Does the Subtalar or Tibiotalar Joint Need Fused in Primary Retrograde Tibiotalocalcaneal Nailing for Fragility Ankle Fractures?

BACKGROUND: As an alternative to traditional open reduction internal fixation of ankle fragility fractures, primary retrograde tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) nailing has been investigated as a treatment option. These results suggest that this treatment is an acceptable alternative treatment option for these injuries. There are still questions about the need for formal joint preparation at the subtalar or tibiotalar joint when performing primary TTC nailing for fragility fractures. METHODS: In this study, we retrospectively evaluated 32 patients treated with primary retrograde TTC nail without subtalar or tibiotalar joint preparation for a mean of 2.4 years postoperatively. We specifically reviewed the charts for nail breakages at either joint, patients developing subtalar or tibiotalar joint pathology requiring additional treatment, including return to the operating room for formal joint preparation. RESULTS: Fracture union occurred in 100% of patients. There were 3 cases (10.0%) of hardware failure, and 2 of these cases were asymptomatic and did not require any treatment. One patient (3.3%) developed hardware failure with nail breakage at the subtalar joint. This patient developed progressive pain and symptoms requiring revision surgery with formal arthrodesis of the subtalar and tibiotalar joint. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that retrograde hindfoot nailing without formal subtalar or tibiotalar joint preparation is an acceptable potential treatment option in ankle fragility fractures. Mid-term follow-up demonstrates favorable outcomes without the need for formal joint preparation in this high-risk population. Comparative studies with higher patient numbers and long-term follow-up are needed to confirm the results of this study.Levels of Evidence: Level IV.

Symptomatic rib fracture nonunion: a systematic review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Rib fractures commonly occur in trauma patients with varying presentations. Though the literature in recent years has moved toward favoring more early intervention of acute rib fractures, little has been reported on the matter of surgical fixation for symptomatic rib fracture nonunions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a review of PubMed and Cochrane databases for articles published since 2000. Inclusion criteria were studies with greater than six months of follow-up, while case studies were excluded. A thorough analysis was performed on patient outcomes, complications reported, operative techniques utilized, and fixation systems used, among other parameters reported by the articles. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-nine studies resulted from our review, and a total of nine studies met our inclusion criteria with a combined total of 182 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for symptomatic rib fracture nonunions. All studies reported a significant reduction of pain with increased satisfaction in the majority of patients. There were a total of 71 postoperative complications, the most common of which included surgical site infections, hardware failure, and hematoma. The most serious complications were insulting injury to the lung parenchyma or pleura; however, these were extremely rare based off the current literature. The use of bone grafting was common with eight of the nine studies mentioning the benefits of grafting. CONCLUSION: Surgical stabilization of rib fracture nonunions appears to be an appropriate treatment alternative, and various techniques and approaches may be used with similar success. Further studies with higher level of evidence are recommended on the subject.

The Safety and Efficacy of Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusions in the Outpatient Setting.

Introduction Outpatient surgical procedures have shown reduced costs, improved patient outcomes, and decreased postoperative complications. Interest in moving orthopedic and neurosurgical spine procedures to the outpatient setting has grown in recent years because of these factors. Studies investigating open posterior lumbar interbody fusions (PLIFs) in the outpatient setting are sparse. Methods The patients who underwent an open PLIF with pedicle screw and rod construct from 2014 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Outpatient procedures were defined by patient discharge being on the same day of the procedure, without admittance to an inpatient ward. Pertinent demographic, clinical, radiographic, and surgical data were collected and analyzed. Results The current study included 36 outpatient PLIF cases with 94.4% of the study cohort undergoing a single-level PLIF. The average Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score improved by 20.4 points from preoperative measurements (p = 0.0002), and the visual analog scale (VAS) score improved by 27.2 points (p = 0.0001). The postoperative fusion rate was 94.4%. One intraoperative complication occurred (2.78%), and four postoperative complications occurred (11.11%). There were no subsequent admissions throughout the postoperative follow-up period; however, two of the 36 patients (5.56%) did require reoperation, both in an outpatient setting. Conclusions This study demonstrates that open posterior lumbar interbody fusions performed in an outpatient setting can be performed safely and effectively, with a significant reduction in VAS and ODI pain scores.

