Healthcare Disparities in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Comparison of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Incidence Proportions With US Census-Derived Demographics.

INTRODUCTION: Disparities exist and affect outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between race, ethnicity, and insurance type on the incidence of ACL reconstruction in the United States. METHODS: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database was used to determine demographics and insurance types for those undergoing elective ACL reconstruction from 2016 to 2017. The US Census Bureau was used to obtain demographic and insurance data for the general population. RESULTS: Non-White patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with commercial insurance were more likely to be younger, male, less burdened with comorbidities including diabetes, and less likely to smoke. When we compared Medicaid patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction with all Medicaid recipients, there was an under-representation of Black patients and a similar percentage of White patients undergoing ACL reconstruction (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: This study suggests ongoing healthcare disparities with lower rates of ACL reconstruction for non-White patients and those with public insurance. Equal proportions of patients identifying as Black undergoing ACL reconstruction as compared with the underlying general population suggests a possible narrowing in disparities. More data are needed at numerous points of care between injury, surgery, and recovery to identify and address disparities.

Lead Exposure in the Special Operations Shooter How to Prevent Cognitive Decline and Permanent Disability.

Lead toxicity is an important environmental disease and its effects on the human body can be devastating. Unique exposures to Special Operations Forces personnel may include use of firing ranges, use of automotive fuels, production of ammunition, and bodily retention of bullets. Toxicity may degrade physical and psychological fitness, and cause long-term negative health outcomes. Specific effects on fine motor movements, reaction times, and global function could negatively affect shooting skills and decision-making. Biologic monitoring and chelation treatment are poor solutions for protecting this population. Through primary prevention, Special Operations Forces personnel can be protected, in any environment, from the devastating effects of lead exposure. This article offers tools to physicians, environmental service officers, and Special Operations Medics for primary prevention of lead poisoning in the conventional and the austere or forward deployed environments.

Trigger-Point Dry Needling for the SOF Medic.

We propose that trigger-point dry needle (TrP-DN) therapy is an effective low-risk treatment for pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrP), and should be incorporated into the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Medic's scope of practice. Furthermore, TrP-DN therapy can be used as a treatment adjunct on the SOF continuum of care, providing analgesia and increased tolerance for rehabilitative therapy, thereby facilitating improved patient outcomes and faster return to operational readiness. The incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in the SOF community is discussed, as are available treatment options TrP-DN methods, a case study of a Soldier deployed to Afghanistan, the science behind the subject of MTrP and TrP-DN, and the risks associated with TrP-DN and how we can mitigate them effectively. Caution should be used in the interpretation of a body of literature based largely on case studies. Although the amount of published evidence in support of the potential benefits of TrP-DN is growing, larger, randomized, placebo-controlled trials and studies that evaluate the effects of TrP-DN in a methodologically rigorous and statistically significant way are needed. Based on anecdotal evidence of and personal experience with the success of the therapy, as well as its growing use within both civilian and military medicine, the possible therapeutic benefit of TrP-DN is relevant for the SOF community.