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The purpose of this multicenter retrospective chart review was to describe demographics, fracture and wound characteristics, and treatments for foot and/or ankle fractures caused by gunshot wounds (GSWs) and identify factors that increase risk of infection in adults treated at 5 urban level 1 trauma centers in South and Midwest regions of the United States. A total of 244 patients sustained GSW-related fractures of the foot/ankle during 2007-2017, of whom 179 had ≥30 days of follow-up data after the initial injury. Most patients were male (95.1%; 232/244) with an average age of 31.2 years. On average, patients sustained 1.3 GSWs (range 1-5) to the foot/ankle. Most GSWs were categorized as low energy (85.1%; 171/201) and the majority (58.2%; 142/244) had retained bullet fragments. Antibiotics were administered at initial presentation to 78.7% (192/244) of patients and 41.8% (102/244) were managed operatively at the time of initial injury. Nerve injury, vascular injury, and infection were documented in, respectively, 8.6% (21/243), 6.6% (16/243), and 17.2% (42/244) of all cases. Multivariable analysis revealed that high-energy injuries and retained bullet fragments increased the risk of infection by 3-fold (odds ratio 3.09, 95% confidence interval 1.16-8.27, p = .025) and 3.5-fold (OR 3.48, 95% CI1.40-8.67; p = .008), respectively. Side of injury, primary injury region, and vascular injury were not significant predictors of infection risk. Further research should examine whether retained bullet fragments are directly associated with infection risk and support the development of guidelines regarding the management of patients with GSW-related fractures to the ankle/foot.

Although there have been calls for the routine reporting of patient demographics associated with health disparities, including race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES), in published research, the extent to which these variables are reported in orthopaedic journals remains unclear.We identified and examined all research articles with human cohorts published in 2019 in the 2 highest-ranked U.S. general orthopaedics journals, Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research and The Journal of BoneJoint Surgery. Excluded from analysis were studies with no U.S.-based institution and those that did not report any demographic data. Articles were reviewed to determine study type; reporting of race, ethnicity, and any of 3 SES variables (i.e., income, education, and health-care insurance); and the inclusion of these demographics in multivariable analyses.A total of 156 articles met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 56 (35.9%) reported patient race and 24 (15.4%) reported patient ethnicity. Income was reported in 13 (8.3%) of the articles, education in 23 (14.7%), and health insurance in 18 (11.5%). Of the 97 papers that reported results of multivariable analyses, 30 (30.9%) included race in the analysis and 21 (21.6%) reported significance associated with race. Income, education, and health insurance were included in multivariable analyses in 7 (7.2%), 11 (11.3%), and 10 (10.3%) of the articles, respectively.Race, ethnicity, and SES were infrequently reported and analyzed within articles published in 2 of the top orthopaedic journals. This problem may be remedied if orthopaedic journals impose standards for the reporting and analysis of patient demographics in studies with human cohorts.Failure to report key demographics makes it difficult for practitioners to determine whether study results apply to their patient populations. In addition, when orthopaedic interventions are evaluated without accounting for potential disparities by demographics, clinicians may incorrectly assume that the overall benefits and risks reported in studies apply equally to all patients.

