Stephen A. Parada

Internal rotation and taping of the lower extremities for closed pelvic reduction

External rotation of the disrupted hemipelvis is a common deformity after pelvic ring trauma, especially in anteroposterior compression injury patterns. This displacement is associated with significant pelvic hemorrhage. Emergent closed reduction techniques are necessary to diminish the potential pelvic volume, provide temporary stability, and allow tamponade with clot formation. Circumferential pelvic antishock sheeting is effective but may be cumbersome, especially in patients with truncal obesity. In such scenarios, circumferential pelvic area sheeting does not always achieve a complete reduction. We present a technique of internal rotation and taping of the lower extremities as an alternative or supplemental pelvic closed reduction method.

Scapular Osteochondromas Treated With Surgical Excision

A retrospective review was performed of all osteochondroma excisions at our institution from 1994 to 2007. Postoperative functional assessment was completed with use of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) survey and a self-report questionnaire. Eight osteochondromas were excised at a mean patient age of 21.63 years. Presenting reports included pain, mass, pseudowinging, and snapping of the scapula. Physical examination identified pseudowinging, palpable mass, and pain with shoulder motion. The lesions arose from the ventral surface of the scapula in 5 patients, the dorsal surface in 2, and the inferior acromion in 1. The resected specimen averaged 10.8cm(3). A reactive bursa was found and resected in 4 patients. At mean of 4.17 years postresection, no signs of recurrence were found in 7 patients (88%). The single patient with a recurrence had undergone 2 additional surgical procedures. Six patients (75%) reported no/mild pain with routine and strenuous activities. One patient reported moderate and 1 patient reported moderate/severe pain with routine and strenuous activities. Four patients reported post-resection function as excellent, 2 as good, 1 as average/good, and 1 as average/poor. Six patients (75%) reported feeling very satisfied with the results, 1 reported feeling satisfied, and 1 reported feeling unsatisfied. The average DASH score was 11.7 (range, 0.00-46.67). No winging or pseudowinging was identified in those available for examination, and no difference was identified in range of motion comparing the operative to the nonoperative upper extremity. Near normal functional outcomes can be expected following excision of scapular osteochondromas.

Allograft osteochondral transplantation in the knee in the active duty population.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of allograft osteochondral transplantation in the knee in the active duty population, focusing on the patients ability to remain on active duty following the procedure. A retrospective review was performed on all active duty patients undergoing allograft osteochondral transplantation surgery of the knee at our institution from 2003 to 2011. Medical records were reviewed for patient characteristics and treatment details. Eighteen patients underwent osteochondral transplantation surgery from 2003 to 2011. One of the patients is still in the acute recovery phase of their procedure (<1 year since surgery), and one patient was already in the medical evaluation board (MEB) process at the time of surgery. Of the remaining sixteen patients, nine have either entered or completed the MEB since surgery. Six of the seven patients who have stayed on active duty remain on activity-restricting profiles. The average time from surgery to MEB for these patients was 23.2 months. In the setting of the unique demands of active duty soldiers, osteochondral allograft transplantation does not appear to be conducive to retention on active duty.

Instrumentation-Specific Infection After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is uncommonly complicated by postoperative infections, the causes of which are rarely identified. Hypothesis/Purpose: The goal of this study was to characterize the relationship between methodological sterilization failure and ACL reconstruction infection at an army medical center. Study Design: Case series. Methods: Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected on 5 postoperative infections during a 14-week period in 2003. All ACL reconstructions completed within the past 6 years at the institution were reviewed to establish a baseline infection rate. Results: There was a 14-week period in which 5 cases of infection occurred postoperatively, an infection rate of 12.2%. Previous and subsequent to the identified period, the established rate of infection after ACL reconstruction was 0.3%. There were no violations of sterile technique noted in any of the identified cases. All cases utilized hamstring autograft. All cases also used the DePuy Mitek Intrafix system for tibial fixation of the graft. Two of these cases had positive cultures. Conclusions: An isolated series of increased infection rate led to an investigation into the sterile technique. This revealed gross biomaterial remaining inside instrumentation common to all the cases, the DePuy Mitek Intrafix system. The modular cannulated hex driver, made to fit over a small caliber wire, had no wire brushes of a small-enough diameter for the cleaning and sterilization procedure. After recognition of infection, all patients were treated with surgical irrigation and debridement of the affected knee, as well as individualized antibiotic therapy. Patients were followed postoperatively and no patients required revision ACL reconstruction or radical debridement of the graft.

Iatrogenic Nerve Injuries in Shoulder Surgery

Abstract The range of open and arthroscopic shoulder procedures continues to evolve and expand. Despite advances in instrumentation and technology, complications still exist and neurologic injury remains an inherent part of these procedures. Iatrogenic nerve injuries are among the more commonly cited complications associated with shoulder surgery. Various surgical procedures about the shoulder are known to place the brachial plexus and peripheral motor nerves at risk. Peripheral nerve monitoring has been helpful in identifying specific surgical steps and key anatomic regions that are susceptible to iatrogenic nerve injury.

