The Effect of Nutritional Status in the Treatment of Prosthetic Joint Infections in Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) continue to be a complication that plagues arthroplasty. Albumin is a surrogate marker for nutrition as well as chronic inflammation, and hypoalbuminemia increases the risk of complications in arthroplasty. Patients with PJI are at increased risk for malnutrition and complications. This study's objective was to analyze patients who underwent treatment of PJI following total hip arthroplasty, and investigate the outcome with regards to albumin levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, forty-eight patients who underwent surgery for a total hip PJI at one institution were reviewed. Albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) were recorded preoperatively and 2 to 3 weeks postoperatively. Treatment failure was determined by further surgical treatment for PJI or repeat infection, as determined by Musculoskeletal Infection Society guidelines. RESULTS: A debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention procedure was performed in 39 patients, and explant with the placement of an antibiotic spacer was performed in 9. Preoperative mean albumin levels were significantly decreased in patients who failed to clear their infection compared to patients who remained infection-free (2.5 versus 3.3, P < 0.001). Postoperative albumin levels decreased in this same population (2.6 versus 3.8, P < 0.001). CRP was elevated in patients who failed to clear their infection preoperatively (19.9 versus 7.5, P < 0.001) and postoperatively (7.0 versus 1.7, P < 0.001). The average time to repeat surgical treatment for their PJI was 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Lower albumin levels are observed in patients with PJI who failed to remain infection-free after surgery. Albumin is a surrogate marker for nutrition, and low albumin is associated with poor immune function. Hypoalbuminemia is found with chronic inflammation as well as malnutrition. Nutritional reserves are diverted to the acute inflammatory response during an infection, which can lead to a deficient state. Further research may develop treatments to alter this modifiable risk factor.

Treating Sleep Disorders After Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Disorders of sleep are common after total hip and knee arthroplasty and may contribute to patient dissatisfaction and poorer outcomes in the early postoperative period. Multiple factors contribute to sleep disorders, including poorly controlled pain, opioid medication, perioperative stress, and anxiety. Both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic methods have been used for perioperative sleep disorders, but there is no consensus on the optimal treatment.

Surgical Versus Nonsurgical Management of Acetabular Fractures With Associated Patterns in Elderly Patients: Factors Affecting Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Among elderly patients, anterior column posterior hemitransverse (ACPHT) and associated both column (ABC) are common acetabular fracture patterns after low-energy mechanisms. Given the paucity of outcomes data in this cohort, the goal of this study was to determine the favorability of results with surgical versus nonsurgical management. Secondarily, factors linked with poor functional outcomes were assessed. METHODS: Over a 16-year period, 81 patients aged ≥60 years with 82 ACPHT and ABC acetabular fractures were evaluated. Retrospectively, patient demographics, injury details, and early and late complications were collected. Functional outcomes were assessed with the Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (MFA) after a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. RESULTS: During the study period, 81 patients sustained 82 ACPHT (n = 35, 43%) or ABC (n = 47) fractures, most secondary to low-energy falls (71%). Patients managed surgically were younger, had higher-energy mechanisms, and more often had an associated hip dislocation or marginal impaction (all P < 0.05). Of note, 42.3% and 18.5% of patients had early and late complications, respectively, with no differences between surgical and nonsurgical groups. Posttraumatic arthrosis (PTA) was noted in 27% overall (36% surgical versus 16% nonsurgical, P = 0.10). The mean MFA score was 25.2 after 59 months. Better outcomes were associated with high-energy mechanisms, multiple injuries, and surgical management (all P < 0.05). The worst MFA outcomes were among patients with PTA (40.2) and those requiring a secondary procedure (45.7), both P < 0.05. DISCUSSION: Nonsurgical management had a low rate of PTA. Mitigating PTA and decreasing the rate of secondary surgeries seem crucial achieving satisfactory outcomes. Higher-energy injuries benefit from open reduction and internal fixation, as indicated by better MFA scores.