OBJECTIVES To review a large, multicenter experience to identify the current salvage and amputation rates of these combined injuries and, where possible, the variables that predict amputation. DESIGN Retrospective. SETTING Nine trauma centers. PATIENTS This study involved 199 patients presenting to 9 trauma centers with orthopaedic and vascular injuries resulting in ischemic limbs for whom the orthopaedic service was involved with the decision for salvage versus amputation. RESULTS We reviewed 199 patients, 17-85 years of age. One hundred seventy-two of the injuries were open. Thirty-eight patients (19%) were treated with amputation upon admission as they were deemed to be unsalvageable. Of the remaining 161 patients who had attempted salvage, 36 (30%) required late amputation. Closed injuries were successfully salvaged in 25 of 27 cases (93%). The highest rate of amputation was in tibia fractures with a combined amputation rate of 62%. In those attempted to be salvaged, 21 of 48 (44%) required amputation. The ischemia time for successful salvage was significantly less, P = 0.03. One hundred twenty-four patients had their definitive vascular repair before the bony reconstruction. There were 15 vascular complications, of which 13 (86%) had the definitive vascular repair performed before the definitive osseous repair, although this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS In this series of combined orthopaedic and vascular injuries, we found a high rate of acute and late amputations. It is possible that other protocols, such as shunting and stabilizing the osseous injury, before vascular repair may benefit limb salvage, although this needs more study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Objectives To evaluate a large series of open fractures of the forearm following gunshot wounds in order to determine complication rates and factors that may lead to infection, nonunion, or compartment syndrome. Design Multi-center retrospective review. Setting Nine Level 1 Trauma CentersPatients/Participants: 168 patients had 198 radius and ulna fractures due to firearm injuries. All patients were adults, had a fracture due to a firearm injury and at least one year clinical follow-up or follow-up until union. Average follow-up was 831 days. Intervention Most patients (91%) received antibiotics. Formal irrigation and debridement in the operating room was performed in 75% of cases along with either internal fixation (75%), external fixation (6%), or I&D without fixation (19%). Main outcome measures Complications including neurovascular injuries, compartment syndrome, infection and nonunion. Results Twenty-one percent of patients had arterial injuries and 40% had nerve injuries. Nine patients (5%) developed compartment syndrome. Seventeen patients (10%) developed infections, all in comminuted or segmental fractures. Antibiotics were not associated with a decreased risk of infection. Infections in the ulna were more common in fractures with retained bullet fragments and bone loss. Twenty patients (12%) developed a nonunion. Nonunions were associated with high velocity firearms and bone defect size. Conclusions Open fractures of the forearm from gunshot wounds are serious injuries that carry high rates of nonunion and infection. Fractures with significant bone defects are at increased risk of nonunion and should be treated with stable fixation and proper soft tissue handling. Ulna fractures are at particularly high risk for deep infection and septic nonunion and should be treated aggressively. Forearm fractures from gunshot wounds should be followed until union to identify long term complications. Level of evidence Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) has been documented in orthopaedic literature. However, there is a lack of data on the inclusion of these variables in orthopaedic studies. Our aim was to investigate how many total hip arthroplasties and total knee arthroplasties randomized controlled trials report SDOH variables such as race, ethnicity, insurance, income, and education within the manuscript.A systematic review was conducted on a PubMed search for randomized controlled trials published from 2017 to 2019 in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Journal of Arthroplasty, Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, and Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. Data collected included publication year, type of surgery, and the inclusion of race, ethnicity, insurance, income, and education.Of the 72 manuscripts included in the study, 5.6% of the manuscripts mentioned race, 4.2% included race within the demographic table, and 1.4% included ethnicity in the demographic table. Overall, only 5 studies discussed any one of the variables studied and none included any SDOH variables in their multivariable regressions. There were no statistically significant differences on inclusion across journal year (P value = .78), journal name (P value = 1.00), or surgery type (P value = .555).Our findings identify a major shortcoming in the inclusion of SDOH variables in total knee arthroplasty/total hip arthroplasty publications. Their exclusion may be indirectly perpetuating disparities if research that does not use representative patient samples is used in creating health policies and national standards.Level V.

Objectives To determine the radial nerve palsy (RNP) rate and predictors of injury after humeral nonunion repair in a large multicenter sample. Design Consecutive retrospective cohort review. Setting Eighteen academic orthopedic trauma centers. Patients/participants Three hundred seventy-nine adult patients who underwent humeral shaft nonunion repair. Exclusion criteria were pathologic fracture and complete motor RNP before nonunion surgery. Intervention Humeral shaft nonunion repair and assessment of postoperative radial nerve function. Main outcome Measurements: Demographics, nonunion characteristics, preoperative and postoperative radial nerve function and recovery. Results Twenty-six (6.9%) of 379 patients (151 M, 228 F, ages 18-93 years) had worse radial nerve function after nonunion repair. This did not differ by surgical approach. Only location in the middle third of the humerus correlated with RNP (P = 0.02). A total of 15.8% of patients with iatrogenic nerve injury followed for a minimum of 12 months did not resolve. For those who recovered, resolution averaged 5.4 months. On average, partial/complete palsies resolved at 2.6 and 6.5 months, respectively. Sixty-one percent (20/33) of patients who presented with nerve injury before their nonunion surgery resolved. Conclusion In a large series of patients treated operatively for humeral shaft nonunion, the RNP rate was 6.9%. Among patients with postoperative iatrogenic RNP, the rate of persistent RNP was 15.8%. This finding is more generalizable than previous reports. Midshaft fractures were associated with palsy, while surgical approach was not. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) are common, and their incidence is increasing as the population ages. Despite this, postoperative rehabilitation remains unstandardized and little is known about surgeon preferences. The aim of this study was to assess differences in postoperative rehabilitation preferences and patient education between orthopedic trauma and shoulder surgeons.An electronic survey was distributed to members of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons to assess differences in postoperative rehabilitation preferences and patient counseling. Descriptive statistics were reported for all respondents, trauma surgeons, and shoulder surgeons. Chi-square and unpaired 2-sample t tests were used to compare responses. Multinomial regression was used to further elucidate the influence of fellowship training independent of confounding characteristics.A total of 293 surgeons completed the survey, including 172 shoulder and 78 trauma surgeons. A greater proportion of trauma surgeons preferred an immediate weightbearing status after arthroplasty compared to shoulder surgeons (45% vs. 19%, P = .003), but not after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) (62% vs. 75%, P = .412). A greater proportion of shoulder surgeons preferred home exercise therapy taught by the physician or using a handout following reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) (21% vs. 2%, P = .009). A greater proportion of trauma surgeons began passive range of motion (ROM)2 weeks after 2-part fractures (70% vs. 41%, P .001). Conversely, a greater proportion of shoulder surgeons began passive ROM between 2 and 6 weeks for 2-part (57% vs. 24%, P .001) and 4-part fractures (65% vs. 43%, P = .020). On multinomial regression analysis, fellowship training in shoulder surgery was associated with preference for a nonweightbearing duration of12 weeks vs. 6-12 weeks after ORIF. Similarly, fellowship training in shoulder surgery was associated with increased odds of preferring a nonweightbearing duration of6 weeks vs. no restrictions and12 weeks vs. 6-12 weeks after arthroplasty. Training in shoulder surgery was associated with greater odds of preferring a nonweightbearing duration prior to beginning passive ROM of 2-6 weeks vs.2 weeks or6 weeks for 2-part fractures, but not 4-part fractures.Trauma surgeons have a more aggressive approach to rehabilitation following operative PHF repair compared to shoulder surgeons regarding time to weightbearing status and passive ROM. Given the increasing incidence of PHFs and substantial variations in reported treatment outcomes, differences in rehabilitation after PHF treatment should be further evaluated to determine the role it may play in the outcomes of treatment studies.

Proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) are managed with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), hemiarthroplasty (HA), reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), or nonoperatively. Given the mixed results in the literature, the optimal treatment is unclear to surgeons. The purpose of this study was to survey orthopedic shoulder and trauma surgeons to identify the patient- and fracture-related characteristics that influence surgical decision-making.We distributed a 23-question closed-response email survey to members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Orthopaedic Trauma Association. Questions posed to respondents included demographics, surgical planning, indications for ORIF and arthroplasty, and the use of surgical augmentation with ORIF. Numerical and multiple-choice responses were compared between shoulder and trauma surgeons using unpaired t-tests and χRespondents included 172 shoulder and 78 trauma surgeons. When surgery is indicated, most shoulder and trauma surgeons treat 2-part (69%) and 3-part (53%) PHFs with ORIF. Indications for managing PHFs with arthroplasty instead of ORIF include an intra-articular fracture (82%), bone quality (76%), age (72%), and previous rotator cuff dysfunction (70%). In patients older than 50 years, 90% of respondents cited a head-split fracture as an indication for arthroplasty. Both shoulder and trauma surgeons preferred RSA for treating PHFs presenting with a head-split fracture in an elderly patient (94%), pre-existing rotator cuff tear (84%), and pre-existing glenohumeral arthritis with an intact cuff (75%). Similarly, both groups preferred ORIF for PHFs in young patients with a fracture dislocation (94%). In contrast, although most trauma surgeons preferred to manage PHFs in low functioning patients with a significantly displaced fracture or nonreconstructable injury nonoperatively (84% and 86%, respectively), shoulder surgeons preferred either RSA (44% and 46%, respectively) or nonoperative treatment (54% and 49%, respectively) (P .001). Similarly, although trauma surgeons preferred to manage PHFs in young patients with a head-split fracture or limited humeral head subchondral bone with ORIF (98% and 87%, respectively), shoulder surgeons preferred either ORIF (54% and 62%, respectively) or HA (43% and 34%, respectively) (P .001).ORIF and HA are preferred for treating simple PHFs in young patients with good bone quality or fracture dislocations, whereas RSA and nonoperative management are preferred for complex fractures in elderly patients with poor bone quality, rotator cuff dysfunction, or osteoarthritis. The preferred management differed between shoulder and trauma surgeons for half of the common PHF presentations, highlighting the need for future research.

To examine the impact of instituting a dedicated orthopaedic trauma operating room (DOTOR) at a Level I trauma center on diaphyseal femur fracture management.Retrospective cohort study.Regional, university-based Level I trauma center.Trauma patients 18-65 years of age who presented between October 2016 and December 2018 (approximately 1 year before and after implementation of the DOTOR) and underwent surgery for diaphyseal femur fractures. One hundred twenty-eight patients met eligibility criteria for inclusion: 60 were treated before and 68 after implementation of the DOTOR.Implementation of a DOTOR in October 2017.Percentage of external fixation versus intramedullary nailing, time from emergency department visit to definitive fixation, duration of surgery, and hospital length of stay.The only significant difference in patient demographics between the before and after groups was mechanism of injury (P = 0.003). Percentage of external fixators as an initial procedure decreased from 15% to 2.9% (P = 0.024). Time to definitive fixation with intramedullary nail decreased from 1083 minutes to 659 minutes (P = 0.002). There was no significant change in median operative time of intramedullary nailing (P = 0.573). Although not statistically significant, hospital length of stay decreased from 7 days to 5.5 days after implementation (P = 0.158). Cost analysis revealed annual cost savings of more than $261,678 for diaphyseal femur fractures alone by implementing a DOTOR.For diaphyseal femur fractures, instituting a DOTOR at a Level I trauma center reduced the percentage of patients requiring a 2-stage fixation, reduced the time to definitive fixation, and yielded cost savings.Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

