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Background: In the current era of evidence-based medicine, scientific publications play a crucial role in guiding patient care. While the lack of diversity among orthopaedic surgeons has been well documented, little is known about the diversity of orthopaedic journal editorial boards. The purpose of this study was to assess the racial/ethnic and gender diversity of U.S. orthopaedic journal editorial boards. Methods: The editorial boards of 13 orthopaedic journals were examined, including 10 subspecialty and 3 general orthopaedic journals. Race/ethnicity and gender were determined for each editorial board member. The representation observed on orthopaedic journal editorial boards was compared with representation at other phases of the orthopaedic pipeline, as well as within the various subspecialty fields of orthopaedics. Logistic regression and t tests were used to evaluate these comparisons. Results: We identified 876 editorial board members of the 13 journals; 14.0% were Asian, 1.9% were Black, 1.9% were Hispanic, 2.4% were multiracial/other, and 79.7% were White. Racial/ethnic representation was similar across the subspecialty fields of orthopaedics (p > 0.05). The representation of women on orthopaedic editorial boards was 7.9%, with differences in gender diversity observed across subspecialty fields (p < 0.05). Among journals in the subspecialty fields of spine and trauma, female editorial board representation was lower than expected, even after taking into account the representation of women in these subspecialty fields (2.0% versus 9.0% [p = 0.002] and 3.8% versus 10.0% [p = 0.03], respectively). Conclusions: In this study of 13 subspecialty and general orthopaedic journals, the representation of racial/ethnic minorities and women on editorial boards was similar to their representation in academic orthopaedics. However, these values remain low in comparison with the population of patients treated by orthopaedic surgeons. Given the importance of scientific publications in the current era of evidence-based medicine, orthopaedic journals should continue working to diversify the membership of their editorial boards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With regard to supination-external rotation type-IV (SER IV) ankle fractures, there is no consensus regarding which patient, injury, and treatment variables most strongly influence clinical outcome. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the impact of articular surface congruity on the functional outcomes of operatively treatment of SER IV ankle fractures. Methods: A prospectively generated database consisting of operatively treated SER IV ankle fractures was reviewed. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were used to assess ankle joint congruity. Ankles were considered incongruent in the presence of >2 mm of articular step-off, intra-articular loose bodies, or an articular surface gap of >2 mm (despite an otherwise anatomic reduction) due to joint impaction and comminution. Patients with at least one year of clinical follow-up were eligible for analysis. The primary and secondary outcome measures were the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and ankle motion. Results: One hundred and eight SER IV fractures met our inclusion criteria. The average duration of follow-up was twenty- one months. Seventy-two patients (67%) had a congruent ankle joint, and thirty-six (33%) had elements of articular surface incongruity on postoperative CT scanning. These two groups were similar with regard to comorbidities and injury and treatment variables. At the time of the final follow-up, the group with articular incongruity had a significantly worse FAOS with regard to symptoms (p = 0.012), pain (p = 0.004), and activities of daily living (p = 0.038). Those with articular incongruity had worse average scores in the FAOS sport domain as well. No significant differences in ankle motion were found between the two groups. Conclusions: In this population of patients with an operatively treated SER IV ankle fracture, the presence of postop-erative articular incongruity correlated with inferior early clinical outcomes. Orthopaedic surgeons should scrutinize ankle fracture reductions and strive for perfection to allow for the best possible clinical outcome. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the underlying factors that drive the decision for surgeons to pursue operative versus nonoperative management for proximal humerus fractures (PHF) and if fellowship training had an impact on these decisions. Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to members of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Society to assess differences in patient selection for operative versus nonoperative management of PHF. Descriptive statistics were reported for all respondents. Results: A total of 250 fellowship trained Orthopaedic Surgeons responded to the online survey. A greater proportion of trauma surgeons preferred nonoperative management for displaced PHF fractures in patients over the age of 70. Operative management was preferred for older patients with fracture dislocations (98%), limited humeral head bone subchondral bone (78%), and intraarticular head split (79%). Similar proportions of trauma surgeons and shoulder surgeons cited that acquiring a CT was crucial to distinguish between operative and nonoperative management. Conclusion: We found that surgeons base their decisions on when to operate primarily on patient's comorbidities, age, and the amount of fracture displacement when treating younger patients. Further, we found a greater proportion of trauma surgeons elected to proceed with nonoperative management in patients older than the age of 70 years old as compared to shoulder surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article argues on a study by R. Selby and colleagues which examined the rate of clinically important venous thromboembolism (CIVTE) in leg fracture treatment.

