Study Evaluates Trends in Evidence Level and Authorship in Foot and Ankle Literature
A study published in the February issue of the Journal of the AAOS: Global Research & Reviews ® analyzed changes in level of evidence and author geography in foot and ankle publications between 1994 and 2019. A total of 1,242 studies from Foot & Ankle International, The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, and The American Journal of Sports Medicine were evaluated. The average level of evidence utilized increased over time, from 3.96 ± 1.01 to 3.19 ± 0.97. Authorship from outside of the United States rose from 219 percent in 1994 to 55.2 percent in 2009 and remained consistent between 2009 and 2019.
Study Compares Stability of Locking Plate Fixation for Periprosthetic Humerus Fractures
A study published online in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery compared stability among different methods of locking plate fixation for the treatment of periprosthetic fractures of the proximal humerus following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). Cemented RTSA was performed in five shoulders, inducing distal, mid-diaphysis humeral fractures. Osteosynthesis was performed using 4.5 mm locking plate fixation by itself or with either additional 3.5 mm locking plates or additional Kirschner wire cerclage. Strain from daily living was simulated and measured. There were no significant differences in strain found among the various locking plate fixation methods.
Study: Predictors of Poor Prognosis After Hip Arthroscopy in Patients with FAI
A study published online in Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy evaluated predictors of outcomes among patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) who underwent hip arthroscopy. During an average 5.8 years of follow-up, 82 of 452 patients (18.1 percent) had poor prognosis requiring conversion to prosthesis. Variables associated with increased prosthesis conversion risk were fourth-degree acetabular labrum articular disruption chondral injury, preoperative radiographic grade 2 Tönnis classification, age older than 55 years, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score higher than 45 points, and Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living score lower than 50 points.
Study Evaluates Mechanics of A2 and A4 Flexor Pulley Repair with Tendon Graft Rings
A study published online in The Journal of Hand Surgery evaluated mechanics of A2 and combined A2-A4 pulley repair in intact and damaged flexor pulley systems. Tendon excursion and flexion were measured in 11 fingers following either complete excision of A2 and A4, A2 repair with one tendon graft ring, two-ring A2 repair, or two-ring A2 repair combined with one-ring A4 repair. Compared to unrepaired samples, all interventions increased flexion at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metacarpophalangeal joints. Combined A2-A4 pulley repair most closely approximated kinematic behavior at the PIP joint, while two-ring A2 repair was the least similar.
Study: Inter- and Intraobserver Agreement Using AOSpine Sacral Fracture Classification
A study published online in The Spine Journal conducted an independent evaluation of inter- and intraobserver agreement using the AOSpine sacral fracture classification system. CT scans of 80 patients with sacral fractures were classified by six evaluators using AOSpine morphologic grading and then were reevaluated by the same team after a four-week interval. There was significant inter- and intraobserver agreement regarding fracturing severity types. Fracture subtype identification was associated with high intraobserver agreement, but only moderate interobserver agreement.
Study Finds Mostly Successful Surgical Outcomes for Pediatric Acetabular Fractures
A study presented at the virtual Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association found that in a series of pediatric patients with acetabular fractures managed operatively, outcomes were generally successful, with a low early complication rate and a low rate of post-traumatic arthritis, as well as a very low rate of conversion to total hip arthroplasty. Only a small percentage of patients had open triradiate physeal cartilage, but those patients had good outcomes.
The recipients of the annual Kappa Delta Awards and the Orthopaedic Research Education Foundation (OREF) Clinical Research Award were announced during the Orthopaedic Research Society meeting currently underway. The following recipients were honored for their achievements in the field of orthopaedic research and their efforts to advance patient care:
