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The article focuses on the increasing use and benefits of minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques for treating Haglund deformity (HD) and insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT).

Background: Percutaneous Zadek osteotomy (ZO) has emerged as a surgical treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) over the last decade. Existing literature is limited regarding the comparison of this approach with the more established, open ZO technique. This systematic review aims to evaluate and compare the current data on open vs percutaneous ZO approaches to help set evidence-based guidelines. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using the keywords (Zadek osteotomy) OR (Keck and Kelly osteotomy) OR (dorsal closing wedge calcaneal osteotomy) OR (Haglund Deformity) OR (Haglund Syndrome) OR (Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy) and MeSH terms Osteotomy, Calcaneus, Syndrome, Insertional, Achilles tendon, and Tendinopathy. Our search included the following databases: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The PRISMA protocol and the Cochrane Handbook guidelines were followed. All studies included were published from 2009 to 2024 and included the use of open or percutaneous approaches of ZO for the treatment of IAT with at least a 12-month follow-up. The MINORS score criteria were used to evaluate the strength and quality of studies. Results: A total of 17 studies were reviewed, including 611 subjects and 625 ZO procedures. Of these procedures, 81 (11%) subjects had a percutaneous and 544 (89%) subjects had an open ZO. The mean follow-up time was 16.1 months for patients treated with percutaneous ZO and 36.1 months for patients treated with open ZO. Both open and percutaneous studies included in this review showed postoperative improvements in AOFAS, FFI, VISA-A, and VAS scores in patients with IAT. The reported complication rate was 5.8% among patients treated with percutaneous ZO and 10.2% among patients treated with open ZO. Conclusion: Percutaneous ZO is an emerging approach with substantially fewer documented cases compared with the open ZO. Both percutaneous and open ZO appear to be relatively effective treatments for insertional Achilles tendinopathy with Haglund's deformity. The lower complication rates reported for percutaneous ZO is encouraging. Further investigation with more subjects undergoing percutaneous ZO is clearly needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bunionette deformity (BD) is a painful condition of the fifth metatarsal characterized by an osseous prominence and fifth toe varus deformity. The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes of percutaneous distal metatarsal metaphyseal osteotomy (DMMO) without fixation or postoperative strapping of the foot. Methods: A retrospective case series was performed on 111 patients (132 feet) with symptomatic BD who underwent percutaneous DMMO of the fifth metatarsal from September 2020 to January 2022 by an experienced minimally invasive surgeon. According to the Shimobayashi classification, we treated 1 type I deformity, 37 type II deformities, 52 type III deformities, 42 feet with type IV deformity, and no patient with a type V deformity. Ninety patients (81%) underwent unilateral osteotomy, and 21 (19%) had bilateral osteotomies. Most cases included other procedures including treatment of 114 associated deformities of the same feet: 68 bunions, 12 lesser metatarsal osteotomies (2-3-4 metatarsals), and 34 hammertoes (20 second hammertoes, 10 third hammertoes, 1 fourth hammertoes, 2 fifth hammertoes). Patient-reported clinical outcome measures, including the Foot Function Index (FFI) questionnaire, the visual analog score (VAS), and overall satisfaction were collected. Fourth-to-fifth intermetatarsal angle (IMA) correction, time to bone union, and complication rates were assessed in all patients. Results: Mean follow-up was 24.1 months (range, 14-39 months). Both radiographic parameters and patient-reported outcome measures significantly improved after DMMO procedure. The average fourth-to-fifth IMA improved from 12.2 degrees, preoperatively, to 4.4 degrees, postoperatively (P <.001). Patient outcomes reflect the overall outcomes of the combined surgeries on a per-patient basis. Preoperatively, patients had a mean VAS score of 7.6, which improved to 0.6 at the last follow-up (P <.001). Furthermore, the average FFI significantly decreased from pre- to postoperation from 19.2 to 4.4, respectively (P <.001). Overall, 108 of 111 patients reported being satisfied with the outcomes of the procedure. Average bone union was achieved at 12.6 weeks postoperation, with a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 25 weeks. The complication rate was 1.5%, including 1 case of an asymptomatic cock-up deformity and 1 case of lateral fifth metatarsal shaft bone overhang pain, which resolved with an exostectomy. Conclusion: The results of this study of patients who had minimally invasive surgery from an experienced surgeon suggest that percutaneous DMMO of the fifth metatarsal without internal fixation or postoperative immobilization or strapping can be effective at improving radiographic alignment, pain, function, and overall satisfaction with minimal rates of complication. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intraoperative fracture of the lateral cortex is common during Akin osteotomy. In a recent study, lateral cortex fracture did not impede healing or result in loss of correction in a combined cohort of open and percutaneous osteotomies stabilized by K-wire fixation. We hypothesize that undesired lateral cortex fracture will not affect radiographic correction and patient-reported outcomes in a percutaneous cohort stabilized by permanent, rigid screw fixation. Methods: Consecutive patients with hallux valgus who underwent first metatarsal osteotomy and percutaneous Akin osteotomy stabilized by permanent, rigid screw fixation between May 2020 and January 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were stratified based on fractured lateral cortex (FC) or its absence (nonfractured cortex [NFC]). Visual analog scale (VAS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) were used to assess pain and patient-reported outcomes at 1-year follow-up. Patients were polled for satisfaction at 1-year follow-up by yes/no survey. Results: Ninety-eight patients (89% female) were reviewed (98 feet; 43 NFC, 55 FC). Mean age was 48.3 years (range, 18-83 years). Mean preoperative VAS score was 7.5 and 7.7 in NFC and FC groups, which significantly decreased to 0.6 (P <.01) and 0.6 (P <.01), respectively. Mean total FFI was 53.9 and 54.2 and decreased to 17.9 (P <.01) and 17.2 (P <.01) in the NFC group and FC group, respectively. Overall, 97.8% of the NFC group and 96.4% of the FC group reported satisfaction. Mean HVA improved from 27.2 (16-42) degrees to 10.7 degrees (4-12) postoperatively in the NFC group. And in the FC group, HVA improved from 29.3 (19-39) degrees to 7.1 (4-12) degrees postoperatively. Postoperative HVA was significantly lower in the FC group (P <.05). Conclusion: In an exclusively percutaneous surgical cohort with correction maintained by rigid screw fixation, fracture of the lateral cortex is associated with improved postoperative radiologic alignment without detriment to patient-reported outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a technique for performing the percutaneous Zadek osteotomy to treat insertional Achilles tendinopathy and Haglund deformity. Topics discussed include the benefits of minimally invasive surgery over traditional open techniques, a step-by-step surgical method, postoperative care recommendations, and potential outcomes and complications associated with the procedure.

Background: Percutaneous ankle fusion is an emerging technique with minimal published outcome data. The goal of the present study is to retrospectively review clinical and radiographic outcomes following percutaneous ankle fusion and provide technique tips to perform percutaneous ankle fusion. Methods: Patients >18 years of age, treated by a single surgeon, from February 2018 to June 2021, who underwent primary isolated percutaneous ankle fusion supplemented with platelet-derived growth factor B (rhPDGF-BB) and beta-tricalcium phosphate, with at least 1-year follow-up were included. Surgical technique consisted of percutaneous ankle preparation followed by fixation with 3 headless compression screws. Pre- and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) were compared using paired t tests. Fusion was assessed radiographically by the surgeon on postoperative radiographs and computed tomography (CT) at 3 months postoperatively. Results: Twenty-seven consecutive adult patients were included in the study. Mean follow-up was 21 months. Mean age was 59.8 years. Mean preoperative and postoperative VAS scores were 7.4 and 0.2, respectively (P <.01). Mean preoperative FFI pain domain, disability domain, activity restriction domain, and total score were 20.9, 16.7, 18.5, and 56.4, respectively. Mean postoperative FFI pain domain, disability domain, activity restriction domain, and total score were 4.3, 4.7, 6.7, and 15.8, respectively (P <.01). Fusion was achieved in 26 of 27 patients (96.3%) at 3 months. Four patients (14.8%) had complications. Conclusion: We found in this cohort with surgery performed by a surgeon highly experienced in minimally invasive surgery that percutaneous ankle fusion augmented with a bone graft supplement achieved a high rate of fusion (96.3%) and a significant improvement in pain and function postoperatively while associated with minimal complications. