Variations in opioid prescribing after total joint arthroplasty: An Observational study.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the prescribing patterns of opioids by different categories of providers for postoperative pain after primary total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA, TKA) at a single institution. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 1774 patients who underwent primary THA or TKA between 2014 and 2019 at a single, level one academic trauma center. Patients were excluded for additional procedures within 90 days of the index surgery. Patient demographics, operative variables, and opioid prescriptions were collected and analyzed. Generalized linear models accounting for within-person correlations were used to model the association between patient age, prescriber, etiology, opioid category, and mean morphine milligram equivalent (MME) prescribed. Results: The mean MME prescribed per patient up to 90 days postoperatively was 1591. Significant variations were observed in prescribing habits based on patient gender, age, prescriber category, and drug type. Females were prescribed more MMEs than males (CI 8.58, 667.16; p = 0.0443) and patients 65 years or younger received higher MMEs compared to those above 65 (CI 231.11, 926.48; p = 0.0011). Non-orthopedic physicians prescribed higher MMEs than orthopedic surgeons (CI 402.76, 1219.48; p < 0.0001). Hydrocodone and oxycodone prescriptions had significantly higher MMEs than tramadol prescriptions (CI 446.33, 719.52; p < 0.0001 and CI 681.09, 1065.26; p < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusion: These findings suggest the need for standardized guidelines and interventions to address variations in opioid prescribing practices for postoperative pain control. Understanding baseline prescription habits can help guide efforts to optimize pain management and reduce opioid overprescribing in the surgical setting.

The economic and clinical impact of fast- versus slow-setting cement in primary total knee arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: New bone cement products have been developed attempting to shorten their setting time and thus cut down time in the operating room. This study determines whether faster-setting bone cement shortens time in the operating room, and whether the quantity used compromises postoperative TKA outcomes. Additionally, this study looks at cost analyses of the quantity of bone cement used in TKA procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred and sixty patients at a single institution with primary TKA surgeries between January 2019 and December 2021, and a clinic follow-up of at least one year, were identified. Five cement products used in this time period were identified and categorized by fast- or slow-setting products if their set times were marketed below or above six minutes, respectively. RESULTS: Estimated blood loss was higher in patients receiving fast-setting cements (160.0 vs 126.4 mL; p = 0.0009); however, operative time showed no difference between the cohorts (88.2 vs 89.2 min; p = 0.99). Fewer bags of cement were used for the fast cohort (1.3 vs 1.8 bags; p < 0.0001). The fast group was significantly cheaper on average per patient only when comparing between antibiotic bone cements (p = 0.007). No differences were found in postoperative outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: No differences were found in operative times between the fast and slow cemented groups. Fewer bags of faster-setting cement only proved cost saving relative to other antibiotic bone cements studied. Nonetheless, decreased usage of fast cement did not result in any different postoperative outcomes compared to slow cements. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Unusual Arteriovenous Malformation in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Case Report of a Complicated Perioperative Course.

It is not common to encounter arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) during total hip arthroplasty (THA). We report the present case to draw attention to the possibility of an AVM during the direct anterior approach (DAA) for THA, which, if not borne in mind, may lead to the myriad of complications related to excessive bleeding. An 81-year-old female presented to the emergency department with a left femoral neck fracture. She elected to undergo a THA via the DAA. Abnormal appearing blood vessels were present near the ascending circumflex branches, which provided difficulty in achieving hemostasis. Excessive blood loss was noted, and the patient received one unit of packed red blood cells during the operation. Hemoglobin and hematocrit dropped in the days following surgery, requiring several additional transfusions of blood products. When the patient complained of progressive left leg swelling on postoperative day 3, a computed tomography revealed large hematomas within the left adductors and the left iliopsoas muscle. Active extravasation was identified arising from a branch of the left profunda femoral artery, as well as an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in this area. Bleeding was controlled by selective endovascular coil embolization. As of current knowledge, this is the first reported intraoperative discovery of congenital arteriovenous malformation (AVM) with subsequent development of postoperative arteriovenous fistula and associated symptomatic hematomas in the setting of THA using the DAA. Early recognition and intervention of vascular malformations is essential in preventing potential limb- or life-threatening surgical complication.

