Preoperative CT Scan is not Associated with Shorter Surgical Time or Improved Patient Outcomes for Trimalleolar Ankle Fractures.

Background: Posterior malleolar involvement can drastically affect patient outcomes. Literature has supported the use of preoperative Computed Tomography (CT) to assess posterior malleolar fracture morphology. The purpose of this study is to determine whether preoperative CT is associated with significant improvement in surgical time, postoperative complications, reoperation rates in trimalleolar ankle fractures. Surgeons were also asked to complete survey regarding use of CT scans to gauge utility preoperatively. Methods: Adult patients with trimalleolar ankle fractures who underwent operative fixation between 2018-2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Primary outcomes included surgical time, postoperative complications, and reoperations. Secondary outcome was presence of posterior malleolar fixation. 15 surgeons who performed ankle ORIF were surveyed to gain information regarding why or why not preoperative CT scan was obtained. Results: 288 patients with trimalleolar ankle fractures were included, 94 had preoperative CT scans (32.6%). No significant differences found in patient age, gender, BMI, smoking status between the groups that did and did not have preoperative CT scan. No significant differences were observed in AO/OTA classification between groups. Average surgical time was significantly higher in group that received a preoperative CT (114 without CT vs. 145 with CT, p<0.05). Complications (10.3% no CT vs 7.4% with CT, p=0.55) and reoperations (6.7% without CT vs. 7.4% with CT, p=0.16) not significantly different between groups. No significant difference was observed in rate of posterior malleolus fixation between groups (43.8% without CT vs 39.4% with CT; p=0.52). Of surveyed surgeons, 87% reported they don't routinely obtain preoperative CT scan for trimalleolar ankle fractures. Most common reasons for preoperative scans were deciding on approach/positioning, assessing for impaction, determining the size of the posterior malleolus. Conclusion: Although preoperative CT scans are obtained in one third of patients with operative trimalleolar ankle fractures, we did not find an improvement in surgical time, complications, and reoperation. Level of Evidence: III.

Ankle fractures: High implant cost is not associated with better patient reported outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Ankle fractures comprise 9% of all fractures and are among the most common fractures requiring operative management. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with plates and screws is the gold standard for the treatment of unstable, displaced ankle fractures. While performing ORIF, orthopaedic surgeons may choose from several fixation methods including locking versus nonlocking plating and whether to use screws or suture buttons for syndesmotic injuries. Nearly all orthopaedic surgeons treat ankle fractures but most are unfamiliar with implant costs. No study to date has correlated the cost of ankle fracture fixation with health status as perceived by patients through patient reported outcomes (PROs). The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between increasing implant cost and PROs after a rotational ankle fracture. METHODS: All ankle fractures treated with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) at a level I academic trauma center from January 2018 to December 2022 were identified. Inclusion criteria included all rotational ankle fractures with a minimum 6-month follow-up and completed 6-month PRO. Patients were excluded for age <18, polytrauma and open fracture. Variables assessed included demographics, fracture classifications, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure-Activities of Daily Living (FAAM-ADL) score, implant type, and implant cost. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in cost between fracture types (p < 0.0001) with trimalleolar fractures being the most expensive. The mean FAAM-ADL score was lowest for trimalleolar fractures at 78.9, 95% CI [75.5, 82.3]. A diagnosis of osteoporosis/osteopenia was associated with a decrease in cost of $233.3, 95% CI [-411.8, -54.8]. There was no relationship between syndesmotic fixation and implant cost, $102.6, 95% CI [-74.9, 280.0]. There was no correlation between implant cost and FAAM-ADL score at 6 months (p = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of higher cost ankle fixation does not correlate with better FAAM-ADL scores. Orthopaedic surgeons may choose less expensive implants to improve the value of ankle fixation without impacting patient reported outcomes.

A Case Series of Young Patients with Low-Energy Femoral Neck Fractures.

