Int Orthop. 2025 Jun 30. doi: 10.1007/s00264-025-06594-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Presoaking of hamstrings autograft in vancomycin solution has been associated with significant reduction of post-operative septic arthritis rate after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this effect by comparison of cohorts from the single-centre database.

METHODS: In a period between January 2018 and November 2023, 1329 patients underwent ACL reconstruction surgery at our institution, with a newly introduced technique of soaking the hamstrings autografts in a 5-mg/ml vancomycin solution. Data was retrospectively analysed to identify post-operative knee septic arthritis rate amongst this group. Results were compared with the results from our previous study, which included 1891 patients from January 2007 to December 2017, when ACL reconstruction surgery was made at our institution without soaking the autografts in vancomycin solution.

RESULTS: Results showed that one (0,07%) out of 1329 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with vancomycin-soaking of the graft developed knee joint infection after the surgery, while using the old method the infection rate was 1,4%. Statistical analysis showed that there is a significant difference in the infection rate between two groups (OR, 0,05 [95% CI, 0.0073-0.3982]; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Presoaking of the hamstrings graft for ACL reconstruction in 5 mg/ml vancomycin solution as an addition to standard pre-operative intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis is associated with significant reduction of post-operative infection rate.

PMID:40586927 | DOI:10.1007/s00264-025-06594-1

Injury. 2025 Jun 23;56(8):112543. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2025.112543. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tibial plateau fractures (TPFs) are complex injuries associated with significant postoperative complications including infection, deformity and wound healing disorders. Limited data exist on risk factors for complications following surgical treatment, particularly in large multicenter cohorts.

METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 1027 patients with intra-articular TPFs treated surgically at two level-I trauma centers in Germany (2011-2020). Preoperative CT imaging and follow-up data were required for inclusion. Complications were categorized into seven groups (infection, deformity, wound healing disorders, postoperative compartment syndrome, range of motion deficit and others). Statistical analyses assessed associations with fracture type (Schatzker classification), surgical approach, duration, and patient factors (BMI, age, smoking).

RESULTS: Nineteen percent of patients required surgical revision, with deformity (5.7 %), infection (5.4 %), and wound healing disorders (3.3 %) being the most common complications. Complex fractures (Schatzker V-VI) and prolonged or multi-approach surgeries were associated with higher complication rates. Elevated BMI increased overall complication risk, while smoking was linked to wound healing disorders.

CONCLUSION: The 19 % revision rate highlights the challenges of managing TPFs. Surgical factors, including operative duration and approach, play a critical role in the occurrence of complications, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies based on fracture complexity and surgical considerations.

PMID:40577996 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2025.112543

Injury. 2025 Jun 23;56(8):112550. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2025.112550. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Geriatric fractures are a major contributor of morbidity and mortality in elderly patients and represent a large resource burden on healthcare institutions across the United States. Elderly populations are predicted to increase in the coming decades, motivating epidemiological studies that may inform more effective and targeted prevention measures for these injuries. Methods Data analyzed in this study was extracted from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), a public database representing approximately 100 US EDs to provide national injury estimates. NEISS was queried for all fracture ED admissions among patients age 65 and older. Fracture events were restricted to injuries from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023. Results A geriatric fracture NEISS query resulted in 82,953 ED visits, extrapolating to a total national estimate of 3852,261 fractures presenting to US EDs across the study period. The overall hospitalization rate was 54.8 %, increasing to 74.5 % by age 99. Linear regression of fractures rates by year demonstrated a significant increase in male fractures over time (p = 0.047, β = 7688). Compared to females, males were also more likely to sustain trunk fractures and become injured at sporting facilities. Older patients also saw higher rates of trunk fractures (including upper and lower trunk), while rates of extremity fractures (upper and lower extremities) decreased with age. Fractures in the home also decreased with age, while those occurring on public property (including assisted living facilities) increased with age. Conclusion Increasing fracture rates among males indicates an opportunity for improved prevention measures among men 65 and older. Males were also more likely to sustain fractures while participating in sports, and may therefore benefit from education programs on fracture risk. Geriatric fractures were more likely to occur on public property such as sidewalks and assisted living facilities as patients aged, demonstrating the need for improved precautionary measures such as low-floor beds, hip protectors, fall alarms, and wearable devices.

