Excisional Debridement for Chronic Achilles Insertional Tendinosis: A Novel Technique and Case Review.

BACKGROUND: Operative treatment of chronic Achilles insertional tendinosis (AIT) involves tendon debridement, removal of the retrocalcaneal bursitis, and excision of the calcaneal exostosis, often followed by repair of the Achilles tendon and deep tendon transfer. The literature describes a variety of techniques without a single standard of care. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 57 patients treated with an excisional debridement of the central portion of the Achilles tendon. The novelty of this technique is that instead of complete detachment of the tendon from its insertion, only the central portion is debrided and excised. This allows for enhanced visibility of the calcaneal exostosis and increased healing with apposition of viable tendon during side-to-side repair. RESULTS: Patient-reported outcome scores and pain significantly improved from preoperatively to a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Complications were similar to those previously reported, with superficial wound breakdown being the most common. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the use of this reliable, reproducible, and effective technique for the treatment of patients with chronic AIT is encouraged because it provides both enhanced visibility and allows complete resection of all pathological tissue. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level IV: Retrospective case series.

Cost Disclosure of Surgeon "Scorecards": Effects on Operating Room Costs for Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: Rising health care costs, coupled with an emphasis on cost containment, continue to gain importance. Surgeon cost scorecards developed to track case-based expenditures can help surgeons compare themselves with their peers and identify areas of potential quality improvement. Purpose: We sought to investigate what effect surgeon scorecards had on operating room (OR) costs in orthopedic surgery. Methods: Our hospital distributed OR cost scorecards to 4 adult reconstruction fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons beginning in 2012. The average direct per-case supply cost of procedures was calculated quarterly and collected over a 5-year period, and each surgeon's data were compared with that of their peers. All 4 surgeons were made aware of the costs of other surgeons at the 2-year mark. The initial 2 years of data was compared with that of the final 2 years. Results: The average direct per-case supply cost ranged from $4955 to $5271 for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and $5469 to $5898 for total hip arthroplasty (THA) during the initial 2-year period. After implementing disclosures, the costs for TKA and THA, respectively, ranged from $4266 to $4515 (14% annual cost savings) and from $5073 to $5727 (5% annual cost savings); 3 of the 4 surgeons said that cost transparency altered their practice. Conclusion: Our comparison suggests that orthopedic surgeons' participation in a program of operative cost disclosure may be useful to them; we found a possible association with reduced per-case costs for TKA and THA at our institution over a 5-year period. More rigorous study that incorporates the effects of the scorecards on patient outcomes is warranted.

Gunshot Wound Resulting in Femoral Neck Fracture Treated With Staged Total Hip Arthroplasty.

A 39-year-old male presented with multiple gunshot wounds and resultant left comminuted femoral head and neck fractures with retained intraarticular bullet fragments. Successful staged reconstruction was performed with initial placement of an antibiotic spacer and subsequent conversion to total hip arthroplasty. Staged reconstruction with an antibiotic spacer and conversion to total hip arthroplasty is a viable treatment approach for a gunshot wound resulting in intraarticular bullet fragments and comminuted femoral head and neck fractures not amenable to open reduction and internal fixation to reduce the risk of periprosthetic joint infection.

Three Dimensionally Printed Versus Conventional Casts in Pediatric Wrist Fractures.

Background and objective With significant advancement in the field of biomaterials, alternatives to conventional fiberglass casts such as customized three-dimensional (3D) orthotics have been developed. However, there is a scarcity of reported experience regarding 3D-printed orthoses. The purpose of this study was to compare radiographic outcomes and patient satisfaction with fractures treated with either conventional or 3D-printed casts. Materials and methods We included 23 limbs from 22 patients, who were aged between 8-18 years, and with a diagnosis of an acute nondisplaced wrist or forearm fracture. Patients were randomized into two groups: consisting of those treated with a 3D-printed orthosis and those with conventional fiberglass cast. Outcomes included X-ray alignment and healing, cast fit, the appearance of the skin, ease of care, and overall satisfaction. Results Of note, 10/11 (91%) in the 3D cast group healed in an excellent position, and 1/11 healed in an acceptable position. Also, 11/12 (92%) in the conventional cast group healed in an excellent position, and 1/12 healed in an acceptable position. Radiographically, 11/11 (100%) of the fractures in the 3D group and 11/12 (92%) in the conventional cast group were found to be fully healed. No differences were found in terms of skin irritation by a blinded hand therapist. Patients reported significant differences in skin irritation, comfort, satisfaction, and cast care favoring 3D casts (p<0.05). Conclusions 3D orthoses offer a promising opportunity to improve patients' experiences with upper extremity casting while also providing appropriate immobilization.

