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The presence of functional somatic syndromes (chronic physical symptoms with no identifiable organic cause) in patients undergoing elective joint arthroplasty may affect the recovery experience. We explored the prevalence of functional somatic syndromes among shoulder arthroplasty patients, as well as their association with postoperative outcomes and costs.We identified 480 patients undergoing elective total shoulder arthroplasty (anatomic or reverse) between 2015 and 2018 in our institutional registry with minimum 2-year follow-up. Medical records were queried for the presence of 4 well-recognized functional somatic syndromes: fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic headaches, and chronic low-back pain. Multivariable linear regression modeling was used to determine the independent association of these diagnoses with hospitalization time-driven activity-based costs and 2-year postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and pain scores.Nearly 1 in 5 patients (17%) reported at least 1 functional somatic syndrome. These patients were more likely to be women, to be chronic opioid users, to report more allergies, to have a diagnosis of anxiety, and to have shoulder pathology other than degenerative joint disease (all P ≤ .001). After multivariable adjustment, the presence of at least 1 functional somatic syndrome was independently predictive of lower 2-year ASES (-9.75 points) and SANE (-7.63 points) scores and greater residual pain (+1.13 points) (all P ≤ .001). When considered cumulatively, each additional functional disorder was linked to a stepwise decrease in ASES and SANE scores and an increase in residual pain (P.001). These patients also incurred higher hospitalization costs, with a stepwise rise in costs with an increasing number of disorders (P.001).Functional somatic syndromes are common in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty and correlate with suboptimal outcomes and greater resource utilization. Efforts to address the biopsychosocial determinants of health that affect the value proposition of shoulder arthroplasty should be prioritized in the redesign of care pathways and bundling initiatives.

Conventional triggered electromyography (EMG) in percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) systems may be unreliable due to the interaction between the insertion apparatus and patient's soft tissue. Our aim was 1) to describe a modified technique of triggered EMG monitoring using insulated Kirschner wire (K-wires), 2) to compare EMG potentials with conventional techniques, and 3) to demonstrate the relationship between patient body mass index (BMI) and triggered EMG potentials.This was a prospective cross-sectional study of 50 patients undergoing minimally invasive PPS placement. Triggered EMG measurements using K-wires before and after insulation were compared. The difference between EMG measurements before and after insulation was correlated with patient BMI.A total of 50 patients, 22 females and 28 males, underwent triggered EMG testing using K-wires prior to final PPS placement in the thoracic and lumbosacral spine for a total of 472 triggered EMG measurements. When compared to standard triggered EMG monitoring, insulated triggered EMG monitoring demonstrated an average 55.4% decrease in EMG values (P0.001). Increasing BMI correlated to increasing % decrease in EMG values (r-coefficient, 0.376; P0.01).We describe a cost-effective, efficient, and reliable technique for triggered EMG during PPS placement which may help ensure accurate screw placement and minimize potentially devastating complications.

Study Design Retrospective review. Objectives Cannabis is an antinociceptive which has been evaluated as a possible adjunct or substitute for opioid use in the treatment of acute pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between preoperative cannabis usage and consumption of opioids for postoperative analgesia. Methods Patients who underwent one- or two-level posterior lumbar fusion surgery were categorized as cannabis users or non-cannabis users based on preoperative diagnoses of cannabis use. Total morphine equivalent dose was calculated for both in-house opioid consumption and postoperative prescription opioid usage. Age, ASA, BMI, depression, tobacco use, estimated blood loss, OR time, LOS, disposition to rehab, 30-day readmission, in-house opioid consumption and postoperative prescription opioid usage were compared between groups using t-tests. Results Of the 220 opioid naïve patients, 29 (13%) patients were identified as cannabis users while 191 (87%) were non-cannabis users. There were no significant associations between opioid naïve cannabis usage and ASA, BMI, tobacco use, EBL, OR time, LOS, disposition to rehab, or readmission. Opioid naïve cannabis users had greater association with depression (31.3% vs 13.7%, P=.017) and younger age (56.37 years vs 65.37 years, PConclusions Cannabis usage is associated with increased usage of opioids postoperatively, both while in-patient and post-discharge, after posterior lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

The direct anterior approach for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) has become increasingly popular in recent years. Nerve compression or traction with a retractor is a common cause of nerve injury in this approach. The purpose of this cadaveric study was to evaluate the anatomic relationship of the femoral neurovascular bundle to the anterior acetabular retractor during direct anterior approach THA. Eleven fresh-frozen cadavers underwent a standard direct anterior THA, with placement of an anterior acetabular retractor in the usual fashion between the iliopsoas and acetabulum for visualization during acetabular preparation. Careful dissection of the femoral triangle was performed, and the distances from the anterior retractor tip to the femoral nerve, artery, and vein were recorded and analyzed as mean distance ± standard deviation. In all 11 cadavers, the retractor tip was medial to the femoral nerve. The mean distance from retractor tip to femoral artery and vein was 5.9 mm (SD = 5.5, range 0–20) and 12.6 mm (SD 0.7, range 0–35), respectively. Surgeons should be aware of the proximity of the neurovascular structures in relation to the anterior acetabular retractor in the direct anterior approach, taking care to avoid perforating the iliopsoas muscle during retractor insertion and limit excessive traction to prevent nerve injury.