PMID:40577995 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2025.112550

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2025 Jun 27. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.25.00008. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40577440 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.25.00008

Injury. 2025 Jun 17:112521. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2025.112521. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Over the past two decades, damage control laparotomy and resuscitation (DCL and DCR, respectively) have become the dominant paradigms for the management of exsanguinating trauma. Fascial complications are common after DCL. Minimizing crystalloid administration is a key component of DCR, but there is little direct evidence that it reduces fascial complications. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that lower crystalloid administration volume during the perioperative period for DCL is associated with an increase in fascial closure rates and a decreased rate of fascial dehiscence.

METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study at a single urban trauma center. Adult trauma patients who underwent emergent DCL between March 2019 - December 2022 were included. Patients who died within 7 days of definitive closure or underwent additional intracavitary operations (e.g., thoracotomy) before or concurrent with laparotomy were excluded. Risk factors for fascial dehiscence and planned ventral hernia (PVH) were evaluated using univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: Among 287 included patients, median age was 32 (IQR 23-44), median injury severity score (ISS) 25 (17-34), median base deficit 6 (2-9), and 56.1 % had penetrating mechanism. The median crystalloid intravenous fluid (IVF) received from prehospital period to 48 h after index operation was 16.3 L (13.0-20.1 L). ISS, base deficit, and vital signs (systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate) did not differ between patients discharged with PVH or primary fascial closure, nor between patients who experienced a documented dehiscence event versus those who did not. Crystalloid volume was statistically different across both comparisons (primary fascial closure vs PVH at discharge: 15.6 vs 20.5 L, p < 0.001; no dehiscence vs any dehiscence 15.0 vs 18.1 L, p < 0.001). By multiple logistic regression, early IVF administration was associated with both PVH at discharge (odds ratio (OR) 1.14, 95 %CI 1.07-1.23) and fascial dehiscence (OR 1.17, 95 %CI 1.04-1.20).

CONCLUSION: Increased volume of perioperative crystalloid is associated with higher risk of fascial complications among patients requiring DCL for trauma. The DCR paradigm may reduce surgical complications as well as mortality among patients with severe trauma requiring laparotomy.

PMID:40571541 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2025.112521

Injury. 2025 Jun 17;56(8):112528. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2025.112528. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study reported the development of a novel mouse model for full-thickness articular cartilage defects. A total of 120 C57BL/6 mice were assigned to a sham group and three defect groups. The defect groups included D0.1, D0.2, and D0.3 groups, with 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mm wide full-thickness defects in the femoral trochlear grooves, respectively. The reproducibility and consistency of full-thickness defects and cartilage repair were evaluated by histological examination. The mRNA and protein expression levels of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB), parathyroid receptor 1 (PTH1R), Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Smoothened (Smo), and Gli 1 were assessed by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. The results showed that the full-thickness defects displayed good reproducibility and consistency. Injury widths of 0.1 and 0.2 mm presented superior repair abilities than 0.3 mm (p < 0.05). During cartilage repair, the expression levels of PTH1R, CREB, p-CREB, Shh, Smo, and Gli 1 in the three defect groups were significantly higher than in the sham group (p < 0.05). In addition, the PTH/PTHrP and Hh signaling pathways were activated. In conclusion, we successfully established a novel mouse model for full-thickness articular cartilage defects, which enables deeper exploration of the biological mechanisms involved in cartilage repair in mice.

PMID:40570648 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2025.112528

Injury. 2025 Jun 6;56(8):112440. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2025.112440. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Controversy surrounds the optimal surgical management of proximal humerus fractures (PHFs). The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the anatomic and clinical outcomes of open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of PHFs using FA or VA locking plates.

METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 85 patients (19 male, mean age 60.5 ± 14 years) with displaced surgical neck PHFs treated with VA (44 patients) or FA (41 patients) locking plates. Inclusion criteria were a minimum of 1 year postoperative follow up (mean 3.1 years) or earlier revision surgery. Outcome measures included active range of motion, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), Visual Analog Scale Pain score (VAS pain) and radiographic assessments of reduction quality, screw position, avascular necrosis (AVN) and failure of fixation.

