The impact of post-operative pain on outcomes following hip fracture

Untreated pain is a major health care issue and very little is known about the treatment of pain and the effect of pain on post-operative outcomes in older adults. This study was performed to identify the impact of pain on outcomes following hip fracture in older adults. Four hundred and eleven consecutive cognitively intact patients admitted with hip fracture to four New York hospitals were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Patients were interviewed daily using standardized pain assessments. We used multiple logistic regression and ordinary least squares linear regression to examine the association of post-operative pain on immediate post-operative outcomes (duration of stay, physical therapy sessions missed or shortened, ambulation following surgery, and post-operative complications) and outcomes 6 months following fracture (locomotion, mortality, return to the community, residual pain). Patients with higher pain scores at rest had significantly longer hospital lengths of stay (P=0.03), were significantly more likely to have physical therapy sessions missed or shortened (P=0.002), were significantly less likely to be ambulating by post-operative day 3 (P<0.001), took significantly longer to ambulate past a bedside chair (P=0.01), and had significantly lower locomotion scores at 6 months (P=0.02). Pain at rest was not significantly associated with post-operative complications, nursing home placement, survival at 6 months, or residual pain at 6 months. Post-operative pain is associated with increased hospital length of stay, delayed ambulation, and long-term functional impairment. Whereas appropriate caution is warranted in administering opioid analgesics to older adults, these data suggest that improved pain control may decrease length of stay, enhance functional recovery, and improve long-term functional outcomes.

Correction of tibia vara with six-axis deformity analysis and the Taylor Spatial Frame

Operative correction for infantile and adolescent tibia vara has been described using both external and internal fixation. Gradual correction using a circular fixator offers the advantage of accurate coronal, sagittal, and axial plane correction without significant soft tissue dissection. This study evaluated the use of six-axis deformity analysis and the Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) for the correction of tibia vara. Nineteen patients (22 tibias), 6 with infantile and 13 with adolescent tibia vara, underwent correction with TSF. On the basis of mechanical axis correction, 21 of 22 tibias were corrected within 3 degrees of normal. Using Schoenecker's criteria, all patients achieved good results (no pain, <5 degrees difference in tibial-femoral angle from the normal side). Complications included one intractable pin-site infection, two superficial pin-site infections, and one delayed union. Six-axis deformity analysis and TSF provide accurate and safe correction of infantile and adolescent tibia vara.

The impact of the garden classification on proposed operative treatment

The current study evaluates the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility of the Garden classification of femoral neck fractures, assesses the influence of a lateral radiograph on a fracture's classification, and determines the classification's impact on the surgeon's choice of operative treatment. Forty radiographs of femoral neck fractures were evaluated independently by five orthopaedic surgeons. Kappa values were calculated for interobserver reliability and intraobserver variability with respect to the readers' ability to assess the fractures using the Garden classification and to determine fracture displacement with and without access to a lateral radiograph. In 69% of the instances in which a reader changed the classification of a fracture, the proposed treatment of the fracture did not change. The Garden classification has poor interobserver reliability but good intraobserver reproducibility. The addition of a lateral radiograph does not seem to improve the reliability of the current Garden classification system but may improve the reader's ability to determine fracture displacement. To improve the reliability and usefulness of the Garden classification, the authors suggest that the classification should be modified to have only two stages (Garden A-nondisplaced or valgus impacted and Garden B-displaced) and to include the use of a lateral radiograph.

In-hospital mortality after femoral neck fracture: do internal fixation and hemiarthroplasty differ?

In this article, we examine rates of in-hospital mortality of elderly patients with femoral neck fracture treated with internal fixation or hemiarthroplasty. Data were analyzed for 51,003 patients (> or = 65 years old) admitted with femoral neck fractures to New York state hospitals between 1985 and 1996. The primary outcome examined was in-hospital mortality. Associations between type of surgical procedure and outcome were assessed using a multiple logistic regression model, adjusting for patient age, sex, race, number of comorbidities, and residence in a nursing facility before hip fracture. Approximately 30% of the study group had undergone open or closed reduction and internal fixation; the other 70% had undergone hemiarthroplasty. Forty-six percent of the internal fixation group and 56% of the hemiarthroplasty group were 85 years old or older (P < .001). Median hospital stays were 13 days for the internal fixation group and 15 days for the hemiarthroplasty group (P < 001). In-hospital mortality was 5.1% overall, 3.9% for the internal fixation group, and 5.6% for the hemiarthroplasty group (P < .001). The association between type of procedure and mortality held after adjusting for patient age, sex, and number of comorbidities (odds ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-1.56; P < .001). After controlling for potential confounding variables, we found that elderly patients who had undergone hemiarthroplasty after femoral neck fracture were more likely to die during hospitalization than those who had undergone internal fixation.

