Christopher B. Robbins

Herbal medicine for low back pain : A cochrane review

Study Design. Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Objectives. To determine the effectiveness of herbal medicine for nonspecific low back pain (LBP). Summary of Background Data. Many people with chronic LBP use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), visit CAM practitioners, or both. Several herbal medicines have been purported for use in treating people with LBP. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2006. Methods. We searched numerous electronic databases up to September 2014; checked reference lists in review articles, guidelines and retrieved trials; and personally contacted individuals with expertise in this area. We included RCTs examining adults (over 18 years of age) suffering from acute, sub-acute, or chronic nonspecific LBP. The interventions were herbal medicines that we defined as plants used for medicinal purposes in any form. Primary outcome measures were pain and function. Two review authors assessed risk of bias, GRADE criteria (GRADE 2004), and CONSORT compliance and a random subset were compared with assessments by a third individual. Two review authors assessed clinical relevance and resolved any disagreements by consensus. Results. Fourteen RCTs (2050 participants) were included. Capsicum frutescens (cayenne) reduces pain more than placebo. Although Harpagophytum procumbens (devils claw), Salix alba (white willow bark), Symphytum officinale L. (comfrey), Solidago chilensis (Brazilian arnica), and lavender essential oil also seem to reduce pain more than placebo, evidence for these substances was of moderate quality at best. No significant adverse events were noted within the included trials. Conclusions. Additional well-designed large trials are needed to test these herbal medicines against standard treatments. In general, the completeness of reporting in these trials was poor. Trialists should refer to the CONSORT statement extension for reporting trials of herbal medicine interventions. Level of Evidence: N/A

Surgical versus Non-surgical Management of Rotator Cuff Tears: Predictors of Treatment Allocation

Objectives: Rotator cuff tears are a common shoulder disorder resulting in significant disability to patients and strain on the health care system. While both surgical and non-surgical management are accepted treatment options, little data exist to guide the surgeon in treatment allocation. Defining variables to guide treatment allocation may be important for patient education and counseling, as well as to deliver the most efficient care plan at the time of presentation. The objective of this study was to identify patient characteristics at the time of initial clinical presentation that are associated with allocation to surgical versus non-surgical management for patients with known full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Methods: 185 consecutive adult patients with known full-thickness rotator cuff tears were enrolled into a prospective cohort study. Robust data were collected for each subject at baseline, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), shoulder activity score, smoking status, size of cuff tear, duration of symptoms, functional comorbidity index, treating surgeon, the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC), and the Veterans Rand 12 Item Health Survey (VR-12). Logistic regression was performed in order to identity variables associated with treatment allocation, and the corresponding odds ratios were calculated. Results: Of the 185 subject enrolled, 100 underwent surgical intervention and 85 non-operative management. While controlling for co-variates, significant baseline patient characteristics predictive of eventual allocation to surgical treatment included the following: non-smoking status [OR .039 (0.005, 0.300) p=0.002], lower functional comorbidity index [OR 0.739 (0.518, 1.055) p=0.096], younger age [OR 0.872 (0.820, 0.927) p<0.001], lower BMI [OR 0.895 (0.826, 0.970) p=0.007], and symptoms present for fewer than 4 months [OR 3.258 (1.070, 9.921) p=0.038]. Factors that were not associated with treatment allocation included gender, tear size, diabetes, treating surgeon, or any of the patient derived outcome scores at presentation (ASES, WORC, VR-12, shoulder activity score). Conclusion: This prospective cohort study suggests that the factors predictive of treatment allocation are related more to patient demographics at presentation than patient derived outcome scores or intrinsic characteristics of the rotator cuff such as tear size. Further study is warranted to help define appropriate indications for treatment allocation in patients with rotator cuff tears.