Introduction Vitamin D plays an important role in the musculoskeletal system of the human body. Here, we review the most current literature on vitamin D as it relates to orthopaedic surgery and the musculoskeletal system, focusing largely on non-fracture applications. Materials and methods A literature review was performed on the basic science of vitamin D metabolism, epidemiology of vitamin D levels, role of vitamin D within the musculoskeletal system, and the correlation of vitamin D with injuries and orthopaedic surgical outcomes. Results The existing literature suggests vitamin D plays multiple roles in the musculoskeletal system. Recent research has shed light on the importance of vitamin D in the setting of soft tissue healing and recovery in addition to affecting postoperative outcomes after common orthopaedic procedures. Conclusions Given the widespread prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of the current evidence regarding clinical implications in patients with musculoskeletal complaints.

Objective Nanotechnology is a promising field with numerous applications across various branches of medicine. The unique innate physical, chemical, and biological properties of nanoparticles enable them to serve as appropriate agents performing diverse functions at cellular and subcellular levels. Spinal pathologies constitute one major field where its applications are being explored. Methods A critical review of literature was performed to identify the current role of nanotechnology in spine surgery. A PubMed search was done using the following key words: “nanotechnology in neurosurgery,” “nanotechnology in surgery,” “nanotechnology in spine,” “nanotechnology in spine surgery,” “nanotechnology in disc regeneration,” “nanotechnology in spinal injury,” “nanotechnology in spinal cord regeneration,” “nanotechnology in spine fusion,” “nanotechnology in osteoporosis,” “nanotechnology in spinal drug delivery,” and “nanotechnology in spinal infection.” Initial search revealed 347 articles. Articles were further screened. Duplicate articles, articles on nonnanotechnologic topics, nonspine articles, or articles with details not pertaining to the current field of interest and non-English language studies were excluded. Results A total of 76 articles were finally included. Nanotechnologic advancements in spine surgery include applications in spinal fusion, central nervous system drug delivery, neuronal regeneration, disk regeneration, spinal infection prophylaxis, management of osteoporosis, sutureless vascular anastomosis, molecular imaging, and theranostic medicine. Conclusions Nanotechnology in spine surgery is still in its early stages. Eventually, we may see the implementation of nanotechnology as an alternative to existing treatment options. Concerns regarding safety of this technology need to be addressed through future research projects. Although promising, the exact role of nanotechnology in spine surgery remains to be seen.

Hyperextension-distraction type injury of the thoracolumbar spine is an unstable fracture pattern that generally necessitates surgical stabilization by posterior instrumentation. Care must be taken when positioning these patients from supine to prone due to the unstable nature of their injury. The study objectives were (1) to describe a novel modification of the Jackson table turn technique, which may be safer and more effective than the conventional log-roll method and traditional Jackson table technique for positioning patients with hyperextension-distraction injuries of the thoracolumbar spine from supine to prone in the operating room and (2) to present two cases in which this technique was successfully performed. Two patients were carefully positioned from supine to prone by our modification of the Jackson table turn technique, which utilizes a Wilson frame sandwiched between two flat-top Jackson frames. Case 1: a 65-year-old female presented status-post motor vehicle collision with a T9–T10 extension-distraction injury, requiring T7–T12 posterior spinal instrumented fusion (PSIF). Case 2: a 72-year-old female presented status-post motor vehicle collision with a T9–T10 extension-distraction injury and an unstable L1 burst fracture, requiring T7–L2 PSIF. Both patients remained hemodynamically stable and neurologically intact throughout positioning and postoperatively. This technique is safe and effective for positioning patients with hyperextension-distraction type injuries of the thoracolumbar spine from supine to prone in the operating room and may be superior to conventional methods. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Background: in the United States from 1999 to 2000 through 2017–2018, the prevalence of obesity increased from 30.5 to 42.4%, while the prevalence of severe obesity nearly doubled. In lumbar spine surgery, obesity is associated with increased complications, worse perioperative outcomes, and higher costs. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and opioid consumption in patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion surgery. We hypothesized that obese patients would require more opioids postoperatively. Methods: retrospective review of 306 patients who underwent one- or two-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery between 2016 and 2020. Patients were stratified by BMI as follows: normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2), obese I (30.0–34.9 kg/m2), and obese II–III (≥ 35.0 kg/m2). Patient demographics and preoperative characteristics were compared across BMI cohorts using one-way ANOVA and chi-square analysis. Patients with prior history of opioid use were excluded. Primary outcome measure was postoperative opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes included operative time, length of stay (LOS), discharge destination, and 30-day re-encounter rates. Outcomes were analyzed using multivariable linear regression adjusted for potential confounders. Results: of 306 total patients, 17.3% were normal weight, 39.9% were overweight, 25.5% were obese I, and 17.3% were obese II–III. Obesity was associated with longer operative times and length of stay (p

