Scott, Kelly L

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the price variation of various Medicare severity diagnosis‐related group codes for orthopaedic upper extremity procedures for the top 20 orthopaedic hospitals using chargemaster price listings from each hospital. Methods The top 20 orthopaedic hospitals in the United States were determined by querying the U.S. News and World Report ’s 2020 orthopaedic hospital ranking. This report ranks orthopaedic hospitals according to 4 major domains: outcomes, structure, process/expert opinion, and patient experience. Chargemaster data for the top 20 orthopaedic hospitals was compiled from their websites. Five DRG codes that represented orthopaedic upper extremity procedures were selected, and the pricing information for each was extracted from hospital chargemasters. The median income and cost‐of‐living index were also compiled for the county that each hospital is located in so that pricing data could be compared to economic measures through regression analysis. Results Of the top 20 orthopaedic hospitals, 18 had publicly available pricing information in DRG format on their websites. The DRG code with the highest pricing variability was Hand Injury Procedures (DRG 906; range, $12,832‐$253,633). The procedure with the least pricing variability was Hand or Wrist Procedures (DRG 514; range, $24,533‐$128,403). Additionally, only the cost of living index was a statistically significant predictor of procedure pricing with a weak correlation. Conclusion Hospital chargemaster listings are lacking in 2 major areas: true price transparency and standardization/consistency between hospitals. Chargemaster data are often difficult to find, confusing to patients, and inaccurate. Additionally, the price range for a single DRG code can also vary substantially depending on the hospital. It is possible that hospitals located in areas with high costs of living and median incomes would charge higher prices, but these factors were not found to support this hypothesis.

Background: Hand and wrist injuries (HWIs) are common in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball players and can negatively affect performance. There is limited literature available on this topic. Purpose: To open a discussion on prevention strategies and encourage future research on HWIs in basketball athletes. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: HWIs sustained by male and female NCAA basketball players during the 2009-2010 through 2013-2014 academic years and reported to the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (NCAA-ISP) database were utilized to characterize the epidemiology thereof. Rates and distributions of HWIs were identified within the context of mechanism of injury, injury recurrence, and time lost from sport. Results: Over the 5-year period, 81 HWIs in women and 171 HWIs in men were identified through the NCAA-ISP database. These were used to estimate 3515 HWIs nationally in women’s basketball athletes and 7574 HWIs nationally in men’s basketball athletes. The rate of HWIs in women was 4.20 per 10,000 athlete-exposures (AEs) and in men was 7.76 per 10,000 AEs, making men 1.85 times more likely to sustain HWIs compared with women. In men, HWIs were 3.31 times more likely to occur in competition compared with practice, while in women, HWIs were 2.40 times more likely to occur in competition than in practice. Based on position, guards, both men and women, were the most likely to suffer HWIs. Conclusion: HWIs were common in collegiate basketball players. Most injuries were new, and the majority of players were restricted from participation for less than 24 hours. Men were more likely to be injured compared with women, and injuries were most common in the setting of competition for both sexes. The majority of injuries was considered minor and did not extensively limit participation; however, prevention and detection remain important for optimal performance.

Abstract Isolated patellofemoral arthritis is a common debilitating condition in adults older than 40 years of age. Surgical options such as patellofemoral arthroplasty exist for those who failed to respond to nonoperative treatment. However, early patellofemoral arthroplasty techniques often resulted in poor outcomes due to mal‐tracking and malalignment of components. Robotic‐assisted surgery recently has been introduced as an alternative to classic patellofemoral arthroplasty, with the potential to improve the anatomical fit and reproducibility of implant positioning. We present the technique for minimally invasive robotic‐assisted patellofemoral arthroplasty system. Technique Video video See video under supplementary data.

Background: The number of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) procedures performed annually is increasing as a result of an aging population and an increased access to subspecialty-trained upper extremity arthroplasty surgeons. An up-to-date analysis of the incidence of, risk factors for, and reasons for 90-day readmissions in primary anatomic TSA has yet to be performed. Purpose: To characterize 90-day readmissions on a national level. An understanding of these data will help to predict resource utilization and expenses in shoulder arthroplasty. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All adult patients undergoing elective primary TSA in 2014 who were included in the National Readmission Database were included in the analysis. Two cohorts were created according to 90-day readmission status. Multivariable analysis was then performed to determine predictors of 90-day readmissions. Reasons for 30-, 60-, and 90-day readmissions were identified, and total hospital resource utilization was calculated. Results: An estimated 26,023 patients were identified. The 30-, 60-, and 90-day rates of readmissions were 0.6%, 1.2%, and 1.7%, respectively. There was no difference in comorbidity burden between the cohorts. Medicare payer status (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% CI, 1.00-2.65; P = .05), transfer to a skilled nurse facility (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.05-2.14; P = .02), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.04-1.66; P = .02) were identified as predictors of 90-day readmission. Female sex decreased odds of 90-day readmission (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.59-0.87; P = .001). Ninety-day readmissions were associated with significant cost increases ( P < .001). The most common identifiable reason for related readmissions was a hardware-related complication at all time points. Conclusion: While uncommon, 90-day readmissions after primary TSA are associated with significant patient morbidity and ultimately substantial hospital costs. Truncating readmission analysis at a 30-day period will miss most arthroplasty-related hospital readmissions.