Background: Fragility femoral neck fractures are traditionally seen in elderly patients after a low-energy fall. In contrast, displaced femoral neck fractures in young patients are usually associated with high-energy mechanisms such as a fall from height or high-speed motor vehicle collisions. However, patients under the age of 45 with fragility femoral neck fractures represent a unique population, and one that is not well-described. This study aims to describe this population and their current workup. Methods: A single institution retrospective chart review of patients who underwent open reduction internal fixation or percutaneous pinning of femoral neck fractures from 2010-2020 was conducted. Inclusion criteria were patients 16-45 years old and femoral neck fractures with a low-energy mechanism of injury (MOI). Exclusion criteria were high-energy fractures, pathologic fractures, and stress fractures. Patient demographics, MOI, past medical history, imaging studies, treatment plan, lab values, DEXA results, and surgical outcomes were recorded. Results: The average age in our cohort was 33 ± 8.5 y/o. 44% (12/27) were male. Vitamin D level was obtained in 78% (21/27) patients and 71% (15/21) those patients were found to be abnormally low. A DEXA scan was obtained in 48% (13/27) of patients and abnormal bone density was found in 90% (9/10) of available results. 41% (11/27) patients received a bone health consultation. Conclusion: A significant portion of femoral neck fractures in young patients were fragility fractures. Many of these patients did not receive bone health workup and their underlying health condition remained untreated. Our study highlighted a missed opportunity of treatment for this unique and poorly understood population. Level of Evidence: III.

A Case Series Evaluating Postoperative Complications of Foot and Ankle Surgeries in Adult Patients With Neuromuscular Disease.

Background: Patients with neuromuscular diseases such as cerebral palsy (CP) are living longer because of advances in medicine, yielding a larger number of adult patients that could benefit from corrective surgery. However, some surgeons are hesitant to offer surgery to these patients because of concern for postoperative complications. A paucity of literature exists that describes complications in patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery for neuromuscular diseases. The primary study outcome was to identify the postoperative complication rates associated with foot and ankle surgery in adult patients with neuromuscular disease. Methods: The charts of patients with neuromuscular diseases who had foot and ankle surgery by the senior author at a single institution from March 2010 to March 2020 were reviewed. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic data, medical history and diagnoses, and surgical treatment information. Only patients' index procedures with the senior author were evaluated for surgical data. Patient charts were assessed to determine the presence or absence of a postoperative complication following an index procedure. Results: In a cohort of 42 patients, females comprised 60% of the patient cohort. The average age was 35 (range, 20-69) years old. CP was the most common neuromuscular diagnosis at 52% (22 of 42) patients. Eighteen percent (11 of 60) of the index surgeries had 1 or more complication with a total of 13 complications. The overall wound complication rate was 10% (6 of 60), infection rate was 8% (5 of 60), and the nonunion rate following arthrodesis was 10% (2 of 21). Conclusion: We conclude that foot and ankle surgery in this complex population can be done safely, with postoperative complication rates similar to the average population. Although these patients may present with unique challenges, surgeons should not forgo surgery out of concern for postoperative complications. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective cohort study at a single institution.

Association of Preoperative Opioid Use With Postoperative Opioid Use and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Ankle Fracture Fixation Patients.

Background: Ankle fracture surgery is a common procedure with many patients receiving opioid medications for postoperative pain control. Whether there are factors associated with higher medication quantities or patient-reported outcomes, however, remains largely unknown. Methods: Patients with isolated, rotational ankle fractures who underwent surgical fixation between January 2018 and March 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, and preoperative and postoperative opioid prescription information were recorded. Clinical follow-up and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) questionnaires were collected at 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the influences of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), fracture characteristics, medical comorbidities, and preoperative opioid use (OU) on postoperative opioid morphine milligram equivalent (MME) amount and FAAM scores. Results: A total of 294 patients were included with an average age of 52.11 ± 17.13 years (range, 18-97). Fracture types were proportional to one another. Chronic pain (mean = 145.89, 95% CI = 36.72, 255.05, P = .0009), preoperative OU (mean = 178.22, 95% CI = 47.46, 308.99, P = .0077), psychiatric diagnoses (mean = 143.81, 95% CI = 58.37, 229.26, P = .001), tobacco use (mean = 137.37, 95% CI = 33.35, 229.26, P = .0098), and trimalleolar fractures (mean = 184.83, 95% CI = 86.82, 282.84, P = .0002) were associated with higher postoperative opioid MME amounts. Older age (mean = ‒0.05, 95% CI = ‒0.08, -0.02, P = .0014) and higher BMI (mean = ‒0.06, 95% CI = ‒0.12, 0.00, P = .048) were both independently associated with lower FAAM scores at 6 weeks. At 3 months, higher BMI (mean = ‒0.09, 95% CI = ‒0.13, -0.04, P = .0002), bimalleolar fractures (mean = ‒1.17, 95% CI = ‒2.17, -0.18, P = .021), and higher postoperative MME amounts (mean = ‒0.10, 95% CI = ‒0.19, -0.01, P = .0256) were each independently associated with lower FAAM scores. Conclusion: In this study, we found that patients with chronic pain, preoperative OU, psychiatric diagnoses, tobacco use, and trimalleolar fractures were more likely to have higher amounts of opioid prescribed following ankle fracture surgery. However, only age, BMI, bimalleolar fractures, and postoperative MME amount were associated with lower FAAM scores postoperatively. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Capturing patient-reported outcomes: paper versus electronic survey administration.