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Back pain and spine surgery have been major drivers of opioid consumption and spine surgery has been linked to the opioid epidemic. With increased awareness of the opioid crisis, the focus postoperatively has shifted to managing surgical site pain while minimizing narcotic use. Numerous studies have compared clinical outcomes and fusion status of different lumbar interbody fusion techniques; however, there is limited literature evaluating narcotic consumption postoperatively between techniques. The aim of this study was to assess and compare in-house and postoperative opioid consumption among three surgical techniques. PURPOSE To examine posterior lumbar fusion surgical techniques and compare opioid consumption across the techniques. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective review. PATIENT SAMPLE Three hundred and three patients who underwent one- or two-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery. OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome measure was opioid consumption across surgical techniques both while in-patient and after discharge as determined by total morphine equivalent dose (MED). Secondary outcomes included operative time, length of stay, and discharge destination. Methods This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent one- or two-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery at a single institution between 2016 and 2020. Patients were stratified by surgical technique: posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF), and cortical screw (CS) instrumentation with interbody fusion. Age, ASA, BMI, depression, preoperative opioid use, EBL and OR time were recorded and compared across surgical groups using one-way ANOVA and chi-square analysis. Total morphine equivalent dose (MED) was tabulated for both in-house consumption and postoperative prescriptions and was compared across surgical techniques using ANOVA analysis. Results A total of 303 patients underwent one- or two-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion between 2016 and 2020. 123 patients underwent cortical screw instrumentation, 96 underwent PLIF and 84 underwent MIS-TLIF. There was a significantly higher percentage of patients who had a history of depression and were on preoperative opioids in the CS group (p=0.001, p=0.002). Patients with CS instrumentation required significantly less narcotics per day while in-house compared to PLIF and MIS-TLIF (MED 80.65 vs 97.85 vs 83.72, p = 0.030). Patients who underwent CS instrumentation received half the number of narcotics compared to PLIF patients after discharge (MED 956.15 vs 2260.89, p = 0.003). Conclusions Patients who underwent CS instrumentation required less narcotics postoperatively both while admitted and after discharge. CS instrumentation may be associated with less postoperative pain due to the less invasive approach, however, patient education and prescriber practice also play a role in postoperative narcotic consumption. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT The prevalence of obesity continues to rise in the United States. The CDC published that from 1999-2000 through 2017-2018 the prevalence of obesity increased from 30.5% to 42.4% and the prevalence of severe obesity nearly doubled. In lumbar spine surgery, obesity is associated with increased complications, worse perioperative outcomes, and higher costs. Obesity is also linked to depression and anxiety, which have both been shown to increase the use of opioids. We hypothesize that patients who are obese require more opioids postoperatively. PURPOSE To examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and opioid consumption in patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion surgery. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective review. PATIENT SAMPLE Three hundred and six patients who underwent one- or two-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery. OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome measure was opioid consumption across obesity classes both while in-patient and after discharge as determined by total morphine equivalent dose (MED). Secondary outcomes included operative time, length of stay, and discharge destination. METHODS This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent one- or two-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery between 2016 and 2020. Patients were stratified by BMI as follows: normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2), obese I (30.0–34.9 kg/m2), and obese II–III (≥ 35.0 kg/m2). Patient demographics and preoperative characteristics were compared across the BMI cohorts using one-way ANOVA and chi-square analysis. RESULTS Three hundred and six patients were included in the analysis, of whom 19.3% (N=59) were normal weight, 38.9% (N=119) were overweight, 24.5% (N=75) were obese I, and 17.3% (N=53) were obese II-III. Obesity is associated with significantly longer operative times and length of stay (p CONCLUSIONS This study illustrates that obesity is associated with longer operative times, longer length of stay, and increased use of postoperative opioids. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

Background Phrenic nerve palsy is a rare complication of cervical spine surgery. There are no previously reported cases of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis following posterior cervical spine surgery. Here, we present a case of a 69 year-old Caucasian male with severe cervical stenosis with myelopathy who underwent posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion (PSIF) from C2 to T2, with laminectomies at C3-C7. Outcome The patient developed respiratory distress post-operatively and was found to have an elevated hemidiaphragm secondary to phrenic nerve palsy. He was treated with respiratory support, with significant improvement in dyspnea. He was also noted to have a left C5 palsy affecting his deltoid function and proximal upper extremity sensation which gradually improved. Conclusions This is the first reported case of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis causing dyspnea due to phrenic nerve palsy following cervical spine surgery. This rare complication should be kept in mind when assessing any patient with respiratory distress following cervical spine surgery.

