Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Representation Among US Academic Spine Surgeons.

Background: Although diversity has improved across certain orthopaedic subspecialties, enhancing diversity within spine surgery has remained a challenge. We aimed to investigate the current state of sex, racial, and ethnic diversity among academic orthopaedic spine surgeons in the United States.

Methods: In January 2024, a cross-sectional analysis of orthopaedic spine surgery faculty in the United States was conducted using the Doximity database to identify eligible surgeons.

Socioeconomic Status Impacts Length of Stay and Nonhome Discharge Disposition After Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To examine how community-level economic disadvantage impacts short-term outcomes following posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF) for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: The effects of socioeconomic factors, measured by the Distress Community Index (DCI), on postoperative outcomes after PCDF are underexplored.

Preoperative Hounsfield Units Predict Pedicle Screw Loosening in Osteoporotic Patients Following Short Segment Lumbar Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort.

Objective: (1) To determine if vertebral HU values obtained from preoperative CT predict postoperative outcomes following 1-3 level lumbar fusion and (2) to investigate whether decreased BMD values determined by HU predict cage subsidence and screw loosening.

Summary Of Background Data: In light of suboptimal screening for osteoporosis, vertebral computerized tomography(CT) Hounsfield Units(HU), have been investigated as a surrogate for bone mineral density(BMD).

Evaluation of perioperative care and drivers of cost in geriatric thoracolumbar trauma.

Introduction: As the population of elderly patients continues to rise, the number of these individuals presenting with thoracolumbar trauma is expected to increase.

Research Question: To investigate thoracolumbar fusion outcomes for patients with vertebral fractures as stratified by decade. Secondarily, we examined the variability of cost across age groups by identifying drivers of cost of care.

Pickleball- and Paddleball-Related Injuries in the Lower Extremity: Description, Treatment Options, and Return to Play.

Background Pickleball and paddleball are the fastest-growing sports in the United States. However, there are limited studies on the types of lower extremity injuries and treatment options in an outpatient clinic setting. Hypothesis/purpose This study reports the incidence rate, treatments, and return-to-play (RTP) outcomes for patients presenting to a single orthopedic outpatient center with pickleball- and paddleball-related lower extremity injuries.

Comparative use of ultrasound and radiography for the detection of fractures: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Background: Traditionally, X-rays have remained the standard modality for bone fracture diagnosis. However, other diagnostic modalities most notably ultrasound have emerged as a simple, radiation-safe, effective imaging tool to diagnose bone fractures. Despite the advantages, there is a prevalent scarcity of literature recognizing its significance in bone trauma management.

Suture Augmentation in Orthopaedic Surgery Offers Improved Time-Zero Biomechanics and Promising Short-Term Clinical Outcomes.

Ligament and tendon ruptures have historically been addressed with varying techniques involving either repair or reconstruction. More recently, the potential biomechanical benefits of suture augmentation (SA), also known as internal brace, have attracted substantial attention and helped renew interest in ligament repair surgery. We evaluated the biomechanical and clinical outcomes of SA-based techniques in the following sports medicine procedures: medial ulnar collateral ligament repair of the elbow, thumb collateral ligament repair, anterior cruciate ligament repair, Achilles' tendon repair, and deltoid ligament repair.