RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a procedure performed in the United States for a variety of indications, with operation rates slated to increase over 275 % by 2040 when compared to 2014 (Thilak et al., 2015). Dual-mobility (DM) implants have gained popularity in the United States since gaining approval in the early 2010s (Heckmann et al., 2020). It has been well reported that DM implants decrease the risk of dislocation after primary and revision THA (Vielpeau et al., 2011; Donovan et al., 2022; Heifner et al., 2023; Foissey et al., 2023; Schmidt et al., 2020; Neri et al., 2019). CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 33-year-old male with a suspected ankylosing spondylitis (AS) diagnosis and bilateral bony ankylosis of the hips who underwent staged THA with modular dual-mobility (MDM) implants. At one year post-operatively, the patient is walking without the use of an assistive device and reports a VAS pain score of 0 at rest and 2 with activity and HHS of 90. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Implant selection is important in this patient population due to the increased risk of dislocation. Contemporary reports reveal MDM implants have demonstrated a substantial reduction in dislocation risk compared to fixed-bearing implants in patients with a high risk of dislocation. We opted to place the acetabular component inside the safe zone to improve stability and use the dual-mobility prosthesis to achieve our desired range of motion. CONCLUSION: The improved stability of DM implants allows for a greater range of acetabular positions in patients who have a highly unpredictable functional outcome at the time of surgery. Our preliminary results contribute to the growing list of indications for MDM total hip arthroplasty.

RESUMEN

We present two cases of complex metacarpal fractures treated with an intramedullary locking nail. This is an emerging fixation method that minimizes tissue insult, provides sufficient stability, and allows early mobilization. Locking nails accommodate the capture of fractured fragments in complex unstable patterns and provide longitudinal and rotational stability. The described intrafocal technique is intended to improve coaxial placement of the wire into the medullary canal.

RESUMEN

Purpose: Release of the first dorsal compartment is a described technique during volar approach for distal radius fracture fixation. Our objective was to determine whether release of the first dorsal compartment during volar approach for distal radius fracture fixation impacted corresponding symptoms in pre-existing de Quervain disease. Methods: A prospective, randomized cohort study was performed with patients grouped for release (release group) or no release (control group) of the first dorsal compartment during volar approach for distal radius fracture fixation. Inclusion required a confirmed diagnosis of de Quervain disease within the 12 months preceding a distal radius fracture. Results: Patients in the release group were significantly less symptomatic than those in the control group at 3 and 6 months after surgery. Lateral pinch strength in the release group was significantly greater than that in the control group at 3 and 6 months after surgery. Conclusions: The current results demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in de Quervain disease symptoms in the release group compared with the no release group during the short-term follow-up. This indicates that routine first dorsal compartment release during distal radius fracture fixation may expedite symptom relief in patients with de Quervain disease. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic I.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) defined the acceptable threshold for elective safe surgery as a body mass index (BMI) under 40 due to the increased risk of complications. A consequence of this recommendation has been a hard cutoff based on BMI, which restricts access to care for an increasingly large and diverse population. There is an improved understanding that excess adipose tissue confers additional risk for postoperative complications, including infection, through mechanical and physiologic mechanisms. But it is unclear if BMI is an accurate indicator of adiposity in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients and, thus, whether BMI is capturing clinically relevant information in obese patients. Our objective was to determine the relationship between peri-incisional adiposity (PIA) and BMI in a consecutive series of diverse primary TJA patients. METHODS: A consecutive series of patients indicated for primary TJA were preoperatively evaluated. For each patient, the following variables were collected: BMI, and measures of peri-incisional adiposity (PIA) on radiographs and ultrasounds. RESULTS: In THA patients (N = 99), Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) = 0.436, which indicates a moderate correlation between BMI and adiposity. In TKA patients (N = 271), r = 0.395 for femoral PIA (FPIA) and r = 0.249 for tibial PIA (TPIA), which indicates a weak correlation between BMI and adiposity measured on radiography. In TKA patients, r = 0.560 for FPIA and r = 0.544 for TPIA, which indicates a moderate correlation between BMI and adiposity measured on ultrasound. CONCLUSION: Quantification of obesity has become common practice in the preoperative evaluation of primary TJA patients. The intent is to determine the magnitude of adipose tissue, which is one of the main drivers of postoperative complications in obesity. The BMI is ubiquitously used as a proxy for obesity due to its simplicity of attainment and calculation. We report that BMI has a weak to moderate association with peri-incisional adiposity in this population. These findings indicate that BMI may not accurately represent the condition of peri-incisional adipose tissue and, thus, is not capturing the relevant obesity data for preoperative risk stratification in primary total joint arthroplasty patients.