Background: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football players are at a high risk of injuries. Elbow injuries are uncommon, but there are insufficient data specifically on elbow injuries sustained in NCAA football players. Purpose: To define the epidemiology of elbow injuries in NCAA football players during the 2009-2010 to 2013-2014 seasons using data from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (NCAA-ISP). Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Using the NCAA-ISP database, a convenience sample of NCAA football athletes was reviewed to determine the types, rates, and trends in elbow injuries. Several factors were examined, including the diagnosis, injury setting, time lost from sport, surgical necessity, and injury recurrence. Raw injury data were obtained as well as weighted totals from the NCAA-ISP to generate national estimates and adjust for underreporting. Injury rates were calculated by dividing the number of injuries by the total number of athlete-exposures (AEs). The rate ratios of injuries during competition versus practice were compared, as were the rate ratios of preseason, regular-season, and postseason injuries by type. Results: We identified 4874 total elbow injuries from the 2009-2010 to 2013-2014 seasons. The rate of injuries overall was 1.892 per 10,000 AEs. The rate for competition was 9.053 per 10,000 AEs and 1.121 per 10,000 AEs for practice. The rate ratio between competition and practice was 8.08 (95% CI, 6.04-10.80). Injury rates for the preseason, regular season, and postseason were 1.851, 1.936, and 1.406 per 10,000 AEs, respectively. Acute elbow instability was the most common injury type (65.43%). The most common mechanism was a contact injury (86.77%); 96.82% of injuries did not require surgery, and most elbow injuries required less than 24 hours of participation restriction (67.33%). Conclusion: Although elbow injuries in NCAA football players are uncommon, it is important to recognize and treat these injuries appropriately. Dislocations and ulnar collateral ligament injuries caused athletes to miss extended periods of play. Fortunately, a majority of injuries resulted in less than 24 hours of participation restriction. Particular attention should be given to preventing elbow injuries, especially ulnar collateral ligament strains, hyperextension injuries, and acute instability.

Background: The authors’ purpose was to evaluate the histopathology of flexor tenosynovium in true, idiopathic recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome for the presence of abnormal inflammatory or pathologic findings that might explain causation or that differ from those previously described for primary, idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods: Thirty-five patients (19 women and 16 men; mean age, 72 years) underwent open revision carpal tunnel release a mean 13 years (range, 0.5 to 30 years) after primary carpal tunnel release. Recurrence was confirmed by recurrent symptoms, positive provocative tests, and electrodiagnostic testing. All patients underwent tenosynovial biopsy, including Congo red staining for amyloid. Results: Histopathologic findings demonstrated noninflammatory, fibrous connective tissue in 31 of 35 patients (89 percent); and mild, chronic inflammation (without granulomas) in four of 35 patients (11 percent). Nine of 35 patients (26 percent) had positive results for amyloid, with a statistically higher incidence in men (p = 0.03) and advanced age (p = 0.02). Subtyping performed in eight of nine amyloid-positive specimens confirmed seven cases of transthyretin-type amyloid typically seen in localized (senile) amyloidosis and one case of light-chain amyloid in a patient who was subsequently diagnosed with myeloma. Conclusions: Flexor tenosynovium in patients with recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome does not appear to be substantially different histologically from that previously described in primary idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome, although a slightly higher prevalence of amyloid was seen in this group (especially older men). No patients have developed systemic amyloidosis. Routine biopsy of tenosynovium in idiopathic, recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome is unnecessary.

Background: The lever sign test is a new physical examination tool to diagnose anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Preliminary results suggest almost 100% sensitivity and specificity to diagnose acute and chronic complete ACL tears and clinically significant partial tears as compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Purpose: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the lever sign test for the diagnosis of acute ACL injuries, as compared to MRI. We also aimed to determine the accuracy of the lever sign test compared with 3 other tests (anterior drawer, Lachman, and pivot shift) when performed by providers of various training levels, and with the patient awake or under anesthesia. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: We evaluated patients with a chief concern of acute (≤4 weeks) knee pain seen between October 2014 and January 2015, with a thorough history, physical examination, and standard radiographs. MRI was the reference standard; patients without an MRI evaluation were excluded. The 4 physical examination maneuvers were performed on each symptomatic knee during the initial clinic visit (for nonsurgical patients) or under anesthesia in the operating room (for surgical patients) by a randomly assigned undergraduate student, medical student, orthopaedic resident, or orthopaedic fellow. The senior author trained all staff to perform the lever sign test. Statistical analyses were performed. Results: Of 102 patients, 54 were surgical (28 female, 26 male), and 48 were nonsurgical (16 female, 32 male); the mean patient age was 23 years (range, 15-66 years). The overall accuracy of the lever sign test was 77% (63% sensitivity, 90% specificity); the accuracy was similar between patients under anesthesia and awake (77% vs 76%, respectively). There were no significant differences when comparing the sensitivity and specificity of the lever sign test with patients under anesthesia and awake (sensitivity: under anesthesia, 86%, and awake, 68% [ P = .40]; specificity: under anesthesia, 85%, and awake, 96% [ P = .17]). Furthermore, the accuracy of the lever sign test was similar when performed on female versus male patients (75% vs 79%, respectively) or when performed by undergraduate students and medical students compared with orthopaedic residents and fellows (84% vs 88%, respectively). Conclusion: Our study results challenge the exceptional sensitivity and specificity values (both 100%) of the lever sign test, as reported by the original author of the test.