INTRODUCTION The opioid epidemic in the United States has been fueled by overprescribing opioids, which is particularly apparent in orthopaedics. Stakeholders, including state legislatures, have attempted to curb opioid overprescribing to reduce related abuse/dependence, overdose deaths, and diversion. OBJECTIVE To examine trends in opioid prescribing for common outpatient lower extremity orthopaedic surgeries in a population vulnerable to prolonged opioid use before and after the enactment of a 2017 Louisiana state law limiting opioid prescribing for acute pain. METHODS Eligible patients were adults who underwent one of the five most common outpatient lower extremity orthopaedic surgeries done during 2013 to 2018 at an urban tertiary care academic medical center. Excluded were prisoners and patients who required inpatient hospitalization, had no documented discharge opioid prescription, or filled an opioid prescription unrelated to their orthopaedic procedure within 30 days before surgery. RESULTS During 2013 to 2018, 655 surgical procedures were done in 655 eligible patients, of whom 49% were Black and 54% were insured by Medicaid. The mean morphine milligram equivalent per discharge prescription decreased by almost 70% from 2014 to 2018. A statistically significant decrease in the mean morphine milligram equivalent per discharge prescription was observed in 2018 versus all previous years (P < 0.0001 for all) and in 2017 versus all previous years (P < 0.0001 for all). Patients receiving at least one new opioid prescription after their discharge prescription declined over time from a high of 50% in 2013 to a low of 19.3% in 2018 with a statistically significant effect over time (P < 0.0001). DISCUSSION Opioid prescribing for patients undergoing common outpatient lower extremity orthopaedic surgeries who were at high risk for prolonged opioid use markedly declined after the enactment of a state law limiting first-time opioid prescriptions to 7 days, requiring physicians to check the state's Prescription Monitoring Program database and mandating continuing education for opioid prescribers.

Introduction Proximal tibia fracture dislocations (PTFDs) are a subset of plateau fractures with little in the literature since description by Hohl (1967) and classification by Moore (1981). We sought to evaluate reliability in diagnosis of fracture-dislocations by traumatologists and to compare their outcomes with bicondylar tibial plateau fractures (BTPFs). Methods This was a retrospective cohort study at 14 level 1 trauma centers throughout North America. In all, 4771 proximal tibia fractures were reviewed by all sites and 278 possible PTFDs were identified using the Moore classification. These were reviewed by an adjudication board of three traumatologists to obtain consensus. Outcomes included inter-rater reliability of PTFD diagnosis, wound complications, malunion, range of motion (ROM), and knee pain limiting function. These were compared to BTPF data from a previous study. Results Of 278 submitted cases, 187 were deemed PTFDs representing 4% of all proximal tibia fractures reviewed and 67% of those submitted. Inter-rater agreement by the adjudication board was good (83%). Sixty-one PTFDs (33%) were unicondylar. Eleven (6%) had ligamentous repair and 72 (39%) had meniscal repair. Two required vascular repair. Infection was more common among PTFDs than BTPFs (14% vs 9%, p = 0.038). Malunion occurred in 25% of PTFDs. ROM was worse among PTFDs, although likely not clinically significant. Knee pain limited function at final follow-up in 24% of both cohorts. Conclusions PTFDs represent 4% of proximal tibia fractures. They are often unicondylar and may go unrecognized. Malunion is common, and PTFD outcomes may be worse than bicondylar fractures.

Importance Despite the widespread use of systemic antibiotics to prevent infections in surgically treated patients with fracture, high rates of surgical site infection persist. Objective To examine the effect of intrawound vancomycin powder in reducing deep surgical site infections. Design, Setting, and Participants This open-label randomized clinical trial enrolled adult patients with an operatively treated tibial plateau or pilon fracture who met the criteria for a high risk of infection from January 1, 2015, through June 30, 2017, with 12 months of follow-up (final follow-up assessments completed in April 2018) at 36 US trauma centers. Interventions A standard infection prevention protocol with (n = 481) or without (n = 499) 1000 mg of intrawound vancomycin powder. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was a deep surgical site infection within 182 days of definitive fracture fixation. A post hoc comparison assessed the treatment effect on gram-positive and gram-negative-only infections. Other secondary outcomes included superficial surgical site infection, nonunion, and wound dehiscence. Results The analysis included 980 patients (mean [SD] age, 45.7 [13.7] years; 617 [63.0%] male) with 91% of the expected person-time of follow-up for the primary outcome. Within 182 days, deep surgical site infection was observed in 29 of 481 patients in the treatment group and 46 of 499 patients in the control group. The time-to-event estimated probability of deep infection by 182 days was 6.4% in the treatment group and 9.8% in the control group (risk difference, –3.4%; 95% CI, –6.9% to 0.1%;P = .06). A post hoc analysis of the effect of treatment on gram-positive (risk difference, –3.7%; 95% CI, –6.7% to –0.8%;P = .02) and gram-negative-only (risk difference, 0.3%; 95% CI, –1.6% to 2.1%;P = .78) infections found that the effect of vancomycin powder was a result of its reduction in gram-positive infections. Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with operatively treated tibial articular fractures at a high risk of infection, intrawound vancomycin powder at the time of definitive fracture fixation reduced the risk of a gram-positive deep surgical site infection, consistent with the activity of vancomycin. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT02227446