RESUMEN

SUMMARY: Longitudinal forearm instability is a consequence of interosseous ligament complex disruption. Radiographic identifiers should alert the surgeon to the disrupted structures. Understanding the injury pattern can simplify the treatment process. The clinical presentation will vary based on the involved interosseous ligament components. The surgeon should aim to restore the anatomic radioulnar relationship and then address the remaining pathology as needed. The central band is the foundational structure that maintains this relationship and should be addressed in each injury pattern when disrupted. In this study, we describe rare forms of longitudinal forearm instability.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

SUMMARY: Hand rotation and the ability to apply force and overcome external load are due to the coordinated activity of forearm bones, the interosseous ligament, and involved muscles. The following review is a detailed description of the anatomy and mechanics which illustrates how the forearm works.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

SUMMARY: The classic Essex-Lopresti injury (ELI) pattern is a radial head fracture and disruption of the central band, which compromises the longitudinal radioulnar relationship. Delayed recognition and inappropriate treatment of ELI can be devasting to a patient's function. The recent literature has demonstrated an improved understanding of the mechanism of ELI. This has facilitated early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and compelling outcomes. Further investigation will contribute to the standardization of treatment methods and algorithms for concomitant injury.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

SUMMARY: The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is vital to the stability and function of the wrist and forearm. The osseous morphology is variable and provides little stability. A complex of confluent soft tissues is the primary stabilizer; however, the contribution of each component has yet to be elucidated. It has become increasingly clear that the anatomic fixation of distal radius fractures restores DRUJ stability, obviating the need for additional DRUJ stabilization. This review will describe the anatomy and biomechanics of the DRUJ and discuss injury patterns, treatments, and clinical results.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: O'Driscoll popularized the principle of linked column fixation for distal humerus fractures. Despite the linked column concept being widely accepted, there are few reported techniques to accomplish this goal. A novel device was designed based on the principles of linked columns. An interlocking beam is used to connect the medial and lateral plates, creating a unified fixed angle construct. Our primary objective was to report clinical outcomes across multiple institutions for a linking beam used in distal humerus fracture fixation. METHODS: A retrospective series was collected from 5 institutions for the TiBeam (Skeletal Dynamics) with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Acute and chronic treatment of distal humerus fracture patterns and all plate configurations were included for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 36 cases were collected at a mean age of 52 years and a mean follow-up of 19.3 months. AO C-type fractures were 56% of the series. The median Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 85 (interquartile range [IQR] 76.3-90), the median DASH was 21.4 (IQR 15.9-30), and the median score on the visual analog scale for pain during activities of daily living was 3.5 (IQR 2-5). An olecranon osteotomy was used in 86% of cases, and an anatomic plate was used for fixation of the osteotomy in 94% of those cases. There were 3 cases of olecranon plate removal for a rate across the series of 13.7%. DISCUSSION: Our short-term results demonstrate satisfactory clinical outcomes with low rates of revision for distal humerus fracture fixed with a linking beam. Further, the rate of removal for the olecranon osteotomy plate was lower than historical reports for aggregate methods of osteotomy fixation.

RESUMEN

Purpose: To review the recent literature to provide an updated characterization of capsule closure techniques in hip arthroscopy and to determine if the characteristics of closure impacted clinical outcomes. Methods: In keeping with the Preferred Reporting in Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review was performed with the following eligibility criteria: patients over 18 years of age who underwent primary hip arthroscopy with reporting of patient reported outcome measures or revision/failure, and a sufficiently detailed description of capsule closure. The GRADE framework evaluated study quality, and ROBINS-I evaluated the risk of bias. Results: Across 18 studies (N = 3277) an interportal capsulotomy was reported in 12 studies (1972/3277) cases, and a T-type capsulotomy was reported in six studies (1305/3277) cases). Six studies reported using #2 suture. Nonabsorbable suture was reported in six studies, and absorbable suture in six studies. The rate of failure was 10.5% across five studies (N = 1133) and the rate of revision was 4.4% across 13 studies (N = 2957). Conclusions: Capsule closure is commonly performed with #2 high strength suture-the T-type using two to three sutures in the vertical limb and two to three in the transverse limb, and the interportal type using two to three sutures. Compared to earlier reports, there is a trend for increased utilization of T-type capsulotomy. Although there is a growing body of investigations into the efficacy of routine capsule closure following hip arthroscopy, our results demonstrate infrequent and inconsistent reporting of capsule closure characteristics. Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of Level I-IV studies.