The Effect of Obesity on Hemiarthroplasty and Total Hip Arthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fractures.

Obesity is a well-recognized global epidemic that can lead to longer operative times as well as a greater technical demand. Despite this, the available literature evaluating the impact of obesity on hip hemiarthroplasty (HA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) when treating fractures about the femoral neck is scarce. Between 2015 and 2018, we retrospectively reviewed all patients that had a HA or THA performed as treatment for an isolated fracture of the femoral neck. Patients were classified as obese and nonobese depending on current body mass index (BMI) when the index procedure was performed. Preoperative and postoperative variable were obtained from the electronic medical record. A total of 157 patients underwent hip HA or THA for an isolated fracture of the femoral neck. In those patients undergoing HA, obesity was associated with an increase in operative times (P = 0.021) and was associated with a nonsignificant increase in total operating room time (P = 0.088) and duration of anesthesia (P = 0.14). In those patients undergoing THA, obesity was associated with longer operative times (P = 0.043), total operating room time (P = 0.032), and duration of anesthesia (P = 0.045). There were no significant differences in complication rates postoperatively between obese and non-obese patients undergoing either procedure. The treatment of isolated fractures of the femoral neck with HA or THA leads to an increase in operative time without an increase in postoperative complications in obese patients.

Early Definitive Fixation of Talus Fractures Is Safe: A Retrospective Review.

BACKGROUND: Talus fractures are often result of high energy mechanisms and can lead to devastating complications. Treatment is often operative; however, the appropriate timing of this has been debated. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of the early treatment of talus fractures. METHODS: Patients aged 18 years or older who underwent definitive operative stabilization of their talus fracture at a single urban level 1 trauma center were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were split into 2 groups based on their time to definitive fixation: ≤ or >24 hours. Pertinent demographic, surgical, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 108 fractures were treated with 65 in the ≤24 hours fixation group and 43 in the >24 hours fixation group. Fractures involving the talar neck were the most commonly treated fracture pattern followed by the body and the head. There was no difference between the 2 groups in length to full weight bearing, union, or time to union. Open fracture was found to be the only significant risk factor for nonunion in both groups. There was no significant difference in infection or arthrodesis rates between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Definitive treatment of talus fractures within 24 hours from presentation is both safe and effective with equal outcomes and without increased complications when compared with those injuries that undergo delayed or staged definitive fixation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Orthopaedic Manifestations of Thanatophoric Dwarfism: A Case Report.

CASE: We report the rare case of a 3-year-old male patient with thanatophoric dwarfism, a fatal skeletal dysplasia that arises from an autosomal dominant mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene. The role of the orthopaedic surgeon in the in the management of this disease is discussed. CONCLUSION: We advocate for the close monitoring of disease progression by the orthopaedic surgery team and offer a potential surgical intervention that may help prevent cardiorespiratory demise.

Go with the flow: An experimental analysis with tubing alternative with irrigation.

Background and Aims: Literature regarding alternative tubing for fluid delivery in irrigation and debridement procedures is lacking. The purpose of this study was to compare three different apparatuses with varying quantities of irrigation fluid to assess efficiency of administration and evaluate overall time for fluid administration. Methods: This model was designed to compare available methods of gravity irrigation used in practice. Fluid flow time was measured for three types of tubing: single-lumen cystoscopy tubing, Y-type double-lumen cystoscopy tubing, and nonconductive suction tubing. Irrigation times were assessed for varying volumes of 3, 6, and 9 L to investigate the relationship between bag changes and irrigation time. Bag changes were not conducted for the 3 L trial, but were for 6 and 9 L trials. Dimensions of cystoscopy tubing consisted of 4.95 mm internal diameter and 2.1 m length in both single-lumen and Y-type double-lumen apparatus. Nonconduction suction tubing dimensions were 6.0 mm internal diameter and standard 3.7 m in length. Results: The mean flow time for suction tubing was significantly faster than the cystoscopy tubing for the 3 and 9 L trials (p < 0.001). At 6 L, flow time for the suction tubing and the double lumen cystoscopy tubing were similar, 264 versus 260 s, respectively. At 9 L, the mean flow time for the suction tubing was 80 s faster (410 vs. 491 s) compared with single-lumen cystoscopy and was nearly 30 s faster compared with Y-type cystoscopy tubing. Conclusion: The results of this study provide insight into a faster, widely available, and cost-efficient alternative to commonly used cystoscopy tubing.

