential bacterial contamination. Each group gowned and gloved each hand using a modified technique versus traditional technique. Ultraviolet light was used to measure contamination at the gown-glove interface after performing a simulated surgery. The modified gloving technique did not statistically reduce the contamination at the gown-glove interface compared to the traditional gloving technique (p = 0.27). Despite using a gloving technique recently described as decreasing contamination, we noted contamination at the interface after performing a simulated surgery with a positive pressure exhaust suit. Further study is needed. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 30(3):166-169, 2021).

Identifying Intra-Articular Pathology With Arthroscopy Prior to Open Ankle Fracture Fixation.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of intra-articular findings with ankle arthroscopy in patients undergoing operative fixation for ankle fractures. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of ankle fractures that were treated with arthroscopy and open reduction and internal fixation by a single surgeon. Between August 2016 and July 2018, operative reports, office notes, and images were reviewed to identify intra-articular pathology and fracture type. An analysis was performed with regard to fracture type, presence and location of osteochondral lesions, loose-bodies, syndesmotic injury, and deltoid injury. RESULTS: Fifty-seven ankle fractures were identified that met inclusion criteria. In total, 84.2% of the fractures had intra-articular pathology, most commonly a syndesmotic injury followed by presence of intra-articular loose bodies and osteochondral defects. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, use of arthroscopy before open ankle fracture fixation identified intra-articular pathology in 84.2% of subjects. The most common pathology was syndesmotic injury. The addition of an arthroscopic assessment in patients with operatively treated ankle fractures may help improve treatment provided to patients during ankle fracture surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4 Therapeutic Case Series.