Unilateral cervical facet dislocation in a 9-year-old boy.

Facet dislocations in children are rare. This article presents the youngest case of a unilateral facet dislocation described in the pediatric population. A 9-year-old boy sustained a flexion/axial loading injury to his cervical spine while wrestling with his friends, causing a unilateral facet dislocation at C4/5. Prereduction magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated the absence of a diskal herniation or cord impingement and an intact posterior ligamentous complex. Due to the patients young age, the decision was made to forgo a supervised awake closed reduction. Closed reduction was performed under general anesthesia with somatosensory-evoked potential and motor-evoked potential monitoring. Closed reduction was successfully achieved after Gardner-Wells tongs were applied and used to manually direct slow, steady in-line traction, along with slight flexion and posterior rotation of the dislocated side under direct fluoroscopy. The patient was immediately awakened from anesthesia and was found to have an intact sensory examination. He was immobilized in a cervical collar for 12 weeks. At 2-year follow-up, he remained asymptomatic without recurrence and had painless full range of motion of the cervical spine. Radiographs revealed a normally aligned cervical spine. Unilateral cervical facet dislocations and subluxations are the result of a distractionflexion force applied to the spine along with a rotational component. These are not uncommon injuries in the adult spine; however, in the young pediatric population, cervical facet dislocations are rare.

Intrasubstance ruptures of the biceps brachii: diagnosis and management.

Traumatic intrasubstance ruptures of the biceps brachii are rare and historically specific to military static line parachute jumps; however, these injuries have recently been reported in the civilian literature. Diagnosis is made by history, clinical weakness in supination and elbow flexion, extensive ecchymosis and edema, and a palpable defect. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are useful to confirm the diagnosis and injury severity. Nonoperative treatment involves splinting in acute flexion. Percutaneous hematoma aspiration has been described. Early surgical intervention with primary repair has been shown to be more successful than late reconstruction. Studies comparing operative and nonoperative treatment are lacking.

Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastases to Bone After a 33-Year Remission

Renal cell carcinoma accounts for 2% of all cancers. Metastases to bone occur 35% to 40% of the time, second in prevalence of metastases only to the lungs. These metastases are highly destructive, hypervascular tumors known to be difficult to manage. This article reports a unique case in which a patient was disease free for 33 years from initial nephrectomy for treatment of primary renal cell carcinoma to discovery of metastatic disease to the pelvis. Search for an unknown primary was performed, consisting of a complete blood count, chemistry, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, serum and urine protein electrophoresis, immunoglobulin levels, prostate specific antigen, liver function tests, bone scan, and chest, abdomen, and pelvis computed tomography scans. This workup was negative for any other primary source of malignancy, and the patients remaining kidney was found to be free from any tumor burden. The patient successfully underwent excisional biopsy of the lesion, which proved to be vascular in nature, consistent with the final pathology of renal cell carcinoma. The longest amount of time from completion of treatment for the primary renal cell carcinoma to discovery of the first metastatic disease has previously been reported at 22.3 years. Mean interval between primary treatment and discovery of metastases has been defined as 3.0+/-5.4 years. This article highlights the need for advanced medical workup as well as maintaining a high clinical suspicion in patients with remote histories of primary malignancies who present with bony lesions.

Prevention and management of post-instability glenohumeral arthropathy

Post-instability arthropathy may commonly develop in high-risk patients with a history of recurrent glenohumeral instability, both with and without surgical stabilization. Classically related to anterior shoulder instability, the incidence and rates of arthritic progression may vary widely. Radiographic arthritic changes may be present in up to two-thirds of patients after primary Bankart repair and 30% after Latarjet procedure, with increasing rates associated with recurrent dislocation history, prominent implant position, non-anatomic reconstruction, and/or lateralized bone graft placement. However, the presence radiographic arthrosis does not predict poor patient-reported function. After exhausting conservative measures, both joint-preserving and arthroplasty surgical options may be considered depending on a combination of patient-specific and anatomic factors. Arthroscopic procedures are optimally indicated for individuals with focal disease and may yield superior symptomatic relief when combined with treatment of combined shoulder pathology. For more advanced secondary arthropathy, total shoulder arthroplasty remains the most reliable option, although the clinical outcomes, wear characteristics, and implant survivorship remains a concern among active, young patients.

The Epidemiology and Natural History of Anterior Shoulder Instability

Purpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to outline the natural history and best clinical practices for nonoperative management of anterior shoulder instability.Recent FindingsRecent studies continue to demonstrate a role for nonoperative treatment in the successful long-term management of anterior glenohumeral instability. The success of different positions of shoulder immobilization is reviewed as well.SummaryThere are specific patients who may be best treated with nonoperative means after anterior glenohumeral instability. There are also patients who are not good nonoperative candidates based on a number of factors that are outlined in this review. There continues to be no definitive literature regarding the return to play of in-season athletes. Successful management requires a thorough understanding of the epidemiology, pathoanatomy, history, physical examination, diagnostic imaging modalities, and natural history of operative and nonoperative treatment.