Femoral stem taper geometry and porous coating in cementless direct anterior primary total hip arthroplasty.

Objective: This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes and complications between a fully coated, dual-tapered hip stem versus a proximally coated, triple-tapered hip stem in patients undergoing cementless direct anterior (DA) primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent primary THA with either a fully coated, dual-tapered hip stem or a proximally coated, triple-tapered stem with at least a 1-year follow up. Exclusion criteria included any patients that did not receive either femoral stem, those undergoing bilateral THA, those with a surgical approach other than DA, those with an indication other than osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis (AVN), or femoral neck fracture, and those that had a cemented femoral component. Complications and clinical outcomes were assessed. Statistical analyses were conducted to identify significant differences between the groups. Results: A total of 95 patients were included in the study. The average ages for the dual-tapered and triple-tapered stem cohorts were 63.6 and 59.5, respectively (p = 0.168). At 1-year follow-up, no significant differences were seen between the groups in terms of ambulatory status, ROM, and patient satisfaction (p = 0.414, p = 0.106, and p = 0.126). 6 (18 %) of the patients receiving the dual-tapered, fully coated hip stem had at least one complication while 8 (13 %) of the triple-tapered, proximally coated hip stem patients did (p = 0.550). Conclusion: Both hip stem cohorts demonstrated comparable clinical outcomes and complication rates in patients undergoing primary DA THA and we believe that either hip stem may be a reasonable choice for patients. Future studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are warranted to validate these findings.

Femoral Neck Fracture in the Setting of Plasmacytoma: A Case Report.

Solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) is a proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells found in a solitary osteolytic lesion. These osteolytic lesions can present as either bone pain or pathological fracture. We present this interesting case of a 63-year-old male that was found to have a plasmacytoma confined to the femoral neck following the presentation of a pathological fracture. After surgical resection and biopsy, we placed a distally fixating hemiarthroplasty. To our knowledge, there is only one other reported case of a pathological fracture of the femoral neck due to plasmacytoma.

Unusual Arteriovenous Malformation in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Case Report of a Complicated Perioperative Course / Malformação arteriovenosa incomum em artroplastia total do quadril: relato de caso de um perioperatório de curso complicado

Abstract It is not common to encounter arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) during total hip arthroplasty (THA). We report the present case to draw attention to the possibility of an AVM during the direct anterior approach (DAA) for THA, which, if not borne in mind, may lead to the myriad of complications related to excessive bleeding. An 81-year-old female presented to the emergency department with a left femoral neck fracture. She elected to undergo a THA via the DAA. Abnormal appearing blood vessels were present near the ascending circumflex branches, which provided difficulty in achieving hemostasis. Excessive blood loss was noted, and the patient received one unit of packed red blood cells during the operation. Hemoglobin and hematocrit dropped in the days following surgery, requiring several additional transfusions of blood products. When the patient complained of progressive left leg swelling on postoperative day 3, a computed tomography revealed large hematomas within the left adductors and the left iliopsoas muscle. Active extravasation was identified arising from a branch of the left profunda femoral artery, as well as an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in this area. Bleeding was controlled by selective endovascular coil embolization. As of current knowledge, this is the first reported intraoperative discovery of congenital arteriovenous malformation (AVM) with subsequent development of postoperative arteriovenous fistula and associated symptomatic hematomas in the setting of THA using the DAA. Early recognition and intervention of vascular malformations is essential in preventing potential limb- or life-threatening surgical complication.