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nonunion is a postoperative complication after ankle arthrodesis (AA), which leads to increased morbidity and revision rates. Previous studies have identified risk factors for nonunion following AA, but no meta-analysis has been performed to stratify risk factors based on strength of evidence. Methods: Abstracts and full-text articles were screened by 2 independent reviewers. Relevant data were extracted from the included studies. Random effects meta-analyses were summarized as forest plots of individual study and pooled random effect results. Results: Database search yielded 13 studies involving 987 patients were included, and 37 potential risk factors for nonunion. Meta-analysis found 5 significant risk factors for nonunion post-AA. Strong evidence supports male gender (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.13-3.41), smoking (OR: 2.89; 95% CI: 1.23-6.76), and history of operative site infection prior to arthrodesis (OR: 2.40; 95% CI: 1.13-5.09) as predictors for nonunion following AA. There was moderate evidence supporting history of open injury (OR: 5.95; 95% CI: 2.31-15.38) and limited evidence for preoperative avascular necrosis (OR: 13.16; 95% CI: 2.17-79.61) as possible risk factors for nonunion. Conclusion: The results of our meta-analysis suggest that male gender, smoking, and history of operative site infection have strong evidence and that history of open injury and avascular necrosis also have evidence as risk factors for nonunion. Surgeons should be cognizant of these risks when performing AA and closely follow up with patients with the aforementioned risk factors to ensure postoperative success. Levels of Evidence: Level V: Systematic review of cohort and case-control studies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) is a common injury with a growing incidence rate. Treatment is either operative or nonoperative. However, evidence is lacking on the cost comparison between these modalities. The objective of this study is to investigate the cost differences between operative and nonoperative treatment of ATR using a large national database. Methods: Patients who received treatment for an ATR were abstracted from the large national commercial insurance claims database, Marketscan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database (n = 100 825) and divided into nonoperative (n = 75 731) and operative (n = 25 094) cohorts. Demographics, location, and health care charges were compared using multivariable regression analysis. Subanalysis of costs for medical services including clinic visits, imaging studies, opioid usage, and physical therapy were conducted. Patients who underwent secondary repair were excluded. Results: Operative treatment was associated with increased net and total payments, coinsurance, copayment, deductible, coordination of benefits (COB) / savings, greater number of clinic visits, radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and physical therapy (PT) sessions, and with higher net costs due to clinic visits, radiographs, MRIs, and PT (P <.001). Operative repair at an ambulatory surgical center was associated with a lower net and total payment, and a significantly higher deductible compared to in-hospital settings (P <.001). Both cohorts received similar numbers of opioid prescriptions during the study period. Yet, operative patients had a significantly shorter duration of opioid use. After controlling for confounders, operative repair was also independently associated with lower net costs due to opioid prescriptions. Conclusion: Compared with nonoperatively managed ATR, surgical repair is associated with greater costs partially because of greater utilization of clinic visits, imaging, and physical therapy sessions. However, surgical costs may be reduced when procedures are performed in ambulatory surgery centers vs hospital facilities. Nonoperative treatment is associated with higher prescription costs secondary to longer duration of opioid use. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is the most common cause of heel pain and can be a source of extensive physical disability and financial burden. