Midterm outcomes of suture anchor fixation for displaced olecranon fractures.

Background: Displaced olecranon fractures constitute a challenging problem for elbow surgeons. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of suture anchor fixation for treating patients with displaced olecranon fractures.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed for all consecutive patients with displaced olecranon fractures treated with suture anchor fixation with at least 2 years of clinical follow-up.

Correction of Spinal Sagittal Alignment after Posterior Lumbar Decompression: Does Severity of Central Canal Stenosis Matter?

Study Design: This study adopted a retrospective study design.

Purpose: Our study aimed to investigate the impact of central canal stenosis severity on surgical outcomes and lumbar sagittal correction after lumbar decompression.

Overview Of Literature: Studies have evaluated sagittal correction in patients with central canal stenosis after lumbar decompression and the association of stenosis severity with worse preoperative sagittal alignment.

Reimbursement of Lumbar Fusion at an Orthopaedic Specialty Hospital Versus Tertiary Referral Center.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To explore the differences in Medicare reimbursement for lumbar fusion performed at an orthopaedic specialty hospital (OSH) and a tertiary referral center and to elucidate drivers of Medicare reimbursement differences.

Summary Of Background Data: To provide more cost-efficient care, appropriately selected patients are increasingly being transitioned to OSHs for lumbar fusion procedures.

Management of proximal humerus bone loss with allograft prosthetic composite technique in shoulder arthroplasty.

Background: Proximal humerus bone loss in shoulder arthroplasty is a difficult problem with limited treatment options. It most commonly occurs in the setting of a previously failed shoulder arthroplasty; however, it is occasionally encountered in cases of primary shoulder arthroplasty. Reconstruction of the proximal humerus is essential for soft tissue tension for implant stability and maximizing function.

The Surgical Algorithm for the AO Spine Sacral Injury Classification System.

Study Design: Global cross-sectional survey.

Objective: To establish a surgical algorithm for sacral fractures based on the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) Spine Sacral Injury Classification System.

Summary Of Background Data: Although the AO Spine Sacral Injury Classification has been validated across an international audience of surgeons, a consensus on a surgical algorithm for sacral fractures using the Sacral AO Spine Injury Score (Sacral AOSIS) has yet to be developed.

Patients Requiring Both Total Hip Arthroplasty and Lumbar Spinal Fusion Have Lower Hip Functional Outcome Scores: A Matched Case-Control Study.

Background: While patients who undergo both lumbar spinal fusion (LSF) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) have increased complication rates compared to patients who have not undergone LSF, there is a paucity of literature evaluating THA functional outcomes in patients with a history of LSF. This study was conducted to determine whether patients undergoing THA with a history of LSF have inferior functional outcomes compared to patients having no history of LSF.

Methods: A retrospective matched case-control study was conducted at an academic center.

Joint line position change in primary total knee arthroplasty: a radiographic analysis comparing conventional and robotic techniques.

Purpose: Joint line (JL) position change in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may alter knee biomechanics and impact function. The purpose of this study was to compare the change in JL position between robotic-assisted TKA (RA-TKA) and conventional TKA (C-TKA).

Methods: A retrospective, radiographic analysis was conducted of patients who underwent RA-TKA and C-TKA to compare JL position change.

Utilization of In-Hospital Orthopaedic Spine Consultations: Evaluating the Impact of Health Care Policy.

Access to specialty and private practice providers has been a divisive policy issue over the last decade, complicated by the conflict between a reduction in government-funded health care reimbursement and the need for health care providers to sustain a financially sound practice. This study evaluates the orthopedic spine consult service at an academic tertiary care center at 2 separate time points over a 5-year period to better understand the impact of decreasing orthopedic reimbursement rates and the increasing prevalence of federally supported medical insurance on the access to specialty care. In total 500 patients in 2017 and 480 patients in 2021 were included for the final analysis.

Subfascial Lumbar Spine Drain Output Does Not Affect Outcomes After Incidental Durotomies in Elective Spine Surgery.

Objective: Postoperative drains have long been regarded as a preventive measure to mitigate the risks of complications such as neurological impairment by reducing fluid accumulation following spine surgery. Our study aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge by examining the effects of postoperative drain output on the 90-day postoperative outcomes for patients who experienced an incidental durotomy after lumbar decompression procedures, with or without fusion.

Methods: All patients aged ≥18 years with an incidental durotomy from spinal decompression with or without fusion surgery between 2017 and 2021 were retrospectively identified.

Lateral approach to the lumbar spine: The utility of an access surgeon.

Background: Lateral lumbar interbody fusions (LLIFs) utilize a retroperitoneal approach that avoids the intraperitoneal organs and manipulation of the anterior vasculature encountered in anterior approaches to the lumbar spine. The approach was championed by spinal surgeons; however, general/vasculature surgeons may be more comfortable with the approach.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare short-term outcomes following LLIF procedures based on whether a spine surgeon or access surgeon performed the approach.

