High Incidence of Soft Tissue Injury in Pediatric Proximal Tibia Fractures: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence of soft tissue injuries associated with pediatric proximal tibial fractures (PPTF) and the frequency that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used before surgery in this patient population. Methods: A systematic review of English literature, using EMBASE and PubMed, was completed. Articles reporting on soft tissue injury in PPTFs between 1980 and 2021 were identified. Associated pathology (meniscal tear, meniscal entrapment, cruciate ligament injury, extensor mechanism injury, and chondral injury) and use of MRI at time of diagnosis, were assessed in these studies. Twenty-three articles were included. Results: Extraction of data revealed 1046 patients and 1057 fractures, with a mean age of 12.3 ± 1.7 at the time of injury. Most patients were male (n = 757 [72.3%]). Most fractures were tibial eminence fractures (TEF) (n = 747 [70.7%]), followed by tibial tubercle (n = 218 [20.6%]) and then tibial plateau fractures (n = 92 [8.7%]). Associated soft tissue injuries were found in 58.8% (n = 621) of fractures overall. Meniscal entrapment was the most common, occurring in 22.1% (n = 234) of cases. Meniscal tears occurred in 18.6% of cases (n = 197), followed by ligament injury in 9.4% (n = 99), chondral injury in 6.5% (n = 69), and extensor mechanism injury in 2.1% (n = 22) of cases. All cases of tendinous extensor mechanism injury were seen in tibial tubercle fractures, with 22 injuries occurring in 10.1% of tibial tubercle fractures. At time of injury just 24.3% (n = 257) of fractures had an MRI performed before surgery. Conclusions: PPTFs are associated with a high incidence of associated injury (58.8%), particularly in TEFs (63.5%) and TPFs (100%). Level of Evidence: Systematic Review of Level III-IV studies.

In meeting the increasing demands for total knee arthroplasty, can we achieve high levels of quality care in a small community hospital? A mixed-methods study.

Purpose: Small community hospitals (SCHs) help meet the demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This mixed-methods study compares outcomes and analyses of environmental differences following TKA at a SCH and a tertiary care hospital (TCH). Methods: Quantitative: A retrospective review of 352 propensity-matched primary TKA procedures at both a SCH and a TCH, based on age, body mass index, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class, was completed. Groups were compared by length of stay (LOS), 90-day emergency department visits, 90-day readmissions, reoperations, and mortality. Qualitative: Based on the Theoretical Domains Framework, seven prospective semistructured interviews were performed. Interview transcripts were coded and belief statements were generated and summarized by two reviewers. Discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer. Results: Quantitative: The average LOS for the SCH was significantly shorter than that for the TCH (2.0 ± 0.2 vs. 3.6 ± 2.7 days; p < 0.001), a difference that persisted following a subgroup analysis of ASA I/II patients (2.0 ± 0.2 vs. 3.2 ± 2.2; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in other outcomes. Qualitative: The main themes that revolved around a higher case load for physiotherapy at the TCH resulted in patients waiting longer to be mobilized after surgery. Patient disposition also affected their discharge rates. Conclusion: Given the increasing demand for TKA, the SCH represents a viable option to increase capacity, while reducing LOS. Future directions to reduce LOS include addressing social barriers to discharge and patient prioritization for assessment by allied health services. When TKA is performed by the same set of surgeons, the SCH provides quality care with a shorter LOS and comparable with urban hospitals, and this can be attributed to the differences in resource utilization in the two hospital settings.

Outcome After Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Acetabular Fractures in the Elderly.