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) offers a potentially definitive, regenerative treatment modality that, if effective, could change the current paradigm of PF care. However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the clinical benefits of PRP for refractory PF offer inconsistent conclusions, potentially because of the broader limitations of using P value thresholds to declare statistical and clinical significance. In this study, we use the Continuous Fragility Index (CFI) and Quotient (CFQ) to appraise the statistical robustness of data from RCTs evaluating PRP for treatment of PF. Methods: RCTs comparing outcomes after PRP injection vs alternative treatment in patients with chronic PF were evaluated. Representative simulated data sets were generated for each reported outcome event using summary statistics. The CFI was determined by manipulating each data set until reversal of significance (α=0.05) was achieved. The corresponding CFQ was calculated by dividing the CFI by the sample size. Results: Of 259 studies screened, 20 studies (59 outcome events) were included in this analysis. From these simulations, the median CFI for all events was 9, suggesting that varying the treatment of 9 patients would be required to reverse trial significance. The corresponding CFQ was 0.177. Studies with reported P value <.05 were more statistically fragile (CFI=10, CFQ=0.122) than studies with reported P value >.05 (CFI=5, CFQ=0.179). Of 36 outcome events reporting lost to follow-up data, 10 events (27.8%) lost ≥9 patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that, on average, the statistical fragility of RCTs evaluating PRP for nonoperative PF therapy is at least comparable to that of the sports medicine literature. However, several included studies had concerningly low simulated fragility scores. Orthopaedic surgeons may benefit from preferentially relying on studies with higher CFI and CFQ values when evaluating the utility of PRP for chronic PF in their own clinical practice. Given the importance of RCT data in clinical decision making, fragility indices could help give context to the stability of statistical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Closed wound drainage has been extensively studied in the hip and knee arthroplasty literature with equivocal results on its clinical benefits. Although also used in orthopaedic surgeries like ankle arthrodesis and ankle arthroplasty, large-scale data are currently lacking on utilization patterns and real-world effectiveness. We, therefore, aimed to address this research gap in this distinct surgical cohort using national claims data. Methods: Using the Premier Healthcare claims database from 2006 to 2016, ankle arthrodesis (n=10,085) and ankle arthroplasty (n=4,977) procedures were included. The main effect was drain use, defined by detailed billing descriptions. Outcomes included blood transfusion, 90-day readmission, and length and cost of hospitalization. Mixed-effects models measured associations between drain use and outcomes. Odds ratios (OR, or % change), 95% CIs, and P values are reported. Results: Overall, drains were used in 11% (n=1,074) and 15% (n=755) of ankle arthrodesis and ankle arthroplasty procedures, respectively. Drain use dramatically decreased over the years in both surgery types: from 14% to 6% and 24% to 7% between 2006 and 2016, for arthrodesis and ankle arthroplasty procedures, respectively. After adjustment for relevant covariates, drain use was associated with increased odds of blood transfusion in ankle arthrodesis surgery (OR 1.4, CI 1.1-1.8, P =.0168), whereas differences that were statistically but not clinically significant were seen in cost and length of stay. In total ankle arthroplasty, no statistically significant associations were observed between drain use and the selected outcomes. Conclusion: This is the first national study on drain use in ankle surgery. We found a decrease in use over time. Drain use was associated with higher odds of blood transfusion in ankle arthrodesis patients. Although this negative effect may be mitigated by the rapidly decreasing use of drains, future studies are needed to discern drivers of drain use in this distinct surgical population. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) outcomes reaching statistical significance, frequently determined by P <.05, are often used to guide decision making. Noted lack of reproducibility of some RCTs has brought special attention to the limitations of this approach. In this meta-analysis, we assessed the robustness of RCTs evaluating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of chronic noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy (AT) by using fragility indices. Methods: The present study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs comparing outcomes after PRP injection vs alternative treatment in patients with AT. Representative data sets were generated for each reported continuous outcome event using summary statistics. Fragility indices refer to the minimal number of patients whose status would have to change from a nonevent to an event to turn a statistically significant result into a nonsignificant result, or vice versa. The fragility index (FI) and continuous FI (CFI) were determined for dichotomous and continuous outcomes, respectively, by manipulating each data set until reversal of significance (a=0.05) was achieved. The corresponding fragility quotient (FQ) and continuous FQ (CFQ) were calculated by dividing FI/CFI by sample size. Results: Of 432 studies screened, 8 studies (52 outcome events) were included in this analysis. The 12 dichotomous outcomes had a median FI of 4.5 (FQ: 0.111), and the 40 continuous outcomes had a median CFI of 5 (CFQ: 0.154). All 52 outcome events included lost-to-follow-up data, and 12 (23.1%) indicated a greater number of patients lost to follow-up than the FI or CFI. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that RCTs evaluating PRP for AT therapy lack statistical robustness, because changing only a small number of events may alter outcome significance. Level of Evidence: Level II, therapeutic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Open hindfoot surgery is associated with a relatively high rate of complications, including neurovascular injuries and wound healing problems compared with percutaneous techniques. However, there is a scarcity of literature describing the outcomes of these percutaneous techniques given their relatively recent adoption. The present study aims to assess the rate of postoperative complications for 3 commonly performed percutaneous calcaneal osteotomies. Methods: One hundred eighteen patients (unilateral feet) were treated with one of 3 common percutaneous calcaneal osteotomies. Sixty-five patients (55.1%) were treated with a medializing calcaneal osteotomy for hindfoot valgus, 32 patients with a Zadek osteotomy (27.1%) for insertional Achilles tendinopathy, and 21 patients (17.8%) with a modified Dwyer osteotomy for hindfoot varus. Fisher exact test was used to assess for associations between categorical variables. Results: The mean age was 46.2 years and there was a mean follow-up of 16.1 months. The overall rate of postoperative complications was 3.4% (n = 4), and no significant differences were found between the different osteotomy types. Complications included 2 cases (1.7%) of transient neuritis, 1 case of prolonged wound drainage (0.8%), and 1 nonunion (0.8%). None of the complications were associated with any recorded preoperative comorbidity. Discussion: In this series, we found that percutaneous calcaneal osteotomies are a safe alternative method for the treatment of conditions involving the hindfoot. The rate of postoperative complications may be less when compared to the reported rates of open hindfoot correction and should be considered in patients with a traditionally high risk of developing a postoperative complication. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Purpose: Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) is a common source of posterior heel pain treated by orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons. Traditional surgical treatment consists of an open Achilles tendon debridement with reattachment as well as excision of the posterosuperior calcaneal prominence with or without a gastrocnemius recession. However, frequent complications include wound healing issue, scar pain, weakness and sural nerve injury. Accordingly, the percutaneous ZO is gaining popularity in the field as an alternative to an open midline splitting approach. Limited literature exists describing outcomes of the percutaneous ZO using a larger sample size. The purpose of this study was to analyze patient reported outcomes and complications after percutaneous ZO with a minimum two-year follow-up period. Methods: One hundred and eight cases treated with percutaneous ZO were retrospectively reviewed across October 2017-July 2021 and outcomes data was available for 104 cases with a minimum two-year follow-up. Patient sex, age, and pertinent comorbidities were recorded. Postoperative complications and patient satisfaction following intervention were evaluated. Foot Function Index score (FFI) was utilized to measure patients' pain and functional outcomes. Visual Analyzing Scale score (VAS) was also utilized to evaluate pain. These measurements were taken at preoperative and final follow-up. Statistical comparisons were performed using two-tailed, paired t-test with p< 0.05. Results: Mean follow-up time was 41.2±13.1 months (range 24-65 months). The mean FFI score