The impact of workers' compensation on recovery after biceps tenodesis

Outcomes of upper extremity sensory neuromas treated with excision and burial

Background

Upper extremity sensory neuromas can be extremely debilitating leading to pain and dysfunction. Surgical management of neuromas can either be ablative or reconstructive. The primary aim of this study was to examine the outcomes of surgically treated sensory neuromas within the forearm, wrist, and hand with exclusion of digital neuromas.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of patients surgically treated for an upper extremity sensory neuroma from a multi-surgeon, single institution database. The types of neuroma, mechanism of injury and the surgical technique utilized for treatment were documented. Patient reported outcomes were collected including resolution of symptoms, pain scores, complications, and need for revision surgery. Averages and proportions were used for analysis.

Results

79 patients were included with mean age of 42.3 years and an average follow-up of 6.7 months. The types of sensory neuromas included 23 dorsal radial sensory, 21 medial antebrachial cutaneous, 15 palmar cutaneous, and 14 dorsal ulnar sensory. Single isolated cases of neuromas were more common (94.9%) than multiple neuromas (5.1%). 67.1% (53/79) of patients experienced pain or hypersensitivity with a mean improvement of 2.0 in the visual analog scale (VAS) following surgery. 6.3% (5/79) required revision surgery, and 82% returned to work in some capacity.

Conclusion

Surgical excision of neuroma and burial into local surrounding tissue can be safely performed with a relatively low reoperation rate. 80% of patients had full resolution or improvement in their symptoms.

Workplace Injury Compensation and Mental Health and Self-Harm Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Workers' compensation systems aim to financially support injured workers. However, seeking compensation often leads to poorer physical and mental health outcomes. This review examines previous studies to investigate the relationship between workers' compensation and mental health and self-harm outcomes. A three-tiered search strategy across five databases identified studies that examined workers' compensation claims as an exposure or risk factor, with outcomes related to mental health, self-harm and suicidality. Nine full-text studies were included; however, heterogeneity limited generalizability. Most studies supported an association between pursuing compensation and poorer mental health and self-harm outcomes. Some studies attributed this to specific aspects of the system such as justice perception and navigation of the claims system. Findings suggest an association between workers' compensation and mental health or self-harm outcomes. Inconclusive findings highlight the need for further research. Understanding the psychiatric impacts of pursuing compensation is crucial to help formulate a more accessible compensation system.

Open Repair of Complete Proximal Hamstring Avulsions in Workers’ Compensation Patients

Background:

Several studies have reported excellent results after surgical repair of proximal hamstring avulsions. However, the effect on these patients of receiving workers’ compensation has not yet been explored.

Hypothesis:

Workers’ compensation patients undergoing proximal hamstring repair of complete tears will have similar outcomes when compared with a matched control group of non–workers’ compensation patients.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Workers’ compensation patients who underwent complete proximal hamstring avulsion open repair between 2010 and 2019 were identified (WC group). A control group was matched by age (±3 years), sex, and body mass index (BMI; ±3). Demographics and patient-reported outcome measures were compared, including standard and custom Marx activity rating scale (MARS), standard and custom lower extremity functional scale (LEFS), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. Rate and time to return to work were recorded.

Results:

The WC group was composed of 20 patients (8 men, 12 women) with a mean age of 52.3 years and BMI of 32.4. The 20 matched controls (8 men, 12 women) who underwent repair had a mean age of 50.6 years and a mean BMI of 31.2. There was no difference between the groups regarding age (P = .924), sex (P > .999), or BMI (P = .330). The WC group reported similar mean MARS (3.3 vs 5.4; P = .174), custom MARS (87.5 vs 97.0; P = .215), and VAS pain (3.3 vs 3.8; P = .698) scores compared with controls. However, the WC group had significantly lower standard LEFS (69.1 vs 94.1; P < .001) and custom LEFS (62.3 vs 87.9; P < .001) scores, returned to work at a lower rate (70.0% vs 94.1%; P = .039), and required more time to return to work after repair (4.3 vs 3.5 months; P = .029) compared with controls.

Conclusion:

Workers’ compensation patients who underwent open proximal hamstring repair for complete avulsions experienced inferior patient-reported outcomes, required more time to return to work, and returned to work at a lower rate than a matched control group.

Two-Year Clinical Outcomes and Survivorship After Isolated Biceps Tenodesis

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and survivorship of isolated biceps tenodesis (BT) at a minimum of 2 years and to identify patient-specific factors associated with these outcomes in patients undergoing BT without concomitant rotator cuff repair (RCR). We hypothesized that patient-reported outcomes would be significantly improved on American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Survey (ASES) and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), with a high rate of survivorship (>90%) at 2-year follow-up.

METHODS

A retrospective review of an institutional registry was performed to identify patients who underwent BT from July 2016 to December 2017. Patients >18 years old who underwent an open or arthroscopic BT procedure using an interference screw, button, or anchor for underlying bicipital pathology, without a concomitant RCR or shoulder arthroplasty, and were a minimum of 2 years postoperative were included. Patients were administered ASES and SANE questionnaires preoperatively and at final follow-up. Survivorship was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Failure was defined as any patient who underwent reoperation related to the index surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 110 patients (mean ± standard deviation age, 48.60 ± 12.14 years) who underwent isolated BT with a follow-up of 24.90 ± 3.95 months were included in analysis. There was a significant improvement in ASES and SANE at final follow-up (P < .001), with 81% to 84% of patients achieving minimal clinically important difference (MCID), 72% to 82% achieving substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and 72% to 80% achieving patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS). Worker's Compensation (WC) patients had a decreased likelihood of achieving PASS on ASES (P = .015) and SANE (P = .012). Four cases were deemed failures (3 revision BTs and 1 capsular debridement) at 15.09 ± 9.57 months. WC did not have a significant effect on likelihood of BT failure.

CONCLUSION

Biceps tenodesis provided significant clinical improvement and high rates of survivorship 2 years postoperatively. WC was associated with a decreased likelihood of achieving PASS. These results support the continued use of isolated BT for treating biceps pathology.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, case series.