OBJECTIVES: (1) Assess outcomes of acetabular open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in the elderly, (2) investigate factors influencing outcome, and (3) compare outcomes after low-energy and high-energy mechanisms of injury. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS: Seventy-eight patients older than 60 years (age: 70.1 ± 7.4; 73.1% males). INTERVENTION: ORIF for acetabular fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Complications, reoperation rates, Oxford Hip Score (OHS), and joint preservation and development of symptomatic osteoarthritis. Cases with osteoarthritis, OHS < 34, and those who required subsequent total hip arthroplasty were considered as poor outcome. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 4.3 ± 3.7 years, 11 cases post-ORIF required a total hip arthroplasty. The 7-year joint survival post-ORIF was 80.7 ± 5.7%. Considering poor outcome as failure, the 7-year joint survival was 67.0 ± 8.9%. The grade of reduction was the most significant factor associated with outcome post-ORIF. Female sex (P = 0.03), pre-existing osteoporosis (P = 0.03), low-energy trauma (P = 0.04), and Matta grade (P = 0.002) were associated with poor outcome. Patients with associated both-column fractures were more likely to have nonanatomic reduction (P = 0.008). After low-energy trauma, joint survivorship was 36.6 ± 13.5% at 7 years compared with 75.4 ± 7.4% in the high-energy group when considering poor outcome as an end point (log rank P = 0.006). The cohort's mean OHS was 37.9 ± 9.3 (17-48). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend ORIF whenever an anatomic reduction is feasible. However, achievement and maintenance of anatomic reduction are a challenge in the elderly, specifically in those with low-energy fractures involving both columns, prompting consideration for alternative management strategies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Integrating the Combined Sagittal Index Reduces the Risk of Dislocation Following Total Hip Replacement.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this matched cohort study were to (1) assess differences in spinopelvic characteristics between patients who sustained a dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and a control group without a dislocation, (2) identify spinopelvic characteristics associated with the risk of dislocation, and (3) propose an algorithm including individual spinopelvic characteristics to define an optimized cup orientation target to minimize dislocation risk. METHODS: Fifty patients with a history of THA dislocation (29 posterior and 21 anterior dislocations) were matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), index diagnosis, surgical approach, and femoral head size with 200 controls. All patients underwent detailed quasi-static radiographic evaluations of the coronal (offset, center of rotation, and cup inclination/anteversion) and sagittal (pelvic tilt [PT], sacral slope [SS], pelvic incidence [PI], lumbar lordosis [LL], pelvic-femoral angle [PFA], and cup anteinclination [AI]) reconstructions. The spinopelvic balance (PI - LL), combined sagittal index (CSI = PFA + cup AI), and Hip-User Index were determined. Parameters were compared between the control and dislocation groups (2-group analysis) and between the controls and 2 dislocation groups identified according to the direction of the dislocation (3-group analysis). Important thresholds were determined from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses and the mean values of the control group; thresholds were expanded incrementally in conjunction with running-hypothesis tests. RESULTS: There were no coronal differences, other than cup anteversion, between groups. However, most sagittal parameters (LL, PT, CSI, PI - LL, and Hip-User Index) differed significantly. The 3 strongest predictors of instability were PI - LL >10° (sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 65% for instability regardless of direction), CSIstanding of <216° (posterior instability), and CSIstanding of >244° (anterior instability). A CSI that was not between 205° and 245° on the standing radiograph (CSIstanding) was associated with a significantly increased dislocation risk (odds ratio [OR]: 4.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.2 to 8.2; p < 0.001). In patients with an unbalanced and/or rigid lumbar spine, a CSIstanding that was not 215° to 235° was associated with a significantly increased dislocation risk (OR: 5.1; 95% CI: 1.8 to 14.9; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Spinopelvic imbalance (PI - LL >10°) determined from a preoperative standing lateral spinopelvic radiograph can be a useful screening tool, alerting surgeons that a patient is at increased dislocation risk. Measurement of the PFA preoperatively provides valuable information to determine the optimum cup orientation to aim for a CSIstanding of 205° to 245°, which is associated with a reduced dislocation risk. For patients at increased dislocation risk due to spinopelvic imbalance (PI - LL >10°), the range for the optimum CSI is narrower. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Preventing hip fractures with multidisciplinary teams: a Canadian perspective.

