Anthony E. Johnson

Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis Caused by Battlefield Injuries: The Primary Source of Disability in Warriors

&NA; The Army Physical Evaluation Board results for wounded warriors from a previously described cohort were reviewed to identify permanently disabling conditions and whether the conditions were preexisting or caused by battlefield injury. Arthritis was the most common unfitting condition in this cohort, with 94.4% of cases attributed to combat injury and only 5.6% attributed to preexisting conditions or documented in the health records prior to battle injury. The most common causes of injury that resulted in arthritis were intra‐articular fractures secondary to explosions, traumatic arthrotomies resulting from fragment projectiles, and gunshot wounds. Arthritis was recognized as a disabling condition an average of 19 ± 10 months after injury. Research is needed to enhance prevention and management of joint injuries in order to minimize the disabling effects of joint degeneration in this young patient population.

Anatomy of the Lisfranc Ligament

Most authors agree that anatomic reduction is the key to optimal results in treatment of injuries of the Lisfranc joint; a few controversies remain. One controversy is the identification of the strongest ligament of the second metatarsal-medial cuneiform articulation—the critical ligament of the Lisfranc joint. The purpose of this study is to objectively quantify the cross-sectional area of each ligament of this crucial joint. Twenty cadaveric feet were dissected to isolate the second metatarsal-medial cuneiform articulation. The point of maximum thickness, height, and width of the dorsal, plantar, and interosseous ligaments were measured using handheld calipers at the second metatarsal attachment. The distribution failed to pass Mauchlys test of sphericity, so the Greenhouse-Geisser method was used to assess differences in the height and width to a P ≤ .05 level of significance. There was a significant difference in the height, width, and area between all ligaments (P < .001). The interosseous ligament ...

Quantification of the Exposure of the Glenohumeral Joint from the Minimally Invasive to More Invasive Subscapularis Approach to the Anterior Shoulder: a Cadaveric Study

BACKGROUND There are multiple techniques to approach the glenohumeral joint. Our purpose was to quantify the average area of the glenohumeral joint exposed with 3 subscapularis approaches and determine the least invasive approach for placement of shoulder resurfacing and total shoulder arthroplasty instruments. METHODS Ten forequarter cadaveric specimens were used. Subscapularis approaches were performed sequentially from split, partial tenotomy, and full tenotomy through the deltopectoral approach. Glenohumeral joint digital photographs were analyzed in Image J software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA). Shoulder resurfacing and total shoulder arthroplasty instruments were placed on the humeral head, and anatomic landmarks were identified. RESULTS The average area of humeral head visible, from the least to the most invasive approach, was 3.2, 8.1, and 11.0 cm2, respectively. The average area of humeral head visible differed significantly according to the approach. Humeral head area increased 157% when the subscapularis split approach was compared with the partial tenotomy approach and 35% when the partial approach was compared with the full tenotomy approach. The average area of glenoid exposed from least to most invasive approach was 2.0, 2.3, and 2.5 cm2, respectively. No significant difference was found between the average area of the glenoid and the type of approach. Posterior structures were difficult to visualize for the subscapularis split approach. Partial tenotomy of the subscapularis allowed placement of resurfacing in 70% of the specimens and total arthroplasty instruments in 90%. CONCLUSIONS The subscapularis splitting approach allows adequate exposure for glenoid-based procedures, and the subscapularis approaches presented expose the glenohumeral joint in a step-wise manner. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Anatomy study, cadaver dissection.

Blood Flow Restriction Training After Knee Arthroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Introduction: Quadriceps strength after arthroscopic knee procedures is frequently diminished several years postoperation. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training uses partial venous occlusion while performing submaximal exercise to induce muscle hypertrophy and strength improvements. The purpose of this study was to evaluate BFR as a postoperative therapeutic intervention after knee arthroscopy. Methods: A randomized controlled pilot study comparing physical therapy with and without BFR after knee arthroscopy was conducted. Patients underwent 12 sessions of supervised physical therapy. Subjects followed the same postoperative protocol with the addition of 3 additional BFR exercises. Outcome measures included thigh girth, physical function measures, Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR12), and strength testing. Bilateral duplex ultrasonography was used to evaluate for deep venous thrombosis preintervention and postintervention. Results: Seventeen patients completed the study. Significant increases in thigh girth were observed in the BFR group at 6-cm and 16-cm proximal to the patella (P = 0.0111 and 0.0001). All physical outcome measures significantly improved in the BFR group, and the timed stair ascent improvements were greater than conventional therapy (P = 0.0281). The VR-12 and KOOS subscales significantly improved in the BFR group, and greater improvement was seen in VR-12 mental component score (P = 0.0149). The BFR group displayed approximately 2-fold greater improvements in extension and flexion strength compared with conventional therapy (74.59% vs 33.5%, P = 0.034). No adverse events were observed during the study. Conclusions: This study suggests that BFR is an effective intervention after knee arthroscopy. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the benefits of this intervention in populations with greater initial impairment.