Association Between Pronation External Rotation IV Fracture Pattern and Regional Bone Density.

INTRODUCTION: Throughout the musculoskeletal system, fracture patterns and subsequent healing rely partly on bone density. In the foot and ankle, bone density has been shown to play a role in supination and external rotation fracture patterns. Adding to previous research, this investigation examines the association between bone density and trimalleolar versus trimalleolar equivalent fracture patterns following pronation and external rotation injuries using computed tomography (CT)-derived Hounsfield units (HU). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted among patients without a history of fracture or osteoporosis who sustained a PER IV fracture. Demographic data were collected. Fractures were separated between PER IV equivalent and fracture groups. CT-derived HU was assessed at the distal tibia and fibula. Density was compared between PER IV equivalent and fracture groups and among posterior malleolar fracture patterns. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients met the selection criteria, with 17 comprising the equivalent group and 58 in the fracture group. There were 38 type 1, 9 type 2, and 11 type 3 posterior malleolus fractures. The ankle bone density of the PER fracture equivalent group (331.98 ± 65.71HU) was greater than the PER fracture group (281.61 ± 76.99HU; P = .008). A statistically significant difference in tibial bone densities among equivalent and all PER fracture types (P = .01) with the equivalent group (331.98 ± 65.71HU) maintaining a greater tibial bone density than the type 2 posterior malleolus fracture group (252.35 ± 57.33HU; P = .009). CONCLUSION: Higher bone density was associated with PER IV equivalent fractures; however, there was no density difference among posterior malleolus fracture types. When presented with PER IV fractures, consider fixation that addresses a lower bone density. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Peri-implant Proximal Humerus Fracture Stabilized with Stacked Plating: A Case Report.

Introduction: A peri-implant proximal humerus fracture is a rare complication after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and poses a surgical dilemma. Case Report: A 56-year-old male sustained a peri-implant proximal humerus fracture after undergoing ORIF. We present a stacked plating method for fixation of this injury. This construct allows for decreased operative time, less soft-tissue dissection, and the ability to leave previous intact hardware in place. Conclusion: We describe the rare case of a peri-implant proximal humerus treated with stacked plating.

Differences Between Patients With Diabetes Mellitus and Those Without in Cases of Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Purposes This study aims to evaluate further differences between patients with diabetes and those without who have been diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis (NF) to assist clinicians in improving morbidity and mortality. Methods All patients diagnosed with NF of an extremity were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups based on a diagnosis of diabetes. Patient charts were reviewed to obtain multiple variables, which were compared between groups. Results From 2015 to 2021, 115 patients underwent surgical intervention due to concern for NF of an extremity with 92 patients included for data computation. Patients with diabetes had an average Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score of 9.02 compared to 7.24 (p=0.02). Patients with diabetes had a significantly higher rate of undergoing amputation when diagnosed with NF (p<0.0001). The mortality rate for diabetes and non-diabetes cohorts were 30.9% and 18.9%, respectively (p=0.2). Conclusion This study demonstrated that patients with diabetes with confirmed NF of an extremity had a significantly higher LRINEC score were more likely to undergo an amputation primarily, and were more likely to have a polymicrobial infection compared to those without. The overall mortality rate of NF was 26.1%.

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humerus fractures: a comparison of the deltoid split and deltopectoral approaches.