Fragility fractures (FFs) are low-energy trauma fractures that occur at or below standing height. Among FFs, hip fractures are associated with the greatest morbidity, mortality and cost to Canadian health care systems. This review highlights the current state of medical care for hip fractures in Canada, with specific focus on the role of the multidisciplinary team. Gaps in care exist, as FFs represent a unique challenge requiring both acute and chronic management. Furthermore, there is a lack of ownership of FFs by a medical specialty. These gaps can be addressed through the use of multidisciplinary teams, which have been shown to be efficacious and cost-effective. This model of care also addresses numerous patient-identified barriers to treatment, including inadequate patient counselling. However, there is still room for improvement in both the identification of patients at risk for hip fracture and patient adherence to therapy.

Les fractures de fragilisation (FF) sont des fractures qui surviennent lors d'un traumatisme léger se produisant depuis la position debout ou d'une hauteur moindre. Les fractures de la hanche sont les FF associées aux plus grands taux de morbidité et de mortalité et aux plus grands coûts pour les systèmes de santé au Canada. La présente revue s'intéresse à l'état actuel des soins médicaux pour une fracture de la hanche au pays et porte une attention spéciale au rôle de l'équipe multidisciplinaire. Des lacunes dans les soins existent et sont mises en évidence par les FF, qui posent un défi bien particulier en nécessitant une prise en charge à la fois aiguë et chronique. De plus, cette prise en charge ne relève d'aucune spécialité médicale. La correction de ces lacunes peut passer par le recours aux équipes multidisciplinaires, dont l'efficacité et la rentabilité ont été démontrées. Ce modèle de soins élimine également de nombreux obstacles au traitement signalés par les patients, y compris le counseling inadéquat. Des améliorations sont néanmoins encore nécessaires dans l'identification des patients à risque de fracture de la hanche et dans l'observance du traitement.

Outcomes of Total Hip Arthroplasty After Acetabular Open Reduction and Internal Fixation in the Elderly-Acute vs Delayed Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Optimum management for the elderly acetabular fracture remains undefined. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in this population does not allow early weight-bearing and has an increased risk of failure. This study aimed to define outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the setting of an acetabular fracture and compared delayed THA after acetabular ORIF (ORIF delayed THA) and acute fixation and THA (ORIF acute THA). METHODS: All acetabular fractures in patients older than 60 years who underwent ORIF between 2007 and 2018 were reviewed (n = 85). Of those, 14 underwent ORIF only initially and required subsequent THA (ORIF delayed THA). Twelve underwent an acute THA at the time of the ORIF (ORIF acute THA). The ORIF acute THA group was older (81 ± 7 vs 76 ± 8; P < .01) but had no other demographic- or injury-related differences compared with the ORIF delayed THA group. Outcome measures included operative time, length of stay, complications, radiographic assessments (component orientation, leg-length discrepancy, heterotopic ossification), and functional outcomes using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS). RESULTS: Operative time (P = .1) and length of stay (P = .5) for the initial surgical procedure (ORIF only or ORIF THA) were not different between groups. Four patients had a complication and required further surgeries; no difference was seen between groups. Radiographic assessments were similar between groups. The ORIF acute THA group had a significantly better OHS (40.1 ± 3.9) than the ORIF delayed THA group (33.6 ± 8.5) (P = .03). CONCLUSION: In elderly acetabulum fractures, ORIF acute THA compared favorably (a better OHS, single operation/hospital visit, equivalent complications) with ORIF delayed THA. We would thus recommend that in patients with risk factors for failure requiring delayed THA (eg, dome or roof impaction) that ORIF acute THA be strongly considered.

Does use of a quadrilateral surface plate improve outcome in elderly acetabular fractures?