Soft-tissue principles for orthopaedic surgeons

Meticulous handling of the tissues, reversal of known patient risk factors, and attention to detail can avoid many soft-tissue complications. Prompt management or consultation of a soft-tissue expert may reduce the morbidity and need for extensive reconstructive procedures.

Robotics and computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery

These are just a few representative applications of the synergistic use of computer and robotic technology assisting the orthopaedic surgeon. While the individual systems are certain to change over time, the basic principles of correlating radiographic and anatomic data through a registration process, and displaying additional instrument or implant information through smart tools and surgical navigation are certain to become an increasingly important aspect of joint arthroplasty, deformity correction, and spinal and trauma surgery. Only the orthopaedic surgeon who clearly understands the goals, applications, and limitations of these systems can decide which are appropriate for his patients, his hospital, and his practice. Determining the cost and time benefits, both before and after an obligatory "learning curve" requires a complex interaction of capital investments, time savings, and outcome research on both safety and efficacy issues. The orthopaedist who understands and applies these technologies will help his patients to achieve the best possible care. Excellent resources in the literature on this topic include the September, 1998, issue of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, a symposium on "Computer-Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery: Medical Robots and Image Guided Surgery"; Guest editor, Anthony M. DiGioia, III, MD. Also, the January, 2000, issue of Operative Techniques in Orthopaedics, "Medical Robotics and Computer-Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery. Guest editors: Anthony M. DiGioia, III, M.D. and Branislav Jaramaz, Ph.D. Additional Internet based information is available from the Journal of Computer Aided Surgery (formerly: Journal of Image Guided Surgery), at http://journals.wiley.com/.

Frequency and impact of active clinical issues and new impairments on hospital discharge in patients with hip fracture

BACKGROUND

Hip fracture is associated with significant mortality and disability. Patients who are discharged from the hospital with active clinical problems may have worse outcomes than those patients without active clinical problems.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency and impact of clinical problems at discharge on clinical and functional hip fracture outcomes.

METHODS

Detailed clinical data were collected from 559 patients in a prospective, multicenter observational cohort study. Active clinical issues (ACIs) on discharge included the following: temperature of 38.3 degrees C or higher, heart rate of more than 100/min or less than 60/min, systolic blood pressure higher than 180 mm Hg or lower than 90 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure higher than 110 mm Hg or lower than 60 mm Hg, respiratory rate of more than 24/min, oxygen saturation of less than 90%, altered mental status, no oral intake, shortness of breath, chest pain, arrhythmias, or wound infection. New impairments (NIs) included bowel and bladder incontinence, inability to get out of bed, and decubitus ulcer. Outcomes were deaths, readmissions, and functional mobility 60 days after discharge.

RESULTS

Overall, 94 patients (16.8%) had 1 or more ACIs, and 229 (41.0%) had 1 or more NIs on discharge. Both ACIs and NIs on discharge were associated with increased risk-adjusted rates of death (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.8) or readmission (odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.3). The NIs on discharge were also associated with worse functional mobility (P<.004). These relationships persisted in multivariate analyses that controlled for a previously validated, hip fracture-specific risk adjustment measure.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should consider information about ACIs and NIs when deciding readiness for discharge and planning post-acute care.

Relationship between pain and opioid analgesics on the development of delirium following hip fracture

BACKGROUND

Delirium and pain are common following hip fracture. Untreated pain has been shown to increase the risk of delirium in older adults undergoing elective surgery. This study was performed to examine the relationship among pain, analgesics, and other factors on delirium in hip fracture patients.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study at four New York hospitals that enrolled 541 patients with hip fracture and without delirium. Delirium was identified prospectively by patient interview supplemented by medical record review. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify risk factors.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven of 541 patients (16%) became delirious. Among all subjects, risk factors for delirium were cognitive impairment (relative risk, or RR, 3.6; 95% confidence interval, or CI, 1.8-7.2), abnormal blood pressure (RR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.7), and heart failure (RR 2.9, 95% CI 1.6-5.3). Patients who received less than 10 mg of parenteral morphine sulfate equivalents per day were more likely to develop delirium than patients who received more analgesia (RR 5.4, 95% CI 2.4-12.3). Patients who received meperidine were at increased risk of developing delirium as compared with patients who received other opioid analgesics (RR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.5). In cognitively intact patients, severe pain significantly increased the risk of delirium (RR 9.0, 95% CI 1.8-45.2).

