Adam A. Sassoon

Enchondromas of the Hand: Factors Affecting Recurrence, Healing, Motion, and Malignant Transformation

PURPOSE Enchondromas represent the most common primary bone tumor in the hand. Despite their frequency, a standardized treatment protocol is lacking. This study examines the outcome of surgically treated enchondromas of the hand with regard to tumor location, graft choice, and presence or absence of fracture. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 102 enchondromas in 80 patients, identified between 1991 and 2008, with a mean clinical follow-up of 38 months. We assessed the effects of age, tumor location, and graft choice on outcomes for all lesions. Patients presenting with Ollier disease, Maffucci syndrome, pathologic fractures, or recurrent disease were separated for additional analysis. RESULTS Of the 102 lesions, 62 (61%) achieved complete radiographic healing in a median time of 6 months. Full range of motion was achieved following treatment of 68 lesions (67%) in a median time of 3 months. A total of 95 lesions (93%) remained recurrence free following surgery. One case of malignant transformation occurred in a patient with Maffucci syndrome. Tumor location and graft choice did not affect healing grade, time to healing, range of motion, or recurrence rate. Age at presentation greater than 30 was associated with more rapid healing. Monocentric, nonexpanding lesions were associated with improved postoperative range of motion. Patients with a diagnosis of multiple enchondromas had a higher rate of recurrence following surgery, and patients presenting with a recurrent lesion had a higher rate of complications. Following pathologic fracture, no differences in outcomes were observed when enchondromas were treated primarily or following fracture healing. CONCLUSIONS Following surgical treatment of enchondromas in the hand, the majority of patients achieve complete bony healing and full range of motion, regardless of the graft material used. Malignant transformation is rare, and aggressive follow-up measures should be reserved for patients with a diagnosis of multiple enchondromas. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic IV.

Total Hip Arthroplasty For Femoral Neck Fracture: Comparing In-Hospital Mortality, Complications, and Disposition to an Elective Patient Population

Patients treated with total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteoarthritis (OA) and femoral neck fracture (FNF) between 1990-2007 were compared using the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS). In-hospital, post-operative complications and disposition were compared at six-year intervals to establish trends over time. A total of 2,160,061 THAs were performed for OA, while 174,641 were performed for FNF. Peri-operative mortality and pulmonary embolism rates following elective THA were lower at each interval when compared to THA performed for FNF (P<0.001). Hematomas, infections, and dislocations were also higher in the traumatic group. The FNF group showed improvements with respect to mortality and rates of pulmonary embolism, infection, and dislocation over time. During the most recent interval, there was no difference in dislocation rates between the two groups. The length of stay and the percentage of patients discharging to a rehab facility were significantly higher in the FNF group at each time interval.

Revision total shoulder arthroplasty for painful glenoid arthrosis after humeral head replacement: the nontraumatic shoulder

HYPOTHESIS This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that patients would have improved pain and range of motion after conversion total shoulder arthroscopy but that overall outcome would be substantially affected by the need for removal of the humeral component and associated alterations of bony anatomy or soft tissue deficiencies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-four patients (34 shoulders) with HHR after a proximal humeral fracture underwent revision total shoulder arthroplasty for painful glenoid arthrosis, with mean follow-up of 9.4 years (range, 2.3-20.4 years). After initial review, repeat analysis was performed based on the complexity of osseous (humeral stem revision) and soft tissue management, including rotator cuff tear, greater tuberosity resorption, malunion or nonunion, or instability. RESULTS Overall, patients had reduction in pain (P = .0001), and improved active abduction (P = .05) and external rotation (P = .0005). Less improvement in active abduction was documented in patients who required soft tissue management (P = .03). Results of the modified Neer rating documented 3 excellent, 9 satisfactory, and 22 unsatisfactory results (motion deficiencies in 14). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis free of repeat revision was 100% at 1 year, 96.8% at 5 years (95% confidence interval, 90%-100%), and 92.2% at 10 years (95% confidence interval, 82% to 100%). DISCUSSION Conversion total shoulder arthroplasty is effective for addressing painful glenoid arthrosis after primary HHR for a proximal humeral fracture, with or without the need to change the humeral component. However, active motion may not improve in patients with rotator cuff tearing, a greater tuberosity nonunion, malunion, or resorption.