RESUMEN

CASE: A 14-year-old adolescent boy with SCN1B mutation experienced frequent seizures and recurrent elbow dislocation, occurring up to 30 times per day. Following failed conservative treatment, the decision was made to surgically repair the lateral collateral ligament complex and stabilize the elbow with the internal joint stabilizer (IJS). At more than 3 years postoperatively, the patient has not had a dislocation event and will retain the device for the foreseeable future to maintain predictable elbow stability. CONCLUSION: Although there is scant evidence supporting the use of the IJS in pediatric cases, the current case supports its use in pediatric elbow instability.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

CASE: A 34-year-old man was acutely treated with radial head arthroplasty and central band repair following Essex-Lopresti injury. A 38-year-old man presented with chronic longitudinal instability following failed radial head arthroplasty, which was performed for failed fixation. Treatment with revision radial head arthroplasty and central band reconstruction restored longitudinal stability. CONCLUSION: We have a low threshold to repair the central band in acute Essex-Lopresti injury with sufficient evidence of disruption. Nearly all chronic cases require central band reconstruction to restore longitudinal stability. We do not temporarily pin the DRUJ, and distal ulnar shortening is rarely indicated.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Background: Despite surgical reestablishment of the supporting structures, instability may often persist in traumatic elbow injury. In these cases, a temporary internal or external fixator may be indicated to unload the repaired structures and maintain joint concentricity. Aggregate data are needed to characterize the risk of complication between external fixation (ExFix) and the internal joint stabilizer (IJS) when used for traumatic elbow instability. Our objective was to review the literature to compare the complication profile between external fixation and the IJS. Methods: A database query was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome characteristics for eligibility were the following: for patients over 18 years clinical outcomes were compared between an ExFix or the IJS for acute or chronic elbow instability. The Cochran risk of bias in nonrandomized studies of interventions and grades of recommendation, assessment, development, and evaluation framework were compiled for risk of bias and quality assessment. Results: The rate of recurrent instability was 4.1% in the IJS group (N = 171) and 7.0% in the ExFix group (N = 435), with an odds ratio of 1.93 (95% confidence interval 0.88-4.23). The rate of device failure was 4.4% in the IJS group and 4.1% in the ExFix group. Pin-related complications occurred in 14.6% of ExFix cases. Complications in the IJS group were the following: 1 case of inflammatory reaction, 4 cases of post removal surgical site infection, and 5 symptomatic removals. Discussion: The literature demonstrates a distinct difference in complication profile between external fixation and the IJS when used as treatment for traumatic elbow instability. Although not statistically significant, the higher rate of recurrent instability following external fixation may be clinically important. The high rate of pin-related complications with external fixation is notable.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The incidence of radial head fractures is increasing, and radial head arthroplasty (RHA) is being more frequently used as treatment for irreparable fractures. Our objective was to compare radiocapitellar pressure between the native joint and 2 radial head prosthesis conditions: (1) a prosthetic head that was aligned to the forearm axis of rotation and (2) the same prosthesis with an axisymmetric nonaligned head. METHODS: Ten cadaveric specimens received a pressfit radial head prosthesis (Align; Skeletal Dynamics) for both prosthetic testing conditions. Anatomic alignment (AL) was defined as the prosthetic head aligned to the forearm axis of rotation. Axisymmetric alignment (AX) was defined as the prosthetic radial head aligned to the axis of the prosthetic stem. Axial load was applied with the elbow in extension and the forearm pronated. Data were collected using a Tekscan 4000 sensor. RESULTS: The mean pressure in the AL and AX groups were significantly higher than the mean pressure in the native joint. Compared with the native joint, the mean pressure was 19% higher in the AL group and 56% higher in the AX group. Peak pressure beyond 5 MPa occurred in 0 specimens in the native joint group, in 1 specimen (10%) in the AL group, and in 5 specimens (50%) in the AX group. DISCUSSION: Our results demonstrated that a pressfit radial head prosthesis aligned with the forearm axis of rotation yields capitellar pressures that were more similar to the native condition than a nonaligned pressfit prosthesis. These findings suggest that anatomic alignment may optimize capitellar wear properties, improving the long-term durability of radial head arthroplasty.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is supported by an array of dynamic and static stabilizers, of which the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is the most important, and the distal interosseous ligament is next in importance. The distal oblique band (DOB) is an identifiable component of the distal interosseous ligament, found in a subset of the population. Our objective was to determine the contribution of the DOB to DRUJ stability in the presence of a disrupted TFCC. METHODS: Twenty-three above-elbow specimens were prepared by removing the TFCC and the DRUJ joint capsule, preserving the distal interosseous ligament and the pronator quadratus. Cadavers were stratified into two groups-those with, and those without a DOB. A bone plate and screws were attached to the ulna; then, a transverse load was applied to failure, creating a diastasis between the radius and ulna. RESULTS: The group with a DOB had a mean load at failure of 160.7 ± 46.5 N. The group without a DOB had a mean load at failure of 148.0 ± 26.3 N. Stiffness prior to failure was 16.9 N/mm in the group with a DOB and 12.4 N/mm in the group without a DOB. CONCLUSIONS: The current results indicate that the DOB may not substantially contribute to DRUJ stability in the presence of a disrupted TFCC. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Stability of the DRUJ after TFCC injury may not be substantially improved by the presence of a DOB. Thus, the clinical importance of DOB reconstruction remains unclear.