Mounting evidence suggests that the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) involves a hyperinflammatory response predisposing patients to thromboembolic disease and acute respiratory distress. In the setting of severe blunt trauma, damaged tissues induce a local and systemic inflammatory response through similar pathways to COVID-19. As such, patients with COVID-19 sustaining orthopaedic trauma injuries may have an amplified response to the traumatic insult because of their baseline hyperinflammatory and hypercoagulable states. These patients may have compromised physiological reserve to withstand the insult of surgical intervention before reaching clinical instability. In this article, we review the current evidence regarding pathogenesis of COVID-19 and its implications on the management of orthopaedic trauma patients by discussing a case and the most recent literature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Prognostic Level V. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

OBJECTIVES To (1) report the thermal changes encountered at the pin/skin interface in a cadaver with a knee-spanning external fixator inside the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) bore and (2) report on the quality of the MRI sequences collected. METHODS Three commonly used external fixation systems were placed on cadaveric lower extremities to simulate knee external fixation. Fiber optic thermal probes were placed at the pin/skin interface of a femoral and tibial pin. A control probe was embedded in the soft tissues of the thigh. Full knee MRI scans were performed using a 1.5-Tesla magnet. Real-time thermal data were collected. A clinically significant increase in temperature compared with the control was defined as 2°C. Two blinded radiologists evaluated the images for image quality and overall diagnostic utility using a standardized 5-point grading scale. RESULTS There were statistically significant differences in the temperature changes between the femoral/tibial pin sites and the control probe sites during each phase of the MRI scan. However, there was only one clinically significant difference in temperature change during a single sequence of one MRI scan of one of the external fixator devices. Overall image quality was graded as a 4 for each image set with 100% interobserver agreement (k = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS Despite significant differences in temperature changes between the pin sites and controls over multiple MRI sequences in commonly used external fixator devices, the differences in temperature change are likely not clinically relevant. Overall image quality and interpretability of the images were excellent.

Background: Talonavicular (TN) fusion using screws dorsomedially and dorsolaterally can cause neurovascular injury. The purpose of our cadaveric study was to evaluate the safety of percutaneous screw insertion in relation to dorsal neurovascular structures. Methods: Ten fresh-frozen cadaver legs were used for this study. Percutaneous cannulated screws were inserted to perform isolated TN arthrodesis. The screws were inserted at 3 consistent sites: a “medial screw” at the dorsomedial navicular where it intersected at the medial plane of the first cuneiform, a “central screw” at the edge of the dorsal navicular between the medial and intermediate cuneiforms, and a “lateral screw” at the edge of the dorsal navicular between the intermediate and lateral cuneiforms. Superficial and deep dissections were carried out to identify any injured nerves, arteries, and/or tendons. Results: The medial screw injured the anterior tibialis tendon in 2 cases (20%), the central screw injured the extensor hallucis longus tendon in 3 cases (30%), and the lateral screw injured the anterior branch of the superior peroneal nerve (SPN), the lateral branch of the SPN, and the medial branch of the distal peroneal nerve (DPN) once each in a total of 3 cases (30%). Despite no direct injury, the central screw indicated a potential risk of neurovascular injury: closest distance to the anterior SPN was 2 mm and to the medial DPN 2 mm. Conclusion: Although neurovascular injury risk exists for all of these screw placements, TN fusion with a central screw introduced a potentially decreased risk of neurovascular injury at the expense of increased risk of tendon injury compared to the lateral screw. Clinical Relevance: Based on these results, we recommend a careful dissection be performed prior to percutaneous screw insertion.

Background: When surgery is indicated for hallux rigidus, toe arthroplasty is an alternative procedure to arthrodesis for patients who wish to preserve toe range of motion. Our study investigated midterm outcomes of first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthroplasty in an effort to discern whether or not partial or total joint replacement confers benefit in these patients. Methods: A systematic review of MTPJ arthroplasty was performed for the years 2000 to 2017. A Forest plot was created comparing preoperative and postoperative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and range of motion (ROM) results for both hemitoe and total-toe arthroplasty. Statistical analysis was performed. Results: Mean postoperative AOFAS scores in patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty improved by 50.7 points (95% CI = 48.5, 52.8), whereas the mean AOFAS score improvement in total joint arthroplasty patients was 40.6 points (95% CI = 38.5, 42.8). VAS outcomes were comparable. Mean postoperative MTPJ ROM improved by 43.0° (95% CI = 39.3°, 46.6°) in hemitoe patients, which exceeded the mean ROM improvement of 32.5° (95% CI = 29.9°, 35.1°) found in total joint arthroplasty cases. A meta-analysis revealed no significant difference. Conclusion: Hemisurface implants in MTPJ arthroplasty may improve postoperative AOFAS and ROM results to a greater extent than total-toe devices. Level of Evidence: Level IV: Systematic review

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Marijuana is an antinociceptive which has been evaluated as a possible adjunct or substitute for opioid use in the treatment of acute pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between preoperative marijuana usage and consumption of opioids for postoperative analgesia. We hypothesized that marijuana usage may be associated with decreased usage of opioid analgesics in postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing spine surgery. PURPOSE To examine the association between marijuana use and opioid consumption in patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion surgery. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective review. PATIENT SAMPLE Two hundred and twenty-one patients who underwent one- or two-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery. OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome measures were opioid consumption in marijuana users and non- marijuana users both while in-patient and after discharge as determined by total morphine equivalent dose (MED). Secondary outcome measures included operative time, length of stay, discharge destination, and readmission rates. METHODS Retrospective review of 221 patients who underwent one- or two-level posterior lumbar fusion surgery between 2016 and 2020 at a single institution. Patients were categorized as marijuana users or non-marjiuana users based on preoperative diagnoses of marijuana use. Total morphine equivalent dose (MED) was calculated for both in-house opioid consumption and postoperative prescription opioid usage. Patients who were on opioids preoperatively were excluded. Patient demographics and preoperative characteristics were compared across the BMI cohorts using one-way ANOVA and chi-square analysis. RESULTS Of 221 total patients, 29 patients were identified as marijuana users while 192 were non- marijuana users. There were no significant associations between marijuana usage and age, ASA, BMI, tobacco use, EBL, OR time, LOS, or disposition to rehab. Marijuana users had greater association with depression (31% vs 12.5%, p=0.032) and 30-day readmission (17.2% vs 11.5% (p CONCLUSIONS Marijuana usage is associated with increased usage of opioids postoperatively, both while in patient and post-discharge, after posterior lumbar spine fusion surgery. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

