Prospective Evaluation of Push-up Performance and Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Open Dorsal Wrist Ganglion Excision in the Active-Duty Military Population.

 Dorsal wrist ganglia (DWG) are a common wrist pathology that affects the military population. This study prospectively evaluates push-up performance, functional measures, and patient-reported outcomes 6 months after open DWG excision in active-duty patients.  Twenty-seven active-duty patients were enrolled and 18 had complete follow-up.

Epidemiology of Symptomatic Dorsal Wrist Ganglia in Active Duty Military and Civilian Populations.

Purpose: The epidemiology of dorsal wrist ganglia (DWG) has been poorly studied. The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiology of DWG in the US military and civilian populations. We hypothesized that military service would be associated with an increased risk for developing a DWG.

The Use of Distal Ulnar Hounsfield Units to Predict Future Fragility Fracture Risk.

Purpose: Distal ulnar Hounsfield unit (HU) measurements obtained from computed tomography (CT) scans of the wrist can be used to accurately screen for low bone mineral density. It is unknown whether HU measurements can also predict the risk of future fragility fractures. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if the HU values of the distal ulna correlate to fragility fracture risk.

Gender Disparities Within US Army Orthopedic Surgery: A Preliminary Report.

Introduction: Women account for approximately 15% of the active duty US Army, and studies show that women may be at an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury during sport and military training. Nationally, the field of orthopedic surgery comprises 14% women, lagging behind other surgical fields. Demographics for US Military orthopedic surgeons are not readily available.

Severe Stage 2: Fuse or Reconstruct.

Stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction encompasses a wide range of patients with varying degrees of deformity and function. The spectrum of patients can be difficult to treat with a single surgical approach, as evidenced by the wide range of techniques present in the literature. Severity of the deformity, patient functional level, age, and comorbidities must be considered to determine the best course of treatment.

Measurement of Distal Ulnar Hounsfield Units Accurately Predicts Bone Mineral Density of the Forearm.

Background: Hounsfield unit (HU) measurement obtained from computed tomography (CT) scans of the wrist is a potential new screening method for low bone mineral density (BMD). We hypothesized that HU measurements of the ulnar head obtained from CT scans would correlate with BMD assessed with dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of the forearm.

Methods: Patients with both upper-extremity CT and DXA scans performed at a single institution were included in the study.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Volar Wrist Ganglia in the U.S. Military and Civilian Populations.

Purpose: To identify the incidence and demographic factors associated with volar wrist ganglia in both military and civilian beneficiary populations.

Methods: The U.S.

Return to Play Following Ankle Sprain and Lateral Ligament Reconstruction.

Ankle sprains are the most common musculoskeletal injury occurring during athletics. Proper initial treatment with supportive pain control, limited immobilization, early return to weight bearing and range of motion, and directed physical therapy are essential for preventing recurrent injury. Reconstruction of the lateral ligaments is indicated for patients with continued instability and dysfunction despite physical therapy.

Outcomes and complications of triceps tendon repair following acute rupture in American military personnel.

Introduction: Triceps tendon ruptures are uncommon injuries primarily occurring in young, active males or elderly individuals with various systemic diseases. Relatively little is known about the epidemiology of this injury, or the results of surgical management in high-demand populations. The purpose of this study was to define the incidence and outcomes of surgical treatment in active duty American military personnel.

Incidence Rate and Results of the Surgical Treatment of Pectoralis Major Tendon Ruptures in Active-Duty Military Personnel.

Background: Pectoralis major tendon ruptures are commonly described as rare injuries affecting men between 20 and 40 years of age, with generally excellent results after surgical repair. However, this perception is based on a relatively small number of case series and prospective studies in the orthopaedic literature.

Purpose: To determine the incidence of pectoralis major tendon ruptures in the active-duty military population and the demographic risk factors for a rupture and to describe the outcomes of surgical treatment.

A model to predict limb salvage in severe combat-related open calcaneus fractures.

Background: Open calcaneus fractures can be limb threatening and almost universally result in some measure of long-term disability. A major goal of initial management in patients with these injuries is setting appropriate expectations and discussing the likelihood of limb salvage, yet there are few tools that assist in predicting the outcome of this difficult fracture pattern.

Questions/purposes: We developed two decision support tools, an artificial neural network and a logistic regression model, based on presenting data from severe combat-related open calcaneus fractures.

Incidence and morbidity of concomitant spine fractures in combat-related amputees.

Background Context: High-energy blasts are the most frequent cause of combat-related amputations in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF). The nondiscriminating effects of this mechanism often result in both appendicular and axial skeletal injuries. Despite this recognized coincident injury pattern, the incidence and consequence of spine fractures in trauma-related combat amputees are unknown.