Skeletal muscle and bone marrow derived stromal cells: A comparison of tenocyte differentiation capabilities

This study investigated the comparative ability of bone marrow and skeletal muscle derived stromal cells (BMSCs and SMSCs) to express a tenocyte phenotype, and whether this expression could be augmented by growth and differentiation factor‐5 (GDF‐5). Tissue harvest was performed on the hind limbs of seven dogs. Stromal cells were isolated via serial expansion in culture. After four passages, tenogenesis was induced using either ascorbic acid alone or in conjunction with GDF‐5. CD44, tenomodulin, collagen I, and collagen III expression levels were compared for each culture condition at 7 and 14 days following induction. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to evaluate cell morphology and production of tenomodulin and collagen I. SMSCs and BMSCs were successfully isolated in culture. Following tenocytic induction, SMSCs demonstrated an increased mean relative expression of tenomodulin, collagen I, and collagen III at 14 days. BMSCs only showed increased mean relative expression of collagen I, and collagen III at 14 days. IHC revealed positive staining for tenomodulin and collagen I at 14 days for both cell types. The morphology of skeletal muscle derived stromal cells at 14 days had an organized appearance in contrast to the haphazard arrangement of the bone marrow derived cells. GDF‐5 did not affect gene expression, cell staining, or cell morphology significantly. Stromal cells from either bone marrow or skeletal muscle can be induced to increase expression of matrix genes; however, based on expression of tenomodulin and cell culture morphology SMSCs may be a more ideal candidate for tenocytic differentiation.

Muscle Viability Revisited: Are We Removing Normal Muscle? A Critical Evaluation of Dogmatic Debridement.

Purpose: Determination of muscle viability during debridement is a subjective process with significant consequences. Evaluating muscle color, consistency, contractility, and capacity to bleed (the 4 Cs) was established by a study performed half a century ago. This work reinvestigates the utility of the 4 Cs using current histopathologic techniques. Methods: After institutional review board approval, 36 biopsies were prospectively collected at a level-1 trauma center from 20 patients undergoing a debridement for open fracture (81%), compartment syndrome (11%), infection (5%), or crush injury (3%). Surgeons graded the biopsies using the 4 Cs, and provided their overall impression as healthy, borderline, or dead. Blinded pathological analysis was performed on each specimen. A correlation between the 4 Cs and surgeon impression with histopathological diagnosis was sought through a univariate statistical analysis. Results: The surgeons impression was dead muscle in 25 specimens, borderline in 10, and healthy in 1. Pathological analysis of the 35 specimens considered as dead or borderline muscle by the surgeon demonstrated normal muscle or mild interstitial inflammation in 21 specimens (60%). Color (P = 0.07), consistency (P = 0.12), contractility (P = 0.51), capacity to bleed (P = 0.07), and surgeon impression (P = 0.50) were unable to predict histologic appearance. Conclusions: Neither the 4 Cs nor the surgeons impression correlate with histological findings regarding muscle viability. In 72% of specimens, the treating surgeons gross assessment differed from the histopathologic appearance. Although the fate of the debrided muscle remains unclear if left in situ, these results raise questions regarding current practices, including the possibility that surgeons are debriding potentially viable muscle. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The role of eccentric and offset humeral head variations in total shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND Humeral head variations were developed based on anatomic and biomechanical advantages; however, the effect of this expanded prosthetic inventory has yet to be investigated clinically. This study seeks to determine whether prosthetic variety has led to better outcomes, has led to similar outcomes facilitating joint reconstruction, or created any unanticipated complications. METHODS One hundred sixty primary total shoulder arthroplasties were performed for osteoarthritis. Patients received 52 standard, 60 eccentric, and 48 offset humeral heads. Head geometry was selected intraoperatively during trialing based on a complementing relationship to the glenoid throughout a near-normal range of motion. Patients had 2 years of follow-up or follow-up until reoperation (mean, 4.7 years; range, 0.8-8.3 years). RESULTS Mean pain scores decreased from 4.5 to 1.9 on a 5-point scale (P < .001), mean elevation increased from 94° to 150°, mean external rotation increased from 22° to 57° (P < .001), larger lucent lines (≥ 1.5 mm) or change in glenoid position occurred around 19 components, and survivorship was 98% (95% confidence interval, 97%-100%) at 1 year and 98% (95% confidence interval, 95%-100%) at 5 years. No difference among head configurations was found for any of these outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Evolution of designs has provided options to more accurately re-create anatomy including changes caused by osteoarthritis. At the length of follow-up in this study, clinical outcomes, radiographic performance, and survivorship are equivalent when applying these humeral head variations, and no special complications have developed.

Fibular shaft allograft support of posterior joint depression in tibial plateau fractures.

Summary: Posterior depression of the lateral articular surface of the tibial plateau can be difficult to elevate and support with morselized bone graft and internal fixation. Progressive collapse after open reduction and internal fixation has been described and can lead to failure in treatment. A standard anterolateral approach to the tibia may not allow direct reduction and stabilization of posterolateral joint depression given the anatomic barriers of the fibular collateral ligament and the proximal tibiofibular articulation. Posterolateral approaches to the tibial plateau have been described and may allow direct reduction of the articular depression. These approaches, however, require dissection close to the common peroneal nerve, and some approaches also require a proximal fibular osteotomy. The use of an intraosseous fibular shaft allograft as an adjunct to open reduction and internal fixation in select cases of depressed posterolateral tibial plateau fractures allows both reduction of the joint and stabilization of the articular segment through a single approach familiar to many orthopaedic surgeons.