Background: The prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is 0.40%-1.2%. Trends in TJA are for shorter hospital stays with lower complication rates. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether hospital length of stay (LOS) is associated with risk of a thromboembolic event after TJA. Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing TJA during 2013-2017 at Louisiana and Texas hospitals. Univariable analyses and multivariable logistic regression examined patient characteristics (sex, race, age, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, TJA type, and LOS) associated with experiencing a VTE event after discharge and before 1-year follow-up. Results: Of the 13,969 patients who met inclusion criteria, 338 (2.4%) had a VTE event after discharge. In multivariable regression analysis, more severe comorbidities (odds ratio: 1.30, 95% confidence interval: 1.23-1.37; P < .001) and LOS days (odds ratio: 1.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.14; P = .0215) were associated with an increased risk of VTE. Conclusion: Patients with more severe comorbidities or a longer LOS had a greater risk of VTE after discharge following TJA.

Objectives We conducted a large, U.S wide, observational study of type III tibial fractures, with the hypothesis that delays between definitive fixation and flap coverage might be a substantial modifiable risk factor associated with nosocomial wound infection. Design A retrospective analysis of a multicenter database of open tibial fractures requiring flap coverage. Setting Fourteen level-1 trauma centers across the United States. Patients Two hundred ninety-six (n = 296) consecutive patients with Gustilo III open tibial fractures requiring flap coverage at 14 trauma centers were retrospectively analyzed from a large orthopaedic trauma registry. We collected demographics and the details of surgical care. We investigated the patient, and treatment factors leading to infection, including the time from various points in care to the time of soft-tissue coverage. Intervention Delay definitive fixation and flap coverage in tibial type III fractures. Main outcome measurements (1) Results of multivariate regression with time from injury to coverage, debridement to coverage, and definitive fixation to coverage in the model, to determine which delay measurement was most associated with infection. (2) A second multivariate model, including other factors in addition to measures of flap delay, to provide the estimate between delay and infection after adjustment for confounding. Results Of 296 adults (227 M: 69 F) with open Gustilo type III tibial fractures requiring flap coverage, 96 (32.4%) became infected. In the multivariate regression, the time from definitive fixation to flap coverage was most predictive of subsequent wound infection (odds ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.08, n = 260, P = 0.02) among the time measurements. Temporary internal fixation was not associated with an increased risk of infection in both univariate (P = 0.59) or multivariate analyses (P = 0.60). Flap failure was associated with the highest odds of infection (odds ratio 6.83, 95% confidence interval 3.26 to 14.27, P Conclusion Orthoplastic teams that are dedicated to severe musculoskeletal trauma, that facilitate coordination of definitive fixation and flap coverage, will reduce the infection rates in Gustilo type III tibial fractures. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Background Millions of Americans have hepatitis C and other liver diseases, many of whom have end-stage osteoarthritis requiring total joint arthroplasty (TJA). This study aimed to determine the extent to which hepatitis C and other liver diseases are independent risk factors for complications, including readmission and reoperation, in patients undergoing TJA. Methods Retrospective study of a REACHnet data set containing demographics, International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, and clinical and laboratory data for patients who underwent primary total knee or hip replacement from 2013 to 2017 at 3 hospital systems in Louisiana and Texas. Multivariable logistic regression analyses examined predictors of complications. Any complication was defined as a 90-day medical complication or readmission or reoperation within 1 year. Results Among 13,673 patients who met inclusion criteria, 14.9% (2044/13,673) had any complication, 11.7% (1600/13,673) were readmitted within 90 days, and 3.6% (497/13,673) had a reoperation within 1 year. Liver disease increased the odds for any complication (odds ratio [OR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.18), 90-day medical complication (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04-1.22), and 90-day readmission (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06-1.17). Hepatitis C was not, by itself, associated with an increase in any type of complication but was usually associated with liver disease. Comorbidity severity was the strongest predictor of all types of complications after TJA. Conclusion Patients in Louisiana and Texas with liver disease were at increased risk for complications after TJA, corroborating findings of previous studies. Hepatitis C was not an independent predictor of complications because of its high association with liver disease.