Outcomes of Pediatric Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Little has been reported in the literature regarding surgical treatment of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries in pediatric patients. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose was to evaluate presentation, injury pattern, outcomes, and complications of surgically managed PCL injuries in pediatric patients. It was hypothesized that pediatric patients would have good patient-reported outcomes and no significant radiographic changes or complications. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A literature search was performed using PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases between 1975 and December 16, 2019. Search terms included "posterior cruciate ligament," "peel-off injury," "avulsion," "PCL," "pediatric," "skeletally immature," and "adolescent." Included were studies on pediatric patients with PCL injuries managed operatively. Exclusion criteria included case reports, studies not reporting clinical results, reviews, abstract or conference papers, or papers not in the English language. Quality assessment was performed on all included studies using the MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies) criteria. RESULTS: Four articles comprising 43 knees in 42 patients met the criteria and were included. Motor vehicle accidents were the most common mechanism of injury (39.5%; n = 17/43), followed by sports-related injuries (35%; n = 15/43). All studies commented on tear pattern, with the following distribution: 42% (n = 18/43) midsubstance tears, 37% (n = 16/43) tibial avulsions, and 21% (n = 9/43) femoral avulsions. Overall, good patient-reported outcomes (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee, Tegner, and Lysholm scores) and return to activity, as well as satisfactory posterior stability (KT-1000 arthrometer, posterior drawer test, and kneeling radiographs) and range of motion, were reported. There was no significant leg-length discrepancy or angular deformity reported. Arthrofibrosis was reported in 7% of postoperative knees and was the most commonly reported complication. Osteoarthritis was reported in 21% (n = 9/43) of knees. The average MINORS score was 7 (range, 6-8) for noncomparative studies and 10 for comparative studies. CONCLUSION: Good patient-reported outcomes and return to activity can be obtained using repair or reconstruction. This evidence was limited by the quality of the included studies and overall small sample size; however, this review serves as a baseline for futures studies on PCL repair/reconstruction in pediatric patients.

Survivorship of the Hip Joint After Acetabulum Fracture.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to determine the rate of failure of the hip joint after acetabulum fracture and to identify risk factors. METHODS: Acetabulum fractures treated over 17 years at a level-1 trauma center were reviewed. Patient, injury, and treatment factors were assessed regarding possible association with failure of the hip joint: end-stage arthrosis and/or total hip arthroplasty (THA). RESULTS: Seventy percent were treated with primary open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Seventy-two (12.5%) of 575 fractures underwent THA; 64 were after initial ORIF. The mean follow-up was 80 months, and the median time to THA was 14 months (range 10-200 months). Age, body mass index, fracture type, marginal impaction, and hip dislocations were independent predictors of hip joint failure. The mean injured age of THA patients was 53 versus 43 (P < 0.001). T-type fractures were most likely to fail (21% within 2 years, 45% within 10 years, P = 0.001). Other injury features: marginal impaction and posterior hip dislocation were associated with failure with odds ratios 2.79 and 1.73, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Eighty-five percent of native hips survived; the median time to THA was 14 months. Most who had THA had initial posterior fracture-dislocations. Older age, elevated body mass index, T-type pattern, marginal impaction, and hip dislocation increase the likelihood of hip joint failure.

Factors influencing functional outcomes following open reduction internal fixation of acetabular fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Recent large series of patient-reported outcomes after acetabulum fracture are limited, and potentially modifiable risk factors may be unidentified. The goal of this study was to describe patient and injury factors which negatively influence functional outcomes following operative management of acetabular fractures. METHODS: 699 patients with acetabular fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (MFA) questionnaire was completed after a minimum 12 months post-injury by 283 adults. MFA scores range from 1 to 100 and higher scores represent greater dysfunction. Factors were assessed for potential association with MFA scores, and univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Survey respondents were more severely injured than non-respondents, with more chest injury (38% vs 22%, p<0.001) and higher Injury Severity Score (19.3 vs 16.8, p=0.003). Patients were 69% male with mean age 44.0 years. Approximately one-third were smokers (31%), while 14% had comorbid diabetes mellitus type II. The majority of injuries occurred during a motor vehicle collision (65%); low-energy mechanisms were rare (4.2%). The most common fracture pattern was isolated posterior wall (23%), followed by transverse/posterior wall (21%). Heterotopic ossification (HO) was noted in 22%: Brooker 1: 29.5%, 2: 23.0%, 3: 32.8%, and 4: 14.8%. Tobacco use (ß = 18.4, p<0.001), obesity (ß = 0.39, p=0.009), diabetes (ß = 8.2, p=0.029), post-traumatic arthrosis (PTA) (ß = 5.94 p=0.035), and increasing HO severity (ß = 8.93, p<0.001) were independently associated with worse MFA scores. Tobacco use had the strongest association, followed by the severity of HO. CONCLUSION: In a large series of patient-reported functional outcomes following fixation of acetabular fractures, tobacco use, obesity, comorbid diabetes, PTA, and HO were associated with worse MFA scores. Further study to mitigate HO should be considered. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Nerve Injury With Acetabulum Fractures: Incidence and Factors Affecting Recovery.