RESULTS: The initial reduction was anatomic in 47 (55 %), acceptable in 29 (34 %), and malreduced in 9 (11 %). 69 (81 %) met inclusion criteria with no differences in reduction quality between the VA and FA plates (p=.16). VA plating was associated with significantly greater plate height compared to FA plating (B = 4.94; p<.001). Additionally, VA plating was associated with better calcar screw placement in terms of both shorter calcar distance (difference in means =1.8 mm, p=.009) and head distance (difference in means=2.4 mm, p=.007). Reoperation was required in 15 (22 %) patients while AVN occurred in 13 (19 %) patients. Neither reoperation nor AVN differed by plate type (p=.75 and p=.99, respectively). Finally, there were no significant differences in PROMs or ROM at final follow up between groups (difference in mean ASES: 1.1, p=.69; OSS: 1.4, p=.76; SANE: 6.5, p=.07; VAS Pain: 0.1, p=.35; EQ-5D: 0.02, p=.68; Active Forward Flexion: 2.3 degrees, p=.77; Active External Rotation: 6.7 degrees; Active Internal Rotation: 0.8, p=.55).

CONCLUSIONS: ORIF of PHFs with VA locking plates yields comparable outcomes to FA plates while facilitating plate positioning and calcar screw placement. Optimizing fracture reduction and fixation when performing ORIF of displaced PHFs is crucial to reducing the incidence of AVN and reoperation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Comparative Cohort Series, Treatment Study.

PMID:40570647 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2025.112440

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2025 Jun 26. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.24.01081. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: AAOS Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend spica casting for the treatment of most femoral fractures in children 6 months to 5 years of age. The purpose of the present study was to compare the outcomes of treatment with prefabricated braces with those of spica casting.

METHODS: We performed a randomized prospective study of patients 6 months to 5 years of age who were managed with functional bracing or spica casting for the treatment of diaphyseal femoral fractures at 2 pediatric trauma centers. Patients with polytrauma, medical comorbidities impacting fracture-healing, or <6 weeks of follow-up were excluded. Spica casts were placed in the operating room with the patient under anesthesia. Functional braces were placed at bedside.

RESULTS: Eighty patients (40 in the spica casting group and 40 in the functional bracing group) met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The mean age was 2.0 years in the casting group and 2.3 years in the bracing group (p = 0.15). Radiographs demonstrated similar shortening (9.0 ± 7.6 mm in the casting group and 6.8 ± 8.2 mm in the bracing group; p = 0.21), varus angulation (9.0º ± 11.9º in the casting group and 5.6º ± 9.4º in the bracing group; p = 0.19), and procurvatum (9.4º ± 12.9º in the casting group and 6.7º ± 8.4º in the bracing group; p = 0.31). At 6 weeks, there were no differences in shortening (13.1 ± 9.4 mm in the casting group and 11.0 ± 10.0 mm in the bracing group; p = 0.35), varus angulation (2.4º ± 7.3º in the casting group and 5.3º ± 6.3º in the bracing group, p = 0.06), or procurvatum (12.3º ± 9.8º in the casting group and 9.1º ± 8.1º in the bracing group; p = 0.11). Fifty-one patients (24 in the casting group and 27 in the bracing group) had 1 year of follow-up. There were no differences between the groups in terms of shortening (4.9 ± 5.4 mm in the casting group and 3.0 ± 6.9 mm in the bracing group; p = 0.23) or varus angulation (1.8º ± 3.5º in the casting group and 1.2º ± 4.1º in the bracing group; p = 0.56), but there was a slight difference in procurvatum (11.7º ± 8.3º in the casting group and 5.1º ± 5.8º in the bracing group; p < 0.01). More superficial skin issues were observed in the bracing group than in the casting group (9 compared with 1; p = 0.02), but all skin issues resolved with local wound care. Patients in the casting group had more difficulty moving independently (median score, 8 of 10 in the casting group and 5 of 10 in the bracing group; p = 0.05). Patients in the bracing group were more likely to fit into their car seat (40% in the casting group versus 86% in the bracing group; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective randomized trial, patients who were treated with functional bracing had equivalent outcomes to those who were treated with spica casting. Prefabricated functional braces provided a viable alternative, avoiding the cost and anesthesia associated with cast placement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID:40570075 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.24.01081

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2025 Jun 26. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.24.01554. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Leadership selection in the field of orthopaedic surgery takes place in many settings, including national, regional, and local associations; academic departments; and private practice groups. In general, there is neither a consistent method of competency-based leadership selection nor a codified set of criteria by which to identify a successful leader in national organizations. This can potentially lead to leadership based on personality rather than process. Polling results among the orthopaedic leaders who were present at the 2024 American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) Annual Meeting Symposium revealed that 80% think that the selection process for board leadership for national orthopaedic organizations needs to improve, and 75% think that the selection process for academic department chairs also needs to improve. This summary of the 2024 AOA Symposium provides a strategy for consistent, competency-based leadership selection in orthopaedic organizations, identifies potential key selection criteria that are necessary to identify talent, and enumerates steps that can be used by nominating or search committees. Although the focus of this work is directed toward the process that is used to identify leaders for national orthopaedic organizations, features of academic medical leadership and corporate talent selection will be highlighted for consideration and translation to the orthopaedic community.

