Demographics and Characteristics of Vice Chairs in Academic Orthopaedic Surgery Programs: A Descriptive Study.

Introduction: The Vice-chair (VC) position is gaining popularity in academic orthopaedic surgery departments; however, there is a paucity of information regarding qualifications and career advancements associated with this role. The purpose of this study was to define the characteristics of current orthopaedic surgery department VCs.

Design: Descriptive study following a retrospective web-based search utilizing the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database (FREIDA) database and orthopaedic surgery residency program websites.

Painful Nonunion in Patients With Clinically Plantigrade Diabetes-Associated Charcot Foot Arthropathy.

Background: It has been assumed that diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy should not have pain associated with Charcot foot arthropathy.

Methods: During a 19-year period, 14 diabetic patients (15 feet) presented for treatment with pain following resolution of the acute phases of midfoot Charcot foot arthropathy. All were clinically plantigrade with plain radiographic evidence of bony union without deformity.

Outcomes Following Surgical Correction of Talocalcalcaneal Joint Dislocation in Diabetes Associated Charcot Foot Arthropathy.

Background: Growing clinical interest in the treatment of acquired foot deformity due to diabetes-associated Charcot foot arthropathy has led to multiple reports of favorable clinical outcomes in patients when their acquired deformity is at the midfoot level. Clinical failures and less than optimal clinical outcomes are achieved when the deformity is at the hindfoot or ankle levels.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent surgical correction of diabetes-associated Charcot foot arthropathy with talocalcaneal dislocation over an 18-year period.

Association of Smokeless Tobacco and Complications Following Ankle and Hindfoot Arthrodesis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate the rates of postoperative complications following ankle or hindfoot arthrodesis among current smokeless tobacco users and people who smoke compared to matched controls, and (2) compare rates of postoperative complications in current smokeless tobacco users vs people who smoke tobacco cigarettes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a large national database. For patients who underwent ankle or hindfoot arthrodesis, smokeless tobacco users (n = 131) and people who smoke (n = 1948) were matched 1:4 with controls, and smokeless tobacco users (n = 131) were matched 1:4 with people who smoke tobacco cigarettes (n = 524).

Preliminary Experience With Commercially Available Trabecular Metal Tibial Cones Combined With a Retrograde Locked Intramedullary Nail for Bony Defects in Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis.

Critical sized bone defects in the ankle are becoming increasingly more common in patients undergoing limb reconstruction with tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis. Bulk allografts have not fared well over time. There have been scattered preliminary reports using custom spinal cages or 3D-printed Titanium Implants to address the critical bony defect; however, the cost of these devices is prohibitive in many clinical practice settings.

Analysis of Gender Diversity Within Foot and Ankle Surgery Fellowship Programs.

Background: Women continue to be underrepresented in orthopaedic surgery. This study seeks to evaluate gender diversity of faculty and trainees at foot and ankle surgery fellowship programs.

Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis of 49 US foot and ankle fellowship programs, all publicly available data on program faculty (as of July 2023) were collected, as well as data on current and past fellows between 2018 and 2024.

Safety and Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

Tranexamic acid has been shown to significantly reduce blood loss in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty. However, there is a paucity of data regarding its safety and efficacy in total ankle arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to determine whether tranexamic acid use in patients with total ankle arthroplasty affects blood loss or overall complication rate.

Surgical smoke and the orthopedic surgeon: a non-systematic review of the hazards and strategies for mitigating risk.

Introduction: Surgical smoke generated through the use of electrical surgical devices poses a risk to the surgeon, medical personnel in the operating room, and the patient by exposing them to environmentally hazardous particulate matter. Previous investigation has shown that surgical smoke leads to an increased risk of pulmonary conditions, circulatory disorders, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Transmission of infectious disease can occur through inhalation of viral particles, and the presence of carcinogens are also of major concern.

Bone cutting efficiency and heat generation using a traditional fluted Burr and a novel fluteless resurfacing tool.

Background: Powered instrumentation is often used for bone preparation and/or removal in many orthopaedic procedures but does risk thermogenesis. This study compares biomechanical properties of a fluted burr and a novel fluteless resurfacing tool.

Methods: Twenty cadaveric metatarsals were tested with four predetermined cutting forces to evaluate heat generation and cutting rate for the fluted burr and fluteless resurfacing tool over 40 s or until a depth of 4 mm was reached.

Does a fibula-sparing approach improve outcomes in tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis?

Background: Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis is considered a salvage procedure for either complex deformity or arthritis about the hindfoot, and can be performed via fibula-resection (FR) or fibula-sparing (FS) approaches. The primary aim of this study was to investigate differences in outcomes in FR versus FS TTC arthrodeses.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study reviewing outcomes of TTC arthrodesis at a single institution.

The Characterization of Social Media in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Survey Study of 312 Residents and Applicants.

Unlabelled: There is a paucity of information regarding the use of social media by both orthopaedic residents and applicants. Therefore, this investigation aimed to (1) characterize the use of social media by current orthopaedic surgery residents and applicants to an orthopaedic surgery residency and (2) evaluate the influence of social media on applicants to an orthopaedic surgery residency.

Methods: An anonymous, nationwide survey was conducted among current orthopaedic surgery residents and fourth-year medical students applying to the authors' orthopaedic surgery.

