L5-S1 facet joint pathology in pelvic ring injuries.

Background: The authors believe that the L5-S1 facet joint injury in the setting of pelvic fractures is underappreciated by orthopedic traumatologists. The purpose of this study was to draw attention to the L5/S1 facet joint in the setting of pelvic ring injuries.

Methods: This was a retrospective comparative study of all patients greater than or equal to 18 years of age with an acute pelvic ring injury (AO/OTA 62 B to C) presenting to a single level I trauma center.

For Surgically Treated Geriatric Acetabular Fractures, Longer Duration between Admission and Surgery Is Associated with an Increase in Post-operative Complications: A Study Using the National Trauma Data Bank.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine whether time from hospital admission to surgery is associated with inpatient complications and mortality for geriatric patients undergoing surgical treatment of acetabular fractures.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using the National Trauma Data Bank from 2016 to 2018 of patients presenting to level I through IV trauma centers in the United States. All patients aged 60 years or older with acetabular fractures requiring surgical treatment were included.

Revision Surgery and Wound Complications with Minimally Invasive Compared to Open Achilles Tendon Repair: A Retrospective Comparative Study of 116 Patients.

The current study analyzed revision surgery rate and wound complications of patients with Achilles tendon ruptures that received either minimally invasive repair or open standard repair. A retrospective chart review of patients that had Achilles tendon repair performed using either an open or minimally invasive technique was conducted. Primary outcomes were revision surgery rate and wound complication rate.

Anatomic Risks with Overpenetration of the Volar Locking Plates' Proximal Holes.

 Volar locking plate fixation (VLP) is commonly used to treat distal radius fractures (DRF). Risk of dorsal compartment injury with distal screw hole fixation has been studied; however, the risk with proximal screw hole fixation is not well studied.  The goal of this study was to investigate the risk of dorsal structure injury from the screw holes proximal to the two distal rows.

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin versus unfractionated heparin for patients undergoing operative treatment of closed femoral shaft fractures.

Background: The objective of this study was to compare inpatient mortality rates for patients with operatively treated closed femoral shaft fractures (AO/OTA 32 A-C) who received venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis with either low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of a national database of patients presenting to Level I through IV trauma centers in the United States. All patients ≥18 years of age who sustained an operatively treated closed femoral shaft fracture were included.

Instagram Use Among Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Programs.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges to residency recruitment. With in-person away rotations prohibited and interviews held virtually, orthopaedic residency programs turned to social media. Studies document the exponential growth of residency program Instagram accounts after March 2020, but few analyze the content of their posts.

Fractures of the posterior malleolus: a systematic review and analysis of patient-reported outcome scale selection.

Purpose: Despite the extensive use of PROs in ankle fracture research, no study has quantified which PROs are most commonly used for assessing outcomes of patients who sustain fractures of the posterior malleolus. The purpose of this study was therefore to quantify which PROs are most commonly used for outcome research after posterior malleolus fractures.

Methods: A systematic search was performed using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines.

Artificial Learning and Machine Learning Applications in Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: This current systematic review sought to identify and evaluate all current research-based spine surgery applications of AI/ML in optimizing preoperative patient selection, as well as predicting and managing postoperative outcomes and complications.

Methods: A comprehensive search of publications was conducted through the EMBASE, Medline, and PubMed databases using relevant keywords to maximize the sensitivity of the search. No limits were placed on level of evidence or timing of the study.

Recent Trends in Private Equity Acquisition of Orthopaedic Practices in the United States.

Background: Private equity acquisition of medical specialty practices has increased in recent years. With the projected increase in the volume of elective, ambulatory orthopaedic procedures, especially in the outpatient setting, private equity firms are increasingly investing in orthopaedic practices. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to report recent trends and variations in acquisitions of US orthopaedic practices by private equity firms and other institutional investors (venture capital firms, trusts, and large investment companies).

Clinical Trial Quality Assessment in Adult Spinal Surgery: What Do Publication Status, Funding Source, and Result Reporting Tell Us?