improved from 56.1±5.9 (range 47-88) preoperatively to 11.0±5.1 (range 7-59) postoperatively (p < 0.001). Average VAS score improved in patients receiving percutaneous ZO from 7.6±1.3 (range 5-10) to 0.4±0.9 (range 0-7) postoperatively (p < 0.001). The overall complication rate was 3.8% (N =4). Of 104 cases, 98.1% of patients were satisfied with their procedure (102/104). Conclusion: The percutaneous ZO is a safe and highly effective intervention for treatment of IAT. At a minimum of twoyears follow-up, this intervention is associated with minimal complications, improved functional outcomes, reduced pain, and high patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extensor mechanism injuries involving the quadriceps tendon, patella, or patellar tendon can be a devastating setback for athletes. Despite the potential severity and relative frequency with which these injuries occur, large-scale epidemiological data on collegiate-level athletes are lacking. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Knee extensor mechanism injuries across 16 sports among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men and women during the 2004-2005 to 2013-2014 academic years were analyzed using the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (NCAA-ISP). Extensor mechanism injuries per 100,000 athlete-exposures (AEs), operative rate, annual injury and reinjury rates, in-season status (pre-/regular/postseason), and time lost were compiled and calculated. Results: A total of 11,778,265 AEs were identified and included in the study. Overall, 1,748 extensor mechanism injuries were identified, with an injury rate (IR) of 14.84 (per 100,000 AEs). N = 114 (6.5%) injuries were classified as severe injuries with a relatively higher median time loss (44 days) and operative risk (18.42%). Male athletes had higher risk of season-ending injuries in both all (3.20% vs 0.89%, P < 0.01) and severe (41.54% vs 16.33%, P < 0.01) extensor mechanism injuries. Similarly, contact injuries were more frequently season-ending injuries (4.44% vs 1.69%, P = 0.01). Women's soccer (IR = 2.59), women's field hockey (IR = 2.15), and women's cross country (IR = 2.14) were the sports with the highest rate of severe extensor mechanism injuries. Conclusion: Extensor mechanism injuries in collegiate athletes represent a significant set of injuries both in terms of volume and potentially to their athletic careers. Male athletes and contact injuries appear to have a greater risk of severe injuries. Injuries defined as severe had a higher risk of operative intervention and greater amount of missed playing time. Clinical Relevance: Knowledge of the epidemiology of extensor mechanism injuries may help clinicians guide their athlete patients in sports-related injury prevention and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hallux valgus is a common cause of pain and dysfunction of the foot, sometimes requiring surgical correction when conservative measures fail. Although there are many methods of correction, one of the newer techniques is minimally invasive chevron-Akin (MICA). The aim of the current study is to evaluate clinical and radiographic effectiveness of MICA and narcotic use in a large patient cohort. Methods: All patients in this retrospective study were treated by a single fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon. Patient demographics were collected for all cases. Preoperative and postoperative intermetatarsal angle (IMA) and hallux valgus angle (HVA) were measured in all patients on weightbearing 3-views radiographs. The Foot Function Index (FFI) was obtained pre- and postoperatively at each visit. All patients were prescribed regular use of ibuprofen for 3 days with acetaminophen and oxycodone reserved for breakthrough pain. Use of narcotic pain medication was recorded. Results: A total of 274 feet in 248 patients were included in the study. Overall, 87.9% were female and 12.1% were male. The mean preoperative IMA and HVA were 13.4 and 29.1 degrees, respectively. The postoperative IMA and HVA were 4.9 and 8.9 degrees, respectively. The mean FFI score part A was 92 preoperatively and 43 postoperatively. Patient satisfaction was 91.6%. The mean postoperative 5 mg oxycodone pill consumption was 2.2. Conclusion: MICA is good method to correct hallux valgus deformity with low postoperative narcotic use. Level of Evidence: Level III, restrospective cohort study of a single surgeon practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ankle fractures are common and may require open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Literature is scarce evaluating the associations of opioid use disorder (OUD) with ORIF postoperative outcomes. This study