Is Obesity in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Associated With Larger Curves and Worse Surgical Outcomes

Study Design. A multicenter retrospective study of preoperative characteristics and surgical outcomes in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Objective. To determine the effect of obesity on (i) curve magnitude at first presentation to an orthopedic surgeon, and (ii) surgical outcomes. Summary of Background Data. Clinical findings for scoliosis may be less apparent in overweight adolescents. The effect of obesity on curve magnitude at presentation to an orthopedic surgeon has not been studied. It is unclear whether obesity is associated with worse surgical outcomes in AIS. Methods. Demographic, radiographic, perioperative, and complications data were collected on AIS patients who had undergone posterior spinal fusion (PSF). Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted to compare healthy-weight (HW) [body mass index percentile for age (BMI%) ⩽ 84], overweight (OW; BMI% ≥ 85), and obese (OB; BMI% ≥ 95) adolescents. Results. We analyzed 588 patients (454 HW, 134 OW, and 71 OB). In comparison with the HW adolescents, major curve magnitude at presentation to orthopedics was larger in the OW adolescents (49.3° vs. 43.9°) (P < 0.0001) and OB adolescents (50.4° vs. 43.9°) (P = 0.001). The OW and OB groups had increased preoperative major curve magnitude [(59.1° vs. 55.4°) (P = 0.001); (59.9° vs. 55.4°) (P = 0.001)], preoperative minor curve magnitude [(42.2° vs. 37.2°) (P < 0.0001); (43.0° vs. 37.2°) (P = 0.001)], preoperative thoracic kyphosis [(30.8° vs. 25.7°) (P < 0.0001); (33.7° vs. 25.7°) (P < 0.0001)], and surgical time [(307 vs. 276 mins) (P = 0.009); (320 vs. 276 mins) (P = 0.005)] than the HW group. Subgroup analysis of the patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up (n = 245) showed a trend towards a higher complication rate in the OB group (47.8% vs. 28.3%) (P = 0.054). The OB group had significantly more superficial infections than the HW group (13.0% vs. 1.6%) (P = 0.001). Conclusion. OW patients with AIS have a larger curve magnitude at presentation to an orthopedic surgeon. OW patients who undergo PSF for AIS have increased surgical times. OB patients may be at higher risk of postoperative complications. Level of Evidence: 3

Do medical comorbidities affect outcomes in patients with rotator cuff tears

Background: The effects of medical comorbidities on clinical outcomes in patients with rotator cuff tears (RCTs) have not been fully elucidated. This study investigates the association between medical comorbidities, as measured by the Functional Comorbidity Index (FCI), and clinical outcomes in patients treated surgically or nonsurgically for symptomatic, full-thickness RCTs. Hypothesis: Patients with RCTs who have more comorbidities will have worse outcome scores. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We collected the following outcome measures at baseline and at regular intervals up to 64 weeks in all patients: FCI, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC), and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score. Changes in outcomes were compared separately for surgical and nonsurgical patients using paired t tests. The relationship of the FCI and all outcomes of interest at baseline, at 64-week follow-up, and for changes from baseline was explored using linear regression modeling. Results: Of the 222 study patients (133 males; mean age, 60.0 ± 9.6 years), 140 completed the 64-week WORC and 120 completed the 64-week ASES. Overall, 128 patients underwent RCT repair, and 94 patients were treated nonsurgically. Both treatment groups improved compared with baseline at 64 weeks on the ASES score and WORC. At 64 weeks, patients with higher baseline FCI scores had worse WORC score (by 74.5 points; P = .025) and ASES score (by 3.8 points; P < .01). A higher FCI score showed a trend toward predicting changes in the WORC and ASES scores at 64 weeks compared with baseline, but this did not reach statistical significance (WORC change, P = .15; ASES change, P = .07). Conclusion: Patients with higher FCI scores at baseline reported worse baseline functional scores and demonstrated less improvement with time. The magnitude of this change may not be clinically significant for single comorbidities.

Reliability of Radiographic Assessments of Adolescent Midshaft Clavicle Fractures by the FACTS Multicenter Study Group

Objectives: There is a recent trend toward increased surgical treatment of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in adolescents. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the intrarater and interrater reliability of clavicle fracture classification systems and measurements of displacement, shortening, and angulation in adolescents. The secondary purpose was to compare 2 different measurement methods for fracture shortening. Methods: This study was performed by a multicenter study group conducting a prospective, comparative, observational cohort study of adolescent clavicle fractures. Eight raters evaluated 24 deidentified anteroposterior clavicle radiographs selected from patients 10–18 years of age with midshaft clavicle fractures. Two clavicle fracture classification systems were used, and 2 measurements for shortening, 1 measurement for superior–inferior displacement, and 2 measurements for fracture angulation were performed. A minimum of 2 weeks after the first round, the process was repeated. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated. Results: Good to excellent intrarater and interrater agreement was achieved for the descriptive classification system of fracture displacement, direction of angulation, presence of comminution, and all continuous variables, including both measurements of shortening, superior–inferior displacement, and degrees of angulation. Moderate agreement was achieved for the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen classification system overall. Mean shortening by 2 different methods were significantly different from each other (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Most radiographic measurements performed by investigators in a multicenter, prospective cohort study of adolescent clavicle fractures demonstrated good-to-excellent intrarater and interrater reliability. Future consensus on the most accurate and clinically appropriate measurement method for fracture shortening is critical.