BACKGROUND: A subscapularis-sparing approach to anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is used for patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis who have an intact rotator cuff and sufficient bone volume. DESCRIPTION: A 7 to 10-cm anterosuperior incision is made with the patient in the beach chair position. The anterolateral deltoid muscle raphe is split, and the shoulder is externally rotated to bring the rotator interval to the field. A flap of interval tissue is incised, tenodesis of the biceps tendon is performed, and the interval tissue is incised straight back to the glenoid from the upper edge of the subscapularis, creating a triangular piece of tissue referred to as a “trapdoor.” Two Darrach retractors are placed to expose the humeral head. An intramedullary guide is placed, and a humeral head osteotomy is performed. The glenoid is exposed, and the glenoid component is placed after sizing, preparation, drilling, and insertion of trial components per the surgical technique. The humeral head size is estimated by measuring, and the humeral stem size is decided by sequentially inserting the trial components. The permanent humeral stem is inserted, and the permanent humeral head is implanted after insertion of trial components. The trapdoor is sutured, the deltoid is reattached, and subcutaneous tissue and skin are sutured. ALTERNATIVES: The traditional surgical approach for anatomic TSA involves release and reattachment of the subscapularis tendon. RATIONALE: Nearly all anatomic TSA techniques require the subscapularis to be released, with a peel, tenotomy, or osteotomy, and then repaired on completion of the arthroplasty. Failure of the subscapularis to heal is an unfortunate and potentially devastating complication following anatomic TSA that has been linked to decreased function, instability, and pain(1-4). Subscapularis dysfunction following anatomic TSA is seen in one-third to two-thirds of patients, with evidence of complete tears in up to 50% of asymptomatic patients using ultrasound examinations(1-5). Sling immobilization with avoidance of excessive passive external rotation and active internal rotation is recommended to help prevent postoperative rupture of the subscapularis repair(6-8). However, postoperative motion restrictions to protect the subscapularis may lead to stiffness and may negatively impact function and satisfaction. We describe a subscapularis-sparing TSA, in which we address and improve on 3 technical difficulties identified by Lafosse et al.(9): (1) difficulty ensuring an anatomic humeral neck cut because of the difficulty visualizing the anterior aspect of the shoulder, (2) inadequate resection of inferior humeral neck osteophytes, and (3) undersizing of the humeral head.

INTRODUCTION Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental condition with a wide range of presentations that usually lead to muscle imbalance culminating with precocious knee and hip arthrosis, often leading to total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study sought to determine the following: (1) the inherent differences of in-hospital characteristics and comorbidities between CP and non-CP patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA) and (2) do patients with CP have an increased risk of perioperative complications after TJA? METHODS The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2005 to 2014 was queried in this retrospective cohort study to compare patient demographics and comorbidities, hospital characteristics, perioperative complications, and length of stay in patients with CP undergoing TJA compared with their non-CP counterparts. Statistical analyses were performed using the Rao-Scott chi-square test and analysis of variance. All analyses took into account the sampling procedure and weighting. RESULTS A total of 2,062 and 2,193 patients with CP underwent THA and TKA, respectively, during the study period. Both CP groups were younger (P < 0.0001), were more likely to have Medicaid insurance (P < 0.0001), and had longer lengths of hospital stay (P < 0.0001) compared with their non-CP counterparts. Non-CP patients had significantly higher rates of obesity, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease (P < 0.05). However, patients with CP undergoing THA had a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index (P = 0.0002), whereas those undergoing TKA had similar comorbidity profile as the non-CP group (P = 0.097). Both THA and TKA CP patients had a higher risk of overall postoperative complications (P < 0.05) and surgical complications (P < 0.05), in particular acute postoperative anemia (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Despite being younger with fewer comorbidities, patients with CP are at an increased risk of immediate perioperative complications after TJA compared with the general osteoarthritis population. Given that these patients have satisfactory long-term outcomes after TJA, these procedures can be performed successfully for patients with CP with careful medical management and surgical planning. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study sought to identify variables associated with socioeconomic disparities in the treatment of distal forearm fractures in children. Methods: A single-institution retrospective cohort study of patients less than 18 years of age with isolated fractures of the distal radius and ulna. Patient included underwent a closed reduction and casting under sedation by an orthopedic resident with outpatient, clinical follow up within two weeks of injury. Demographic data were collected. Primary outcomes evaluated were the final fracture alignment and rate of surgical treatment. Results: 177 children included in this study, including 105 with private insurance and 72 with Medicaid or no insurance, 129 were white and 48 were minorities, and 51 were female while 126 were male. There were no statistically significant differences between patient groups when assessed for treatment outcome, mean fracture displacement, time to first clinic appointment, and duration of follow-up. Rates of surgical treatment between all groups tested were non-significant. Of patients that met institutional operative criteria, a lower percentage of non-white (p=0.03), male (p=0.07), and non-private insurance patients (p=0.08) received surgery when surgery was indicated compared to white female patients with insurance. Conclusions: At a single institution, no clear disparities in the overall care and outcomes of children with distal radius and ulna fractures were identified. When surgery was indicated by institutional standards, a significantly greater percentage of white patients underwent surgery when compared to non-whites, but no significant difference in the percentage of good, fair, and poor outcomes between these groups was seen.