Objective: To compare the capture rates and costs of paper patient-reported outcomes (pPRO) administered in-clinic and electronic PROs (ePRO) collected through emails and texts. Design: Retrospective review. Setting: Level 1 trauma center. Patients/Participants: The pPRO program enrolled 2164 patients for postsurgical follow-up in 4 fracture types: ankle, distal radius, proximal humerus, and implant removal from 2012 to 2017. The ePRO program enrolled 3096 patients in 13 fracture types from 2018 to 2020. Among the patients enrolled in the ePRO program, 1296 patients were matched to the 4 original fracture types and time points. Main Outcome Measures: PRO capture rates in 4 fracture types by matched time point and estimated cost of each program per enrolled patient. Results: At first follow-up, pPRO provided a higher capture rate than ePRO for 3 of 4 fracture types except for implant removal (P < 0.05). However, at 6-month and 1-year follow-ups, ePRO demonstrated statistically significant higher capture rates when compared with pPRO for all applicable modules (P < 0.05). The average cost for the pPRO program was $171 per patient versus $56 per patient in the ePRO program. Patients were 1.19 times more likely to complete ePRO compared with pPRO (P = 0.007) after controlling for age, sex, fracture type, and time point. Conclusion: The electronic PRO service has improved long-term capture rates compared with paper PROs, while minimizing cost. A combined program that includes both in-clinic and out of clinic effort may be the ideal model for collection of PROs. Level of Evidence: Level 3.

Pubic Symphysis Separation and Regression in Vaginal versus Cesarean Delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the association of pubic symphysis separation with mode of delivery and follow the resolution of this physiologic separation in the postpartum period. METHODS: Prospective observational cohort study that recruited two cohorts of primiparous women: those undergoing vaginal and cesarean delivery (45 and 46 patients, respectively). Chart review collected intrapartum factors. Patients were followed with serial anterior-posterior radiographs within 48 hours of delivery and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks postpartum, to evaluate the extent of pubic symphysis separation. Differences between the two cohorts in intrapartum factors were assesses as was pubic symphysis separation at each time point. RESULTS: Mean age of women was 25.8 (SD 5.1) years, and 56% were White. Mean birth weight was 3.5 (SD 0.52) kg. Mean immediate postpartum pubic symphysis separation was 7.6 (SD 2.2) mm and did not differ between groups, at 7.18 mm for vaginal delivery versus 8.04 mm for cesarean delivery (CD; P = 0.08). Pubic symphysis separation was not significantly different for CD with and without labour. Black race and obesity were associated with increased pubic symphysis separation. No intrapartum events were related to extent of separation. Normalization of pregnancy pubic symphysis separation to 4-5 mm occurred by 6 weeks postpartum. Separation of >10mm and <15mm occurred in 10 of the 91 women and occurred after vaginal and cesarean delivery. The widest pubic symphysis separation was observed in 3 patients after vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: Physiological pubic symphysis separation occursduring pregnancy and regresses postpartum with minimal effects from labour and delivery. Cesarean deliverydoes not prevent physiological pubic symphysis separation.