Study Design: Narrative Review.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare publication status of clinical trials in adult spine surgery registered on ClinicalTrials.gov by funding source as well as to identify other trends in clinical trials in adult spine surgery.

Current Status of Podcasts in Orthopaedic Surgery Practice and Education.

Within orthopaedic surgery, podcasts are a popular medium for sharing information. The purpose of this Training Room feature was to identify the number, type, longevity, popularity, and advantages and disadvantages of orthopaedic surgery podcasts and to better understand the role of podcasts in our field by interviewing key leaders in orthopaedic surgery who host their own podcast. We identified 102 unique orthopaedic podcasts.

Economic Impact of Unused Surgical Instruments in an Orthopaedic Surgery Department at an Academic Medical Center: A Prospective Cross-sectional Study.

Orthopaedic surgical trays contain unused instruments, but we do not know which specific instruments go unused nor do we know the savings from eliminating them from a given tray. This was a single-site, observational study conducted at an academic medical center. The primary outcome was type of unused instruments and percentage of instruments used in two commonly used surgical trays.

The Fragility of Statistical Findings in Achilles Tendon Injury Research: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Probability analysis with the reporting of P values is often used to determine the statistical significance of study findings in the Achilles literature. The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of applying a fragility analysis to comparative trials evaluating Achilles tendon injuries.

Methods: We identified all dichotomous outcome data for comparative studies of Achilles tendon injuries published in 11 orthopaedic journals from 2000 to 2020.

Neck and Back Sprain and Hand Flexor Tendon Repair Are More Common in Victims of Domestic Violence Compared With Patients Who Were Not Victims of Domestic Violence: A Comparative Study of 1,204,596 Patients Using the National Trauma Data Bank.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the most common orthopedic diagnoses and procedures among patients who experience domestic violence (DV) and to determine whether these were more common in patients who experienced DV compared with those who did not.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients identified in the National Trauma Data Bank. Patients were divided into two cohorts for comparison: victims of DV and all other patients.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) in Orthopaedic Trauma Research.

This review describes the development, advantages and disadvantages, and applications of the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) in orthopaedic trauma. PROMIS is a useful tool for quantifying outcomes in orthopedic trauma. It allows measurement of outcomes across multiple domains while minimizing administration time.

Debate Update: Surgery After 48 Hours of Admission for Geriatric Hip Fracture Patients Is Associated With Increase in Mortality and Complication Rate: A Study of 27,058 Patients Using the National Trauma Data Bank.

Objective: To determine the association between surgical timing and short-term morbidity and mortality in elderly patients who sustain hip fractures using a national trauma database (OTA/AO 31A1-3, 31B1-3).

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Level I-IV trauma centers in the United States.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Applicants During the 2021 Residency Match Cycle in the United States.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rising fourth-year medical students' plans to apply to residency in orthopaedic surgery.

Methods: We conducted a survey of rising fourth-year medical students. Primary outcome was the change in students' plans to apply to residency in orthopaedic surgery as measured by Likert scale response.

Number of screws in the articular segment of distal humerus AO/OTA C-type fractures treated with open reduction internal fixation is associated with complication rate.

Introduction: Surgical treatment of distal humerus fractures can lead to numerous complications. Data suggest that the number of screws in the distal (articular) segment may be associated with complication rate. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between a number of screws in the distal segment and complication rate for surgical treatment of distal humerus fractures.

Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection in Orthopaedic Oncology.

Introduction: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common complications after surgeries involving musculoskeletal tumors, but we know little about SSI risk factors unique to orthopaedic oncology. A greater understanding of these factors will help risk-stratify patients and guide surgical decision-making.

Methods: A retrospective review at a single-institution identified 757 procedures done on 624 over 6 years.

Which do patients prefer, unicompartmental or total knee arthroplasty?

Objective: Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a viable option for relieving pain and improving function in patients with isolated compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA). Certain surgeons prefer total knee arthroplasty (TKA) over UKA even when patients are candidates for UKA. Therefore, the decision to perform a UKA or a TKA when both are indicated is not straightforward.