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Introduction Previous research has shown that patients from historically marginalized groups in the United States tend to have poorer outcomes after joint replacement surgery and that they are less likely to receive joint replacement surgery at high-volume hospitals. However, little is known regarding how this group of patients chooses their joint replacement surgeon. The purpose of this study was to understand the factors influencing the choice of joint replacement surgeon amongst a diverse group of patients. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Medicare patients who underwent a hip or knee replacement within the last 24 months (N = 38) at an academic and community hospital. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and verified for accuracy. Transcripts were reviewed using iterative content analysis to extract key themes related to how respondents chose their joint replacement surgeon. Results and discussion MD referral/recommendation appears to be the strongest factor influencing joint replacement surgeon choice. Other key considerations are hospital reputation and surgeon attributes—including operative experience, communication skills, and participation in shared decision-making. Gender/ethnicity of a surgeon, industry payments to surgeons, number of publications and cost did not play a large role in surgeon choice. Conclusion and clinical relevance The process of choosing a joint replacement surgeon is a complex decision-making process with several factors at play. Despite growing availability of information regarding surgeons, patients largely relied on referrals for choosing their joint replacement surgeon regardless of ethnicity. Referring physicians need to ensure that patients are able to access hospital and surgeon outcomes, operative volume, and industry-payment information to learn more about their orthopedic surgeons in order to make an informed choice.

Between 1989 and 1993, 67 fractures of the knee secondary to gunshot wounds were treated at the King/Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Based on this experience, a treatment protocol was devised. The protocol addresses the evaluation and management of neurovascular injuries, soft-tissue wounds, and fractures. These concepts are summarized in an algorithm.

By examining the records of 101 admissions (86 patients) undergoing total hip replacement for osteoarthritis, we studied the impact of 24 preoperative laboratory assessments on the postoperative course. Four patients had their procedures postponed or canceled because of laboratory abnormalities; three of these patients had abnormal urinalyses and one had abnormal liver function tests. No other patients had alterations In their perioperative course as a result of the tests. No subsequent postoperative complications were attributable to either an abnormal or deficient preoperative assessment. Two patients with postoperative hepatitis had normal preoperative liver function studies. One patient had a postoperative bleeding episode but had had normal preoperative PT and PTT values. The economic implications are discussed in a costeffectiveness model. On the basis of these results, we recommend that only a minimal set of preoperative laboratory tests be added to the detailed medical history and physical examination in otherwise healthy patients about to undergo total hip replacement surgery.

Chronic recurrent subluxation of the peroneal tendons can be a disabling condition in the young athlete. Con servative techniques of management, including taping, pads, or special shoes, are usually ineffective. Many authors have reported favorable results with surgical reconstruction. These repairs fall into four categories: periosteal reattachment, groove deepening, tenoplasty procedures, and bone block procedures. We are re porting the results of treatment of 12 patients with a sliding fibular graft procedure that has not previously been reported in the literature. Results were excellent in 11 of the 12 procedures. One patient with bilateral repairs reported recurrence of symptoms on one side and required reexploration.