Resumo Não é comum encontrar malformações arteriovenosas (MAV) durante a artroplastia total do quadril (ATQ). Relatamos o presente caso para chamar a atenção para a possibilidade de uma MAV durante a abordagem anterior direta (AAD) para ATQ, que se não for considerada, pode levar a uma miríade de complicações relacionadas ao sangramento excessivo. Uma mulher de 81 anos foi apresentada ao pronto-socorro com fratura no pescoço do fêmur esquerdo. Ela optou por se submeter a uma artroplastia total do quadril (ATQ) através da AAD. Vasos sanguíneos aparentemente anormais estavam presentes perto dos ramos circunflexos ascendentes, proporcionando dificuldade em alcançar hemostasia. A perda excessiva de sangue foi notada e a paciente recebeu uma unidade de glóbulos vermelhos embalados durante a operação. Hemoglobina e hematócrito caíram nos dias seguintes à cirurgia, exigindo várias transfusões adicionais de produtos sanguíneos. Quando a paciente reclamou de inchaço progressivo na perna esquerda no terceiro dia pós-operatório, a tomografia computadorizada revelou hematomas grandes dentro dos adutores esquerdos e do músculo iliopsoas esquerdo. A extravasão ativa foi identificada a partir de um ramo da artéria femoral esquerda, bem como de uma fístula arteriovenosa (FAV) nesta área. O sangramento foi controlado por embolização seletiva da bobina endovascular. A partir do conhecimento atual, esta é a primeira descoberta intraoperatória relatada de MAC congênita com desenvolvimento subsequente de FAV pós-operatória e hematomas sintomáticos associados no cenário de ATQ utilizando a AAD. O reconhecimento precoce e a intervenção de malformações vasculares são essenciais para prevenir possíveis complicações cirúrgicas de membros ou de risco de vida.

Bone remodeling and cortical thinning distal to the femoral stem: a retrospective review.

INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of information on the bone remodeling that occurs distal to the femoral stem following total hip arthroplasty as most previous studies have focused on proximal changes. In this study, we report the cortical thinning that occur distal to the femoral stem after primary total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed at one institution over a 5-year period. 156 primary total hip arthroplasty procedures were included. The Cortical Thickness Index (CTI) was measured on both operative and non-operative hips at 1 cm, 3 cm and 5 cm below the prosthetic stem tip on anteroposterior radiographic images pre-operatively as well as at 6 months, 12 months and 24 months post-operatively. The difference in average CTI was measured using paired t-tests. RESULTS: There were statistically significant decreases in CTI distal to the femoral stem at 12 months and 24 months (-1.3% and -2.8%, respectively). Greater losses were seen in female patients, patients older than 75, and patients with BMI less than 35 at 6 months postoperative. There were no differences in CTI at any time point on the non-operative side. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates that patients undergo bone loss as measured by CTI distal to the stem in the first 2 years following total hip arthroplasty. Comparison to the contralateral non-operative side confirms that this change is greater than expected for the natural aging process. A greater understanding of these changes will help optimize post-operative management and direct future innovations in implant design.

The Impact of Resident Involvement on Patient Outcomes in Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Objective The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of resident involvement on acute complication rates in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database, 1,743 revision THAs were identified from 2008 to 2012; 949 of them involved a resident physician. Demographic information including gender and race, comorbidities including lung disease, heart disease and diabetes, operative time, length of stay, and acute postoperative complications within 30 days were analyzed. Results Resident involvement was not associated with a significant increase in the risk of acute complications. Total operative time demonstrated a statistically significant association with the involvement of a resident (161.35 minutes with resident present, 135.07 minutes without resident; p < 0.001). There was no evidence that resident involvement was associated with a longer hospital stay (5.61 days with resident present, 5.22 days without resident; p = 0.46). Conclusion Involvement of an orthopedic resident during revision THA does not appear to increase short-term postoperative complication rates, despite a significant increase in operative times.