Minimizing Nonessential Follow-up for Hip Fracture Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Hip fractures pose a significant burden to patients and care providers. The optimal protocol for postoperative care across all surgically treated hip fracture patients is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that routine follow-up had on changing the clinical course. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all low-energy hip fractures (ie, femoral neck fractures, pertrochanteric hip fractures, and subtrochanteric fractures) treated surgically from January 2018 through December 2019. Charts were reviewed for demographic information; the procedure performed; the number of postoperative follow-up visits each patient had with the orthopaedic surgery team; the number of sets of postoperative radiographic images obtained; and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Eight hundred eleven patients with 835 hip fractures were included in the study. The overall number of patient visits was 1,788, and the number of radiograph sets was 1,537. The median number of follow-up visits was two visits/fracture (interquartile range: 1 to 3 visits, maximum = 9 visits), with the median follow-up length of 54 days (interquartile range: 33 to 97 days) with the treating orthopaedic surgeons. Sixty-two (7.6%) patients had 81 (4.5%) postoperative visits and 26 (1.7%) sets of images that led to treatment changes. Among them, 48 (77.4%) patients had concerns that were initiated by the patients and/or care provider. Fourteen standard patient visits led to treatment changes that were not initiated as concerns by the patient and/or care provider. DISCUSSION: Most clinic visits and radiographs did not lead to a change in the care plan. We recommend that emphasis be placed on comprehensive orthogeriatric care of these patients, and we believe that these data provide the impetus to work toward improving the care pathways for elderly patients with hip fractures.

Factors influencing management of bilateral femur fractures: A multicenter retrospective cohort of early versus delayed definitive Fixation.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the factors that influence the timing of definitive fixation in the management of bilateral femoral shaft fractures and the outcomes for patients with these injuries. METHODS: Patients with bilateral femur fractures treated between 1998 to 2019 at ten level-1 trauma centers were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped into early or delayed fixation, which was defined as definitive fixation of both femurs within or greater than 24 hours from injury, respectively. Statistical analysis included reversed logistic odds regression to predict which variable(s) was most likely to determine timing to definitive fixation. The outcomes included age, sex, high-volume institution, ISS, GCS, admission lactate, and admission base deficit. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-eight patients were included; 164 patients were included in the early fixation group and 164 patients in the delayed fixation group. Patients managed with delayed fixation had a higher Injury Severity Score (26.8 vs 22.4; p<0.01), higher admission lactate (4.4 and 3.0; p<0.01), and a lower Glasgow Coma Scale (10.7 vs 13; p<0.01). High-volume institution was the most reliable influencer for time to definitive fixation, successfully determining 78.6% of patients, followed by admission lactate, 64.4%. When all variables were evaluated in conjunction, high-volume institution remained the strongest contributor (X2 statistic: institution: 45.6, ISS: 8.83, lactate: 6.77, GCS: 0.94). CONCLUSION: In this study, high-volume institution was the strongest predictor of timing to definitive fixation in patients with bilateral femur fractures. This study demonstrates an opportunity to create a standardized care pathway for patients with these injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Single-Stage Versus 2-Stage Bilateral Intramedullary Nail Fixation in Patients With Bilateral Femur Fractures: A Multicenter Retrospective Review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate rates of complications in patients with bilateral femur fractures treated with intramedullary nailing (IMN) during either 1 single procedure or 2 separate procedures. DESIGN: A multicenter retrospective review of patients sustaining bilateral femur fractures, treated with IMN in single or 2-stage procedure, from 1998 to 2018 was performed at 10 Level-1 trauma centers. SETTING: Ten Level-1 trauma centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred forty-six patients with bilateral femur fractures. INTERVENTIONS: Intramedullary nailing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of complications. RESULTS: A total of 246 patients were included, with 188 single-stage and 58 two-stage patients. Gender, age, injury severity score, abbreviated injury score, secondary injuries, Glasgow coma scale, and proportion of open fractures were similar between both groups. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurred at higher rates in the 2-stage group (13.8% vs. 5.9%; P value = 0.05). When further adjusted for age, gender, injury severity score, abbreviated injury score, Glasgow coma scale, and admission lactate, the single-stage group had a 78% reduced risk for ARDS. In-hospital mortality was higher in the single-stage cohort (2.7% compared with 0%), although this did not meet statistical significance (P = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest multicenter study to date evaluating the outcomes between single- and 2-stage IMN fixation for bilateral femoral shaft fractures. Single-stage bilateral femur IMN may decrease rates of ARDS in polytrauma patients who are able to undergo simultaneous definitive fixation. However, a future prospective study with standardized protocols in place will be required to discern whether single- versus 2-stage fixation has an effect on mortality and to identify those individuals at risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Cost Savings of Carpal Tunnel Release Performed In-Clinic Compared to an Ambulatory Surgery Center: Time-Driven Activity-Based-Costing.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to investigate carpal tunnel release (CTR) performed in the clinic versus the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) to evaluate for potential cost savings. Methods: Patients who underwent either CTR in clinic under a local anesthetic or CTR in the ASC with sedation and local anesthetic were prospectively enrolled in a registry between 2014 and 2016. All patients completed a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scale for procedural and postprocedure pain. Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) was utilized to quantify cost of both CTR in clinic and CTR in the ASC. Statistical analysis involved parametric comparative tests between patient cohorts for both the TDABC-cost and patient pain. Results: A total of 59 participants completed the postprocedure CTR survey during the study period, 23 (38.9%) in the ASC group and 36 (61.1%) in the clinic group. Overall time for the procedure from patient arrival to discharge was significantly longer for the ASC cases, averaging 215.7 minutes (range: 201-230) compared to 78.6 minutes (range: 59-98) in the clinic group (P < .01). Both procedural and postoperative VAS pain scores were comparable between clinic and ASC cohorts, procedural pain: 1.8 vs 1.9 (P = .91) and postoperative pain: 4.8 vs 4.9 (P = .88). TDABC analysis estimated ASC CTR procedures to cost an average of $557.07 ($522.06-$592.08) and clinic procedures to cost an average of $151.92 ($142.59-$161.25) (P < .05). Conclusions: CTR in the clinic setting results in significant cost savings compared to CTR in the ASC with no difference in pain scores during the procedure or postoperative period. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II.

Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing: A Better Way to Understand the Cost of Caring for Hip Fractures.

Geriatric hip fractures are a common and costly injury. They are expected to surge in incidence and economic burden as the population ages. With an increasing financial strain on the healthcare system, payors and providers are looking toward alternative, value-based models to contain costs. Value in healthcare is the ratio of outcomes achieved over costs incurred, and can be improved by reducing cost while maintaining or improving outcomes, or by improving outcomes while maintaining or reducing costs. Therefore, an understanding of cost, the denominator of the value equation, is essential to value-based healthcare. Because traditional hospital accounting methods do not link costs to conditions, there has been little research to date on the costs of treating geriatric hip fractures over the entire cycle of care. The aim of this article is to summarize existing costing methodologies, and in particular, to review the strengths and limitations of Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) in orthopaedic trauma, especially as it pertains to the needs and challenges unique to hip fracture care. TDABC determines costs at the patient-level over the entire care cycle, allowing for population variability, while simultaneously identifying cost drivers that might inform risk-stratification for future alternative payment models. Through process mapping, TDABC also reveals areas of variation or inefficiency that can be targeted for optimization, and empowers physicians by focusing on costs in the control of the provider. Although barriers remain, TDABC is well-positioned to provide transparent costing and targets to improve the value of hip fracture care.

Does Value Matter in Orthopaedic Trauma?: A Survey of Orthopaedic Trauma Association Members.

OBJECTIVES: With value-based payment models on the horizon, this study was designed to examine the perceptions of value-based care among orthopaedic traumatologists and how they influence their practice. DESIGN: Systems-based survey study. SETTING: Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) research surveys. PARTICIPANTS: OTA members. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Thirty-eight-question surveys focusing on 5 areas related to value-based care: understanding value, assessing interest, barriers, perceptions around implementing value-based strategies, and policy. RESULTS: Of 1106 OTA members, 252 members responded for a response rate of 22.7%. Consideration around cost was not different between hospital, academic, and private practice settings (P = 0.47). Previous reported experience in finance increased the amount surgical decision-making was influenced by cost (P < 0.01), along with reported understanding of implant costs (P < 0.01). Over half of the respondents (59.4%) believed value-based payments are coming to orthopaedic trauma. The vast majority (88.5%) believed bundled payments would be unsuccessful or only partially successful. With respect to barriers, a third of respondents (34.7%) indicated accurate cost data prevented the implementation of programs that track and maximize value, another third (31.5%) attributed it to a limited ability to collect patient-reported outcomes, and the rest (33.8%) were split between lack of institutional interest and access to funding. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated the understanding of value in orthopaedic trauma is limited and practice integration is rare. Reported experience in finance was the only factor associated with increased consideration of value-based care in practice. Our results highlight the need for increased exposure and resources to changing health care policy, specifically for orthopaedic traumatologists. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Patient-Level Value Analysis: An Innovative Approach to Optimize Care Delivery.

