Study Evaluates Risk for Elbow Joint Contracture after Elbow Fracture Repair
A retrospective study published in the Feb.15 issue of the Journal of the AAOS ® identified factors associated with post-traumatic elbow joint contracture following elbow fracture repair. A total of 278 patients treated for elbow fracture between 2011 and 2015 were included. After six months, 15 percent of the cohort (n = 42) developed notable elbow contracture, of which 69 percent (n = 29) subsequently developed heterotopic ossification. AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association type 13-C fracture, multiple noncontiguous fractures, and ulnohumeral dislocation were independently associated with contracture.
Study: Hip-specific Distractor in Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement
A study published online in PLOS One assessed the efficacy of using a hip-specific distractor when performing hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement. Fifty-six hip arthroscopies were retrospectively examined. Only one major complication was recorded, and no traction-related complications occurred. Upon analysis of the learning curve for this procedure, intervention time and postoperative satisfaction showed improvement after 30 cases performed.
Study Evaluates Intramedullary Nailing with Poller Screws for Tibial Shaft Fracture
A retrospective study published online in Injury evaluated outcomes of intramedullary nailing (IMN) with or without Poller screws for the treatment of tibial shaft fractures. A total of 154 tibial shaft fractures were divided into three groups: IMN alone, IMN plus one Poller screw, and IMN plus two Poller screws. Overall, 90.3 percent of fractures achieved a timely union. After five years of follow-up, 75 of 88 fractures treated with IMN alone completely healed compared to 44 of 46 fractures treated with IMN plus one Poller screw and all (n = 20/20) treated with two Poller screws. Rates of infection or additional procedures were similar between groups.
Study: Pedicle Screws Versus Cortical Screws for Lumbar Fusion Surgery
A meta-analysis published online in The Spine Journal compared outcomes of pedicle screws to cortical screws in posterior lumbar fusion surgery in five studies. There were no significant differences in fusion rates at one year or hospital length of stay between the two methods. Blood loss, operative time, and rate of complications were significantly lower with cortical compared to pedicle screws. Cortical screws were also associated with lower rates of adjacent segment pathology.
Study: Incidence of Benign Bone Tumors in Asymptomatic Children
A study published online in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery measured the incidence and characteristics of benign childhood bone tumors in asymptomatic patients. In total, 262 patients who were screened for benign bone tumors at a median age of 8 years were included. Thirty-five tumors were identified in 33 patients (19 nonossifying fibromas, eight enostoses, six osteochondromas, two enchondromas), for an overall incidence rate of 18.9 percent. Risk of tumors was found to increase with age. The median age of first tumor appearance was 9 years (range, 2–5 years). Nonossifying fibromas resolved in 27 percent of cases, while other tumor types persisted through the study period.
Although opioids are still commonly prescribed following many orthopaedic procedures, research has demonstrated that opioid use after orthopaedic surgery is associated with higher inpatient mortality, aggregate morbidity, and prolonged hospital stay. There have been increased efforts to pursue safer, alternative forms of pain alleviation, and one alternative is cannabinoids. This article explains current research and future trends regarding cannabinoid use in the orthopaedic setting.
Volunteers Needed to Review and Select Kappa Delta and OREF Research Award Winners
AAOS is seeking individuals to promote and recognize excellence in musculoskeletal research by selecting winners for the Kappa Delta Awards and Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) Clinical Research Awards and by increasing the visibility and impact of the annual musculoskeletal research awards. The deadline for applications is March 31. Contact Meghan Eigenbrod at eigenbrod@aaos.org with any questions.