The Impact of Resident Involvement on Patient Outcomes in Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty / O impacto do envolvimento do residente nos resultados dos pacientes na revisão da artroplastia total do quadril

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of resident involvement on acute complication rates in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database, 1,743 revision THAs were identified from 2008 to 2012; 949 of them involved a resident physician. Demographic information including gender and race, comorbidities including lung disease, heart disease and diabetes, operative time, length of stay, and acute postoperative complications within 30 days were analyzed. Results Resident involvement was not associated with a significant increase in the risk of acute complications. Total operative time demonstrated a statistically significant association with the involvement of a resident (161.35 minutes with resident present, 135.07 minutes without resident; p< 0.001). There was no evidence that resident involvement was associated with a longer hospital stay (5.61 days with resident present, 5.22 days without resident; p= 0.46). Conclusion Involvement of an orthopedic resident during revision THA does not appear to increase short-term postoperative complication rates, despite a significant increase in operative times.

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a influência do envolvimento dos residentes nas taxas de complicações agudas na revisão da artroplastia total do quadril (ATQ). Métodos Utilizando o banco de dados do American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP, na sigla em inglês), foram identificadas 1.743 revisões de ATQs entre 2008 e 2012; 949 delas envolveram um médico residente. Foram analisadas informações demográficas, incluindo gênero e raça, comorbidades, incluindo doenças pulmonares, doenças cardíacas e diabetes, tempo de permanência e complicações agudas pós-operatórias no prazo de 30 dias. Resultados O envolvimento dos residentes não foi associado a um aumento significativo no risco de complicações agudas. O tempo de operação total demonstrou associação estatisticamente significativa com o envolvimento de um residente (161,35 minutos com residente presente, 135,07 minutos sem residente; p< 0,001). Não houve evidência de que o envolvimento do residente tenha sido associado a um maior tempo de internação hospitalar (5,61 dias com residente presente, 5,22 dias sem residente; p= 0,46). Conclusão O envolvimento de um residente ortopédico durante a revisão da ATQ não parece aumentar as taxas de complicações pós-operatórias de curto prazo, apesar de um aumento significativo nos tempos operacionais.

Operative room time comparison between general and spinal anesthesia in total hip arthroplasty: an institutional study.

PURPOSE: A relatively high expense with any procedure is total operative time; two components being the time spent anesthetizing the patient and time spent transferring the patient out of the operating room (OR). Both times can be affected by the anesthetic method used. This study compares different operative time intervals for both spinal anesthesia (SA) and general anesthesia (GA), in patients undergoing a primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), to identify the most appropriate and cost-effective anesthetic method. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed at a single institution for primary total hip arthroplasty procedures performed in the year 2019. Primary THAs without complications performed by three orthopedic surgeons were selected. Anesthesia records for 200 patients were used to compare perioperative time intervals; 100 consecutive patients that received SA and 100 consecutive patients that received GA. RESULTS: The time spent transferring the patient out of the operating room was 8 min for GA and 5 min for SA (p < 0.001). Total operative time for GA was 90 min and 87 min for SA (p = 0.3330). Total pre-operative time averaged 26 min in SA compared to 25 min in GA (p = 0.5874). Non-operative total time (all time components of patient interaction excluding surgery start to surgery finish) was significantly shorter in SA with an average of 52 compared to 56 in GA (p = 0.0151). CONCLUSION: Time to transfer patient out of the OR and total non-operative time was significantly shorter in patients who received spinal anesthesia. These results and the complications of both general and spinal anesthesia should be taken into consideration when anesthetizing patients undergoing primary THA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Incidence of complications and revision surgery in HAART compliant HIV patients undergoing primary total hip and knee arthroplasty: an institutional review.