PMID:40570068 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.24.01554

Int Orthop. 2025 Jun 26. doi: 10.1007/s00264-025-06593-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We investigated whether neurologic and psychiatric disorders (ICD-10 F00-F99, G00-G99) increase postoperative complications and mortality after hip arthroplasty and identified subgroups with distinct complication patterns, including dislocations, loosening, fractures, and elevated mortality.

METHODS: We analyzed 190,340 primary cementless hip arthroplasties from the German Arthroplasty Registry (2012-2024). Patients with relevant diagnoses were compared to matched controls (1:1 Mahalanobis distance) across subgroups F00-F99 and G00-G99, adjusting for age, sex, BMI, Elixhauser Index, and arthroplasty type. Primary endpoints were implant survival (time to revision) and all-cause mortality over up to eight years. Revision causes including periprosthetic fracture, infection, dislocation, loosening, and others were systematically recorded.

RESULTS: Most subgroups showed significantly higher revision rates (p < 0.0001 for F00-F09, F10-F19, F30-F39, G20-G26, G40-G47, G60-G64). Mortality was also significantly higher (p < 0.0001 for F00-F09, F10-F19, F30-F39). Schizophrenia (F20-F29) increased revision (p < 0.0001) and mortality (p < 0.0001). Organic mental disorders (F00-F09) showed markedly elevated revision and mortality rates, with more frequent dislocations and fractures (p < 0.0001). Extrapyramidal disorders (G20-G26) mainly increased dislocation risk (p = 0.00032), while degenerative diseases (G30-G32) raised mortality (p < 0.0001). Episodic/paroxysmal disorders (G40-G47) increased loosening (p = 0.0041) and revision (p < 0.0001). Polyneuropathies (G60-G64) were linked to joint instability and dislocations (p = 0.0008).

CONCLUSION: Neurologic and psychiatric disorders significantly elevate revision and mortality risks following hip arthroplasty. Subgroup-specific vulnerabilities, dislocations/fractures (F00-F09), high complication and mortality (F10-F19), and joint instability (G60-G64), highlight the need for individualized perioperative strategies and close postoperative monitoring to improve outcomes.

PMID:40569372 | DOI:10.1007/s00264-025-06593-2

Injury. 2025 Jun 18:112527. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2025.112527. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines play a crucial role in supporting clinical decision-making among healthcare providers, policymakers, and administrators by offering structured, research-informed recommendations. Globally, numerous guidelines have been developed for the management of burn injuries, but they vary considerably in terms of quality, structure, and methodological rigor. This study aimed to critically evaluate the quality of existing burn care guidelines from an interprofessional perspective and assess their adaptability for use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

METHODS: This appraisal study, conducted between 2024 and 2025, employed the AGREE II instrument to evaluate guideline quality through the lens of an interprofessional burn care team. The methodology involved a systematic search to identify relevant guidelines, the formation of a multidisciplinary panel of burn care professionals, and a final quality appraisal of the selected guidelines using the AGREE II framework.

RESULTS: Out of the 38 initially identified clinical guidelines, 31 were excluded due to failure to meet the preliminary thresholds for quality and methodological validity. The remaining seven guidelines were subjected to a comprehensive evaluation using the 23-item AGREE II instrument, encompassing six key quality domains. The appraisal revealed considerable variability across these domains, with particularly marked disparities in stakeholder involvement, methodological rigor, and practical applicability.

CONCLUSION: The findings revealed significant heterogeneity in both the structural and content quality of current burn care guidelines. Among the evaluated documents, the guideline developed by the International Society for Burn Injuries (ISBI) achieved the highest AGREE II scores, demonstrating a strong interprofessional focus and relevance to LMICs. The expert panel subsequently endorsed it as the most appropriate candidate for adaptation in resource-constrained settings. These results highlight the urgent need for more robust, interdisciplinary, and context-sensitive burn care guidelines to improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery globally.