Patterns of strain and the determination of the safe arc of motion after subscapularis repair—A biomechanical study

This study characterizes the strain patterns and safe arcs for passive range of motion (ROM) in the superior and inferior subscapularis tendon in seven cadaveric shoulders, mounted for controlled ROM, after deltopectoral approach to the glenohumeral joint, including tenotomy of the subscapularis tendon 1 cm medial to its insertion on the lesser tuberosity. The tenotomy was repaired with end‐to‐end suture in neutral rotation. Strain patterns were measured during passive ROM in external rotation (ER), ER with 30° abduction (ER+30), abduction, and forward flexion in the scapular plane (SP) before and after surgery. Percentages were calculated from 35 trials corresponding to five trials of each motion across seven specimens. With ER of 0−30°, 89% of trials of superior subscapularis tendon and 100% of trials of inferior subscapularis tendon achieved strains >3%, with very similar patterns noted in ER+30. In abduction of 0−90°, 5.8% of trials of superior and 85.3% of trials of inferior tendon achieved >3% strain. With passive ROM in SP, 26.5% of trials reached 3% strain in superior tendon compared to 100% in inferior tendon. Strain patterns in abduction and SP differed significantly (p < 0.001). Selective tenotomy and repair of the superior subscapularis tendon with open reparative or reconstructive shoulder procedures, when feasible, may be favorable for protected early passive ROM and rehabilitation postoperatively.

Intrathecal Morphine and Oral Analgesics Provide Safe and Effective Pain Control after Posterior Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Study Design. Retrospective comparative study. Objective. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that intrathecal morphine (ITM) and oral analgesics provide effective pain control after posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), and this protocol has a low complication rate so patients can be admitted to a general care floor. Summary of Background Data. Previous studies have shown that ITM combined with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia or epidural infusion (EPI) provides effective pain control after PSF for AIS. Owing to concerns for respiratory depression, ITM patients were routinely admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) postoperatively. There are little data on ITM combined with oral analgesics. Methods. We identified AIS patients aged 10 to 17 years who had undergone PSF. Twenty-eight patients who received ITM were matched to 28 patients who received a hydromorphone EPI. The ITM group received oral oxycodone starting at 16 hours postinjection. The EPI group received oxycodone after the epidural catheter was removed on postoperative day 2. Pain scores, adverse events, and length of stay were recorded. Results. A higher number of EPI patients received fentanyl (11 vs. 3, P = 0.014) in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). The ITM group had lower pain scores between PACU discharge and midnight (mean 2.9 vs. 4.2, P = 0.034). Pain scores were similar during the remaining postoperative periods. All ITM patients transitioned to oxycodone without intravenous opioids. Time to ambulation (19.9 vs. 26.5 hours, P = 0.010) and Foley catheter removal (21.3 vs. 41.9 hours, P < 0.001) were earlier in the ITM patients. Length of hospital stay was shorter in the ITM group (3.1 vs. 3.5 days, P = 0.043). Adverse events occurred at similar rates in both groups. Conclusion. ITM and oral analgesics provide safe and effective pain control after PSF for AIS. Routine postoperative admission to the ICU is not necessary. Level of Evidence: 3

The effect of lipid levels on patient-reported outcomes in patients with rotator cuff tears

