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BACKGROUND CONTEXT: In an effort to efficiently deliver high-value spine surgical care, spine surgery clinics may triage new patient referrals. A triage system with attending surgeon review of referred patient images may improve the surgical conversion rate (SCR) of a spine surgical clinic, and shift the distribution of new patients in clinic toward those most likely to derive benefit from surgery. PURPOSE: To quantify SCR and number of triage steps by referral source in a tertiary referral spine clinic where all referrals are triaged by attending surgeons. DESIGN: All spine surgery clinic patients seen for a new patient visit (NPV) at an academic medical center over a one-year period had their triage process and outcome (surgery or no surgery) reviewed. PATIENT SAMPLE: The 1398 new adult patients seen for elective spine pathology were queried. OUTCOME MEASURES: SCR was defined as the percentage of new patients who underwent elective spine surgery within 18 months of NPV. Triage steps were defined as an action item by triage staff (ie, obtaining patient records) or by the patient (ie, undergoing additional imaging). METHODS: All new patient visits were evaluated for referral source, number of triage steps, and triage outcome. Time from referral to NPV, and time from NPV to surgery were also recorded. SCR, triage steps, and time-intervals were calculated for each surgeon and referral source and compared. Statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to ascertain differences. RESULTS: The overall SCR for the 4-surgeon group was 41.6%. This ranged among the surgeons from 24.7% to 60.1%. The referral sources with the highest SCR were in-system spine advanced practice providers (APPs) and in-system physical medicine and rehabilitation providers. Spine APPs also demonstrated the smoothest referral process, requiring the fewest steps. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide a framework for assessment of triage processes at other institutions, as well as the impact of upgrades to our triage process as we work to improve triage efficiency. In the present study, referrals from providers familiar with spine pathology resulted in the highest SCR and fewest triage steps.

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PURPOSE: To evaluate clinically relevant fracture characteristics by age, sex, and ambulatory status among individuals with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Fracture location, energy of fracture, and activities that lead to a fracture were assessed among a clinic-based sample of children (0-17 years; n = 57) and adults (18-70 years; n = 58) with cerebral palsy that sustained a fracture by sex and gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) I-III vs. IV/V. RESULTS: Proportion of fractures that were low-energy was 67-99% for children and 69-84% for adults. ∼2/3rds of fractures were at the lower extremities, with the distal femur being the most common site for children (44%) and the foot/ankle for adults (40%); however, there were age, sex, and ambulatory effects, such that 43% of adults GMFCS IV/V and 32% of women had a distal femur fracture. GMFCS I-III were more likely to fracture from functionally complex activities, while GMFCS IV/V were more likely to fracture from wheelchair/transfers/limb-stuck and incidental findings. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of fractures were low-energy and occurred in the lower extremities, with effects by age, sex, and GMFCS. Activities that led to a fracture also differed by age and GMFCS, which can be used to design fracture prevention interventions in addition to bolstering skeletal mass and architecture.Implications for rehabilitationSkeletal fragility is a major problem for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) across the lifespan leading to an increased risk of fragility fractures.Rehabilitation is a prime clinical intervention to prevent fractures from occurring and improving post-fracture healing and function; yet, effective rehabilitation interventions require knowledge of fracture characteristics, such as where fractures are occurring and the activities that lead to the fracture event specific to individuals with CP.Using a clinic-based sample of 0-70 year olds with CP, we describe salient fracture characteristics based on age, sex, and ambulatory status to enhance translation into clinical and rehabilitation practice.

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BACKGROUND: Regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces (RPNIs) transduce neural signals to provide high-fidelity control of neuroprosthetic devices. Traditionally, rat RPNIs are constructed with ~150 mg of free skeletal muscle grafts. It is unknown whether larger free muscle grafts allow RPNIs to transduce greater signal. METHODS: RPNIs were constructed by securing skeletal muscle grafts of various masses (150, 300, 600, or 1200 mg) to the divided peroneal nerve. In the control group, the peroneal nerve was transected without repair. Endpoint assessments were conducted 3 mo postoperatively. RESULTS: Compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs), maximum tetanic isometric force, and specific muscle force were significantly higher for both the 150 and 300 mg RPNI groups compared to the 600 and 1200 mg RPNIs. Larger RPNI muscle groups contained central areas lacking regenerated muscle fibers. CONCLUSIONS: Electrical signaling and tissue viability are optimal in smaller as opposed to larger RPNI constructs in a rat model.