BACKGROUND: An increasing emphasis has been placed on developing value-based care delivery systems in orthopaedics to combat rising health care costs. The goal of these systems is to both measure and improve the provisional value of care. Patient-level value analysis creates a mechanism to quantify and optimize value within a procedure, in contrast to traditional methods, which only measures value. The purpose of this study was to develop a patient-level value analysis model and determine the efficacy of this model to improve value in orthopaedic care. METHODS: Patients treated operatively for isolated closed ankle fractures at a single level 1 trauma center were prospectively identified. Short musculoskeletal function assessment was collected at the time of the initial clinical presentation and 6 months postoperatively. The cost of care was determined using time-driven activity-based costing, which included personnel, supplies, length of stay, implants, pharmacy, and radiology. Value was defined as each patient's change in the outcome score divided by their cost as determined by time-driven activity-based costing. A multiple linear regression was performed to determine which aspects of care significantly predicted value. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients met inclusion/exclusion criteria. The multiple linear regression indicated treatment by physician D (ß = -0.135, P = 0.04) and inpatient stay (ß = -0.468, P < 0.01) were predictors of lesser value and represent areas for potential care pathway and value improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-level value analysis represents a paradigm shift in the quantification of value. We recommend surgeons, practices, and health care systems begin implementing a system to quantify and optimize the value of care provided. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Use of CT Vs. MRI for Diagnosis of Hip or Pelvic Fractures in Elderly Patients After Low Energy Trauma.

Background: Elderly patients who fall account for more than two million emergency department visits each year. In 4-10 % of these patients, initial plain radiographs do not identify a hip or pelvis fracture later diagnosed with advanced imaging. No consensus exists about what type of imaging, CT or MRI, should be obtained in elderly patients with hip or pelvic pain after a low energy trauma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether CT or MRI is more likely to result in a definitive fracture diagnosis in elderly patients with hip or pelvic pain after low energy trauma. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients who presented to the ED at a single level one trauma center over a 4.5 year period. Inclusion criteria were age greater than fifty years old, presentation with hip and/ or pelvis pain due to a low energy trauma, and radiographic imaging including both plain radiographs and at least one pelvis MRI or CT. Results: Of the 218 patients who met inclusion criteria and had negative initial plain radiographs, CT or MRI later diagnosed a fracture in 69 patients (32%). Seventy eight patients underwent MRI (24 fractures, 32%), 132 underwent CT imaging (41 fractures, 31%), and eight had both CT and MRI (5 fractures, 63%). Patients who underwent CT spent less time in the ED on average (430 minutes) than those who underwent MRI, or MRI and CT (502 minutes and 620 minutes respectively). Patients who underwent CT were just as likely to be diagnosed with a fracture as those who underwent MRI (p= 0.002). We encountered no cases where CT imaging did not identify a fracture that was later identified on MRI. Fifty six patients (26%) had at least one contraindication to MRI. Conclusions: Our study suggests CT may be adequate to rule out hip and pelvic fractures in this patient population. CT may be preferable to MRI based on decreased time spent in the ED and the large percentage of elderly patients with contraindications to MRI.Level of Evidence: III.

Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing in Fracture Care: Is This a More Accurate Way to Prepare for Alternative Payment Models?

OBJECTIVES: To use surgical treatment of isolated ankle fractures as a model to compare time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) and our institution's traditional cost accounting (TCA) method to measure true cost expenditure around a specific episode of care. METHODS: Level I trauma center ankle fractures treated between 2012 and 2016 were identified through a registry. Inclusion criteria were age greater than 18 years and same-day ankle fracture operation. Exclusion criteria were pilon fractures, vascular injuries, soft-tissue coverage, and external fixation. Time for each phase of care was determined through repeated observations. The TCA method at our institution uses all hospital costs and allocates them to surgeries using a relative value method. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 18 were men and 17 were women. Age at time of surgery was 47 ± 15 years. Time from injury to surgery was 10 ± 4 days. Operative time was 86 ± 30 minutes, Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) time was 87 ± 27 minutes, and secondary recovery time was 100 ± 56 minutes. Average cost was significantly lower for the TDABC method ($2792 ± 734) than the TCA method ($5782 ± 1348) (P < 0.001). There was no difference between methods for implant cost ($882 ± 507 for Traditional Accounting (TA) and $957 ± 651 for TDABC, P = 0.593). TCA produced a significantly greater cost (P < 0.01) in every other category. CONCLUSIONS: As orthopaedics transitions to alternative payment models, accurate costing will become critical to maintaining a successful practice. TDABC may provide a better estimate of the cost of the resources necessary to treat a patient.