CONCLUSIONS

Using admission data, clinicians can identify patients at high risk for delirium following hip fracture. Avoiding opioids or using very low doses of opioids increased the risk of delirium. Cognitively intact patients with undertreated pain were nine times more likely to develop delirium than patients whose pain was adequately treated. Undertreated pain and inadequate analgesia appear to be risk factors for delirium in frail older adults.

Mortality risk after hip fracture

OBJECTIVE

To determine the mortality risk following hip fracture and identify factors predictive of increased mortality.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

SETTING

Tertiary care orthopaedic hospital.

BACKGROUND

Approximately 250,000 hip fractures occur annually in the United States. The greatest mortality risk following hip fracture has been demonstrated to be within the first 6 months of fracture, and some studies report that the risk approaches expected mortality after 6 months. However, more recent studies have demonstrated that an increased risk of mortality may persist for several years postfracture. The purpose of this study was to assess the excess mortality associated with hip fracture at up to 2 years postinjury.

METHODS

All patients with a hip fracture who were admitted to our institution over a 10-year period were evaluated. Criteria for inclusion included: Caucasian, age 65 or older, previously ambulatory, and home dwelling. Patients were followed prospectively to determine the mortality risk associated with hip fracture over a 2-year follow-up period. Mortality was compared to a standardized population and standardized mortality ratios were calculated.

RESULTS

Eight hundred thirty-six patients met the inclusion criteria and were included. The mortality risk was highest within the first 3 months following fracture, with standardized mortality ratios approaching that of the control population by two years. Patients age 65-84 had higher mortality risk when compared with patients age > or =85. American Society of Anesthesiologists classification was predictive of increased mortality risk in younger patients, with these patients having triple the mortality risk when compared to the reference population at 2-year follow-up. More elderly patients had minimal excess mortality associated with hip fracture at 1- and 2-year follow-up, regardless of ASA classification.

CONCLUSION

The data demonstrate that hip fracture is not associated with significant excess mortality amongst patients older than age 85. Amongst younger patients, however, those with ASA classifications of 3 or 4 have significant excess mortality following hip fracture that persists up to 2 years after injury.

Comparison of two headless screw designs for fixation of capitellum fractures

In order to determine the effects of two different headless screw designs on fixation of simulated capitellum fractures six matched pairs of embalmed humeri had simulated capitellum fractures created. Fixation with Acutrac compression screws was compared to Herbert screws in a matched pair experimental design. All specimens were cyclically tested with simulated physiologic loading. Both displacement of the capitellum as a function of the number of cycles and failure loads were determined. Fixation by the Acutrac screws was significantly more stable than Herbert screws at 2000 cycles, 0.17 mm wersus 1.57 mm (p < 0.02) The Acutrac fixation also had a higher failure load, 154 N versus 118 N (p < 0.05). The Acutrac screws tested in this biomechanical study provided more stable fixation of simulated capitellum fractures than Herbert screws. This appears to be related to the design of these screws.

Prevention of heterotopic ossification at the elbow following trauma using radiation therapy

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of postoperative single dose radiation therapy of 700 centigray on fracture/dislocations of the elbow in the prevention of heterotopic ossification. Eleven patients were reviewed for this study. Each patient sustained high-energy trauma to the extremity causing a fracture/dislocation of the elbow. After open reduction and internal fixation, a postoperative single dose of 700-centigray radiation therapy was administered to the patients within 72 hours of surgery. Primary outcome measurements were clinical physical examination of range of motion and radiographic analysis of heterotopic bone formation at 12 months follow-up. Three of eleven patients (27%) had radiographic evidence of heterotopic ossification formation. Ten of eleven patients (91%) however, were without functional limitations. All fractures healed without complications. There were no complications from the radiation therapy. A single dose of 700-centigray radiation therapy postoperatively within 72 hours may lessen the functional loss from heterotopic ossification formation without effecting healing at the fracture site.