INTRODUCTION: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is a common treatment for three- and four-part proximal humerus fractures. RSA is commonly performed through a deltopectoral (DP) surgical approach; however, a deltoid split (DS) approach has been described. The purpose of this study was to compare the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing RSA for proximal humerus fractures through a DP and DS approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients who underwent RSA for proximal humerus fractures at our level 1 trauma center was performed. Patients were evaluated at a minimum 1-year follow-up. Intraoperative outcomes as well as patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were analyzed. Postoperative complications, reoperation rates, and radiographic outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included in the DP group and 13 patients in the DS group. The average follow-up was 28.6 months in the DP group and 21.1 months in the DS group. There were no significant differences in patient demographics or injury characteristics. Operative time was significantly shorter in the DS group (103 min) compared to the DP group (123 min). Tuberosity repair was performed in 81.3% of patients in the DP group and 92.3% of patients in the DS group. No significant differences were found in PROMs at final follow-up. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications. Three patients in the DP group and one patient in the DS group required reoperation. Lastly, 81.8% of patients achieved tuberosity union in the DS group and 66.7% in the DP group; however, this did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that RSA for proximal humerus fractures performed through a DS or DP approach may result in similar intraoperative and postoperative outcomes, with no difference in reoperation or complication rates.

Operative fixation of rib fracture nonunions.

INTRODUCTION: Rib fractures are common injuries in trauma patients that often heal without intervention. Infrequently, symptomatic rib fracture nonunions are a complication after rib fractures. There is a paucity of literature on the surgical treatment of rib fracture nonunion. The purpose of this study was to describe the efficacy of rib fracture nonunion operative fixation with particular focus on surgical technique, healing rates, and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients aged ≥ 18 years with symptomatic rib fracture nonunions treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with locking plates at a single urban level 1 trauma center were retrospectively reviewed. Pertinent demographic, clinical, radiographic, and surgical data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean time from injury to undergoing ORIF for rib fracture nonunion was just under a year and the number of ribs plated was 2.95 ± 1.16 (1-5 ribs) with bone grafting used in six cases. All patients (100%) showed evidence of healing at an average of 2.65 ± 1.50 months (2-8 months). All patients reported a decrease in pain. No narcotic pain medication was used at an average of 3.88 ± 3.76 weeks (0-10 weeks) post-operatively. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were found in 4 (22.2%) patients. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that operative fixation of symptomatic rib fracture nonunion demonstrated favorable outcomes with reduction in preoperative pain levels, decreased use of narcotic pain medication, minimal complications, and a high rate of fracture union. This described method provides symptomatic relief, reduction in pain, and promotes bony healing of the fracture nonunion without development of major complications. We suggest that operative fixation should be considered as the primary method of treatment of symptomatic rib nonunions.

Intramedullary Screw Fixation Versus Traditional Plating for Distal Fibula Fractures.

The traditional method of treating fibular fractures in unstable ankle injuries involves open reduction and internal fixation with a plate and screw construct. Less invasive percutaneous fixation techniques with intramedullary fibular screws have been utilized for many years to reduce wound and implant complications while maintaining a stable ankle mortise. However, there have been no direct case-control studies comparing percutaneous intramedullary fibular screw fixation to the traditional open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws. In our study, we compared radiographic and clinical outcomes for unstable ankle fractures in which the fibula fracture was treated with either a percutaneous intramedullary screw or by open reduction and internal fixation with a plate and screw construct. We retrospectively reviewed 69 consecutive patients from 2011 to 2019 with unstable ankle fractures treated with intramedullary fibular screws and compared them to 216 case-control patients treated with traditional plate and screw construct over the same time period. The average follow-up for the intramedullary screw group was 11.5 months and 15.2 months for the plate and screw group. We collected general demographic data, measured intraoperative and final follow-up talocrural angles, Kellgren-Lawrence osteoarthritis grade, union rates, implant removal rates, infection rates, and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scores. The intramedullary screw group had a statistically significant lower rate of delayed implant removal (8.7% vs 23.6%) and there was no detectable difference in other measures.

Outpatient Surgery for Rib Fracture Fixation: A Report of Three Cases.