investigates whether OUD patients have increased (1) costs of care, (2) emergency room visits, and (3) readmission rates.Methods: ORIF patients with a 90-day history of OUD were identified using an administrative claims database. OUD patients were matched (1:4) to controls by age, sex, and medical comorbidities. The Welch t-test determined the significance of cost of care. Logistic regression yielded odds ratios (ORs) for emergency room visits and 90-day readmission rates.Results: A total of 2183 patients underwent ORIF (n = 485 with OUD vs n = 1698 without OUD). OUD patients incurred significantly higher costs of care compared with controls ($5921.59 vs $5128.22, P < .0001). OUD patients had a higher incidence and odds of emergency room visits compared with controls (3.50% vs 0.64%; OR = 5.57, 95% CI = 2.59-11.97, P < .0001). The 90-day readmission rates were not significantly different between patients with and without OUD (8.65% vs 7.30%; OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.83-1.73, P = .320).Conclusion: OUD patients have greater costs of care and odds of emergency room visits within 90 days following ORIF.Levels of Evidence: Level III: Retrospective cohort study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, elective foot and ankle surgeries were delayed throughout the United States to divert health care resources and limit exposure. Little is known about the impact of COVID-19 on patient's willingness to proceed with elective procedures once restrictions are lifted and factors contributing to such decision. Methods: Patients across 6 US orthopedic institutions who had their elective foot and ankle surgeries cancelled secondary to the pandemic were given a questionnaire. Specifically, patients were asked about their willingness to move forward with surgery once restrictions were lifted and if not why. Pain-level and pain medication use were also assessed. Univariate analysis was used to identify factors that contribute to patient's decisions. Results: A total of 150 patients participated in this study. Twenty-one (14%) opted not to proceed with surgery once restrictions were lifted. Forty-three percent (n = 9) listed concern for COVID infection as the reason; however, 14% of them would proceed if procedures were performed in surgery center. Twenty-nine (19% of the total cohort) patients had increased pain and 11% of patients were taking more pain meds because of the delay to their procedure. Patients who decided not to proceed with surgery reported pain reduction (3% vs 14%) and lower increase in pain medication used (5% vs 12%). Conclusion: COVID-19 has made a significant impact on the health care system. Delay of elective foot and ankle procedures impact patient quality of life and outcomes. Access to surgery centers may provide a partial solution during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent epidemiologic reports from national fracture registries demonstrate an increase in the incidence of tibia fractures in the elderlies. Objectives: the objective of this retrospective study is to evaluate Circular External Fixation (CEF) for primary and definitive fixation of tibia extraarticular fractures (TEF) in the elderly treated at a level I trauma center. Materials and Methods: we evaluated a subset of 31 elderly patients (over 70 years) with 31 TEF (mean age 76 years, range 70-89) of which six (19.4%) were open treated with CEF between 2010 and 2017. 29 (93.5%) fractures underwent definitive fixation with traditional Ilizarov, 2 were treated with Sheffield and Taylor Spatial frames and evaluated clinically and radiologically accordingly to ASAMI bone and functional scores. Results: All fractures consolidated without additional procedures at an average of 21.3 weeks (range 9-42). No deep infections were observed. Four malunions within 8° occurred. ASAMI bone results were excellent in 93.6% of patients and revealed an excellent result in 21 (67.7%) of patients, eight patients (25.8%) had a good result, and 2 (6.5%) a fair result. Conclusions: CEF gave excellent results in the treatment of a variety of tibial shaft fractures in an elderly population, in terms of early return to ambulation, with average time to union, rate of delayed union, and misalignment rate comparable or superior to intramedullary nail and plate osteosynthesis, that represent the options more frequently proposed in clinical practice and literature. Advantages of circular external fixation in osteosynthesis of extra-articular tibia fractures in these patients are the minimal impact on soft tissues and the stability of the construct, that allows immediate weight bearing and early return to ambulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]