Objectives The goal of this study was to describe current opinions of orthopaedic trauma experts regarding acute compartment syndrome (ACS). Design Web-based survey. Participants Active Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) members. Methods A 25-item web-based questionnaire was advertised to active members of the OTA. Using a cross-sectional survey study design, we evaluated the perceived importance of ACS, as well as preferences in diagnosis and treatment. Results One hundred thirty-nine of 596 active OTA members (23%) completed the survey. ACS was believed to be clinically important and with severe sequelae, if missed. Responses indicated that diagnosis should be based on physical examination in an awake patient, and that intracompartmental pressure testing was valuable in the obtunded or unconscious patient. The diagnosis of ACS with monitoring should be made using the difference between diastolic blood pressure and intracompartmental pressure (ΔP) of ≤30 mm Hg. Once ACS is diagnosed, respondents indicated that fasciotomies should be performed as quickly as is reasonable (within 2 hours). The consensus for wound management was closure or skin grafting within 1-5 days later, and skin grafting was universally recommended if closure was delayed to >7 days. Conclusions ACS is a challenging problem with poor outcomes if missed or inadequately treated. OTA members demonstrated agreement to many diagnostic and treatment choices for ACS. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level V. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of the levels of evidence.

Traumatic hemorrhage from pelvic fractures is a significant challenge, and angioembolization has become standard. Optimal treatment is undefined in two clinical scenarios. The first is in the presence of a negative angiogram. Can arterial embolization treat venous bleeding by decreasing the arterial pressure head? If the angiogram is positive, is nonselective embolization (NSE) or selective embolization (SE) better? The purpose of this study is to determine if embolization after a negative angiogram aids in hemorrhage control and when the angiogram is positive, which level of embolization is superior?A multicenter retrospective review was conducted including blunt trauma patients with pelvic fractures who underwent angiography. Demographic and clinical data were compiled on all subjects. NSE refers to an intervention at the level of the internal iliac artery and SE is defined as any distal intervention. Theoretical complications of pelvic embolization are those thought to arise from decreased pelvic blood flow and will be referred to as embolization-related complications. Thromboembolic complications included deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.One hundred ninety-four patients met inclusion criteria. Of the 67 patients with a negative angiogram, 26 (38.8%) were embolized. In those patients requiring transfusion, the units given in the first 24 hours were decreased in the embolization group (7.5 vs. 4.0, p = 0.054). Embolization-related complications occurred more frequently in those not embolized (11.4% vs. 6.0%, p = 0.414).One hundred forty-five patients were embolized, 99 (68.3%) NSE and 46 (31.7%) SE. There were no significant differences in mortality or transfusion requirements. There was no difference in the rate of embolization-related complications (4.1% vs. 2.1%, p = 0.352). There was a significantly increased rate of thromboembolic complications in the NSE group (12.1% vs. 0, p = 0.010).Embolization in the face of a negative angiogram may aid in hemorrhage control for those patients being actively transfused. If embolized, then selective occlusion of more distal vessels rather than of the main internal iliac artery should be performed.Therapeutic, level IV.

Objectives To describe current practice patterns of orthopaedic trauma experts regarding the management of ankle fractures, to review the current literature, and to provide recommendations for care based on a standardized grading system. Design Web-based survey. Participants Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) members. Methods A 27-item web-based questionnaire was advertised to members of the OTA. Using a cross-sectional survey study design, we evaluated the preferences in diagnosis and treatment of ankle fractures. Results One hundred sixty-six of 1967 OTA members (8.4%) completed the survey (16% of active members). There is considerable variability in the preferred method of diagnosis and treatment of ankle fractures among the members surveyed. Most responses are in keeping with best evidence available. Conclusions Current controversy remains in the management of ankle fractures. This is reflected in the treatment preferences of the OTA members who responded to this survey. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level V. See Instructions for authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a relatively rare but potentially devastating consequence of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patient risk factors include uncontrolled diabetes, morbid obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, cirrhosis, hepatitis C, immunosuppressive medications, smoking, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and alcohol abuse. Perioperative risk factors include use of perioperative antibiotics, surgical site preparation, surgical attire, and operating room conditions. PJI diagnosis should be based on clinical judgement and incorporate information from the patient’s history and physical exam, serological testing, synovial fluid analysis, radiographic assessment, and microbiologic and histopathologic testing. There are four main types of PJI: early postoperative, late chronic, acute hematogenous, and positive intraoperative cultures at the time of revision for presumed aseptic loosening. Treatment depends on the type of infection, with debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention generally recommended for early postoperative and acute hematogenous infections; single- or two-stage revisions for chronic infections; and antimicrobial therapy without revision for unexpectedly positive cultures.

Total hip arthroplasty can be a very effective salvage treatment for both failed fracture surgery and hip arthritis that may occur after prior fracture surgery. The rate of complications is significantly increased including especially infection, dislocation, and loosening. Complications are more likely to occur after failed open reduction and internal fixation than after posttraumatic arthritis. Adequately ruling out infection before hip arthroplasty can be difficult. The best predictor of infection is a prior infection. Long-term outcomes can be comparable to outcomes in other conditions if complications are avoided.

