The Impact of Supplemental Intraoperative Air Decontamination on the Outcome of Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Pilot Analysis.

Background: During the early era of arthroplasty, the concept of ultraclean operating room (OR) was introduced based on the principle that the number of airborne particles in the OR directly influences incidence of device-related infections. The hypothesis of this pilot study was that use of an innovative UV-C air decontamination technology would lead to a reduction in the incidence of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total joint arthroplasty.

Methods: A retrospective, observational, surveillance study was conducted with a consecutive series of patients who underwent total joint arthroplasty (n = 496) between January 2016 and August 2017.

The Ponseti Method in Low and Middle Income Countries: Challenges and Lessons Learned.

Diffusing a health care innovation like the Ponseti method in low and middle income countries requires more than the application of the traditional continuing medical education approach of providing lectures on the topic. Challenges include limited personnel, competing priorities, inadequate medical supplies, and limited resources. Experience has indicated that the best chances of success in establishing such a program include identifying and advising in-country "champions" to provide the leadership, energy, and direction to build the program.

Personal air sampling and risks of inhalation exposure during atrazine application in Honduras.

Purpose: To assess occupational inhalation exposure to the herbicide atrazine during pesticide application in a developing country.

Methods: Personal air samples were collected during atrazine application using a personal sampling pump equipped with an OSHA Versatile Sampler (OVS-2) sorbent tube. Samples were collected from 24 pesticide applicators in Honduras.

Bootstrap exploration of the duration of surface electromyography sampling in relation to the precision of exposure estimation.

Objectives: This study examined the effect of sampling duration, in units of work cycles, on the precision of estimates of exposure to forceful exertion obtained with surface electromyography (EMG).

Methods: Recordings of the activity of the flexor digitorum superficialis, extensor digitorum, and upper trapezius muscles over 30 consecutive work cycles were obtained for a random sample of 25 manufacturing workers, each of whom was performing a unique production task representing a portion of the whole job. The mean root-mean-square amplitude and the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles of the distribution function of the amplitude probability were calculated for each cycle.

Effect of aviation snip design and task height on upper extremity muscular activity and wrist posture.

Hand tools described as ergonomic in design are intended to reduce exposure to physical risk factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally, using the right tool for the job is believed to reduce exposure and, consequently, risk of disease. Sheet metal workers frequently use a cutting tool called aviation snips when fabricating and installing ductwork.

Surface cementation of stemmed tibial components in primary total knee arthroplasty: minimum 5-year follow-up.

Cement remains the "gold standard" for fixation in total knee arthroplasty. Between 1991 and 1998, 128 consecutive knees in 109 patients underwent primary cemented total knee arthroplasty using a surface cementation technique. The average follow-up was 95 (range, 63-155) months.

Ten-year experience using an articulating antibiotic cement hip spacer for the treatment of chronically infected total hip.

Infection is a devastating complication after total-hip arthroplasty. Between June 1991 and December 2001, 42 patients were treated at our center for chronically infected total-hip arthroplasty using a 2-stage articulating antibiotic hip spacer technique. Of the 27 patients available for review, 26 (94%) remain clinically free of infection at an average 76 months (range, 28-148 months) postoperatively.

Method for quantitatively assessing physical risk factors during variable noncyclic work.

Objectives: Assessing exposure to physical risk factors during variable noncyclic work can be problematic. The purpose of this study was to modify an existing data reduction method for directly quantifying physical exposures during variable noncyclic work.

Methods: Myoelectric activity of the finger flexors of two groups of workers, heavy equipment operators (N=25) and mechanics (N=25), was sampled to determine the intensity and duration of forceful exertions during normal tasks.

Symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders among apprentice construction workers.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major cause of work-related disability and lost-time illnesses for many occupational groups. This study determined the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among young construction workers. A symptom and job factors survey was self-administered to 996 construction apprentices.

Carpal tunnel syndrome among apprentice construction workers.

Background: In terms of lost-work time and restricted workdays, surgery, and rehabilitation, one of the most costly occupational musculoskeletal disorders is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of CTS among apprentice construction workers.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included apprentices from four construction trades.

Translations of the humerus in persons with shoulder impingement symptoms.

Study Design: Two-group mixed-model analysis of covariance and correlation analysis.

Objectives: To determine whether differences in humeral translations exist between patients with shoulder impingement symptoms and an asymptomatic comparison group, and if so, to determine if shoulder range-of-motion (ROM) measures are associated with abnormal translations.

Background: Abnormal translations of the humeral head are believed to reduce the available subacromial space and to contribute to the development or progression of shoulder impingement symptoms.