Bilateral Quadriceps Tendon Ruptures in a Healthy, Active Duty Soldier: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Unilateral quadriceps tendon ruptures are not uncommon. These injuries have been reported to occur spontaneously and after seemingly trivial trauma in elderly individuals, patients undergoing renal dialysis, and patients with metabolic derangements such as hyperparathyroidism. In young patients, unilateral quadriceps tendon ruptures have been reported as complications of burns, anabolic steroid abuse, and elective orthopedic surgery. Bilateral quadriceps tendon ruptures in young healthy patients are rare injuries. We present the case of a young, healthy, active duty soldier who sustained bilateral quadriceps tendon ruptures after a relatively minor trauma.

Mortality in female war veterans of operations enduring freedom and Iraqi freedom

BackgroundCombat-wounded service members are surviving battle injuries more than ever. Given different combat roles held by men and women, female service members should survive wounds at an unprecedented rate.Questions/purposesWe determined whether the casualty rates for females differ from their male counterparts and characterized wounds sustained by female casualties.MethodsWe calculated the percentage of the 5141 deaths among the 40,531 casualties by gender for those serving in Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF) from Defense Manpower Statistics between 2001 and 2009. We searched the Joint Theatre Trauma Registry for female casualties and described their injury characteristics. No matched cohort of male casualties was searched.ResultsFemale veterans comprised 1.9% of all casualties and 2.4% of all deaths. In OIF, the percent death for women was 14.5% (103 deaths) versus 12.0% (4226 deaths) for men. In OEF, the percent death for women was 35.9% (19 deaths) versus 17.0% (793 deaths) for men. Battle-injured females had a greater proportion of facial and external injuries and more severe extremity injuries compared with those nonbattle-injured.ConclusionsThe casualty death rate appears higher for women than men although the mechanisms of fatal injuries are not known and may not be comparable. Although facial, external, and extremity injuries were common among battle-injured females, no conclusion can be made as to whether male casualties sustain similar wounding patterns.Level of Evidence Level II, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Comparison of Dorsal and Volar Approaches to the Proximal Radius

Proximal radius exposure may be acquired by either the dorsal or volar approach depending on surgical requirements. The dorsal approach is traditionally recommended for fracture fixation of the proximal radius because of theoretically improved exposure and because the dorsal aspect of the bone is the tensile surface. The posterior interosseous nerve can be visualized and protected using this approach. The volar approach is preferred for biceps repair and boasts a distal extensile approach with adequate soft tissue coverage. Impingement on the bicipital tuberosity and biceps tendon, in addition to positioning on the compression side of the bone, makes the anterior or anterolateral position for plate placement less desirable. The goal of this study was to quantify and compare in a cadaver model the area of bone exposed using both approaches. We hypothesized that equivalent exposures can be obtained and the posterior interosseous nerve can be identified with either the Thompson or Henry approach. Standard dorsal and volar approaches were performed on 10 fresh-frozen adult cadaveric upper-limb specimens. Cross-sectional area of exposure was quantified from digital photographs using software. The 2 approaches did not result in a significant difference in area exposed. Depending on case requirements, either the dorsal or volar approach will provide adequate exposure to the proximal radius.

Avulsion of the extensor carpi radialis brevis insertion : A case report and review of the literature

Injuries to the bases of the index finger and long finger metacarpals are unusual because of the stability of the carpometacarpal joints. Such stability is provided by the strong capsuloligamentous attachments and the unique bony architecture. Given the rare nature of these injuries, there is no consensus regarding the optimal management of avulsion fractures of the bases of the index finger and long finger metacarpals. Open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture, with anatomic repair of the extensor carpi radialis brevis or extensor carpi radialis longus, offers several advantages over closed treatment. A case report and a review of the literature are presented.

Iron supplementation and the female soldier.

Twenty-two percent of women in the United States are iron deficient. Iron deficiency adversely affects immune function as well as physical and cognitive performance. Although the risk of developing iron deficiency is high for female soldiers, this risk can be minimized with proper nutritional guidance. Recommended dietary modifications include (1) heme iron consumption, (2) ingestion of vitamin C and protein with meals, and (3) discontinued tea and coffee consumption with meals.

Burnout in U.S. Military Orthopaedic Residents and Staff Physicians

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of burnout among military orthopaedic residents and staff surgeons at the U.S. Army Medical Center. METHODS 37 residents and 21 staff surgeons of a military orthopaedic residency program were asked to voluntarily complete an anonymous electronic survey. The survey consisted of two parts: first, a demographic section including questions about relationship status, work hours, deployment history, medical education debt, mentorship, and job satisfaction and second, the Maslach Burnout Inventory. RESULTS 27 residents and 11 staff completed the survey for a 67% response rate. The rate of burnout among military orthopaedic surgeons in our study was 7.7% (3.7% of residents and 16.7% of staff surgeons). In addition, 25.6% of surgeons (33% of residents and 8.3% of staff) were found to be at risk of burnout. CONCLUSIONS Future studies should focus on causal relationships among specific aspects of the work environment and possible preventive or protective measures. Expanding future studies to include multiple study sites would improve the quality and generalizability of the results.