Richard T. Laughlin

Inter- and intraobserver reliability in the radiographic evaluation of adult flatfoot deformity.

Background: Adult acquired flatfoot is a complex deformity with numerous radiographic measurements described to define it. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inter- and intraobserver reliability of six radiographic measurements using digital and conventional radiographs. Materials and Methods: Three digital weightbearing radiographs consisting of anteroposterior, lateral, and hindfoot alignment views were obtained at presentation for 20 consecutive patients. Six radiographic measurements were made for each patient: talus/second metatarsal angle, calcaneal pitch angle, talus/first metatarsal angle, medial cuneiform/fifth metatarsal distance, tibial/calcaneal displacement, and calcaneal angulation. Each radiograph was evaluated on multiple occasions by a senior orthopaedic surgery resident, a junior orthopaedic surgery resident, and a third-year medical student. Inter- and intraobserver reliability was determined using measurements made on digital radiographs. Results: Interobserver reliabilities were 0.830 for talus/second metatarsal angle, 0.948 for calcaneal pitch angle, 0.781 for talus/first metatarsal angle, 0.991 for medial cuneiform/fifth metatarsal distance, 0.870 for tibial/calcaneal displacement, and 0.834 for calcaneal angulation. Interobserver reliability was similar for digital and conventional radiographs, and intraobserver reliability increased with observer experience. Conclusion: Adult acquired flatfoot deformity is a complex condition that is difficult to quantify radiographically. The medial cuneiform/fifth metatarsal distance and the calcaneal pitch angle were found to have the highest interobserver reliability. Intraobserver reliability increased with observer experience.

Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneus Fractures Treated with the Galveston Plate

From January 1992 to August 1993, 59 calcaneal fractures in 48 patients were treated. Thirty-three fractures in 31 patients were displaced intra-articular fractures and were treated with open reduction and internal fixation through an extensile lateral approach with the Galveston plate (Smith and Nephew, Richards, Memphis, TN). Complete radiographs and CT scans were available for 32 of the fractures. The CT scan classification of Sanders was used. The distribution of the fractures was: IIA, N = 17; IIB, N = 2; IIC, N = 2; IIIAB, N = 7; IIIAC, N = 2; IV, N = 2. Sixteen (50%) had calcaneocuboid joint involvement. Preoperative and postoperative radiographic measurements of Bohlers angle, Gissanes angle, talocalcaneal angle, and Achilles tendon fulcrum distance were made. Clinical follow-up on 23 fractures in 22 patients at an average of 21 months is presented. Seventy percent of the patients have no pain or only occasional pain not requiring medication. Using the Maryland Foot Score for assessment, 78% of the patients had a good or excellent result. The Galveston plate was useful for maintaining reduction of intra-articular calcaneus fractures treated operatively and provided results comparable to other reported series.

Calcaneal avulsion fractures: complications from delayed treatment.

Calcaneal fractures represent approximately 2% of all fractures, of which 25% to 40% are classified as extra-articular in nature. Most calcaneal fractures are closed injuries that are treated nonoperatively, or if treated operatively, surgery is delayed to allow subsidence of swelling. The purpose of this article is to highlight a subset of calcaneal fractures that should be addressed urgently. Calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fractures often compromise the thin posterior skin that covers the insertion of the Achilles tendon. These patients are at risk for skin breakdown of the posterior heel and tissue necrosis if they do not receive urgent treatment. This case series presents 3 posterior tuberosity calcaneal avulsion fractures that led to skin necrosis because of a delay in treatment.

Follow-up on Misrepresentation of Research Activity by Orthopaedic Residency Applicants: Has Anything Changed?

BACKGROUND In our previous study, published in 1999, we showed that 18% of research citations listed as published by orthopaedic residency applicants were misrepresented. Since our last report, we sought to determine whether there had been any change in the behavior of applicants wishing to pursue the field of orthopaedic surgery. METHODS We evaluated the research citations that were identified after a review of the Publications section of the Common Application Form from the Electronic Residency Application Service for all applicants to our orthopaedic residency program for 2005 and 2006. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established for citations listed on candidate applications. Citations were required to be from journals listed in Ulrichs Periodicals Directory. The PubMed-MEDLINE database engine was used to search for citations. If searching failed to yield the cited publication, a review of the journal of alleged publication was undertaken and an interlibrary search was conducted with the use of several research databases. When no match was found, the citation was labeled as misrepresented. Misrepresentation was defined as either (1) nonauthorship of an existing article or (2) claimed authorship of a nonexistent article. RESULTS One hundred and forty-two (35.9%) of 396 applicants during the 2005 and 2006 application periods listed publications. A total of 304 citations were claimed from these 142 applicants. Listings included articles that were in press or in print (thirty-four citations), articles in journals not found in Ulrichs Periodicals Directory (twenty-eight citations), book chapters (twenty-three citations), and articles recorded as having been submitted (eighty-eight citations). These 173 works were excluded from our analysis. One hundred and thirty-one citations were referenced as appearing in journals per our search criteria, and all were verified. Twenty-seven or 20.6% (95% confidence interval, 14.2% to 28.7%) of 131 citations were misrepresented. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of misrepresented research publications from orthopaedic surgery residency applicants increased modestly to 20.6% compared with that found in our original report (18%). As we recommended in our last report, we strongly urge residency programs to require applicants to submit reprints of their publications with their residency applications. Perhaps standardized guidelines should be developed to help to prevent misrepresentation through the Electronic Residency Application Service.