Effect of piriformis versus trochanteric starting point on fixation stability of short intramedullary reconstruction nails

Recently, a new, shorter IM nail using two 6 mm reconstruction screws for proximal fixation was introduced in two versions for femoral insertion: piriformis fossa (FAN) and greater trochanter (TAN). These nails were compared experimentally for their fixation stability, proximal load transmission, and failure strength in an unstable intertrochanteric fracture model in cadaveric femurs. Vertical and axial loads were first applied to the intact femurs. Fractures were created, subsequent fixation applied, and the femurs underwent a series of both vertical and axial loading tests. There was no significant difference in strain readings between the nails for either axial loading or cyclical loading. There was no statistically significant difference between the loads to failure for the trochanteric nails and the standard antegrade nails. The average ultimate loadfor the FAN and TAN nails were 3010 N and 2830 N respectively. These two nails performed very similarly throughout our testing.

The effect of screw type on the fixation of depressed fragments in tibial plateau fractures

The ability of various screw types to stabilize depressed tibial plateau fractures was determined in a biomechanical study using a Sawbones model. Two sizes of both cancellous and cortical screws were evaluated for both supportfrom below and through the depressed fragment. As a general trend, cancellous bone screws provided a greater resistance to fragment displacement than cortical bone screws, and screws with a smaller thread diameter provided greater resistance to displacement than screws of the same thread type with a larger diameter. These results agree with the accepted standard that cancellous screws provide better fixation for tibial plateau fractures, but also are counterintuitive in that smaller screws provided greater fixation than larger screws of the same type.

The effect of distal screw orientation on the intrinsic stability of a tibial intramedullary nail

To compare the intrinsic stability of two distal interlocking screw orientations for tibial nailing of distal third tibial diaphyseal fractures without isthmal support, six Depuy (Warsaw, Indiana) tibial intramedullary nails were implanted in simulated distal tibiae. The constructs received both two parallel (medial to lateral) and two perpendicular (one medial to lateral, one anterior to posterior) distal interlocking screws in a random order Angular, translational, and torsional displacements of the nails were measured in response to 70 N proximal applications of anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral loads, and a 7.7 Newton-meter torsional load. There were no differences in medial or lateral angulations between the screw orientations (average: 2.5 degrees, p > 0.8). Angulation in the sagittal plane (anterior and posterior) was slightly less for parallel screw fixation (1.6 degrees versus 2.4 degrees), but this was not statistically significant (p > 0.1). Rotational angulation was higher in the parallel (average: 9.9 degrees) versus the perpendicular (average: 8.1 degrees) screw orientation, but these results were not statistically significant (p > 0.1). Pure translation did not occur in either the parallel or perpendicular screw orientations. These results indicate that fixation stability of these tibial intramedullary nails is not significantly influenced by distal interlocking screw orientation in response to sagittal, coronal, or rotational forces.

Orthopedic issues after cerebrovascular accident

Patients who have had a cerebrovascular accident with resultant hemiplegia often present to the orthopedic surgeon with characteristic complaints and deformities. The most common of these include muscle spasticity and contracture, shoulder pain, hip fracture, and heterotopic ossification. Although some of these disorders are clinically evident, others may be easily overlooked. The purpose of this article is to summarize the most common orthopedic aspects of hemiplegic patients who have had a cerebrovascular accident.

Comparison of the LISS and a retrograde-inserted supracondylar intramedullary nail for fixation of a periprosthetic distal femur fracture proximal to a total knee arthroplasty

Simulated supracondylar fractures were created proximal to posterior cruciate ligament-retaining total knee arthroplasty components in paired human cadaver femora and stabilized with either a retrograde-inserted locked supracondylar nail or the Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS; Synthes USA, Paoli, PA). Loads were applied to create bending and torsional moments on the simulated fracture stabilized with either no gap or a 10-mm gap. The LISS exhibited less torsional stability with anterior (P<.001) and posterior loads (P<.01). When varus loads were applied to 10-mm-gap specimens, the specimens stabilized with a retrograde nail had an 83% reduction in fracture displacement (P<.001) and 80% less medial translation of the distal fragment (P<.001). The samples stabilized with the LISS had a 93% reduction in fracture gap displacement when a valgus load was applied with a 10-mm gap (P<.001). Overall, these results suggest that the retrograde-inserted nail may provide greater stability for the management of periprosthetic supracondylar femur fractures in patients with a posterior cruciate ligament-retaining femoral total knee arthroplasty component.