Intra-articular Hematoma Block Compared to Procedural Sedation for Closed Reduction of Ankle Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Initial treatment for a displaced ankle fracture is closed reduction and splinting. This is typically performed in conjunction with either an intra-articular hematoma block (IAHB) or procedural sedation (PS) to assist with pain control. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety of IAHB to PS and evaluate the efficiency and efficacy for each method. METHODS: A retrospective chart review for ankle fractures requiring manipulation was performed for patients seen in a level I trauma center from 2005 to 2016. The primary outcome was rate of successful reduction. Several secondary outcome measures were defined: reduction attempts, time until successful reduction, time spent in the emergency department (ED), rate of hospital admission, and adverse events. The analysis included 221 patients who received IAHB and 114 patients who received PS. RESULTS: The demographics between the 2 groups were similar, with the exception that more patients with a dislocation received PS, which prompted a subgroup analysis. This analysis demonstrated that patients with an ankle fracture and associated tibiotalar joint subluxation underwent closed reduction in a shorter period of time with the use of an IAHB compared with those receiving PS. In patients sustaining a tibiotalar fracture dislocation, patients receiving PS were successfully reduced with 1 reduction attempt more frequently than those receiving IAHB. Orthopedic surgeons also had higher rates of success on first attempt compared with ED providers. CONCLUSION: Both IAHB and PS were excellent options for analgesia that resulted in high rates of successful closed reduction of ankle fractures with adequate safety. IAHB can be considered a first-line agent for patients with an ankle fracture and associated joint subluxation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative series.

Serum and Wound Vancomycin Levels After Intrawound Administration in Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection is the most common cause of readmissions after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Intrawound vancomycin powder (VP) has reduced infection rates in spine surgery; however, there are no data regarding VP in primary TJA. METHODS: Thirty-four TJA patients received 2 g of VP intraoperatively to investigate VP's pharmacokinetics. Serum and wound concentrations were measured at multiple intervals over 24 hours after closure. RESULTS: All serum concentrations were subtherapeutic (<15µg/mL) and peaked 12 hours after closure (4.7µg/mL; standard deviation [SD], 3.2). Wound concentrations were 922 µg/mL (SD, 523) 3 hours after closure and 207 µg/mL (SD, 317) at 24 hours. VP had a half-life of 7.2 hours (95% confidence interval, 7.0-9.3) in TJA wounds. CONCLUSIONS: VP produced highly therapeutic intrawound concentrations while yielding low systemic levels in TJA. VP may serve as a safe adjunct in the prevention of periprosthetic joint infection.

Lateral Epicondylitis and Tobacco Use: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Although lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a very common tendinopathy, we understand little about the etiology of the disease. Tobacco use has been associated with other tendinopathies, and the purpose of this study is to determine if there is an association between the incidence of lateral epicondylitis and tobacco use. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis. Patients from a single orthopaedic surgeon's practice with LE were matched to control patients with other common upper extremity conditions based on age, gender, and occupation. A total of 65 case patients and 217 control patients were included in the study. The incidence of smoking in patients with lateral epicondylitis was compared to the incidence of smoking in the control group. RESULTS: Of the LE patients, 30/65 (46.2%) were non-smokers, 23/65 (35.4%) were former smokers, and 12/65 (18.5%) were current smokers. Of the control patients, 121/217 (55.8%) were non-smokers, 45/217 (20.7%) were former smokers, and 51/217 (23.5%) were current smokers. The odds of LE patients being former or current smokers compared to control patients were 1.45 times higher, but this was not statistically significant. Among people who did not smoke at the time of presentation, the odds of being a former smoker were 2.28 times higher in LE patients than in controls, which was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The odds of being a former smoker were significantly higher in patients with lateral epicondylitis compared to patients with other upper extremity conditions. Although it did not reach statistical significance, the odds of being former or current smokers were also higher in the LE group. These results suggest a relationship between smoking history and incidence of lateral epicondylitis, though more research is needed to determine the exact nature of the relationship. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic, Level III.