Background: The classification systems for fractures of the proximal part of the humerus provide low interobserver and intraobserver reliability when radiographs or two-dimensional computed tomography scans are used. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the use of three-dimensional computed tomography scans could improve interobserver and intraobserver reliability of AO/OTA (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association) and Neer classifications and treatment recommendations.Methods: Two trauma surgeons, one shoulder surgeon, two senior orthopaedic residents, and two junior orthopaedic residents reviewed the radiographs and two and three-dimensional computed tomography scans of forty fractures of the proximal part of the humerus. Each imaging modality was reviewed in isolation, and fractures were classified according to the Neer and AO/OTA classifications and treatment recommendations were provided. This process was repeated for intraobserver analysis. Interobserver agreement was calculated within and between levels of training for each classification and treatment recommendation with respect to radiographs and two and three-dimensional computed tomography scans.Results: Among attending orthopaedic surgeons and senior residents, the use of three-dimensional computed tomography did not improve agreement compared with the use of two-dimensional computed tomography for the Neer classification based on planes, the AO/OTA classification, or the treatment recommendation, but it did improve agreement among junior residents. Comparing between levels of training, three-dimensional computed tomography increased agreement only between junior residents and more experienced reviewers for the Neer classification based on planes and for the AO/OTA classification but not for the treatment recommendation. Intraobserver agreement for each reviewer for classification and treatment ranged from slight to fair and was not improved through the use of three-dimensional computed tomography.Conclusions: In this investigation, the use of three-dimensional computed tomography imaging did not offer improved interobserver and intraobserver agreement compared with the use of two-dimensional computed tomography imaging with regard to classification and treatment of fractures of the proximal part of the humerus, except among reviewers with limited clinical experience.Level Of Evidence: Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We investigated the sensitivity of a screening test for pelvic ring disruption, the AP pelvis radiograph, for clinically serious U-type sacral fractures which merit consultation with an orthopedic trauma specialist and may require transfer to a higher level of care. Methods: Retrospective clinical cohort of 63 consecutive patients presenting with U-type sacral fractures at one level 1 trauma referral center from January 2006 through December 2019. The sensitivity of the first AP pelvis radiograph obtained on admission, interpreted without reference to antecedent or concomitant pelvis computed tomography (CT) by a radiologist and a panel of three blinded orthopedic traumatologists, was determined against a reference diagnosis made from review of all pelvis radiographs, CT images, operative reports, and clinical documentation. Results: Sensitivity of AP pelvis radiograph for U-type sacral fractures was 2% as interpreted by a radiologist and mean 12% (range 5–27%) as interpreted by orthopedic traumatologists with poor inter-rater agreement (Fleiss' κ = 0.11). 94% of sacra were at obscured by radiographic artifact. Conclusion: The sensitivity of an AP pelvis radiograph is poor for U-type sacral fractures, whether interpreted by radiologists or orthopedic traumatologists. Pelvis CT should be considered as a screening test to rule out sacral fracture when the patient reports posterior pelvic pain, even if plain radiography demonstrates no injury or a minimally displaced pelvic ring disruption. Level of evidence: Diagnostic level III [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fascia iliaca nerve blocks (FIBs) anesthetize the thigh and provide opioid-sparing analgesia for geriatric patients with hip fracture awaiting a surgical procedure. FIBs are recommended for preoperative pain management; yet, block administration is often delayed for hours after admission, and delays in pain management lead to worse outcomes. Our objective was to determine whether opioid consumption and pain following a hip fracture are affected by the time to block (TTB). We also examined length of stay and opioid-related adverse events.Methods: This prospective cohort study included patients who were ≥60 years of age, presented with a hip fracture, and received a preoperative FIB from March 2017 to December 2017. Individualized care timelines, including the date and time of admission, block placement, and surgical procedure, were created to evaluate the effect that TTB and time to surgery (TTS) had on outcomes. Patterns among TTB, TTS, and morphine milligram equivalents (MME) were investigated using the Spearman rho correlation. For descriptive purposes, we divided patients into 2 groups based on the median TTB. Multivariable regression for preoperative MME and length of stay was performed to assess the effect of TTB.Results: There were 107 patients, with a mean age of 83.3 years, who received a preoperative FIB. The median TTB was 8.5 hours. Seventy-two percent of preoperative MME consumption occurred before block placement (pre-block MME). A longer TTB was most strongly correlated with pre-block MME (rho = 0.54; p < 0.001), and TTS was not correlated. Patients with a faster TTB consumed fewer opioids preoperatively (12.0 compared with 33.1 MME; p = 0.015), had lower visual analog scale scores for pain on postoperative day 1 (2.8 compared with 3.5 points; p = 0.046), and were discharged earlier (4.0 compared with 5.5 days; p = 0.039). There were no differences in preoperative pain scores, postoperative opioid consumption, delirium, or opioid-related adverse events. Multivariate regression showed that every hour of delay in TTB was associated with a 2.8% increase in preoperative MME and a 1.0% increase in the length of stay.Conclusions: Faster TTB in geriatric patients with hip fracture may reduce opioid use, pain, and length of stay.Level Of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Did Not Differ from Placebo in Preventing Clinically Important Deep Venous Thrombosis After Surgical Repair of Leg Fracture," by R. Selby and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Outcomes After Operative Fixation of Complete Articular Patellar Fractures: Assessment of Functional Impairment," by Lionel E. Lazaro and colleagues is presented.