Outcomes and Risks Associated With Subsequent Contralateral Hip Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures constitute a major public health problem for older individuals. They are associated with functional deterioration, limited mobility, and increased mortality, while contributing to economic and social hardships that are compounded by a second hip fracture. With the aging US population and increasing rates of hip fractures, it is essential to understand factors surrounding subsequent contralateral hip fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was a retrospective review of patients 60 years and older who were identified in the institutional geriatric hip fracture database as having had an initial and subsequent contra-lateral hip fracture, with the second treated at our tertiary referral center. RESULTS: The incidence of subsequent hip fracture was 13.2%. The mean time to second hip fracture was 3.5 years after the initial injury. The first fracture tended to be a femoral neck fracture, whereas the second injury was more likely to have an intertrochanteric pattern. There was a higher complication rate after a subsequent hip fracture. Patients taking osteoporosis and adjuvant medication prior to admission for the second fracture tended to have a lower 90-day mortality rate. Patients with a history of any fracture prior to the first hip fracture, with cancer, and with osteopenia had shorter intervals to the subsequent event. CONCLUSION: Subsequent hip fractures carry high morbidity and mortality rates. Steps should be taken after the initial injury to optimize outcomes in the case of a subsequent event. Patients discharged after initial hip fracture should be maintained with osteoporosis medication. [Orthopedics. 202x;4x(x):xx-xx.].

Ninety-Day Readmission Rates in a Geriatric Hip Fracture Population, From a Bundled Care Payment Initiative Perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of hospital readmission in a geriatric hip fracture population within 90 days. METHODS: Analysis of patients ≥60 years of age presenting with a fragility fracture of the hip from a prospective geriatric hip fracture program registry was performed. Demographics, diagnoses, treatments, complications, hospital events, and readmission for any cause within 30 and 90 days were collected. Readmission events were categorized as defined by Bundled Care Payment Initiative (BCPI)/Care for Joint Replacement payment model. RESULTS: The population included 305 patients. All-cause readmission at 30 and 90 days was 11.5% and 19.7%, respectively. Surgical site infection or prosthesis failure accounted for 2.6% of 90 days readmissions. Application of the BCPI rules identified 44 of 60 readmitted patients (73.3%) with causes attributable to the surgical event: medical (0.7%), hospital (12.1%), and mechanical (2.6%). Death within 30 days was the largest contributor to hospital-related events. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a 90-day readmission rate of nearly 20% in patients with geriatric fragility fractures. Application of the BCPI definitions currently used in the Care for Joint Replacement payment model will result in more readmissions being attributed to the index surgical event than classically considered. If bundled payment models remain the future, further investigation of this population's risk factors for readmission is needed in light of these findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Does The Use of Ethyl Chloride Improve Patient-Reported Pain Scores With Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Dressing Changes? A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is commonly used for surgical incisions and large wounds, particularly in the context of trauma. Research has shown that patients report that the most painful aspect of NPWT is related to foam dressing changes. This study aimed to determine whether topical use of the vapocoolant anesthetic ethyl chloride would impact patient-reported pain during these procedures. METHODS: This study was a single-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial in patients who were undergoing NPWT foam dressing change following surgery performed by the orthopedic trauma team. A total of 100 patients were randomized to receive ethyl chloride topical anesthetic spray or placebo (tissue culture grade water) during dressing change. The outcome measure specified prior to enrollment was a mean decrease in patient-reported pain of 1.7 points using a numeric rating scale. Baseline and procedural characteristics were collected to investigate contributions to patient-reported pain. We hypothesized that the use of ethyl chloride would decrease patient reported pain scores. RESULTS: Significantly more females were randomized to the receive vapocoolant; remaining baseline and procedural characteristics were similar between groups. The median time for NPWT drape removal was 2.0 minutes in both groups (p = 0.66). The postprocedural pain reported by patients was significantly lower in the experimental group compared with placebo (median, 5.0 vs. 7.0; p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis adjusting for potential confounders showed treatment group to be the strongest predictor of postprocedure pain (p = 0.002). Additionally, a generalized linear model suggests that treatment group was the strongest predictor of change in pain score as reported by patients prior to and immediately following dressing change. CONCLUSIONS: Use of vapocoolant spray during NPWT dressing change for orthopedic trauma wounds and surgical incisions was feasible and resulted in significant reduction in patient-reported pain associated with the procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level I.