Fixation stability of comminuted humeral shaft fractures: locked intramedullary nailing versus plate fixation

BACKGROUND

This study compared the fixation stability of two treatments for humeral shaft fractures with segmental bone loss during cyclic, physiologic loading.

METHODS

Six matched pairs of human humeri received either a 10-hole broad dynamic compression plate or a locked antegrade inserted humeral nail applied to a humeral diaphyseal osteotomy with a 1.5-cm gap defect. The bone-implant humeral constructs were axially loaded for 10,000 cycles at 250 N and 500 N, with measurements of gap displacement and calculation of construct stiffness. The specimens were then loaded to failure.

RESULTS

Cyclic loading showed no difference between the two groups for average gap displacement or construct stiffness. The intramedullary nail constructs failed by humeral shaft splitting (n = 4) or head cut-out (n = 2) at an average of 958.3 N, whereas the plate constructs failed by humeral shaft splitting and screw pull-out (n = 3) or plate bending (n = 3) at an average of 641.7 N (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Although both methods offer similar fixation stability under physiologic loads, the higher load to failure demonstrated by intramedullary nail fixation may have implications for the patient with multiple injuries for whom partial weightbearing on the injured upper extremity may be necessary.

Capitellum fractures: a biomechanical evaluation of three fixation methods

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relative stability of three fixation methods for displaced capitellum fractures.

DESIGN

Twelve matched pairs of embalmed humeri were divided into two equal groups and simulated capitellum fractures created. The first group compared cancellous lag screws placed in an anteroposterior direction to screws placed in the posteroanterior direction. The second group compared the Acutrac compression screw, inserted anteroposteriorly, to the more stable construct from the first test group.

METHODS

All specimens were cyclically tested with simulated physiologic loading. Both displacement of the capitellum over a range of cycles and the number of cycles to failure were recorded.

RESULTS

Fixation with posteroanteriorly directed cancellous lag screws was significantly more stable than anteroposteriorly directed screws at 2000 cycles (p = 0.007); loads to failure were not statistically different. Fixation by the Acutrac screws was significantly more stable than posteroanterior cancellous screws at 2000 cycles (p = 0.03). The Acutrac fixation had a higher failure load; however, this was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The headless screws tested in this biomechanical study provided more stable fixation of capitellum fractures in the cadaveric specimens than four-millimeter partially threaded cancellous lag screws and may do so in the clinical setting. When the cancellous lag screws were tested, insertion in the posteroanterior direction provided more stable fixation than the anteroposterior direction and has clinical benefit of not violating the articular surface. Ultimately, the decision of which method to use lies with the attending surgeon and the technique with which he or she feels most comfortable.

Unipolar versus bipolar hemiarthroplasty: functional outcome after femoral neck fracture at a minimum of thirty-six months of follow-up

OBJECTIVES

This investigation was undertaken to compare a series of elderly individuals who sustained a displaced femoral neck fracture treated with either a cemented bipolar prosthesis or a cemented modular unipolar prosthesis.

DESIGN

A retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

SETTING

Hospital-based tertiary care orthopaedic trauma practice.

PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred eighty-one community dwelling elderly patients sixty-five years of age or older who sustained a displaced femoral neck fracture (Garden Types III-IV) and underwent primary prosthetic replacement.

INTERVENTION

One hundred one patients received a cemented bipolar prosthesis and 180 received a cemented modular unipolar prosthesis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

The study was designed to determine whether there were any significant differences in: (a) the rate of prosthetic dislocation, postoperative medical and wound complications, or need for revision surgery, and (b) the functional outcome, including the incidence of hip pain and recovery of preinjury levels of ambulatory status and activities of daily living, at a minimum of thirty-six months of follow-up.

RESULTS

The two groups of patients did not differ in preinjury characteristics (age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologist rating of operative risk, number of comorbidities, fracture type, activities of daily living, ambulatory status). There were no significant differences in the rates of postoperative medical or wound complications or dislocation. Ninety-two patients died during the period of study. Forty patients were lost to follow-up or refused to participate. Consequently, 149 patients were followed for a minimum of thirty-six months. Functional ability was compared between both groups with regard to recovery of ambulatory status and activities of daily living, as well as the incidence of hip pain at a minimum of thirty-six months of follow-up. No significant differences were found between the unipolar and bipolar groups.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of this study, there does not appear to be any advantage to the use of a bipolar endoprosthesis in the management of displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly. Furthermore, the extra cost of bipolar endoprostheses does not seem to warrant its use.