A Role for Modern Primary Cementless Femoral Stems in Revision Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: In revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) cases with preserved femoral metaphyseal bone, tapered proximally porous-coated "primary" femoral stems may be an option. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes of patients with Paprosky I or II femoral bone loss undergoing revision THA with either a primary metaphyseal-engaging cementless stem or a revision diaphyseal-engaging stem. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 70 patients with Paprosky I or II femoral bone loss who underwent femoral revision. 35 patients who were revised using a primary cementless femoral stem were compared with 35 patients who underwent femoral revision using a revision diaphyseal-engaging stem. The groups were similar regarding age, gender, body mass index, and American Society of Anesthesiologists. Clinical and radiographic outcomes and complications were compared over an average follow-up of 2.9 years (SD 1.4). RESULTS: Revision THA was most commonly performed for periprosthetic joint infection (N = 27, 38.6%). The groups were similar with regards to Paprosky femoral classification (P = .56), length of stay (P = .68), discharge disposition (P = .461), operative time (P = .20), and complications (P = .164). There were no significant differences between primary and revision femoral stem subsidence (0.12 vs. 0.75 mm, P = .18), leg length discrepancy (2.3 vs. 4.05 mm, P = .37), and Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Jr (73.1 [SD 21.1] vs. 62.8 [SD 21.7], P = .088). No patient underwent additional revision surgery involving the femoral component. CONCLUSION: Use of modern primary cementless femoral stems is a viable option for revision hip arthroplasty in the setting of preserved proximal femoral metaphyseal bone. Outcomes are not inferior to those of revision stems and offer potential benefits.

Incidence of COVID-19 After Nonelective Hip and Knee Surgery During the Peak of the Pandemic: The New Jersey Experience.

In an attempt to preserve essential equipment and health care system capacity and slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, Governor Murphy suspended all elective surgeries performed in New Jersey from March 27, 2020, through May 25, 2020. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of postoperative COVID-19 infection following nonelective hip and knee surgery during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey during this time. A retrospective cohort of 149 patients who underwent nonelective hip and knee surgery from March 27, 2020, through May 25, 2020, at 2 institutions was identified. The cohort was divided into hip fracture and non-fracture patients to compare the postoperative experience of these patient populations. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative COVID-19 infection diagnosed via severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 nasopharyngeal real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Secondary outcomes included length of stay, discharge disposition, postoperative complications, and mortality rate. A total of 149 patients underwent nonelective hip and knee surgeries, including 76 hip fracture cases and 73 nonelective hip and knee arthroplasty cases. A postoperative diagnosis of COVID-19 was made for 5 (6.6%) of 76 hip fracture patients, and 2 of the 5 died secondary to COVID-19. There were no infections in the arthroplasty cohort. This study describes a low incidence of COVID-19 infection after nonelective hip and knee surgery during the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey. Patients who underwent hip fracture surgery had an increased incidence of postoperative COVID-19 infection. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(3):180-186.].

Lateral Trochanteric Pain Following Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: Incidence and Success of Nonoperative Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Our study aimed at quantifying the overall incidence of lateral trochanteric pain (LTP) following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and risk based on surgical approach. The success of conservative treatment and potential risk factors for failure of conservative treatment were evaluated. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent primary THA between 2010 and 2019 and had a postoperative diagnosis of ipsilateral LTP. Chart review revealed patient demographics/comorbidities, preoperative diagnosis, surgical approach, femoral components, and nonoperative treatment modalities. Radiographic analysis was performed to measure leg length discrepancy, femoral offset, and femoral head lateralization. RESULTS: The incidence of LTP following primary THA was 1.70% (573/33,761) with an average time to diagnosis of 27.3 months. The direct anterior approach demonstrated the highest risk and the direct lateral demonstrated the lowest risk for LTP (P < .001). Also, 82.4% (472/573) were diagnosed greater than 6 months postoperatively (P < .001). Of 573 patients, 95 (16.6%) were treated with physical therapy, home exercises, or oral medications with a success rate of 96.8% (92/95). Remaining 478 (83.4%) were treated with corticosteroid injection (CSI). And 89.5% (428/478) of the CSI cohort demonstrated clinical improvement with 3 or less CSIs. Risk factors for failure of conservative treatment were depression (P = .034), kidney disease (P = .040), and osteoporosis (P = .007). CONCLUSION: Postoperative LTP after THA is rare with an incidence of 1.70%. The direct anterior approach presented higher risk of LTP. Non-CSI modalities and CSIs were both successful treatment options. In patients with depression, kidney disease, and osteoporosis, conservative treatment may be less efficacious.

Morbidity After Metal Allergy to a Total Ankle Implant.

Metal allergy to total ankle arthroplasty is rare but can be both an unpredictable and devastating complication. Current literature describing metal allergy in orthopaedics is limited with there being no report to date on metal allergy after total ankle arthroplasty. Our patient underwent a total ankle arthroplasty and developed a diffuse rash 7 weeks postoperatively. The patient then tested positive for a metal allergy and ultimately was converted to an arthrodesis. In the setting of postoperative pain, swelling, erythema, or rash, it is important that metal allergy be on the differential diagnosis. Interestingly, when the patient here underwent allergy testing, only the articulating sides of the implant caused a positive reaction. Thus, allergy testing of both the articular and nonarticular sides of the component is of the utmost importance, as evidenced by the discrepancy found in this case.Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Case report.