Sagittal Plane Considerations During Long Cephalomedullary Nailing: Optimal Distal Positioning and the Role of Intraoperative Nail Bending.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively review a large population of long cephalomedullary nails with special attention to distal implant position in the sagittal plane and assess the ability to avoid anterior cortical contact (ACC) by bending the distal tip of the nail intraoperatively. DESIGN: Retrospective review of single surgeon experience. SETTING: Single Level 1 trauma center. OUTCOMES: Radiographic position of the cephalomedullary nail with respect to the anterior femoral cortex and the effects of intraoperative bending of the distal tip of the nail. PATIENTS: A total of 215 patients who underwent long cephalomedullary nailing for peritrochanteric hip fractures between 2007 and 2017 were reviewed. RESULTS: In the period between 2007 and October 2013, ACC of the distal portion of the nail in the sagittal plane was a common finding. Its incidence significantly decreased after intraoperative bending of long cephalomedullary nails was incorporated into practice in cases where sagittal plane impingement was detected (P < 0.0001). ACC was more prevalent if the final nail position was proximal to the level of the patella. CONCLUSION: Careful attention should be paid to sagittal plane anatomy and distal ACC during insertion of a long cephalomedullary nail. One strategy to prevent anterior impingement or perforation may be intraoperative bending of the distal end of the nail. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Early Mechanical Failures of the Synthes Variable Angle Locking Distal Femur Plate.

OBJECTIVES: To document the high failure rate of a specific implant: the Synthes Variable Angle (VA) Locking Distal Femur Plate. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Urban University Level I Trauma Center. PATIENT/PARTICIPANTS: All distal femur fractures (OTA/AO 33-A, B, C) treated from March 2011 through August 2013 were reviewed from our institutional orthopaedic trauma registry. Inclusion criteria were fractures treated with a precontoured distal femoral locking plate and age between 18 and 84. Exclusion criteria were fractures treated with intramedullary nails, arthroplasty, non-precontoured plates, dual plating, or screw fixation alone. The population was divided into 3 groups: less invasive stabilization system (LISS) group (n = 21), treated with LISS plates (Synthes, Paoli, PA); locking condylar plates (LCPs) group (n = 10), treated with LCPs (Synthes, Paoli, PA); and VA group (n = 36), treated with VA distal femoral LCPs (Synthes, Paoli, PA). Average age was 54.6 ± 17.5 years. INTERVENTION: Open reduction internal fixation with one of the above implants was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The patients were followed radiographically for early mechanical implant failure defined as loosening of locking screws, loss of fixation, plate bending, or implant failure. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between groups for age, gender, open fracture, mechanism of injury, or medial comminution. There were 3 failures (14.3%) in group LISS, no failures (0%) in group LCP, and 8 failures (22.2%) in group VA. All 3 failures in group LISS were in A-type fractures (2 periprosthetic) and all failures in group VA were in C-type fractures. When all fractures for all 3 groups were compared for failure rate, there was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.23). However, when only 33-C fractures were compared, there was significantly greater failure rate in the VA group (P = 0.03). The mean time to failure in group VA was 147 days (range 24-401 days) and was significantly earlier (P = 0.034) when compared with group LISS (mean 356 days; range 251-433 days). CONCLUSIONS: Early mechanical failure with the VA distal femoral locking plate is higher than traditional locking plates (LCP and LISS) for OTA/AO 33-C fractures. We caution practicing surgeons against the use of this plate for metaphyseal fragmented distal femur fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Allograft cortical strut for reconstruction of space-occupying bone lesions.

Space-occupying bone lesions present orthopedic surgeons with clinical and operative challenges. Multiple reconstructive procedures have proven successful for small bone lesions but lack the structural support necessary for reconstruction of larger lesions. This study reports the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing excision and reconstruction of large bone lesions with allograft cortical struts without additional internal fixation. This retrospective outcomes study reviewed patients who underwent surgical curettage and cortical strut allograft reconstruction of any space-occupying bone lesion. Clinical, surgical, and imaging data were collected. The primary outcome measures were lesion healing, graft incorporation, long-term pain, return to activity, and presence of complications/recurrences. Seventeen patients met the inclusion criteria. At least partial lesion healing and allograft incorporation was identified in 15 of 17 lesions. Of the 15 patients who did not sustain a recurrence, only 1 did not return to full activities. Mean lesion volume was 107 cc. Average follow-up was 19.6 months. Two recurrences were identified, and no other major complications were identified.