Late functional outcome in patients with tibia fractures covered with free muscle flaps

The functional outcome and work capacity of patients treated with a free muscle flap to cover open grade III tibial fractures was assessed. The conditions of patients, eight with grade IIIB and six with grade IIIC isolated open tibia fractures, treated with a free muscle flap transfer less than 3 months after their injury, were retrospectively reviewed. Flap survival was 86%. Twelve of the 14 were contacted, with follow-up time averaging 7 years. Four of the 14 eventually had below-knee amputations and one of the 10 patients with a successful limb salvage died of unrelated causes. All nine surviving patients with salvaged limbs had healed fractures in an average of 15 months (range, 8–23). Six were initially infected, but drainage had stopped an average of 13.5 months after flap coverage. No wounds were draining at last follow-up observation. Those tibias that were initially infected have been drainage free for an average of 78 months. The average total hospital cost of reconstruction was

The Diabetic Foot.

48,996.40. The functional outcome in 12 patients was assessed. Eight of the nine patients whose limbs were salvaged returned to work, six to jobs with demands similar to their preinjury occupation. Three of the four patients with limb amputations were also able to return to jobs similar to their preinjury occupation. Patients must be made aware of the expected course of reconstruction and anticipated final outcome. Despite rarely achieving normal function, returning to work is a reasonable goal.

A Continuous Infusion Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block in Hip Fracture Patients: A Pilot Study

&NA; Management of foot problems in the patient with diabetes mellitus requires attention to each system affected by the disease. Appropriate treatment of common clinical problems affecting the foot in diabetic patients, such as ulcerations and fractures, depends on a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. Treatment of neuropathy is directed at pressure relief and prevention of deformity. Infection is addressed with antibiotics, debridement, and improvement of the vascularity and oxygenation of the tissues. Amputation should be viewed, not as evidence of treatment failure, but as a reconstructive procedure, the goal of which is to regain energy‐efficient ambulation. The orthopaedic surgeon can play a critical role in the team approach to the care of the diabetic patient with foot problems.

Association Between Diabetes, Obesity, and Short-Term Outcomes Among Patients Surgically Treated for Ankle Fracture.

Background Hip fractures account for 350,000 fractures annually and the projected incidence is expected to exceed 6.3 million by 2050. As the number of hip fractures continues to increase as a result of the aging American population, the importance of limiting and preventing complications is magnified. Methods This study demonstrated the clinical effects of a continuous fascia iliaca compartment block placed pre-operatively when combined with a comprehensive pain protocol. All patients who presented to our institution with a hip fracture were given the option of having a continuous fascia iliaca compartment block for pain control versus usual pain management (non-opioids, opioids, and ice therapy). The block was monitored by the pain service until the day of discharge from the hospital. Data was collected regarding mean pain scores, average length of stay and opioid medication use. Results There were eighteen males and twenty four females. The pain score on post-operative day zero was reduced from a 2010 annual average of 4.1 to 1.7 in the pilot study group on the visual analog score. On post-operative day one, the 2010 annual average was 2.9 compared to 1.4 in the pilot study group. The length of stay was decreased from the 2010 annual average of 5.9 days to 4.8 days in the pilot study group. The patients used an average of 18mg of morphine equivalent medications during the average infusion time of 40.7 hours. There were no falls or infections noted within our pilot study group. Conclusions Overall, it has been noticed that the reduction in opioid usage in this elderly patient population, with an average age of seventy five years, has produced alert and mobile patients often as early as post-operative day one. The length of stay has decreased along with the average pain score in the pilot sample of forty two patients. Keywords Hip fracture; Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block; Pain Score

Musculoskeletal function following bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND Although obesity is widely accepted as a risk factor for surgical complications following orthopaedic surgery, the literature is unclear with regard to the effect of obesity on outcomes of ankle fracture surgery, particularly in the setting of competing risks from diabetes. We hypothesized that obesity would be independently associated with more frequent complications, longer hospital length of stay, and higher costs of care among patients with and without diabetes. METHODS With use of data from 2001 to 2010 from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we identified all adult patients who underwent surgical treatment for a primary diagnosis of an isolated ankle fracture or dislocation. We then divided patients into four groups according to the presence or absence of diabetes or obesity: Group A included patients with neither diagnosis; Group B, obesity alone; Group C, diabetes alone; and Group D, both diagnoses. Multivariable regression models were constructed to determine the association between diagnostic group and in-hospital complications, hospital length of stay, and imputed costs of care, while controlling for other conditions. RESULTS The final sample included 148,483 patients (78.4% in Group A, 5.0% in Group B, 13.6% in Group C, and 3.0% in Group D). The median age was 53.0 years, and most patients (62.2%) were female and had a closed bimalleolar or trimalleolar fracture (62.2%). In the unadjusted analysis, the frequency of in-hospital complications (2.6%, 4.2%, 5.3%, and 6.5% in Groups A, B, C, and D, respectively; p < 0.001), length of stay (3.0, 3.6, 4.4, and 4.8 days, respectively; p < 0.001), and costs of care (

Endoscopic Plantar Fascia Release: A Cross-sectional Anatomic Study

9686,