Cellular Bone Matrix in Spine Surgery - Are They Worth the Risk: A Systematic Review.

Study Design: Systematic Review.

Objective: To review the literature for complications and outcomes after the implantation of cellular bone matrix (CBM) during spine fusion.

Methods: The PubMed database was queried from inception to January 31, 2023 for any articles that discussed the role of and identified a specific CBM in spinal fusion procedures.

Effect of Preoperative Marijuana on Patient Outcomes and Opioid Use after Lumbar Decompression.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: Our study aims to analyze the effect of preoperative marijuana use on outcomes and postoperative opioid use in patients who have undergone lumbar decompression without fusion.

Methods: All patients >18 years of age who underwent lumbar decompression from 2017-2022 with documented preoperative marijuana use at our academic institution were retrospectively identified.

Allograft or Synthetic Mesh Extensor Mechanism Reconstruction After TKA Carries a High Risk of Infection, Revision, and Extensor Lag.

Background: Extensor mechanism disruption is a devastating complication after TKA. Extensor mechanism reconstruction can be performed using an allograft or synthetic mesh. Recent studies have disagreed about the durability of these reconstructions.

High Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury Following Antibiotic-Loaded Spacer Insertion for Periprosthetic Joint Infection: An Updated Review of the Literature.

Background: The use of antibiotic-impregnated cement during 2-stage revision arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection poses a risk of renal complications following spacer insertion. This systematic review aimed to investigate the rate of acute kidney injury (AKI) following antibiotic-loaded spacer insertion and to identify risk factors associated with this complication.

Methods: A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Central, and Scopus databases.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Periprosthetic Joint Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has shown promising results as a diagnostic tool for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total joint arthroplasty. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the utility of NLR in the diagnosis of PJI.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception up to 2022 and evaluated the quality of the included literature.

Patient-specific implants in reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is widely popular among shoulder surgeons and patients, and its prevalence has increased dramatically in recent years. With this increased use, the indicated pathologies associated with RTSA are more likely to be encountered, and challenging patient presentations are more likely to be seen. One prominent challenging presentation is RTSA patients with severe glenoid bone loss.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Shoulder Stiffness With Rotator Cuff Repair Yields Similar Outcomes to Isolated Rotator Cuff Repair.

Purpose: To compare patient-reported and surgical outcome measures in patients with and without secondary shoulder stiffness (SSS) undergoing rotator cuff repair (RCR).

Methods: Patients undergoing rotator cuff repair from 2014 to 2020 with complete patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) by the short-form 12 survey (SF-12) were retrospectively reviewed to identify if operative intervention for SSS was performed alongside the RCR. Those patients with operative intervention for SSS were propensity matched to a group without prior intervention for stiffness by age, sex, laterality, body mass index, diabetes mellitus status, and the presence of a thyroid disorder.

Comparative Bending Strength of Metacarpal Neck Fractures Fixed with Two Types of Intramedullary Screws.

Objectives: Intramedullary (IM) screw fixation of metacarpal fractures is a technique, which has gained in popularity owing to its simplicity, speedy rehabilitation, and good functional outcomes. A new, larger diameter, non-compression screw designed specifically for IM metacarpal fixation was recently introduced which could provide better fracture stability and reduce the risk of hardware failure. Our goal was to evaluate the strength of this screw compared to a first-generation screw.

Methylene Blue Infiltration As a Method for Distinguishing Superficial and Deep Infections.

Background: There are no established objective methods to reliably differentiate between superficial and deep infection in the setting of total hip arthroplasty. We employed a technique of distinguishing superficial and deep infections by infiltrating methylene blue to a prosthetic hip during infection workup to determine its effectiveness and to characterize its utility in defining the joint cavity where deep debridement is required.

Methods: An analysis was conducted on 35 patients who preoperatively received an injection of methylene blue under radiological guidance to their total hip arthroplasty.

Current relevance of biomarkers in diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection: an update.

With a significant rise in the number of arthroplasty procedures performed worldwide, the increasing revision burden posed by periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a matter of growing concern. In spite of various attempts to diagnose PJI, there are no defined tests that can be called a gold standard. Given the importance of early diagnosis in PJI, newer tests and biomarkers have been introduced to improve cumulative diagnostic accuracy.

The Impact of Physical Therapy After Lumbar Fusion Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort.

Objective: To determine if outcomes varied between patients based on physical therapy (PT) attendance after lumbar fusion surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: The literature has been mixed regarding the efficacy of postoperative PT to improve disability and back pain, as measured by patient-reported outcome measures.

Differences in Opioid-Related Deaths in the Appalachian Region in 2018-2021 by State and Rural-Urban County Classification.

Introduction The rapid increase in opioid-related deaths since the early 2000s is a major US public health concern. This crisis has transitioned from pharmaceuticals to illicit synthetic opioids and street mixtures. This epidemic has significantly impacted the Appalachian region.