Factors Impacting Mortality in Geriatric Patients with Acute Spine Fractures: A 12-Year Study of 613 Patients in Singapore.

Study Design: Retrospective database analysis. Purpose: To identify risk factors that predict mortality following acute spine fractures in geriatric patients of Singapore. Overview of Literature: Acute geriatric spinal fractures contribute significantly to local healthcare costs and hospital admissions. However, geriatric mortality following acute spine fractures is scarcely assessed in the Asian population. Methods: Electronic records of 3,010 patients who presented to our hospital's emergency department and who were subsequently admitted during 2004-2015 with alleged history of traumatic spine fractures were retrospectively reviewed, and 613 patients (mean age, 85.7±4.5 years; range, 80-101 years; men, 108; women, 505) were shortlisted. Mortality rates were reviewed up to 1 year after admission and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors correlating with mortality. Results: Women were more susceptible to spine fractures (82.4%), with falls (77.8%) being the most common mechanism of injury. Mortality rates were 6.0%, 8.2%, and 10.4% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. The most common causes of death at all 3 time points were pneumonia and ischemic heart disease. Based on the multivariate analysis at 1-year follow-up, elderly women had a lower mortality rate compared to men (p<0.001); mortality rates increased by 6.3% (p=0.024) for every 1-year increase in the patient's age; and patients with an American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score of A-C had a much higher mortality rate compared to those with an ASIA score of D-E (p<0.001). Conclusions: An older age at presentation, male sex, and an ASIA score of A-C were identified as independent factors predicting increased mortality among geriatric patients who sustained acute spine fractures. The study findings highlight at-risk groups for acute spine fractures, thereby providing an opportunity to develop strategies to increase the life expectancy of these patients.

A Rare Case of Massive Rotator Cuff Tear and Biceps Tendon Rupture with Posterior Shoulder Dislocation in a Young Adult - Surgical Decision-making and Outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs) in the context of shoulder dislocations are relatively uncommon in the young adult (<40 years) and if reported are more commonly described in association with acute traumatic anterior glenohumeral dislocations. They have rarely been described with posterior dislocations, regardless of patient age. This is the 1st case reported in the context of posterior dislocations, where a triad of biceps tendon rupture, posterior dislocation, and RCTs was observed during surgery. It provides an important reminder to readers about certain injuries commonly overlooked during the assessment of an acute traumatic shoulder. CASE REPORT: We report an atypical case of a massive RCT involving a 34-year-old Asian male who landed on his outstretched hand after falling off a bicycle. A tear involving the supraspinatus and subscapularis was visualized during surgery, along with long head of biceps (LHB) tendon rupture. This was after an initial failure to achieve closed reduction of the posteriorly dislocated left shoulder. CONCLUSION: It is easy to miss the posterior instability, the associated RCTs or the biceps tendon injuries. Biceps tendon rupture should be a consideration when one is unable to reduce a posteriorly dislocated shoulder. The interposed torn LHB tendon trapped within the glenohumeral joint was the likely physical block in the initial failure to achieve closed reduction. With timely diagnosis, prudent physical examination, early imaging and surgery, and excellent results can potentially be achieved to return a young patient to full functionality.

Postoperative range of motion does not correlate with patient reported outcome scores in Asians after total knee arthroplasty.

Activities in Asian cultures require greater knee flexion. However, this study hypothesized that post-operative range of motion (ROM) does not correlate with patient reported outcome scores at 2years. 292 TKAs were evaluated at a public hospital in Singapore from January 2006 to May 2009. The relationship between ROM and outcome scores was examined using a multiple linear regression model with Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) allowing adjustment for confounders and repeated TKAs within a patient. Analysis did not yield statistically significant results when patients' post-op ROM was correlated with outcome scores at 2years. Lack of post op ROM does not translate into poorer outcome scores and dissatisfaction. Doctors can now counsel patients who are concerned about a lack of ROM after TKA.