INTRODUCTION: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients are at high risk for osteonecrosis along with age-related osteoarthritis, resulting in a high number of joint reconstruction surgeries at younger ages in these immunosuppressed patients. Few previous studies have reported on patient outcomes in HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) compliant patients undergoing primary arthroplasty. The aim of this study is to report one institution's overall rate of complications and revision in HAART-compliant patients after primary hip and knee arthroplasty. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed spanning a 4 year period. This study included 50 primary joint arthroplasty patients diagnosed with HIV including 13 TKA (total knee arthroplasty) and 37 THA (total hip arthroplasty) with a prior diagnosis of HIV infection. Preoperative CD4 count and viral loads were recorded. Charts were reviewed for post-operative complications including infection and revision. RESULTS: The were a total of 11 postoperative complications (22%). There were 3 cases (6%) of soft tissue infection, 3 cases (6%) of implant loosening, 2 cases (4%) of dislocation, 1 case (2%) of lower extremity weakness, 1 case (2%) of venous thrombosis, and 1 case (2%) of arthrofibrosis. Of all patients, there were 6 cases of revision in this cohort (12%), 5 of which were aseptic etiology. All 3 infected patients had a history of IVDU. Two of these infected patients resolved with IV antibiotics while 1 underwent two-stage revision (2%). Patients that experienced post-operative complications had significantly elevated preoperative CD4 levels (983 versus 598, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Arthroplasty is a viable option for HAART-compliant patients. Most previous studies showing a higher risk for deep tissue infection and revision in HIV patients have not accounted for modern HAART. Our results show that compliance with HAART has vastly improved the outcomes of arthroplasty in these patients, while a history of IVDU is likely the largest risk factor for infection in this population.

Comparison of Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block Versus Quadratus Lumborum (QL) Block for Analgesia After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Under Spinal Anesthesia: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is one of the most common operative procedures performed. Controlling postoperative pain following THA remains a challenge due to the complex innervation of the hip joint and the recent desire to preserve motor function following nerve blockade. Several nerve block techniques have been used for THA in the past, but the quadratus lumborum (QL) block and the blockade of the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) have emerged as opiate-sparing regional anesthesia techniques that preserve motor function. To date, little data comparing the two block techniques exists. The purpose of our study was to compare outcomes following these techniques in patients undergoing primary THA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis utilized data from three distinct groups who underwent primary THA at our institution: 45 patients who received PENG block, 38 patients who received QL block, and 77 control patients. Chart review analysis was performed by authorized personnel to obtain cumulative oral morphine equivalent (OME) data at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively (primary outcomes). In addition, visual analog pain scale (VAS) scores in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 12, 24, and 48 hours, ambulation distance, and length of hospital stay data were obtained (secondary outcomes). Group comparisons were conducted using either analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's multiple comparison test for parametric data or Krustal-Wallis with Dunn's multiple comparison tests for nonparametric endpoints. RESULTS: This study found a statistically significant difference in cumulative OME usage across all groups at 24 and 48 hours. Significant difference in OMEs was found between QL and control and PENG and control; however, no difference was found in OMEs between PENG and QL groups at either time point. There was a statistically significant difference in VAS scores in the PACU across all groups; QL showed significantly lower VAS scores in the PACU compared to PENG and control, while PENG only showed significantly lower VAS scores compared to control. There was a statistically significant difference in VAS scores at 24 hours across all groups; however, only QL showed significantly lower VAS scores compared to control at 24 hours. QL was associated with a statistically significant increase in the length of hospital stay compared to PENG. CONCLUSION: This study showed no difference between OME usage in patients who received PENG or QL nerve blocks for primary THA. VAS scores were similar between groups with the exception of QL outperforming PENG in the PACU. Optimizing postoperative pain via multi-approach strategies should remain a priority for patients undergoing THA. Future research is warranted in order to provide guidance on best practice for these patients.

Impact of resident involvement on complication rates in revision total knee arthroplasty.

Objectives: The number of revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures continues to rise, a direct consequence of the increase in primary TKA. The number of arthroplasty-trained orthopaedic surgeons has failed to increase at a corresponding rate, and the increased burden will ultimately fall on non-specialized orthopaedists. Resident involvement in primary TKA has not been found to increase postoperative complications, but revision TKA is more complex and the impact of resident involvement has not been well studied. Methods: Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database, this study identified 1834 revision TKA procedures between the years 2008 and 2012. Of these procedures, 863 included resident involvement. Demographic information, comorbidities, operative times, length of stay (LOS), and 30-day postoperative complications were stratified by resident and non-resident involvement and analyzed. Results: Resident involvement was not associated with a significant increase in short-term complications. Operative times were significantly longer with resident involvement (147.50 min with resident involvement vs. 124.55 min without a resident, p < 0.001). Length of stay after procedures with resident involvement was higher by 0.34 days, but this did not reach significance (p = 0.061). Conclusion: Resident involvement in revision total knee arthroplasty was associated with a significant increase in operative time; however, there were no significant increases in postoperative complication rates within 30 days. These findings support continued resident involvement in revision total knee arthroplasty cases and postoperative management.