Background Spinal calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) is uncommon, and often resembles more common spine pathologies causing pain and neural compression. Here, we present two unusual cases of CPPD of the cervical and thoracolumbar spines. Case description Case 1: A 71-year old female smoker presented with a large epidural mass causing rapidly progressive cervical myelopathy with weakness in the upper and lower extremities. Case 2: A 66-year-old morbidly obese male presented with chronic back pain for several years associated with progressively worsening radicular pain in his left lower extremity. Outcome The first case is an example of tumoral CPPD involving the facet joint and expanding into the epidural space. The second case was an example of CPPD involving a thoracolumbar facet cyst, resulting in unilateral radiculopathy. Both patients were treated surgically and had significant improvement in symptoms post-operatively. Conclusions CPPD in the spine is an uncommon diagnosis but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with back pain and associated neurological symptoms. Accurate diagnosis of spinal CPPD is important in that it will guide postoperative management with anti-inflammatory medications and reduce risk of recurrence.

Musculoskeletal dysplasias (MSD) are inherited conditions of abnormal cartilage and bone development and remodeling which include, amongst others, multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED), spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED), achondroplasia, and hypochondroplasia. The aim of this study was to compare patient characteristics and in-hospital complications between MSD and non-MSD patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA).MSD patients undergoing TJA are at increased risk of in-hospital post-operative complications and mortality compared to non-MSD patients.The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from the years 2005 to 2014 was used for this retrospective cohort study. International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modifications (ICD-9-CM) procedure codes identified primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedures and were used to separate MSD and non-MSD patients. Patients with trauma or malignancy as primary diagnoses, non-elective procedures, revision procedures, and concurrent bilateral surgeries were excluded. Patients were compared using linear regression or multivariate logistic regression analysis to control for confounders. All statistical analyses were performed taking into account the NIS sampling scheme and associated sampling weights.A total of 1,255 patients comprised the MSD group and 8,027,181 patients the non-MSD group. MSD patients were younger than non-MSD patients (50.9 vs. 65.8 years, p0.001), with less comorbidities including: hypertension (40.2% vs. 64.5%, p0.001), coronary artery disease (5.5% vs. 12.9%, p0.001), diabetes mellitus (9.4% vs. 19.0%, p0.001), and hypothyroidism (7.8% vs. 14.7%, p=0.002). MSD patients had higher risks of surgical site infection (0.8% vs. 0.2%; OR, 4.16; 95% CI, 1.03-16.75; p=0.044), and perioperative hemorrhage (2.1% vs. 0.7%; OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.32-7.76; p=0.010).MSD patients undergoing TJA were younger with less co-morbidity compared to non-MSD patients, and had no significant difference in overall perioperative medical and surgical complication rates. However, they are at increased risk for surgical site infection and perioperative hemorrhage possibly due to the anatomical complexity encountered.III, Retrospective Cohort.

Introduction Distal radius fractures are common, but the results and complications of treatment with early external fixation and staged open reduction internal fixation have not been previously reported. Materials and methods Patients who received staged distal radius fracture treatment from 1/1/2008 to 12/31/2015 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham were identified. Patient, injury, and treatment characteristics, as well as complications, were collected from the medical record. Results There were 50 fractures in 47 patients, with mean follow-up of 9.3 months. Thirty-eight were open and 45 were intra-articular. For definitive treatment, 41 received a volar approach and nine a dorsal approach. Twenty wrists experienced one or more complications, including two non-unions. Five patients developed infections – one Kirschner wire site infection, one external fixator (ex-fix) pin site infection, and three deep infections. All deep infections occurred in tobacco users. The rate of deep infection with volar approach was 2.4%, compared to 22.2% with dorsal approach. Ex-fix pin sites overlapped radiographically with the plate in 20 fractures, with three deep infections in this group (15%) and no deep infections in the group without overlap. None of these differences reached statistical significance. Conclusions This protocol results in reliable healing of complex fractures, with a 96% union rate. However, 40% sustained complications. We conclude that this protocol is useful for temporizing complex fractures but caution that the complication rate is high. Since recent literature indicates that low-grade open distal radius fractures do not require emergent debridement and that immediate internal fixation is safe, complications might be avoided by restricting this protocol to complex or physiologically unstable patients.