PMID:40562590 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2025.112527

Injury. 2025 Jun 18:112525. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2025.112525. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rib fractures are common after blunt chest trauma and are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and prolonged hospital stays due to pulmonary complications. Effective pain management is crucial in preventing these complications. The 'STUdy of the Management of BLunt chest wall trauma' (STUMBL) score can identify patients with rib fractures at risk of complications and assist with Emergency Department (ED) disposition decisions. Its role in guiding Acute Pain Service (APS) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) referrals was previously unexplored.

DESIGN AND OBJECTIVES: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on adults with radiologically confirmed rib fractures who presented to The Royal Melbourne Hospital between April 2021 and March 2022. We aimed to assess the association between STUMBL scores and advanced analgesia prescription or ICU admission. Participants were categorised into five STUMBL groups (<11, 11-20, 21-25, 26-30, ≥31). The primary outcome of interest was regional analgesia insertion. The secondary outcomes were patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) use, APS and ICU referrals, and medical emergency team (MET) calls within 48 h. Modified Poisson regression was used to analyse associations, with the <11 group used as the reference.

RESULTS: Among 344 participants, the median STUMBL score was 17 (interquartile range [IQR] 10-24). Higher STUMBL scores were strongly associated with regional analgesia insertion in the STUMBL 26-30 group (RR 15.3, 95 % CI 1.8-130.3, p = 0.013) and the STUMBL ≥31 group (RR 29.3, 95 % CI 4.0-212.5, p = 0.001). Significant associations were also observed for PCA prescription (RR 5.0, 95 % CI 2.6-9.7, p < 0.001), APS referral (RR 4.7, 95 % CI 2.7-8.1, p < 0.001), and ICU admission (RR 3.8, 95 % CI 2.0-6.9, p < 0.001) in the STUMBL ≥31 group.

CONCLUSION: The STUMBL score is a valuable tool for identifying patients likely to require advanced analgesia and APS input, with high scores strongly associated with regional analgesia insertion and PCA prescription. Additionally, patients with STUMBL scores ≥26 were more likely to require ICU admission. Incorporating STUMBL thresholds into rib fracture guidelines could facilitate early APS involvement, guide appropriate admission destinations, optimise hospital resource allocation and improve patient outcomes. Further studies should validate these findings in larger, multi centre cohorts and explore patient-reported outcomes.

PMID:40562589 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2025.112525

Injury. 2025 Jun 19;56(8):112538. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2025.112538. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Friction burns are a common paediatric injury that can result in significant morbidity and long-term disability. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the management and outcomes of these injuries.

METHODS: A protocol was developed a priori and registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42022376782). A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL and trial registries was conducted to identify studies evaluating the management and outcomes of paediatric upper limb friction injuries. Primary outcome measures were healing time, functional outcomes, and the need for surgical intervention. Secondary outcomes included complications such as problematic scarring and cost.

RESULTS: Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 842 paediatric patients with upper limb friction injuries, predominantly treadmill-related (95 %). Most injuries (58.7 %) were deep partial-thickness to full-thickness. Conservative management with dressings was the primary treatment in 70.4 % of cases, while 29.6 % underwent acute surgery, predominately full-thickness skin grafting followed by split-thickness skin grafting. Mean healing times ranged from 19.4 to 31.5 days. Problematic scarring affected 20.5 % of patients, with 38.3 % of this group undergoing further scar revision surgery. Functional outcomes were generally positive, with minimal long-term disability reported.

CONCLUSION: Paediatric upper limb friction injuries, particularly those caused by treadmills, have typically been managed conservatively, with good functional outcomes. However, deeper injuries and delayed healing increase the risk of problematic scarring and need for scar revision surgery. Further research is needed to standardise treatment protocols and minimise long-term complications.

PMID:40561811 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2025.112538

Injury. 2025 Jun 18;56(8):112526. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2025.112526. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Displaced distal radial fractures are common among all age groups, but increasingly in older patients, and are frequently managed by emergency nurse practitioners. Most can be manipulated and reduced in the emergency department, often by procedural sedation and analgesia, which can be time consuming and often requiring multiple resources. Using haematoma blocks may offer advantages.

AIM: To examine the use and efficacy of haematoma blocks in managing close reduction of distal radial fractures by emergency nursing practitioners compared to procedural sedation.

DESIGN: Matched case-control study.