Comparison of the Utilization of Tranexamic Acid and Tourniquet Use in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) carries a high risk for significant blood loss due to bone cuts and extensive soft tissue involvement in the knee region. The use of tranexamic acid (TXA) or a tourniquet are two methods commonly employed to prevent significant blood loss and avoid the need for blood transfusion. TXA has been shown to reduce both intraoperative and postoperative bleeding as well as the probability that a patient will require a blood transfusion. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of TXA and tourniquet use, both alone and in combination, in reducing blood loss during TKA. METHODS: Data for this retrospective cohort study were obtained by searching records of patients who underwent TKA at a tertiary care center from January 2019 to October 2020. Data from 526 subjects were available. A chart review was conducted to determine if the patient received TXA only, tourniquet only, or both TXA and tourniquet during the TKA procedure. Primary outcomes for this study including procedure length in minutes, estimated blood loss in cubic centimeters, and total infusion pressor (phenylephrine) administered intraoperatively in milligrams were recorded for the study. Data were summarized using means and standard errors. Statistical methods used for analysis include one-way ANOVA, probability plots, the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and Tukey's test. RESULTS: Data were available for 526 subjects. 122 subjects received tourniquet only (Tourniquet group), 104 received intravenous (IV) TXA only, 264 received both tourniquet and IV TXA (Tourniquet + TXA), and 36 received neither tourniquet nor TXA (None). The groups did not significantly differ in procedure length (p = 0.140) or infusion pressor total (p > 0.20). The groups did significantly differ in estimated blood loss (p < 0.001). Subjects who did not receive either TXA or tourniquet had significantly more blood loss than the Tourniquet and Tourniquet + TXA groups. Similarly, the TXA group had significantly more blood loss than both the Tourniquet and Tourniquet + TXA groups. CONCLUSION: This study supports the conclusion that the use of a tourniquet is superior to the use of TXA in reducing intraoperative blood loss during TKA. All groups that underwent TKA using a tourniquet, either alone or in combination with TXA, exhibited significantly lower levels of blood loss compared to the control (no intervention) group.

Sequential complex bilateral total hip arthroplasty in neglected acetabular fractures - A case report.

Severe cases of acetabular fractures are complicated, leading to further damage to the femoral head and post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). These adverse events eventually lead to complexities in the management of patients with the aforementioned conditions. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a surgical option for improving both stability and functionality, and for controlling pain in patients with PTOA. Herein, we report the case of a 70-year-old male patient with neglected bilateral acetabular fracture who presented with PTOA and protrusion. Despite significant limb-length discrepancy with the deformity of both hips, the patient underwent a successful right THA and recovered with remarkable stability. One year later, the patient underwent successful left THA. One year following the surgical treatment, the patient is pain free with notable mobility. When treating a patient with a neglected acetabular fracture and bilateral PTOA, bilateral THA is a viable treatment option with favourable patient outcome.

Frequency of orthopedic manifestations in COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of the novel coronavirus on the musculoskeletal system have been reported with wide variability. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and if these correlated with other patient characteristics. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of 685 admitted patients who were found to be positive for COVID-19 during their admission. Based on a standard COVID-19 questionnaire, we recorded complaints of new onset myalgias, joint pain, back pain, and muscle weakness and performed a chart review for all existing comorbidities. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the association between various comorbidities and orthopedic manifestations of COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: Of the 685 patients who tested positive for COVID-19, 186 patients presented with at least one orthopedic manifestation (27.1%). Patients that experienced orthopedic manifestations were significantly younger at 53.7 years of age compared to 58.1 years of age (p = 0.003) with a significantly higher BMI (body mass index) at 32.6 versus 30.0 (p = 0.022). Patients that had diabetes or were obese had significantly higher rates of orthopedic manifestations while those that had heart or lung disease had significantly fewer. CONCLUSION: Obese and diabetic patients had significantly higher rates of orthopedic symptoms during COVID-19 infection. Further studies need to be carried out in these populations to determine if these comorbidities during infection have an effect on the musculoskeletal system in the perioperative setting and after recovery from infection.