Initial Experience With a Bioresorbable Polymer Anchor.

Background Anchors are frequently used in reconstructive orthopedic surgery to achieve fixation of soft tissue to bone. Anchors vary with respect to material composition, configuration, and methods of fixation at the site of attachment. The fixation component of anchoring devices has generally evolved from metal-fabricated implants to various types of bioresorbable anchors.

Medical Supervision of Illinois Public and Private High School Athletics.

Background: High-school sports participation in the United States has increased over the years with a corresponding increase in the number of injuries. Leading medical and sports organizations nationwide advocate for an increase in proper medical supervision of athletes.

Objectives: To analyze athletic medical coverage in Illinois high schools and compare differences between public and private Illinois high school.

Adverse Events Following Minimally Invasive Achilles Tendon Repair.

Background: The rate of wound complications following traditional open Achilles tendon repair is reported at 7.6%. The purpose of this study is to characterize the rate of wound and other early complications following a specific minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair technique, and to identify any factors associated with increased risk.

Discriminatory questions asked during residency programme interviews: perspective from both interviewers and applicants.

Background: The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) policy requires interview officials to refrain from asking illegal or coercive questions that may introduce discrimination; however, compliance is insufficient.

Method: An Institutional Review Board-approved 12 question survey was distributed to 130 allopathic medical schools with 551 responses from 18 187 students applying in the 2015-2016 residency match. In addition, a 16-question survey was distributed through residency coordinators to residency programme interviewers with 481 responses from 21 of 22 residency specialities.

Risk of Complications With the Total Contact Cast in Diabetic Foot Disorders.

The custom-fabricated total contact cast is commonly used in the treatment of diabetic foot disorders. This resource-consuming treatment option has been associated with iatrogenic morbidity as well as the need for urgent cast removal and inspection of the underlying limb when potential problems arise. Over a 10-year period, 381 diabetic patients had 2265 total contact cast applications by certified orthopaedic technologists, in a university orthopaedic practice, under the supervision of university faculty.

Gender Differences in Program Factors Important to Applicants When Evaluating Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Programs.

Background: Despite specialty-driven efforts to improve diversity in the field, few women apply to orthopaedic residency, and women are unevenly distributed among programs. There is little evidence-based information on factors that may attract female applicants.

Objective: This study aims to identify factors important to applicants when evaluating orthopaedic residency programs and to identify gender-specific differences.

The Value of Senior Mentorship Among Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Because of the ever increasing economic, social, legal, and regulatory complexities of the current healthcare environment, traditional clinical training may be insufficient to establish a thriving surgical practice and to achieve individual career goals. Competing constituencies and agendas require thoughtful strategies to achieve professional goals. An orthopaedic surgeon's formal professional education, research experience, and clinical expertise may not fully equip individuals for success in the contemporary healthcare market.

Isolated Subtalar Arthrodesis for Avascular Necrosis of the Talus.

Isolated subtalar arthrodesis has been attempted in talar avascular necrosis (AVN) patients to preserve the tibiotalar joint and potential revascularization. This article reports the efficacy of isolated subtalar arthrodesis in the setting of AVN. A retrospective review of subtalar arthrodeses was performed on a cohort of 12 patients with talar AVN who underwent subtalar arthrodesis.

The Lack of Standardization of Allopathic and Osteopathic Medical School Grading Systems and Transcripts.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the variability in grading systems used by US allopathic and osteopathic medical schools across all 4 years of medical school coursework.

Design: Transcripts were reviewed from all participating allopathic and osteopathic medical schools for all 4 years of coursework for grading system type, the presence or absence of a key or guide, the inclusion of grade distribution within class year, inclusion of a class rank, and summary statements or evaluation systems used by the institution within the Medical Student Performance Evaluation to evaluate overall performance.

Setting: Loyola University Medical Center.

Ankle fusion following failed initial treatment of complex ankle fractures in neuropathic diabetics.

Background: Unstable ankle fractures in diabetics with peripheral neuropathy have an increased risk of postoperative complications, often leading to amputation. Primary ankle arthrodesis has been suggested as an alternative when acceptable reduction and mechanical stabilization cannot be obtained.

Methods: Over a fourteen year period, thirteen diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy underwent an attempt at primary ankle arthrodesis following the early post-fracture development of acute neuropathic (Charcot) deformity of the ankle after sustaining a low energy unstable ankle fracture.

Ankle fusion in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: It appears that both the incidence and survival of patients infected with hepatitis C have recently demonstrated a significant increase. The goal of this investigation was to determine the associated perioperative risks associated with ankle arthrodesis in this growing population.

Methods: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases identified patients with chronic hepatitis C infection who underwent ankle arthrodesis between January 2009 and December 2013.

Wide Resection and Iliac Crest Arthrodesis for Multiply Recurrent Giant Cell Tumor of First Metatarsal.

Case: Giant cell tumor of bone is a benign, aggressive neoplasm commonly arising in the femur, tibia, and distal radius and less commonly in the hands and feet. We describe a 22-year-old woman who underwent wide resection of multiply recurrent first metatarsal giant cell tumor and reconstruction with iliac crest arthrodesis.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, there have been no previous reports of managing multiply recurrent giant cell tumor of the first metatarsal.