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Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) have an increased risk for the early development of osteoporosis; however, little is known about the epidemiology of osteoporosis for adults with CP, which is vital to inform clinical practice for osteoporosis prevention, treatment, and management. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine sex-stratified prevalence of osteoporosis among adults with CP, as compared with adults without CP. Data from 2016 were extracted from Optum Clinformatics Data Mart (private insurance administrative claims data) and a random 20% sample from the fee-for-service Medicare (public insurance administrative claims data). Diagnostic codes were used to identify CP and osteoporosis diagnoses. Sex-stratified prevalence of osteoporosis was compared between adults with and without CP for the following age groups: 18 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, and >70 years of age. The overall prevalence of osteoporosis was 4.8% for adults without CP (n = 8.7 million), 8.4% for privately insured adults with CP (n = 7,348), and 14.3% for publicly insured adults with CP (n = 21,907). Women and men with CP had a higher prevalence of osteoporosis compared with women and men without CP for all age groups. Finally, publicly insured women and men with CP had a higher prevalence of osteoporosis compared with privately insured women and men with CP for all age groups, except for the similar prevalence among the 18- to 30-year age group. These findings suggest that osteoporosis is more prevalent among adults with CP compared with adults without CP. Study findings highlight the need for earlier screening and preventive medical services for osteoporosis management among adults with CP. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

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OBJECTIVE: Adults with cerebral palsy have an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis. However, little is known about the epidemiology of osteoarthritis among this vulnerable population. The objectives of this study were to compare the prevalence of osteoarthritis between adults with and without cerebral palsy, and to determine how the prevalence of osteoarthritis changes throughout adulthood for each group. DESIGN: Data were extracted from the 2016 Optum Clinformatics® Data Mart, a nationwide database of de-identified US insurance claims, containing medical and pharmacy information on beneficiaries. SUBJECTS: International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD-10) codes were used to identify adults (18+ years) with (n = 7,348) and without (n = 8.7 million) cerebral palsy. METHODS: ICD-10 codes were used to identify osteoarthritis. Prevalence of osteoarthritis was compared between adults with and without cerebral palsy before and after adjusting for age and sex. The prevalence of any type of osteoarthritis was compared between men and women with and without cerebral palsy, stratified by the following age groups: 18-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, and > 70 years. RESULTS: Adults with cerebral palsy had higher prevalence and adjusted odds of any, poly, hip, knee, and other/unspecified osteoarthritis (odds ratio (OR): 1.3-2.1; p < 0.001), but not hand osteoarthritis (OR: 0.86; p = 0.46). Men and women with cerebral palsy had a higher prevalence of any osteoarthritis compared with adults without cerebral palsy across all age groups (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Privately-insured adults with cerebral palsy had a higher prevalence of osteoarthritis compared with adults without cerebral palsy across the adult lifespan.

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BACKGROUND: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) are at an increased risk for age-related morbidities due to functional impairments, maladapted growth, and altered body composition. While musculoskeletal (MSK) deficits are present in children, little is understood about MSK morbidity throughout the lifespan in those with CP. The purpose of this study was to examine the age-related trajectories of MSK morbidity and multimorbidity throughout adulthood in those with CP. METHODS: A clinic-based sample of adults with CP (n = 1395; ≥18 years) was examined to determine prevalence of MSK morbidities at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Logistic regression was used to determine the effects of age on individual MSK morbidities and multimorbidity (i.e., ≥2 morbidities) after adjusting for sex, race, weight, and smoking. RESULTS: With the 18-30 year age group as the reference, the adjusted odds of osteopenia was lower in the 41-50 and >50 year age groups, the odds of osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis was higher in 41-50 and >50 year age groups, and the odds of osteoarthritis was higher in 31-40, 41-50, and >50 year age groups. The adjusted odds of MSK multimorbidity increased substantially with increasing age for 31-40 year olds (OR: 1.919; 95% CI 1.05-3.52), 41-50 year olds (OR: 4.30; 95% CI 2.40-7.69), and >50 year olds (OR: 6.05; 95% CI 3.56-10.27). CONCLUSIONS: Adults with CP are at high risk for MSK morbidities across all ages. Future studies are needed to examine the global aging trajectories of MSK health among adults with CP. Study findings highlight the importance of maximizing MSK accretion, and developing programs to assist individuals with CP and their caregivers to maintain MSK mass and function throughout the lifespan.