Rib fractures are common injuries observed in trauma patients that will often heal without operative intervention. However, patients can infrequently have continued pain. Operative fixation of these symptomatic rib fractures has traditionally led to the patient requiring hospital admission for observation and pain control. The purpose of this study was to review three cases of outpatient rib fracture, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery. Three patients with symptomatic rib fractures treated with ORIF at a single urban level one trauma center underwent outpatient same-day surgery. Pertinent demographic, clinical, radiographic, and surgical data were collected. All patients had decreased preoperative pain and no complications. This case series demonstrates that outpatient surgery for rib fracture ORIF can be performed safely in a select patient population. Additionally, it has similar efficacy as inpatient operative fixation with the main added benefit being decreased costs to both the patient and the healthcare system. We suggest that outpatient operative fixation of rib fractures should be considered for select patients.

The Use of Shape-Memory Alloy Staples (Nitinol) in the Treatment of Pubic Symphyseal Disruptions: Clinical Results and Radiographic Outcomes.

Nitinol is a shape-memory alloy that has many diverse applications in the field of orthopedics. There have been no previous investigations reporting clinical or radiographic outcomes of the use of nitinol staples in the definitive stabilization of the pubic symphysis. A retrospective chart review was completed on 42 patients who underwent operative stabilization of pubic symphyseal disruption at an urban level-1 trauma center. Patients treated with pelvic staples alone, or in conjunction with traditional plates and screws, were compared with those treated without the use of a shape memory alloys. Thirty-four patients were included for final analysis (8 staples and 26 controls) in this investigation. Three of eight patients in the pelvic staple group had implant failures, with two having a loss of reduction (25%); this was not significantly different from the seven hardware failures (P = 0.61) seen in the control group without any loss of reduction (P = 0.17). Failures in the nitinol staple group occurred earlier at 17.3 days compared with the control group at 101.7 days (P = 0.003). There were no significant differences between groups with regards to any of the other pre- or postoperative variables investigated. The use of nitinol staples vs. traditional plate and screw constructs for stabilizing the pubic symphysis did not result in more clinical failures. The hardware failures identified in the nitinol staple group occurred significantly earlier in the postoperative period, and were associated with a loss of reduction of the pubic symphysis.

First Extensor Compartment Tendon Rupture in the Setting of a Radial Styloid and Both-Bone Forearm Fracture: A Case Report.

CASE: We report on the rare occurrence of first extensor compartment tendon injury at the myotendinous junction after fractures of the radial styloid and both-bone forearm in a healthy 59-year-old man. Here, a novel technique for repair of this unique injury and an additional proposed mechanism of tendon rupture are discussed. CONCLUSION: We advocate for the suspicion of tendon rupture in the first dorsal compartment with fractures of the radial styloid and both-bone forearm. Tubularization and transfer of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons to the brachioradialis muscle may be of benefit in these patients.

Substituent Effects on the Coordination Chemistry of Metal-Binding Pharmacophores.

A combination of XAS, UV-vis, NMR, and EPR was used to examine the binding of a series of α-hydroxythiones to CoCA. All three appear to bind preferentially in their neutral, protonated forms. Two of the three clearly bind in a monodentate fashion, through the thione sulfur alone. Thiomaltol (TM) appears to show some orientational preference, on the basis of the NMR, while it appears that thiopyromeconic acid (TPMA) retains rotational freedom. In contrast, allothiomaltol (ATM), after initially binding in its neutral form, presumably through the thione sulfur, forms a final complex that is five-coordinate via bidentate coordination of ATM. On the basis of optical titrations, we speculate that this may be due to the lower initial pKa of ATM (8.3) relative to those of TM (9.0) and TPMA (9.5). Binding through the thione is shown to reduce the hydroxyl pKa by ∼0.7 pH unit on metal binding, bringing only ATM's pKa close to the pH of the experiment, facilitating deprotonation and subsequent coordination of the hydroxyl. The data predict the presence of a solvent-exchangeable proton on TM and TPMA, and Q-band 2-pulse ESEEM experiments on CoCA + TM suggest that the proton is present. ESE-detected EPR also showed a surprising frequency dependence, giving only a subset of the expected resonances at X-band.