Comparison of Genicular Nerve Block in Combination With Adductor Canal Block in Both Primary and Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Case Series.

The management of pain in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for chronic knee osteoarthritis (OA) has remained a challenge for the anesthesiologist regarding regional anesthesia as no single regional technique is adequate with regard to balancing effective analgesia with minimal muscle weakness. Severe postoperative pain following TKA has been shown to negatively impact patient outcomes and mortality. The genicular nerve block has recently been demonstrated to provide effective analgesia to the anterior and posterior knee capsule in recent studies. In this retrospective case series, we compare the efficacy of combined genicular nerve block (GNB) and adductor canal block (ACB) to only ACB in both primary and revision TKA patients. This combined novel approach for TKA patients can be utilized to improve patient pain scores and early ambulation, limiting the use of opioids and early discharge.

Operating room time comparison between spinal and general anesthesia in total knee arthroplasty: an institutional review.

Background: The type of anesthesia used in total knee arthroplasty is one modifiable factor that could save hospital systems time and money. With spinal and general anesthesia having similar outcomes, more weight can be placed on these anesthesia methods' time or money-saving aspects. Objective: This study aims to determine the differences in time expenditure between spinal and general anesthesia for total knee arthroplasty to optimize OR efficiency and reduce costs. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 200 unilateral total knee arthroplasty procedures (CPT Code 27447) was performed from Jan 2017 - July 2019 at one institution. 100 of these received spinal anesthesia, and 100 received general anesthesia. Patient charts were reviewed to obtain demographic, surgical, and anesthetic data. Results: Time to prepare the patient for surgery and total preoperative time was significantly decreased in the general anesthesia group (24.4 minutes vs. 18.5 minutes; p=<0.0001 and 25.4 minutes vs. 20.4 minutes; p=0.012). After surgery, the time to remove the patient from the operating room was significantly decreased in the spinal group (4.8 minutes vs. 7.0 minutes; p= <0.0001). Nonoperative total time was not significantly different between the two groups (49.3 minutes vs. 46.6 minutes; p=0.1127). Conclusion: While there are significant differences in certain operating room time periods between spinal and general anesthesia, these differences are effectively canceled out when considering total operating room time.

Outcomes of Chronic Turf Toe Repair in Non-athlete Population: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Turf toe injuries, though most common in athletes, can also occur in non-athletes. No study exists in the current literature investigating operative outcomes in non-athlete patients with chronic turf toe injury. In this study, we present our outcomes on operatively treated turf toe injuries in non-athletes in the only cohort yet studied. METHODS: Using ICD-10 codes, we assembled a cohort of 12 patients who underwent operative repair of chronic turf toe injury from January 2012 through January 2018 at the investigating institution. These 12 patients were evaluated to determine demographic information, method of injury, length of time from injury to surgery, clinical and radiologic characteristics of the injury, and operative outcomes including mean preoperative and postoperative VAS (Visual Analog Scale) scores, preoperative and postoperative FFI (Foot Function Index) scores, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: On initial clinical presentation, all 12 patients had local tenderness with associated painful range of motion. Four patients had restricted range of motion, all patients had a positive Lachman test, two had local edema, and eight had hallux valgus deformity. Mean VAS improved from 4.6 (range 2-9) to 1 (range 0-4). Mean FFI improved from 102.5 (range 56-177) to 61.75 (range 23-144). All patients had a negative Lachman test at final follow-up. No patients developed major complications or required revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to investigate operative outcomes following chronic turf toe injury in non-athlete patients. Based on our study, surgeons and patients can expect significant improvement in overall pain and function following surgery.