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PURPOSE: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) are at increased risk for frailty and chronic disease due to factors experienced throughout the lifespan, such as excessive sedentary behaviors and malnutrition. However, little is known about noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and multimorbidity profiles in young adults with CP. The study objective was to compare NCD and multimorbidity profiles between young adults with and without CP. METHODS: A clinic-based sample of adults (18-30 years) with (n=452) and without (n=448) CP was examined at the University of Michigan Medical Center. The prevalence and predictors of 13 NCDs were evaluated, including existing diagnoses or historical record of musculoskeletal, cardiometabolic, and pulmonary morbidities. The level of motor impairment was determined by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and stratified by less vs more severe motor impairment (GMFCS I-III vs IV-V). Logistic regression was used to determine the odds of NCD morbidity and multimorbidity in adults with CP compared to adults without CP, and for GMFCS IV-V compared to GMFCS I-III in those with CP, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and smoking. RESULTS: Adults with CP had a higher prevalence of osteopenia, osteoporosis, hypertension, myocardial infarction, hyperlipidemia, asthma, and multimorbidity compared to adults without CP, and higher odds of musculoskeletal (odds ratio [OR]: 6.97) and cardiometabolic morbidity (OR: 1.98), and multimorbidity (OR: 2.67). Adults with CP with GMFCS levels IV-V had a higher prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, hypertension, other cardiovascular conditions, pulmonary embolism, and multimorbidity, and higher odds of musculoskeletal (OR: 3.41), cardiometabolic (OR: 2.05), pulmonary morbidity (OR: 1.42), and multimorbidity (OR: 3.45) compared to GMFCS I-III. CONCLUSION: Young adults with CP have a higher prevalence of chronic NCDs and multimorbidity compared to young adults without CP, which is pronounced in those with more severe motor impairment. These findings reiterate the importance of early screening for prevention of NCDs in CP.

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INTRODUCTION: Neck burn sequelae remain a major challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. To achieve satisfactory functional and aesthetic results, the anterior neck aesthetic unit must be covered as a single unit. In cases where free flaps are required, harvesting a flap of sufficient size can cause major donor site morbidity. In 1994, we published our favorable 6-year experience of reconstructing neck burn sequelae with an extended circumflex scapular flap (ECSF). Since then, we have made several modifications to the technique, resulting in improved long-term functional and aesthetic results. Herein, we present our 30-year, 150-patient experience with the ECSF flap for the treatment of anterior neck burn sequelae. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 150 consecutive patients who underwent ECSF procedure for neck resurfacing performed or supervised by the senior author from 1986 to 2015. All cases were assessed for function, aesthetics, satisfaction, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 160 ECSFs were used in 150 patients. Ninety-nine patients were available for updated follow-up [1-30 years (mean, 15.3)]. At the last follow-up, 92 patients regained full range of motion, and 90 patients had acceptable cervicomental angle (<110°). The mean patient satisfaction score was 4.8/5. Nine flaps (5.6%) failed completely and were successfully replaced. Twenty-two patients (15%) had distal necrosis of the flap. Fifteen of these 22 patients underwent complementary flaps to replace the necrotic area, and all 15 patients regained full range of motion. CONCLUSIONS: For neck burn sequelae, the ECSF provides safe and effective long-term functional and aesthetic results with minimal donor site morbidity.

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