Post-traumatic heterotopic ossification (HO) is the formation of ectopic bone in non-osseous structures following injury. The precise mechanism for bone development following trauma is unknown; however, early onset of HO may involve the production of pro-osteogenic serum factors. Here we evaluated serum from a cohort of civilian and military patients post trauma to determine early induction gene signatures in orthopaedic trauma induced HO. To test this, human adipose derived stromal/stem cells (hASCs) were stimulated with human serum from patients who developed HO following trauma and evaluated for a gene panel with qPCR. Pathway gene analysis ontology revealed that hASCs stimulated with serum from patients who developed HO had altered gene expression in the activator protein 1 (AP1) and AP1 transcriptional targets pathways. Notably, there was a significant repression in FOS gene expression in hASCs treated with serum from individuals with HO. Furthermore, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was activated in hASCs following serum exposure from individuals with HO. Serum from both military and civilian patients with trauma induced HO had elevated downstream genes associated with the MAPK pathways. Stimulation of hASCs with known regulators of osteogenesis (BMP2, IL6, Forskolin, and WNT3A) failed to recapitulate the gene signature observed in hASCs following serum stimulation, suggesting non-canonical mechanisms for gene regulation in trauma induced HO. These findings provide new insight for the development of HO and support ongoing work linking the systemic response to injury with wound specific outcomes.

Retrospective studies using large databases serve a major purpose in providing evidence in the current literature. However, the quality of medical coding is highly variable. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the documentation regarding the diagnosis of heterotopic ossification (HO) and the implications it may have for conducting retrospective research using electronic medical records (EMRs). A retrospective chart review using the EMR was performed to identify all patients with a diagnosis of HO within 7 university-affiliated hospital facilities. A limited data set request was conducted for all patients with HO-specific International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes and additional nonspecific musculoskeletal codes to capture patients with HO who were improperly coded. A total of 522 patients were identified—26 patients with specific HO codes and 496 patients with nonspecific codes. Imaging and clinical notes were inspected for evidence and location of HO, and histories were reviewed for traumatic injury mechanism. Two-thirds of the patients with HO were discovered by reviewing miscellaneous musculoskeletal ICD-9 codes. Thirty-eight percent of the patients with an HO-specific ICD-9 code had no evidence of HO in their EMR. Thirty-three patients had a clinical history of a traumatic injury preceding HO formation, but only 16 of the 33 had documented ICD-9 codes for the injury. The utility of databases in retrospective research is dependent on the integrity of the coding. This study questions the use of retrospective reviews for patients with uncommon diagnoses and shows how painstaking verification may be necessary to ensure that research conclusions are based on accurate data. [ Orthopedics. 2017; 40(4):237–241.]

Pseudoaneurysms are uncommon in patients with trauma, but can cause diagnostic difficulty and result in significant morbidity. Etiologies range from penetrating and nonpenetrating trauma to operative injury during fracture fixation, arthroscopy, total joint arthroplasty, and hardware loosening and removal. Pseudoaneurysms can conspicuously present as a pulsatile mass with an audible bruit, or as a subtly expanding hematoma. In either case, the complications can be serious if diagnosed late. The authors report a case of a pseudoaneurysm arising from the descending geniculate artery following a tibial plateau fracture. This was suspected following a slowly expanding hematoma and persistent anemia refractory to transfusion. Computed tomography angiography was used for confirmation. Successful treatment was accomplished with embolization, surgical evacuation of the hematoma, delayed skin grafting, and fracture fixation. The postoperative outcome was satisfactory, with complete wound healing, functional but decreased range of motion, normal perfusion distal to the injury, and the sole report of mild intermittent knee pain. [ Orthopedics. 2017; 40(1):e188–e191.]

OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether insurance is an unrecognized factor that plays a role in determining whether a patient receives surgery. METHODS A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was performed using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project data for Florida in the year 2010. Discharge level data from emergency departments and ambulatory surgery settings were used to identify clavicle fractures by International Classification of Diseases 9 codes 81,000, 81,002, and 81,003. Internal fixation was identified using the Current Procedural Terminology code 23,515. Clavicle fractures that did not result in a Current Procedural Terminology code of 23,515 were assumed to have been managed nonoperatively. Multivariate logistic regression, allowing for intragroup correlation among surgeons, was used to determine the influence of payer source on treatment modality adjusting for race, age, number of chronic conditions, and sex. RESULTS In total, there were 7858 clavicle fractures that met criteria for inclusion. Observations were removed from the analysis if there was missing personal demographic data or if the ability to track patients from the emergency department to follow-up care was not possible. Therefore, the final sample consisted of 5185 clavicle fractures of which 233 received internal fixation (4.5%). The odds of a patient with private insurance receiving internal fixation was 7.58 times [95% confidence interval (CI) = (4.04 to -14.21), P < 0.001] greater than a self-pay patient, all else being held constant. Patients defined by "other" sources of coverage, a group that includes worker's compensation, CHAMPUS (military), CHAMPVA (veterans), or other government insurance other than Medicare and Medicaid were also associated with an increased likelihood of receiving internal fixation by a factor of 6.80 (95% CI = 3.15, 14.64, P < 0.001) relative to self-pay patients, all else being held constant. The likelihood of patients with Medicare or Medicaid receiving internal fixation did not differ statistically from self-pay patients. CONCLUSIONS Patients with any form of insurance, when compared with the self-pay, Medicare, and Medicaid populations, had a higher likelihood of operative intervention in Florida in 2010. This may represent an unintended trend in treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Open-book pelvic fractures (OBPF) with concomitant intra-abdominal injuries carry a high morbidity and mortality; the significance of associated perineal open wound (OBPF-POW) has not been defined. We hypothesize that the presence of perineal open wounds increases morbidity, mortality, and concomitant use of hospital resources. Patients diagnosed with OBPF over a 5-year period at a Level I trauma center were identified by trauma registry review, and were retrospectively reviewed under an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. Patients with OBPF without a perineal open wound were compared with those with OBPF-POW. Data collected included patient demographics, injury details, management, and outcomes. A total of 1,635 patients with blunt pelvic fractures were identified, of which 177 (10.8%) had OBPF. OBPF-POW (36/177) significantly increased the use of angioembolization, occurrence of sepsis, pelvic sepsis, ARDS, and multi-organ system failure. Patients with OBPF-POW had an increase of 13 days in length of hospitalization compared with the OBPF group ( P < 0.001), with cost of $120,647.30 and $62,952.72 respectively ( P < 0.001). Perineal open wounds complicate open-book pelvic fractures with significant increase in hospital resource utilization. Aggressive multidisciplinary evaluation and management is appropriate to detect and prevent complications.

As nonfatal firearm-related injuries continue to increase, calculating the financial cost these injuries have on an urban trauma center may help justify funding for intervention programs. The impact these injuries have on orthopedic resident education may lead to changes in the training of some urban-based programs. This is a retrospective review of patients with an acute firearm-related injury from 2007 to 2013 at Louisiana State University Interim Public Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. All patients with a diagnosis of an acute gunshot wound on presentation to the emergency department were included in the study. Patients with complications from a previous gunshot wound or treatment of that wound were excluded. A total of 3617 patient encounters were identified that met this criteria. The total amount billed by the hospital over the study period was $141,995,682 while collecting $30,922,953. The actual hospital costs from these encounters was $73,572,892, giving the hospital a loss of $42,649,938. Of the 3617 patient encounters, 59% required orthopedic consultation. Of that consultation group, 25% required inpatient orthopedic surgical intervention. Acute gunshot wounds accounted for 23% of orthopedic trauma consultations and 13% of the orthopedic daily census. The financial data provide justification from an economic perspective for funding intervention programs aimed at decreasing firearm-related injury. In addition, the proportion of orthopedic surgical training spent on firearm-related injury provides program directors of urban-based programs with valuable information, although no conclusions can be drawn as to the effect on orthopedic surgical education. [ Orthopedics. 2016; 39(1):e57–e61.]

Previously described techniques using external fixators or large distractors can simplify the closed nailing of tibia fractures and nonunions. However, delayed intramedullary nailing can be especially challenging when significant shortening or translation has occurred. We present a modification of an old technique for external fixator-assisted closed tibial nailing in these difficult cases.

The force-velocity property of passive muscle was investigated to determine if a discontinuity of slope occurred at zero velocity. Isolated, unstimulated whole frog sartorius muscles were subjected to constant-velocity stretches and releases using a servo-controlled lever. The force due to damping (Δ T ) was calculated by subtracting the tension measured at a very low speed (1.0 mm s −1 ) from the tension measured at the same length while the muscle was shortening or lengthening at a particular test speed. The experiments were performed over a range of speeds at each of several lengths and at two temperatures. For comparison, the same experiments were performed using a strip of pure latex rubber and a steel spring. Curves showing the magnitude of Δ T vs velocity were nearly symmetric about the zero-velocity axis for the steel spring and the rubber strip, but were markedly asymmetric for passive muscle, showing a positive Δ T for lengthening at all speeds that was between four and 11 times the negative Δ T for shortening at the same speed, depending on the temperature and initial stretch length. The force due to damping at a given speed increased with extension above the rest length in passive muscle but decreased with increasing length in experiments using the latex strip. Predictions obtained from a mathematical model based on a damping element in series with a lightly damped spring were fitted to the experimental measurements of Δ T vs velocity. The damping parameter provisionally representing interfilamentary sliding was between six and 12 times larger for lengthening than for shortening. We conclude that the force-velocity curve in passive whole muscle, as in activated muscle, is asymmetric about zero velocity. Furthermore, the slope of the force-velocity curve is discontinuous at zero velocity.