BACKGROUND: Acetabular fractures in the elderly frequently involve segmental quadrilateral plate injury, yet no consensus exists on how to best control the femoral head medial displacement. Quadrilateral surface plates (QSP) were developed to help buttress these challenging fractures. The study aims to 1) Determine the prevalence of segmental quadrilateral plate fractures (SQPF) in elderly patients; and 2) Assess if utilization of a QSP is associated with improved acetabulum fracture reduction and outcome. METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted at a level-1 trauma centre. . All patients over 60-years that sustained an acetabular fracture between 2007 and 2019 were reviewed. Pre-operative pelvic radiographs and CT imaging were reviewed for 96 patients, to assess for SQPF. From the 96 patients reviewed, over one third of patients (n = 40, 41.6%) sustained a SQPF. Patients that had an acute-THA (n = 7) were excluded as were patients that underwent an ORIF but did not have a QSP or an anterior column buttress plate (n = 3). The remaining 30 formed the study's cohort. We assessed the ability to achieve and maintain reduction in this elderly population, and compared outcomes using traditional anterior column buttress plates (ilioingual or intra-pelvic approach) versus an intra-pelvic pre-contoured buttress suprapectineal plate (QSP). Outcome measures included: fracture reduction using the Matta classification (desirable: anatomical/imperfect and poor), re-operations, conversion to THA and Oxford Hip Score (OHS) (for the preserved hips). RESULTS: Ten patients had an ORIF with utilization of a QSP (QSP-group), and 20 had an ORIF but did not have the QSP (non-QSP-group). There was no difference in patient demographics between groups. Fracture patterns were also similar (p = 0.6). Postoperative fracture reduction was desirable (anatomical/imperfect) in 17 patients and poor in 13. Improved ability to achieve a desirable reduction was seen in the QSP-group (p = 0.02). Conversion to THA was significantly lower in patients that had a desirable fracture reduction (appropriate: 3/17; poor: 7/13). No patients in the QSP-group have required a THA to-date, compared to 10/20 patients in the non-QSP-group (p = 0.01). The mean time to THA was 1.6 ± 2.1 year. There was no difference in OHS between the two groups (34.4 ± 10.3). CONCLUSION: Elderly acetabulum fractures have a high incidence (approaching 40%) of segmental QPF. Desirable (anatomical/imperfect) fracture reduction was associated with improved outcome. The use of a QSP was associated with improved ability to achieve an appropriate reduction. A QSP should be considered as they are both reliable and reproducible with a significantly improved fracture reduction and lower conversion to THA.

The Effect of Polyethylene Liner Thickness on Patient Outcomes and Failure After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The effect of using thicker liners in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on functional outcomes and aseptic failure rates remains largely unknown. As such, we devised a multicenter study to assess both the clinical outcomes and survivorship of thick vs thin liners after primary TKA. METHODS: A search of our institutional databases was performed for patients having undergone bilateral (simultaneous or staged) primary TKA with similar preoperative and surgical characteristics between both sides. Two cohorts were created: thick liners and thin liners. Outcomes collected were as follows: change in Knee Society Score (ΔKSS), change in range of motion, and aseptic revision. Ad hoc power analysis was performed for ΔKSS (⍺ = 0.05; power = 80%). Differences between cohorts were assessed. RESULTS: About 195 TKAs were identified for each cohort. ΔKSS and change in range of motion in the thin vs thick cohorts were similar: 51.4 vs 51.6 (P = .86) and 11.1° vs 10.0° (P = .66), respectively. No difference in aseptic revision rates were observed between thin and thick cohorts: all cause (4.1%, 3.1%; P = .59), aseptic loosening (0.5%, 0.5%; P = 1.0), instability (0.5%, 0.5%; P = 1.0), all-cause revision for stiffness (3.1%, 2.1%; P = .52), manipulation under anesthesia (2.1%, 2.1%; P = 1.0), and liner exchange (0.5%, 0%; P = .32). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that both rates of revision surgery and clinical outcomes are similar for TKAs performed with thick and thin liners. Preoperative factors are likely to play an important role in liner thickness selection, and emphasis should be placed on ensuring sound surgical technique.