RESULTS: Compared to those who had procedural sedation and analgesia (n = 100), the haematoma block group (n = 100) had a shorter procedure time (0.4 hrs vs. 0.7 hrs, Z= -1.24, p < .001), time from reduction to discharge (1.5 hrs vs. 4.6 hrs, Z= -2.98, p < .001), overall ED length of stay (2.8 hrs vs. 4.9 hrs, Z= -3.49, p < .001) and minimal pain post reduction (0/10 vs. 4/10, Z= -2.6, p = .001). No adverse events were noted in the haematoma block group compared to 23 % in the procedural sedation and analgesia group.

CONCLUSION: Hematoma block is a safe, effective and efficient alternative to procedural sedation in the reduction of distal radial fractures by emergency nurse practitioners.

PMID:40561810 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2025.112526

Injury. 2025 Jun 11;56(8):112367. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2025.112367. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Hemorrhage causes 40 % of deaths from trauma. Low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) claim the majority of these deaths, in part due to lack of resources and organization in the prehospital and hospital arenas. Guatemala experiences a high burden of trauma-related injuries but does not have the resources nor the emergency response system to deal with it. In Guatemala, firefighters (bomberos) lead trauma responses, yet do not receive medical training. Recognizing these gaps in LMICs, we developed "CrashSavers", a low cost, openly accessible, self-training mobile phone-based platform to teach hemorrhage control techniques to first responders in Guatemala City. In this manuscript, we present the evaluation and outcomes of the bomberos who were trained with CrashSavers.

METHODS: Our self-administered educational program teaches first responders to train themselves in the decision making and psychomotor skills of tourniquet placement. This free platform, accessible via mobile phone, provides didactic material, virtual reality cases and instructions to construct a bleeding extremity simulator. Sixty-four bomberos were trained from July-August 2022. Eighteen months later they were retested to assess knowledge retention. Interviews were conducted with all bomberos to elicit feedback, which were then analyzed with narrative synthesis. We assessed medical knowledge, confidence, and surgical skills pre and post training.

RESULTS: After training, bomberos were able to apply the tourniquet more efficiently and more confidently. The time taken to stop a bleed on the simulator dropped from 58.5 s to 39.2 s, p < 0.003. Assessment of their skills 18 months after initial training showed that they were able to retain both confidence and psychomotor skill of tourniquet placement. Qualitative analysis showed overall positive experience with the course.

CONCLUSIONS: A low cost, easily accessible, self-taught course of didactics, VR cases and simulation successfully trained bomberos to control a bleeding extremity. This may be a solution for the large gaps in LMIC trauma response, as traditional programs designed for high income countries (HICs) are inaccessible, expensive and time intensive. With CrashSavers, learners became faster and more confident in stopping a bleed, and in a situation where time is blood and blood is life, efficiency is key.

PMID:40561809 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2025.112367

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2025 Jun 25. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.24.01489. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Roussouly classification is a popular system for the categorization of spinal alignment, although the categorization of continuous measures may compromise efforts toward a precision-medicine approach to sagittal alignment in spine surgery. Vertebral-pelvic angles provide continuous measures of sagittal alignment without the risk of misclassification.

METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of asymptomatic adult volunteers with normal spines (no evidence of disc degeneration or scoliosis). Full-spine radiographs were obtained, and radiographic parameters were collected, including pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, the apex of lordosis, the L1-pelvic angle (L1PA), and the T4-pelvic angle (T4PA). All spines were classified as Roussouly Type 1, 2, 3, or 4 on the basis of sacral slope and the apex of lumbar lordosis. Associations between the L1PA and PI, the L1PA and T4PA, and the T4-L1PA mismatch and PI were assessed for the whole cohort and when stratified by Roussouly type. A multinomial logistic regression model was fit to estimate Roussouly type based on PI, the L1PA, and the T4PA. Agreement (weighted κ), accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (1 type versus the rest) were computed. A subanalysis assessed potential variations in the relationships when Roussouly Type-3 spines were further classified as Type 3A (anteverted) versus Type 3.

RESULTS: The 320 included volunteers had a median age of 37 years (interquartile range [IQR], 27 to 47 years), and 193 (60%) were female. By self-reported race or ethnicity, the highest percentage of patients were Caucasian (White, 38%) or East Asian (36%), followed by Arabo-Bèrbère (16%). Spines were classified as Roussouly Type 1 in 18 (6%) of the volunteers, as Type 2 in 63 (20%), as Type 3 in 161 (50%), and as Type 4 in 78 (24%). The L1PA was strongly associated with PI across Roussouly types (weakest in Roussouly Type-1 spines). A multinomial logistic regression model estimating Roussouly type by PI, the L1PA, and the T4PA showed strong agreement (weighted κ, 0.84), excellent discrimination, and overall accuracy of 0.82.