Manipulation Under Anesthesia: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Posttraumatic Arthrofibrosis of the Knee.

Objectives: This study investigates the results of closed manipulations performed under anesthesia (MUA) to evaluate whether it is an effective means to treat posttraumatic knee arthrofibrosis. Design: Retrospective review. Setting: Level I trauma center. Patients/Participants: Twenty-two patients with a mean age of 40 underwent closed MUA for posttraumatic knee arthrofibrosis. Injuries included fractures of the femur, tibia, and patella as well as ligamentous injuries and traumatic arthrotomies. The mean time from treatment to manipulation was 90 days. Mean follow-up after manipulation was 7 months. Intervention: Closed knee MUA. Outcome Measurements: Improvement of knee range of motion (ROM) arc was the primary outcome. Patient demographics were correlated with manipulation success using a 2-sample t test. A delay in manipulation of 90 days or greater was also evaluated in this fashion with regard to its role in predicting the benefit of MUA. Results: The mean premanipulation ROM arc was 59 ± 25 degrees. The mean intraoperative arc of motion, achieved at the time of the manipulation was 123 ± 14 degrees. No complications occurred during the MUA procedure. At the most recent follow-up, the mean ROM arc was 110 ± 19 degrees. Tobacco use, associated injuries, elevated body mass index, open fracture, and advanced age did not impact manipulation efficacy. Additionally, manipulations performed 90 days or more after surgical treatment provided a benefit equaling those performed more acutely (P = 0.12). Discussion: MUA is a safe and effective method to increase knee ROM in the setting of posttraumatic arthrofibrosis. Improvement in ROM was noted in all patients. A 90-day window between fracture fixation and manipulation did not impact ROM at final follow-up and may prevent fracture displacement during the MUA. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Podium disclosures at the 2012 AAOS meeting: an exercise in going through the motions.

BACKGROUND Slide-based disclosure of potential conflicts of interest prior to presentations is practiced at most orthopaedic meetings to help audiences critically evaluate the data presented. These slides are often supplemented with a printed disclosure in program guides and occasionally on Internet sites. The fidelity and usefulness of this format have not been investigated. We report the practice of disclosure of potential conflicts of interest during the 2012 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting to determine if the process is accomplishing its primary goal. METHODS Orthopaedic residents and fellow volunteers completed questionnaires related to the disclosures presented at symposia and instructional course lectures they attended at the 2012 AAOS Annual Meeting. The attendees were instructed to record the duration of time for which a disclosure slide remained visible to the audience. An attempt to count the words appearing on the disclosure slide, or photograph the disclosure slide so that a subsequent word count could be obtained, was also performed. RESULTS One hundred and thirty-nine disclosures were observed across a range of subspecialties including adult reconstruction, hand and wrist, pediatrics, shoulder and elbow, sports medicine, trauma, and oncology. Of these, 125 (90%) included the required disclosure slide and underwent additional analysis. Ninety-five slides had a number of words that were countable, with an average of 19.6 words per slide; thirty slides were not presented long enough to permit an accurate word count or photograph. The average time that disclosure slides were viewable was 3.1 seconds. Only 52% of slides noted whether the author disclosures were related to the data presented; 59% of presenters failed to mention this fact verbally. Only 45% of studies with multiple authors included coauthor disclosures on the slide. Institutional disclosures were absent from slides and discussion in 85% of presentations. CONCLUSIONS Slides disclosing potential conflicts of interest were included in 90% of the observed presentations. Despite these slides having been shown, they were ineffective in communicating these disclosures because of deficiencies in timing, format, and content. We recommend that the practice of required slide-based disclosure of potential conflicts of interest should be abandoned and be replaced with a standardized and objective practice of disclosure.

Intraoperative Fracture During Staged Total Knee Reimplantation in the Treatment of Periprosthetic Infection

Bone stock during knee reimplantation for infection is compromised and may contribute to intraoperative fracture. This study aims to describe the prevalence of said fractures. A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent a staged TKA reimplantation for a periprosthetic infection. Patients who sustained an intraoperative fracture were analyzed. The fracture timing, location, and treatment were recorded. Fracture healing, component stability, and need for re-revision were noted. Between 1990 and 2010, 894 reimplantations were performed. Twenty-three fractures occurred in 21 patients (2.3%) with mean follow-up of 56 months (range: 4-122). Thirteen fractures occurred in femora, 7 in tibiae, and 3 in patellae. Four occurred during resection, while 19 occurred during reimplantation. Observation and wires/cables were the most common treatments utilized. At final follow-up, 91% of fractures demonstrated union and 75% of patients demonstrated stable components. Eight patients (38%) required a revision, the majority of which were performed for re-infection.