Background Lipid disorders could be associated with the prevalence and outcomes of rotator cuff diseases. This study aimed to learn how levels of various types of lipids influence the patient-reported outcomes of patients with rotator cuff tears (RCTs). Methods Data from a cohort study of 135 patients with RCTs were used. The outcome measures included Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) index, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) standardized shoulder assessment form, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, visual analog scale for pain and satisfaction, and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12). Multivariable random-effects models were built to examine how total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein, and ratio of total cholesterol to HDL influence each outcome, controlling for covariates. Results After adjusting for age, gender, surgery, smoking, and baseline outcome values, patients with triglycerides >150 mg/dL had significantly higher pain visual analog scale (β = 5.86; P = .017) and lower VR-12 physical component summary (β = −2.71; P = .002) scores. Patients with low HDL had significantly worse WORC (β = 132.26; P = .020) and ASES (β = −7.05; P = .005) scores, more pain (β = 6.69; P = .024), and less satisfaction (β = −6.53; P = .008). The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL was associated with worse WORC (β = 58.46; P = .006) and ASES scores (β = −2.74; P = .002), more pain (β = 4.49; P < .001), and worse VR-12 physical component summary score (β = −1.03; P = .017). Conclusions Dyslipidemia may decrease the improvement of patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing treatment for RCTs; high triglycerides and low HDL may have the most impact.

Complicated Outcomes After Emergent Lower Extremity Surgery in Patients With Solid Organ Transplants.

The complications of emergent or urgent surgery in solid organ transplant recipients are unclear. The goal of this nonrandomized retrospective case study, conducted at a large public university teaching hospital, was to determine the following: (1) 90-day postsurgical complications in solid organ transplant recipients who undergo fracture surgery of the lower extremities; (2) 90-day and 1-year mortality rates for this cohort; (3) correlation of particular postsurgical complications with the 90-day or 1-year mortality rate; and (4) correlation of body mass index with the 90-day or 1-year mortality rate. Subjects included 36 solid organ transplant recipients who underwent surgical treatment for 37 emergent or urgent lower extremity fractures within 72 hours of presentation to the emergency department. Patients were followed for all medical and surgical complications for 90 days and for all-cause mortality for 1 year. Within 90 days of surgery, patients had complications that included acute renal failure (15, 40.5%), deep venous thrombosis (3, 8.1%), pulmonary embolus (2, 5.4%), pneumonia (7, 18.9%), superficial surgical site infection (3, 8.1%), and nonorthopedic sepsis (4, 10.8%). In addition, 3 (8.1%) and 5 (13.9%) patients died within 90 days and 1 year, respectively. Hospital readmission correlated with a higher 1-year mortality rate (odds ratio, 14.000; P=.016). Higher body mass index correlated with higher 90-day (odds ratio, 1.425; P=.035) and 1-year (odds ratio, 1.334; P=.033) mortality rates. Solid organ transplant recipients with lower extremity fracture have high 90-day and 1-year mortality rates and may have multiple complications within 90 days of treatment. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(6):e1063-e1069.].

Weight Gain after Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib Surgery May Be from Nutritional Optimization Rather Than Improvement in Pulmonary Function

Study Design. Prospective comparative study. Objective. To evaluate whether weight percentile (WP) increases after vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) insertion, and whether WP correlates with nutrition laboratories and pulmonary function. Summary of Background Data. Children with thoracic insufficiency syndrome often have “failure to thrive” (WP ⩽5). Previous authors have reported an increase in WP after VEPTR surgery. Weight gain was hypothesized to be secondary to improved pulmonary function. The presence of a correlation between WP and nutrition laboratories and pulmonary function tests (PFT) after VEPTR insertion has not been studied. Methods. Demographic, nutrition, radiographic, and PFT data were collected on 35 VEPTR patients with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The relationship between WP and nutrition laboratories and pulmonary function was analyzed. Results. Preoperative WP was ⩽5 (PREOP⩽5) in 13 patients (37%) and >5 (PREOP>5) in 22 patients (63%). Although all children gained weight, the PREOP⩽5 group was more likely to have an increase in WP (P = 0.014). Sixty-eight percent of the PREOP>5 group had a decrease in WP and 32% of the PREOP>5 patients met the criteria for failure to thrive at final follow-up. Overall, there was no change in the number of children with a WP ⩽5 (13 vs. 15). Forty-two percent of the children who maintained or increased their WP had a gastrostomy tube, compared to 19% of those who decreased their WP. Seventy-three percent of the patients with failure to thrive at final follow-up did not have a gastrostomy tube. No significant correlations were found between WP and nutrition laboratories, radiographic measures, or PFTs. Conclusion. We did not find an overall change in WP after VEPTR insertion. We did not find any correlation between WP and nutrition laboratories or pulmonary function. Weight gain after VEPTR surgery may be secondary to nutritional optimization in high-risk patients. Children who do not have failure to thrive at presentation also require attention. Level of Evidence: 2