RESUMEN

Purpose: The goal of surgical management for unstable elbow injuries is the restoration of joint concentricity and stability. After internal fixation, concerns may exist regarding instability or durability of the fixation construct. Historically, these scenarios were treated with options such as transarticular pinning or external fixation. Recently, an internal joint stabilizer (IJS) that allows postoperative mobilization was introduced. Our objective was to systematically review the literature to aggregate the clinical and biomechanical evidence for the IJS of the elbow. Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed, following the PRISMA guidelines. The search results were narrowed from 2015 through 2023 to coincide with the inception of the device being reviewed. Results: A total of nine retrospective reports on the IJS (N = 171) cases at a mean follow-up of 10.8 months were included. The pooled rate of implant failure was 4.4%, and recurrent instability was 4.1%. Additionally, the we included seven case reports and two biomechanical reports. Conclusions: The aggregate literature describes satisfactory clinical outcomes with low rates of recurrent instability and device failure for the IJS of the elbow. The limited biomechanical investigations conclude efficacy for stability profiles. Clinical relevance: Across a spectrum of unstable elbow cases, the IJS prevented recurrent instability during the early postoperative period. Notably, the device requires an additional procedure for removal, and the long-term impact of the retained devices is currently unclear.

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: Improved understanding of the factors that predispose TKA patients to infection has considerable economic and medical impact. BMI is commonly used as a proxy for obesity to determine the risk of postoperative infection. However, this metric appears to be fraught with inconsistency in this application. BMI is a simple calculation which provides general insight into body habitus. But it fails to account for anatomic distribution of adipose tissue and the proportion of the mass that is skeletal muscle. Our objective was to review the literature to determine if local adiposity was more predictive than BMI for infection following TKA. METHODS: A database search was performed for the following PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome) characteristics: local measurements of adiposity (defined as soft tissue thickness or fat thickness or soft tissue envelope at the knee) in patients over 18 years of age treated with total knee arthroplasty used to determine the relationship between local adiposity and the risk of infection (defined as prosthetic joint infection or wound complication or surgical site infection). Quality was assessed using the GRADE framework and bias was assessed using ROBINS-I . RESULTS: Six articles (N=7081) met the inclusion criteria. Four of the six articles determined that adiposity was more associated with or was a better predictor for infection risk than BMI. One of the six articles concluded that increased adiposity was protective for short term infection and that BMI was not associated with the outcome of interest. One of the six articles determined that BMI was more strongly associated with PJI risk than soft tissue thickness. CONCLUSION: The use of adiposity as a proxy for obesity in preoperative evaluation of TKA patients is an emerging concept. Although limited by heterogeneity, the current literature suggests that local adiposity may be a more reliable predictor for infection than BMI following primary TKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV systematic review.

RESUMEN

Background: Dual-mobility (DM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) combines the stabilization advantage provided by large head articulation with the low friction advantage provided by small head articulation. There is momentum for DM to be used in a wider selection of patients, with some advocating for DM to be the routine primary total hip construct. Further investigation is needed to determine whether the use of DM in younger adults is validated by aggregate data. Our objective was to review the literature for the clinical performance of DM THA in patients aged 55 years and younger. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Inclusion in the review required clinical outcome reporting for DM primary THA in ambulatory patients aged 55 years or younger. The risk of bias was appraised using the Cochrane risk of bias in nonrandomized studies of interventions and the quality of the evidence was appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. Results: Across a sample of 1048 cases, the frequency weighted term of follow-up was 87.7 months. The pooled rate of revision was 9.5%. The Harris Hip Score significantly improved from 49.1 preoperatively to 93 postoperatively. The Postel-Merle d'Aubigné score significantly improved from 10.5 preoperatively to 17.1 postoperatively. Conclusions: The literature demonstrates satisfactory short-term outcomes with a mitigated risk of dislocation for DM used as primary THA in patients aged 55 years and younger. The current findings suggest that third-generation designs provide reduced rates of intraprosthetic dislocation and improved survivorship.

RESUMEN

Fractures of the phalanges encompass a wide range of injury patterns with variable articular and soft tissue involvement. The goals of treatment whether conservative or surgical are the restoration of function while limiting the risk of complications. An armamentarium of fixation options allows the surgeon to appropriately treat these fractures with the intention of initiating early postoperative mobilization. Previous publications report variable rates of complications following internal fixation of phalangeal fractures which represents an unsolved problem. It is incumbent on the surgeon to utilize meticulous surgical technique, achieve anatomic reduction with stable fixation and initiate early postoperative mobilization where indicated. In the following text, we review the management of most types of phalangeal fractures, except fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint. These injuries comprise a wide spectrum of presentation; thus, an understanding of anatomical and mechanical principles is integral to achieving a successful outcome.

Asunto(s)