Purpose To synthesize and report the early clinical and radiographic outcomes associated with subacromial spacer use in patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. Methods A systematic search on MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed during February 2018. Included studies were evaluated regarding the level of evidence and quality using the methodological index for nonrandomized studies. Patient demographics, intraoperative findings, clinical and radiographic outcomes, and complications were recorded for each of the included studies. Results Seven eligible studies including 204 shoulders from 200 patients with subacromial spacer implantation were identified (6 Level IV studies and 1 Level III study). The mean methodological index for nonrandomized studies score for noncomparative studies was 11, whereas that of comparative studies was 15. The mean age of patients was 67.6 years, and the mean reported follow-up time was 19.4 months. All patients had Goutallier stage 3 and 4 fatty infiltration on magnetic resonance imaging. All studies reported consistent improvement in the total Constant score or American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score over the duration of follow-up. A total of 6 (3%) complications were reported in the included studies. Two studies detailed radiographic outcomes, with discrepant changes in the acromiohumeral interval. Conclusions Patients undergoing subacromial spacer implantation for the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears have satisfactory outcomes at the 2- to 3-year follow-up with a low rate of complications. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of 1 Level III and 6 Level IV studies.

Endoscopic spine surgery promises to be the next paradigm shift in the field of minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS). The use of endoscopy in spine surgery is not a novel concept; Forst and Hausmann [1] described the use of an arthroscope to visualize the contents of the intervertebral disc in 1983, and the first description of an endoscopic discectomy by Kambin et al. [2] followed soon after in 1988. However, the use of endoscopy has been slow to develop, partly due to un-familiarity with the technique and clinical benefits. Studies of its safety and efficacy are beginning to surface [3,4,5], and full endoscopic spine procedures are now being performed in spine centers around the world.

Introduction Musculoskeletal dysplasias (MSD) are inherited conditions of abnormal cartilage and bone development and remodeling which include, amongst others, multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED), spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED), achondroplasia, and hypochondroplasia. The aim of this study was to compare patient characteristics and in-hospital complications between MSD and non-MSD patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Hypothesis MSD patients undergoing TJA are at increased risk of in-hospital postoperative complications and mortality compared to non-MSD patients. Materials and methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from the years 2005 to 2014 was used for this retrospective cohort study. International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modifications (ICD-9-CM) procedure codes identified primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedures and were used to separate MSD and non-MSD patients. Patients with trauma or malignancy as primary diagnoses, non-elective procedures, revision procedures, and concurrent bilateral surgeries were excluded. Patients were compared using linear regression or multivariate logistic regression analysis to control for confounders. All statistical analyses were performed taking into account the NIS sampling scheme and associated sampling weights. Results A total of 1,255 patients comprised the MSD group and 8,027,181 patients the non-MSD group. MSD patients were younger than non-MSD patients (50.9 vs 65.8 years, p Discussion MSD patients undergoing TJA were younger with less co-morbidity compared to non-MSD patients, and had no significant difference in overall perioperative medical and surgical complication rates. However, they are at increased risk for surgical site infection and perioperative hemorrhage possibly due to the anatomical complexity encountered. Level of evidence III, Retrospective Cohort.

Introduction Vitamin D plays an important role in the musculoskeletal system of the human body. Here, we review the most current literature on vitamin D as it relates to orthopaedic surgery and the musculoskeletal system, focusing largely on non-fracture applications. Materials and Methods A literature review was performed on the basic science of vitamin D metabolism, epidemiology of vitamin D levels, role of vitamin D within the musculoskeletal system, and the correlation of vitamin D with injuries and orthopaedic surgical outcomes. Results The existing literature suggests vitamin D plays multiple roles in the musculoskeletal system. Recent research has shed light on the importance of vitamin D in the setting of soft tissue healing and recovery in addition to affecting postoperative outcomes after common orthopaedic procedures. Conclusions Given the widespread prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of the current evidence regarding clinical implications in patients with musculoskeletal complaints.

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a rare but potentially lethal complication following orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery. Surgeons continue to debate the types of patients and procedures in which it is appropriate to use chemical thromboprophylaxis. A recent meta-analysis concluded that patients at high risk for VTE after foot and ankle surgery should receive prophylaxis, but there remains a paucity of data to elucidate which demographic or comorbidity variables are most strongly associated with development of VTE. The incidence of VTE after orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery stratified by specific procedure has yet to be examined. The purpose of this study is to report the incidence of and identify risk factors for VTE in a large sample of patients receiving orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery. Methods: In this study, we retrospectively analyzed prospectively-collected data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) 2006 to 2015 data files. The incidence of VTE was calculated for 30 specific orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeries and for four broad types of foot and ankle surgery. A total of 23,212 patients were identified and grouped by current procedures terminology (CPT) codes. Demographic, comorbidity, and complication variables were analyzed to determine associations with development of VTE. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to compare categorical variables and Student t test was used to compare continuous variables. P-values of pResults: The mean age at the time of surgery was 52.7±17.8 years. VTE events were documented 142 times in our sample, yielding an overall sample VTE incidence of 0.6%. The types of procedures with the highest frequency of VTE were ankle fractures (105/15,302 cases, 0.7%), foot pathologies (28/5,466, 0.6%), and arthroscopy (2/398, 0.5%). Female sex, increasing age, obesity level, inpatient status, and non-elective surgery were all significantly associated with VTE events. Postoperative pneumonia was significantly associated with VTE development. Patients who developed a VTE stayed at the hospital after surgery significantly longer than patients without VTE (6.2 vs. 3.1 days). Patients who developed VTE also had significantly higher estimated probability of morbidity (8.0% vs. 6.0%) and mortality (2.0% vs. 1.0%) when compared to patients without VTE. Conclusion: The present study confirms that VTE events after foot and ankle procedures are rare. The data presented suggest that female sex, increasing age, higher BMI, inpatient status, and non-elective procedures are associated with increased risk for VTE after orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery. Prospective, randomized, controlled trials are necessary to definitively determine the efficacy of chemoprophylaxis and to develop evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to minimize VTE after foot and ankle procedures.

