Hammer Toe Correction with Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis.

Background: First described by Soule in 1910, arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint is a common operative method of treatment of hammer toe, or fixed-flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the lesser toes. The deformity is often caused by imbalance in intrinsic and extrinsic muscle function across the interphalangeal joint and metatarsophalangeal joint, which can be effectively addressed through proximal interphalangeal joint straightening and arthrodesis in conjunction with soft-tissue balancing of the metatarsophalangeal joint.

Description: Following longitudinal skin incision over the joint, a transverse extensor tenotomy and capsulotomy reveal the proximal interphalangeal joint and provide appropriate exposure of the head of the proximal phalanx.

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in shoulder surgery: a break-even cost-effectiveness study.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication following orthopedic shoulder surgery; however, research is limited involving the break-even cost-effectiveness of VTE prophylaxis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the cost of aspirin and enoxaparin would break even for VTE prevention in patients following shoulder surgery.

Methods: A drug retail database was used to obtain the lowest price for a course of aspirin (81 mg) and enoxaparin (40 mg) to perform a break-even cost analysis.

Ketorolac and bone healing: a review of the basic science and clinical literature.

Although the efficacy of ketorolac in pain management and the short duration of use align well with current clinical practice guidelines, few studies have specifically evaluated the impact of ketorolac on bony union after fracture or surgery. The purpose of this study was to review the current basic science and clinical literature on the use of ketorolac for pain management after fracture and surgery and the subsequent risk of delayed union or nonunion. Animal studies demonstrate a dose-dependent risk of delayed union in rodents treated with high doses of ketorolac for 4 weeks or greater; however, with treatment for 7 days or low doses, there is no evidence of risk of delayed union or nonunion.

Uniportal thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for hyperhidrosis.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathicotomy is the most widely used technique in the modern era for the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis is characterized by excessive sweating and significantly affects the quality of life in those who suffer from it. This video tutorial details a uniportal, drainless sympathicotomy performed by the cardiothoracic surgical team at St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Animal model detects early pathologic changes of Charcot neuropathic arthropathy.

Charcot neuropathic arthropathy is a degenerative, debilitating disease that affects the foot and ankle in patients with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, often resulting in destruction, amputation. Proposed etiologies include neurotraumatic, inflammatory, and neurovascular. There has been no previous animal model for Charcot.

Novel FEMASK-score, a histopathologic assessment for destructive Charcot neuropathic arthropathy, reveals intraneural vasculopathy and correlates with progression and best treatment.

Background: Charcot neuropathic arthropathy is a debilitating, rapidly destructive degenerative joint disease that occurs in diabetic, neuropathic midfoot. Clinicoradiologic assessment for Charcot neuropathic arthropathy previously relied on Eichenholtz stage. There is limited histopathologic data on this entity.

Natural History of 321 Flatfoot Reconstructions in Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity Over a 14-Year Period.

The purpose of this study was to report the natural history, demographics, and mechanisms of requirement for additional surgery in patients undergoing flatfoot reconstruction for adult acquired flatfoot. A total of 321 consecutive patients undergoing flatfoot reconstruction over a 14-year period were included (2002-2016). All procedures were performed by a senior orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon at our institution.

Outcomes of NCAA Defensive Football Players Following Achilles Tendon Repair.

Background: The incidence of Achilles ruptures has been on the rise in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football players, but the career impact of this injury is not fully understood. In this study, we analyzed a large series of Achilles tendon injuries in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) defensive football players who required repair in order to determine their return to play, performance, and career outcomes afterward.

Methods: FBS defensive football players who required Achilles repair from 2010 to 2016 were identified.

A Preliminary Computational Investigation Into the Flow of PEG in Rat Myocardial Tissue for Regenerative Therapy.

Myocardial infarction (MI), a type of cardiovascular disease, affects a significant proportion of people around the world. Traditionally, non-communicable chronic diseases were largely associated with aging populations in higher income countries. It is now evident that low- to middle-income countries are also affected and in these settings, younger individuals are at high risk.

Cost Comparison of Synthetic Hydrogel Implant and First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis.

First metatarsophalangeal (MTP) arthrodesis is the "gold standard" treatment for hallux rigidus. Recently, there has been increased interest in new synthetic cartilage implants to preserve joint motion while eradicating pain. With current health care economics, the cost of a treatment is gaining particular importance.

Three-Dimensional Morphometric Modeling Measurements of the Calcaneus in Adults with Stage IIB Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction: A Pilot Study.

The pathophysiology of adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) is not fully explained by degeneration of the posterior tibial tendon alone. While a shortened or dysplastic lateral column has been implicated in flatfoot deformity in pediatrics, there is no study that has quantified the degree of dysplasia in adults with a stage IIb flatfoot deformity, or if any exists at all. : An institutional radiology database was queried for patients with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) who had computed tomography (CT) performed.

Does Attorney Advertising Influence Patient Perceptions of Pelvic Mesh?

Objective: To measure the relative influence of attorney advertising on patient perceptions of pelvic mesh compared with a history of surgery and a first urology visit.

Materials And Methods: A 52-item survey was administered to 170 female patients in 2 urology offices between 2014 and 2016. Multiple survey items were combined to form scales for benefit and risk perceptions of pelvic mesh, perceptions of the advertising, attitudes toward pelvic mesh, and knowledge of pelvic mesh and underlying medical conditions.

Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status and Cognitive Trajectories in a Diverse Longitudinal Cohort.

Objectives: Although individual-level socioeconomic status is associated with poor outcomes, less is known regarding how the social context might affect cognitive outcomes. We examined the effect of neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) on baseline cognitive function and trajectories of decline.

Methods: The sample (N = 480) came from a longitudinal cohort recruited to study cognitive function.

Impact of a University-Based Outpatient Telemedicine Program on Time Savings, Travel Costs, and Environmental Pollutants.

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate travel-related and environmental savings resulting from the use of telemedicine for outpatient specialty consultations with a university telemedicine program.

Methods: The study was designed to retrospectively analyze the telemedicine consultation database at the University of California Davis Health System (UCDHS) between July 1996 and December 2013. Travel distances and travel times were calculated between the patient home, the telemedicine clinic, and the UCDHS in-person clinic.

Geospatial Information System Analysis of Healthcare Need and Telemedicine Delivery in California.

Background: Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) superimpose data on geographical maps to provide visual representations of data by region. Few studies have used GIS data to investigate if telemedicine services are preferentially provided to communities of greatest need.

Introduction: This study compared the healthcare needs of communities with and without telemedicine services from a university-based telemedicine program.

Transcriptomic analysis of tail regeneration in the lizard Anolis carolinensis reveals activation of conserved vertebrate developmental and repair mechanisms.

Lizards, which are amniote vertebrates like humans, are able to lose and regenerate a functional tail. Understanding the molecular basis of this process would advance regenerative approaches in amniotes, including humans. We have carried out the first transcriptomic analysis of tail regeneration in a lizard, the green anole Anolis carolinensis, which revealed 326 differentially expressed genes activating multiple developmental and repair mechanisms.