CONCLUSIONS: The T4-L1-Hip axis is conceptually aligned with the description of spinal shapes in the Roussouly classification but with the advantage of utilizing continuous measures of spinal alignment. Goals of surgical realignment incorporating the T4-L1-Hip axis will be comparable with alignment planning using the Roussouly classification but with improved accuracy and precision.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID:40560977 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.24.01489

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2025 Jun 25. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.24.00009. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome (ACS) using a single-point pressure measurement device has demonstrated low specificity. Recently, sensors that allow for continuous monitoring of compartment pressure have been introduced, with improved specificity and sensitivity compared with single-point measurement. In this article, we present an economic model used to evaluate the cost-benefits of continuous pressure measurement in patients at risk for ACS.

METHODS: The model used a decision-tree structure to estimate the treatment costs of ACS at 60 days and 1 year after admission and over the patient's lifetime. It assumed systematic use of the diagnostic devices for all tibial shaft and tibial plateau fractures and estimated the cost-effectiveness of continuous pressure measurement compared with noncontinuous pressure measurement by comparing costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and length of stay (LOS).

RESULTS: The improved specificity of continuous pressure measurement reduced unnecessary fasciotomies by 94%. The inflation-adjusted cost of an uncomplicated tibial fracture averaged $57,144; the performance of an unnecessary fasciotomy increased that cost by $27,790. The gain in QALYs was 0.004 per patient, with a net health benefit of 0.06 QALYs. Over a 60-day time horizon, the model showed an estimated decrease in LOS of 2.73 days, on average, per patient. The net monetary benefit was $2,789 (range, -$1,246 to $6,151) in favor of the continuous measurement, increasing to $4,085 (range, -$745 to $8,103) over the lifetime of the patient following the most conservative scenario of equal ACS grade distribution.

CONCLUSIONS: Most of the ACS economic burden lies in the lack of specificity of the current diagnostic methods. The low incidence of ACS and the high risk associated with prophylactic treatment indicate that improvement in health and economic outcomes should focus on reducing the rate of unnecessary fasciotomies.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Economic and Decision Analysis Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID:40560966 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.24.00009

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2025 Jun 25. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.24.01419. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) has undergone numerous changes to promote care for patients at high social risk. However, the effect of these changes on surgeon MIPS performance and caseload selection remains unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate how orthopaedic surgeon MIPS scores, demographics, practice characteristics, and patient populations varied on the basis of patient social risk in 2017 compared with 2021.

METHODS: CMS data were utilized to examine U.S. orthopaedic surgeons. Surgeons were placed into social-risk quintiles on the basis of the proportion of their patients who were dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, with the highest quintile representing the highest social risk. Demographics, practice location characteristics, patient data, and MIPS performance were assessed for the years 2017 and 2021. Differences between social-risk quintiles were assessed utilizing chi-square, Student t, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS: In 2017, surgeons with caseloads at the highest, compared with the lowest, social risk had lower MIPS performance scores (mean [and standard deviation], 66.0 ± 37.6 versus 70.1 ± 33.5; p < 0.001). However, in 2021, orthopaedic surgeons with caseloads at the highest, compared with the lowest, social risk had significantly higher MIPS performance scores (mean, 88.7 ± 16.9 versus 81.5 ± 18.3; p < 0.001). In terms of demographics, in 2021, orthopaedic surgeons with caseloads at the highest, compared with the lowest, social risk were more often women (9.2% versus 3.6%; p < 0.001), more often had a DO degree (11.2% versus 6.6%; p < 0.001), more recently graduated from medical school (mean, 23.0 ± 12.9 versus 25.7 ± 10.9 years; p < 0.001), and worked in areas with higher Distressed Communities Index (DCI) distress scores (mean, 56.9 ± 27.3 versus 35.1 ± 25.2; p < 0.001). Similar findings were present in 2017.