Does Trochanteric Osteotomy Length Affect the Amount of Proximal Trochanteric Migration During Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: Nonunion and proximal trochanteric migration is a known complication of trochanteric osteotomy. This study examines the effect of osteotomy length on proximal greater trochanter (GT) migration. METHODS: We analyzed 113 modified trochanteric slide osteotomies and 73 extended trochanteric osteotomies performed between 2008 and 2016. All osteotomies were fixed using cerclage wires and had minimum 6-month radiographic follow-up. Spearman correlations were used to assess association between osteotomy length and GT migration distance. Chi-squared test and logistic regression were used to assess association between patient and surgical factors and GT migration >1 cm. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to determine the optimal cutoff osteotomy length for predicting GT migration >1cm. RESULTS: Mean osteotomy length was 6.1 cm (range 3-12) for modified trochanteric slide osteotomies and 14.8 cm (range 8-23) for extended trochanteric osteotomies. Osteotomy length was negatively correlated (r = -0.340, P < .001) with GT migration distance. Longer osteotomy length was protective against GT migration >1 cm (odds ratio 0.67, P = .002). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an optimal cutoff osteotomy length of 9.8 cm for predicting GT migration >1 cm (sensitivity 0.971, specificity 0.461). Among osteotomies <10 cm, those fixed using at least one distal wire below the lesser trochanter and vastus ridge demonstrated less mean GT migration (3.86 vs 7.12 mm, P = .009) and higher mean union rate (68.8% vs 31.2%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Osteotomies shorter than 10 cm are at higher risk of developing proximal GT migration >1 cm. A distal cerclage wire below the lesser trochanter and vastus ridge may help decrease the amount of GT migration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV.

Impact of Hip Antibiotic Spacer Dislocation on Final Implant Position and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Dislocation of dynamic antibiotic hip spacers during the treatment of periprosthetic joint infection is a well-described complication. Unfortunately, the repercussions of such events after reimplantation of the definitive prosthesis remain largely unknown. As such, we devised a study comparing the perioperative and postoperative outcomes of patients having undergone reimplantation with and without spacer dislocation. METHODS: A search of our institutional database was performed. Two retrospective cohorts were created: dislocated and nondislocated hip spacers. The radiographic and clinical outcomes for each cohort were collected. RESULTS: The two retrospective cohorts contained 24 patients for the dislocated group and 66 for the nondislocated group. Continuous variables noted to be significantly different between the dislocated and nondislocated groups were as follows: clinical leg-length discrepancy (1.35 cm vs 0.41 cm, P = .027), acetabular center of rotation (1.34 cm vs 0.60 cm, P = .011), total packed red blood cell transfusions (4.05 vs 2.37, P = .019), operative time (177.4 min vs 147.3 min, P = .002), and hospital length of stay (7.79 days vs 5.89 days, P = .018). Categorical variables noted to be significantly different were requirement for complex acetabular reconstruction (58.3% vs 13.7%, P < .001), requirement of constrained liners (62.5% vs 37.3%, P = .040), and dislocation after second stage (20.8% vs 6.1%, P = .039). CONCLUSION: Dislocation of dynamic hip spacers leads to inferior clinical results and perioperative outcomes after reimplantation of the definitive prosthesis. Additionally, complex acetabular reconstruction is often required. As such, every effort should be made to prevent hip spacer dislocation.

Short-term influence of transfer training among full time pediatric wheelchair users: A randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: To describe a structured, short-term, transfer training intervention for full-time pediatric wheelchair users, investigate the impact of training on transfer skills, and to examine similarities and differences in response to training compared to those seen in adult wheelchair users. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Participants were first randomized into an intervention (IG) or control group (CG). After completing surveys and demographic intake forms, all participants performed two sets of level transfers (from wheelchair to bench and back to wheelchair = one set) at three time points. Each time point composed of two transfer sets were scored using the Transfer Assessment Instrument (TAI) and averaged to produce a final transfer score per time point. No feedback or training were given to participants prior to time points one and two however the IG received structured training prior to transfer assessment # 3. TAI scores were compared at transfer assessment #3 using a Mann-Whitney test. OUTCOME MEASURES: Transfer Assessment Instrument (TAI) and Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC). RESULTS: Intervention group participants demonstrated significant improvements among TAI scores (9.06 ± 1.01) compared to the control group (7.15 ± 1.67), P = 0.030, d = 1.385. No significant differences were found among SPPC scores. CONCLUSION: Pediatric wheelchair users transfer skills were found to improve immediately after training with TAI score changes similar to those seen in adult wheelchair users after training. Such improvements may be a factor in long-term upper extremity preservation. Further testing is needed to examine the long-term impact of improved transfer skills.