Category: Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Talonavicular fusion has been established as a reliable intervention for degenerative, inflammatory, and traumatic joint lesions as well as hindfoot deformities. In order to achieve optimal fusion, various versions of the procedure have been introduced in literature and have remained a topic of contention, with the most common variation involving the insertion of 1 to 3 screws dorsomedially and dorsolaterally. Dorsolateral screw placements commonly cause neurovasculature injury. The purpose of our cadaveric study was first to establish the safety of the dorsolateral percutaneous screw insertion in relation to these dorsal neurovascular structures, and then subsequently to standardize the ideal placement of the dorsolateral screw by comparing two insertion sites based on consistent bony landmarks. Methods: Ten fresh-frozen cadaver legs amputated at the knee were used for this study. Percutaneous cannulated screws were inserted to perform isolated talonavicular arthrodesis. The screws were inserted at 3 consistent sites: “medial screw” at dorsomedial navicular where it intersected at the medial plane of the first cuneiform, “central screw” at the edge of dorsal navicular between medial and intermediate cuneiforms, and “lateral screw” at the edge of dorsal navicular between intermediate and lateral cuneiforms. Superficial and deep dissections were carried out to identify any injured nerves, arteries, and tendons. Results: The mean age at death in our sample of cadavers was 80.1 ± 7.5 years (range 68 to 92) and had the BMI of 21.8 ± 2.4 (range 18.1 to 25.1). There were 5 males (50.0%) and 5 females (50.0%). The medial screw injured the anterior tibialis tendon in 2 cases (20.0%), the central screw injured the extensor hallucis longus tendon in 3 cases (30.0%), and the lateral screw injured the anterior branch of SPN, lateral branch of SPN, and medial branch of DPN once each in a total of 3 cases (30.0%). Conclusion: TN fusion with central screw placement at the interspace between the medial and intermediate cuneiforms protects the neurovasculatures of the foot to a superior extent than lateral screws between the intermediate and lateral cuneiforms.

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Advanced-stage arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ), or “Hallux Rigidus” (HR) is a common forefoot pathology. When surgery is indicated, arthroplasty is an alternative to arthrodesis, which aims to preserve MTPJ dorsiflexion. Since it is unclear whether total-toe or hemi-toe devices are preferred implants in MTPJ arthroplasty, we completed a systematic review of the literature and did a meta analysis to test which type of implants clinically outperform in hallux rigidus. Methods: A systematic review of MTPJ arthroplasty was performed using Pubmed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane library for the years 2000 to 2017. Data was extracted from articles containing both preoperative and postoperative endpoints for either hemi or total MTPJ arthroplasty cases. To be eligible for inclusion, studies must have had a mean follow-up window of at least 24 months and standard deviation of outcome. Total eleven studies were included for review, seven studies with hemi replacement and six studies with total arthroplasty. Pooled mean values were calculated, and a forest plot was created comparing pre-and post-operative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS), visual analogue scale (VAS), and range of motion (ROM) results for both hemi-toe and total-toe arthroplasty. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: Mean postoperative AOFAS scores in patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty improved by 50.7 points (95%CI: 48.5, 52.8), which was higher than the mean postoperative AOFAS improvement of 40.6 points (95%CI: 38.5, 42.8) seen in total-toe patients. Mean postoperative VAS improvement in hemiarthroplasty was 6.05 points (95%CI: 5.92, 6.18), which was comparable to the mean VAS improvement of 6.29 points (95%CI: 6.02, 6.55) seen in total arthroplasty. Mean postoperative MTPJ ROM improved by 43.0 degrees (95%CI: 39.3, 46.6) in hemi-toe patients, which exceeded the mean ROM improvement of 32.5 degrees (95%CI: 29.9, 35.1) found in total-toe cases. A meta-analysis of the data revealed non-significant statistical trends for AOFAS and ROM in favor of hemiarthroplasty. Conclusion: Hemi-surface implants in MTPJ arthroplasty may improve postoperative AOFAS and ROM results to a greater extent than total-toe devices. High-quality randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm long-term surgical outcomes in these patients.