CONCLUSIONS: The addition of the Complex Patient Bonus to the MIPS in 2020 may have reduced performance inequities in MIPS scoring for surgeons with caseloads at high social risk. However, the demographics and practice patterns of the orthopaedic surgeons caring for populations at the highest social risk remained consistent between years.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID:40560965 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.24.01419

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2025 Jun 25. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.24.01126. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Glenoid component loosening remains a challenge in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA). The aims of this study were to evaluate complications, implant survival, and revision rates in patients with primary and secondary osteoarthritis (OA) undergoing stemless aTSA using the Arthrex Eclipse humeral implant with a cemented pegged all-polyethylene glenoid component and to identify risk factors leading to revision.

METHODS: Of 211 patients who underwent primary stemless aTSA (using the Eclipse humeral component with a cemented pegged all-polyethylene glenoid) with prospectively documented data in a local registry, 197 were evaluated, grouped by OA pathology (primary OA, 153 patients; secondary OA, 44 patients). Demographic and functional data (e.g., age, sex, shoulder function) and the cause of OA were documented preoperatively in both groups. Comparative analyses were conducted to assess complications and implant revisions between the study groups. In addition, various radiographic parameters (e.g., glenoid morphology, critical shoulder angle, lateral acromion index, implant sizing [humeral component overhang], radial matching of the humeral and glenoid components, glenohumeral distance, and medial glenoid cement penetration) were evaluated to explore their potential association with revision. A subset of these parameters was subsequently included in the multivariable Cox model on the basis of clinical relevance.

RESULTS: After a median postoperative period of 72 months, the overall revision rate was 51%. The reasons for revision were glenoid component loosening (85%), periprosthetic humeral fracture (9%), early rotator cuff failure (3%), and low-grade infection (3%). The median implant survival in patients with primary OA (95 months; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 84 to 108) was significantly longer than that in patients with secondary OA (71 months; 95% CI: 60 to 88; p = 0.027). Female patients had a significantly shorter time to revision than male patients (p = 0.016). There were no significant differences in complications or revision rates by OA pathology. Secondary OA, the presence of medial glenoid cement penetration, and an anterior overhang of the humeral component were associated with an increased risk of revision.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a high rate of glenoid component loosening as the primary cause of revision in patients with primary and secondary OA undergoing stemless aTSA with the Eclipse and a cemented pegged all-polyethylene glenoid component. This outcome emphasizes the need for careful consideration of implant design, patient selection criteria, and implant positioning and cementation in order to optimize implant survival.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID:40560961 | DOI:10.2106/JBJS.24.01126

Int Orthop. 2025 Jun 25. doi: 10.1007/s00264-025-06588-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Shelf acetabuloplasty, one of surgical containment methods, have been employed to preserve hip joint congruity in the management of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD). However, its long-term effect on radiographic and functional outcomes remains unclear due to limited evidence. Moreover, comparative studies against conservative treatment are lacking. This study aimed to (1) compare the mid- to long-term outcomes between children with advanced-stage LCPD treated with shelf acetabuloplasty and those receiving conservative management, and (2) evaluate isokinetic hip muscle strength compared to age- and gender-matched healthy controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective age- and gender-matched study included 28 children with unilateral LCPD, divided into Shelf (n = 14) and Conservative (n = 14) treatment groups. A healthy control group (n = 14) was also recruited for isokinetic comparisons. Radiographic outcomes were assessed using modified Stulberg classification and several quantitative parameters. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and isokinetic testing of hip muscle strength.

RESULTS: The Shelf group (median follow-up: 5.5 years, IQR: 4-7) showed significantly better HHS (67.9 ± 15.9) compared to the Conservative group (median follow-up: 6 years, IQR: 5-8) (54.6 ± 13.3; p = 0.024) at the final follow-up. Shelf acetabuloplasty also resulted in significantly improved radiographic parameters, including centre-edge angle (p < 0.001) and femoral head coverage (p = 0.002). Isokinetic testing revealed that the Conservative group had significantly lower hip extension (p = 0.021), abduction (p = 0.018), and adduction (p = 0.027) torque values, as well as greater muscle fatigue (p = 0.014). In contrast, the Shelf and Control groups exhibited comparable performance in most strength and endurance parameters.

CONCLUSIONS: Shelf acetabuloplasty, when applied as a salvage procedure in advanced-stage LCPD, may provide better functional outcomes and improved hip muscle performance compared to conservative treatment, despite comparable long-term femoral head morphology. Following Shelf acetabuloplasty, comparable hip flexor and extensor strength to healthy controls can be expected, although mild abductor and adductor weakness may persist.

PMID:40560220 | DOI:10.1007/s00264-025-06588-z