OBJECTIVES: To determine factors associated with nerve injury after acetabulum fracture and to evaluate recovery and outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred seventy-five skeletally mature patients with acetabulum fracture. INTERVENTION: Operative and nonoperative management. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Nerve injuries, categorized as traumatic or iatrogenic, recovery (none, partial, or complete), and patient-reported functional outcomes with the Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (n = 353, 36.2%). RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (3.3%) experienced nerve injury with 24 (78%) resulting from trauma and 23 with an associated posterior hip dislocation. Eight injuries (25%) were iatrogenic. Thirty-one (97%) occurred in patients with operative fractures (n = 738). The most common fracture pattern associated with nerve injury was transverse posterior wall (31% of injuries). Obesity was more common in patients with nerve injuries (59% vs. 30% in those without nerve injury (P = 0.001), but was not related to age or sex. Sixty-five percent of sciatic nerve injuries were to the common peroneal division only, while none were isolated to the tibial division. All iatrogenic injuries occurred after the ilioinguinal approach (P < 0.001). Overall, 50% experienced partial nerve recovery and 22% had complete recovery. However, 24% of patients with sciatic or common peroneal injuries had no recovery. Thirty-three percent of tobacco smokers experienced no recovery (vs. 26% of nonsmokers). Average Musculoskeletal Function Assessment scores for patients with nerve injuries was 32, similar to those without (33). CONCLUSIONS: Posterior acetabulum fracture dislocations are associated with traumatic nerve injury, although 25% of nerve injuries were iatrogenic. Nerve injuries are more common in obese patients. More than one-quarter of patients had no recorded nerve recovery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Clinical and Functional Results of 119 Patients With Knee Dislocations.

OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical results and functional outcomes of knee dislocations treated with a consistent strategy within our institution. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS: One hundred nineteen patients were treated at one institution between 2000 and 2014 for knee dislocation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Knee range of motion, functional instability, and complications were recorded. Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (MFA) and Lysholm scores were obtained after minimum of 1 year. RESULTS: Sixty-three early complications were noted in 36 patients (32%), with an overall amputation rate of 9.2% (8 early and 3 late amputations). Of the patients who retained their limb, 4.5% reported instability. Open knee dislocations were associated with amputation (26% vs. 1.3%, P < 0.001). Popliteal arterial injuries were associated with more amputation (31% vs. 3.2%, P = 0 < 0.001), infection (37% vs. 8%, P = 0.002), and deep venous thrombosis (32% vs. 8.8%, P = 0.014). Patients with wound infection were more likely to develop heterotopic ossification (36% vs. 9.4%, P = 0.017) and less knee motion (77.5 vs. 117 degrees P = 0.049). Knee motion improved over time for all patients with a mean arc of 86 degrees at 3 months, 109 degrees at 6 months, and 115 degrees at 12 months. An Injury Severity Score of ≥20 was associated with less knee motion (97 vs. 121 degrees P = 0.029). Mean Lysholm score was 86.7, and mean MFA score was 35.7 after mean follow-up of 90 months and 82 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Few patients (4.5%) experienced functional instability. However, early complications occurred frequently (32%) as expected, particularly in patients with open injuries and/or arterial injury. Limitations in knee motion were associated with high Injury Severity Score, infection, and heterotopic ossification. Mean knee scores were good, consistent with reasonable knee function, although MFA scores suggest a lower level of generalized function. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Can Vascular Injury be Appropriately Assessed With Physical Examination After Knee Dislocation?

BACKGROUND: Knee dislocations are rare injuries with potentially devastating vascular complications. An expeditious and accurate diagnosis is necessary, as failing to diagnose vascular injury can result in amputation; however, the best diagnostic approach remains controversial. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked: (1) What patient factors are predictors of vascular injury after knee dislocation? (2) What are the diagnostic utilities of palpable dorsalis pedis or posterior tibial pulses, and the presence of an ankle-brachial index (ABI) of 0.9 or greater? METHODS: A database at a Level I trauma center was queried for patients with evidence of knee dislocation, demographic information (age at the time of injury, sex, Injury Severity Score, BMI, mechanism of injury), and the presence of open injury were recorded. One-hundred forty-one patients underwent screening at initial presentation, of whom 26 (24%) underwent early vascular exploration based on an abnormal physical examination. One-hundred five (91%) of the remaining 115 patients were available at a minimum followup of 6 months (mean, 19 ± 10 months). In total, 31 unique patients were excluded, including 10 patients (7%) who were lost to followup before 6 months. Among the 110 patients who met inclusion criteria, the mean age and SD was 37 ± 13 years, and the Injury Severity Score was 15 ± 9. There were 71 males (65%). Logistic regression was used to determine independent correlates of vascular injury. The vascular examination was reviewed for the presence of a palpable pulse in the dorsalis pedis artery, the presence of a palpable pulse in the posterior tibial artery, and whether the ABI in the dorsalis pedis was 0.9 or greater. Contingency tables were generated to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of physical examination maneuvers. The physical examination was collectively regarded as "normal" when both pulses were palpable and the ABI was 0.9 or greater. The initial physical examination as just described was considered the diagnostic test being evaluated in this study; "positive" tests were evaluated by and confirmed at vascular surgery, and 6 months clinical followup without symptoms or progressive signs of vascular injury confirmed the absence of injury in the remainder of the patients. Contingency tables were generated again to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the combined physical examination. RESULTS: Increased BMI (odds ratio [OR], 1.077; 95% CI, 1.008-1.155; p = 0.033) and open injuries (OR, 3.366; 95% CI, 1.008-11.420; p = 0.048) were associated with vascular injury. No single physical examination maneuver had a 100% sensitivity for ruling out vascular injury. A normal physical examination (palpable pulses and ABI ≥ 0.9) had 100% sensitivity for ruling out vascular injury. CONCLUSIONS: Increased BMI and the presence of open dislocation are associated with a greater risk for vascular injury after knee dislocation. The combination of a palpable dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulse combined with an ABI of 0.9 or greater was 100% sensitive for the detection of vascular injury based on clinical followup at 6 months. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, diagnostic study.