An operative approach to address severe genu valgum deformity in the Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The genu valgum deformity seen in the Ellis-van Creveld syndrome is one of the most severe angular deformities seen in any orthopaedic condition. It is likely a combination of a primary genetic-based dysplasia of the lateral portion of the tibial plateau combined with severe soft-tissue contractures that tether the tibia into valgus deformations. Progressive weight-bearing induces changes, accumulating with growth, acting on the initially distorted and valgus-angulated proximal tibia, worsening the deformity with skeletal maturation. The purpose of this study is to present a relatively large case series of a very rare condition that describes a surgical technique to correct the severe valgus deformity in the Ellis-van Creveld syndrome by combining extensive soft-tissue release with bony realignment. METHODS: A retrospective review examined 23 limbs in 13 patients with Ellis-van Creveld syndrome that were surgically corrected by two different surgeons from 1982 to 2011. Seven additional patients were identified, but excluded due to insufficient chart or radiographic data. A successful correction was defined as 10° or less of genu valgum at the time of surgical correction. Although not an outcomes study, maintenance of 20° or less of genu valgum was considered desirable. Average age at surgery was 14.7 years (range 7-25 years). Clinical follow-up is still ongoing, but averages 5.0 years (range 2 months to 18 years). Charts and radiographs were reviewed for complications, radiographic alignment, and surgical technique. The surgical procedure was customized to each patient's deformity, consisting of the following steps: 1. Complete proximal to distal surgical decompression of the peroneal nerve 2. Radical release and mobilization of the severe quadriceps contracture and iliotibial band contracture 3. Distal lateral hamstring lengthening/tenotomy and lateral collateral ligament release 4. Proximal and distal realignment of the subluxed/dislocated patella, medial and lateral retinacular release, vastus medialis advancement, patellar chondroplasty, medial patellofemoral ligament plication, and distal patellar realignment by Roux-Goldthwait technique or patellar tendon transfer with tibial tubercle relocation 5. Proximal tibial varus osteotomy with partial fibulectomy and anterior compartment release 6. Occasionally, distal femoral osteotomy RESULTS: In all cases, the combination of radical soft-tissue release, patellar realignment and bony osteotomy resulted in 10° or less of genu valgum at the time of surgical correction. Complications of surgery included three patients (five limbs) with knee stiffness that was successfully manipulated, one peroneal nerve palsy, one wound slough and hematoma requiring a skin graft, and one pseudoarthrosis requiring removal of hardware and repeat fixation. At last follow-up, radiographic correction of no more than 20° of genu valgum was maintained in all but four patients (four limbs). Two patients (three limbs) had or currently require revision surgery due to recurrence of the deformity. CONCLUSION: The operative approach presented in this study has resulted in correction of the severe genu valgum deformity in Ellis-van Creveld syndrome to 10° or less of genu valgum at the time of surgery. Although not an outcomes study, a correction of no more than 20° genu valgum has been maintained in many of the cases included in the study. Further clinical follow-up is still warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

The effects of hypothyroidism on the proximal femoral physis in miniature swine.

As a potential means of comparing hypothyroidism in humans, this work intended to establish a defined hypothyroid state in immature miniature swine and evaluate specific molecular, cellular, and extracellular responses of their growth plates. Two male, 11-week-old Sinclair miniature swine were given 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) in their water and two other like animals (controls) were provided water without PTU. Blood levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxin (T4) were monitored weekly. At 25 weeks of age, the hind limb proximal femoral physes were harvested and divided into portions for histology and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis. Compared to controls, swine administered PTU exhibited increased TSH and decreased T3 and T4 serum levels during the study period, features consistent with a hypothyroid state. Compared to controls, hypothyroid swine exhibited structurally altered physes and demonstrated significantly decreased gene expression of aggrecan (p < 0.05) and type X collagen (p ≤ 0.1). This is the first hypothyroid model established in miniature swine and represents a potentially important advance for understanding the condition in humans, in which, like this swine model, there are changes critical to growth plate molecular biology, biochemistry and structure.