Acetabular fractures converted to total hip arthroplasties in the elderly: how does function compare to primary total hip arthroplasty?

OBJECTIVES: Little data exist regarding the outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) after acetabular fracture treatment failure. We hypothesize that these patients achieve a lower level of function than those who undergo primary THA for osteoarthritis (atraumatic). DESIGN: Retrospective review. Control group consisted of sequential patients who underwent a primary THA for osteoarthritis and were 60 years or older at the time of surgery. SETTING: Level I Academic Trauma Center. PATIENTS: One hundred seventy-one patients older than 60 years when they sustained an acetabular fracture were included in this study. Seventeen (10%) patients were converted to THA. Control patients were treated with primary THA for osteoarthritis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Musculoskeletal function assessment scores and Harris Hip scores were obtained after a minimum follow-up of 2 years. RESULTS: Thirteen patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation, 3 underwent nonoperative treatment, and 1 received an acute THA. The most common fracture patterns converted to THA were associated both column (n = 5) and posterior column with posterior wall (n = 5). The average time to conversion to THA was 35 months. When compared with controls, patients who had THA after an acetabular fracture had significantly higher Musculoskeletal Function Assessment scores and significantly lower Harris Hip scores, indicating worse level of function. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo THA after acetabular fracture have significantly worse functional outcome scores when compared with patients who undergo a primary THA for osteoarthritis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic level III.

Flexion-extension cervical spine plain films compared with MRI in the diagnosis of ligamentous injury.

The purpose of this study was to compare flexion-extension (FE) plain films with MRI as the gold standard in the diagnosis of ligamentous injury (LI) of the cervical spine after trauma. A retrospective review of patients sustaining blunt trauma from January 2000 to December 2008 (n = 22929) who had both FE and MRI of the cervical spine was performed. Two hundred seventy-one patients had 303 FE films. Forty-nine also had MRI. The average Injury Severity Score was 15.6 +/- 10.2, Glasgow Coma Scale was 13.8 +/- 3.5, lactate 2.2 +/- 1.7 mmol/L, and hospital stay of 8 +/- 11.2 days. FE failed to identify all eight LIs seen on MRI. FE film sensitivity was 0 per cent (zero of eight), specificity 98 per cent (40 of 41), positive predictive value 0 per cent (zero of one), and negative predictive value 83 per cent (40 of 48). Although classified as negative for purposes of analysis, FE was incomplete 20.5 per cent (62 of 303) and ambiguous 9.2 per cent (28 of 303) of the time. The charge of FE is $535 so $48150 (90 incomplete/ambiguous films) could have been saved by eliminating these films. FE should no longer be used to diagnose LI. Given the rare incidence of these injuries, MRI should be used when there is high clinical suspicion of injury.

Do flexion extension plain films facilitate treatment after trauma?

We hypothesized that flexion extension (FE) films do not facilitate the diagnosis or treatment of ligamentous injury of the cervical spine after blunt trauma. From January 2000 to December 2008 we reviewed all patients who underwent FE films and compared five-view plain films (5 view) and cervical spine CTC with FE in the diagnosis of ligamentous injury. There were 22,929 patients with blunt trauma and of these, 271 patients underwent 303 FE films. Average age was 39.6 years, Injury Severity Score was 10.8, Glasgow Coma Score was 14.1, lactate was 2.6 mmol/L, and hospital length of stay was 6 days. Compared with FE, 5 view and CTC had a sensitivity of 80 per cent (8 of 10), positive predictive value of 47.1 per cent (8 of 17), specificity of 96.55 per cent (252 of 261), and negative predictive value of 99.21 per cent (252 of 254). For purposes of analysis, incomplete and ambiguous FE films were listed as negative; however, 20.5 per cent (62 of 303) were incomplete and 9.2 per cent (28 of 303) were ambiguous. Management did not change for the 2 patients with missed ligament injuries. The 303 studies cost $162,105.00 to obtain. FEs are often incomplete and unreliable making it difficult to use them to base management decisions. They do not facilitate treatment and may lead to increased cost and prolonged cervical collars.