Background: The physical risk factors leading to distal radial fractures are poorly understood. The goal of this study was to compare postural stability between older adults with and without a prior distal radial fragility fracture. Methods: This case-control evaluation was performed at a single tertiary institution. The fracture cohort comprised 23 patients treated for a low-energy distal radial fracture within 6 to 24 months prior to this study. Twenty-three age and sex-matched control participants, without a prior fragility fracture, were selected from an outpatient clinic population. All participants completed a balance assessment with a computerized balance platform device. Dynamic motion analysis (DMA) scores ranging from 0 to 1,440 points are produced, with lower scores indicating better postural stability. Participants also completed validated questionnaires for general health quality (EuroQol-5D-3L [EQ-5D-3L]) and physical activity (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly [PASE]) and comprehensive health and demographic information including treatment for compromised balance or osteoporosis. Statistical analysis compared data between cases and controls using either the Student t test or the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in age, sex, body mass index, physical activity score, or EQ-5D-3L general health visual analog scale score between participants with or without prior distal radial fracture. The fracture cohort demonstrated poorer balance, with higher DMA scores at 933 points compared with 790 points for the control cohort (p = 0.008). Nineteen patients (83%) in the fracture cohort reported having dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans within 5 years prior to this study, but only 2 patients (9%) had ever been referred for balance training with physical therapy. Conclusions: Older adults who sustain low-energy distal radial fractures demonstrate impaired postural stability compared with individuals of a similar age who have not sustained such fractures. Following a distal radial fracture, these patients may benefit from interventions to improve postural stability. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Purpose To test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in patient-reported and objective outcomes of revision ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) compared to primary LRTI. Methods This case-control investigation enrolled 10 patients who had undergone revision LRTI at a tertiary care center. All patients had previously undergone primary trapeziectomy with LRTI. Patients with a minimum of two years of follow-up were eligible. All patients completed an in-office study evaluation. Controls (treated only with primary LRTI) were matched from our practice to reach a 1:2 case to control ratio. Outcome measures included Michigan Hand Questionnaire (primary outcome), Quick Disability of the Arm, Hand, and Shoulder (QuickDASH) Questionnaire, VAS for pain and improvement, and physical examination. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare the patient groups. Results Revision LRTI patients reported significantly worse outcomes on all measured standardized questionnaires compared with primary patients. The Michigan Hand Questionnaire indicated worse overall outcomes (54 versus 79) as well as worse pain, appearance, and ability to complete activities of daily living. Revision LRTI patients also reported more impairment (QuickDASH 47 versus 23), greater pain (VAS pain 6.3 versus 1), and less improvement after surgery (VAS improvement 2.7 versus 7.9). There was also a significantly higher rate of patient-reported depression in the revision LRTI group (50% versus 10% of primary LRTI patients). We did not find a significant difference in objective outcomes of pinch strength, grip strength, and thumb palmar abduction between the two groups. Conclusion Following revision LRTI patient-reported outcomes indicate worse perceived function and greater pain than expected following primary LRTI despite similar motion and strength. Revision surgery can be offered in the setting of persistent or recurrent symptoms, but patients should be counseled that improvement of symptoms is unpredictable.
Purpose-Randomized controlled trials have not identified a superior surgical approach to cubital tunnel syndrome surgery. This study evaluates the early morbidity of open in situ decompression and transposition.Methods-This prospective cohort study enrolled 125 adult patients indicated for cubital tunnel surgery at a tertiary institution. Exclusion criteria included preoperative use of narcotics and concurrent elbow procedures. In situ decompressions (n=47) and ulnar nerve transpositions (n=78) were performed. Data were collected by independent clinicians at 3 postoperative intervals: 1-3 weeks, 4-8 weeks, and >8 weeks. Postoperative data quantified surgical morbidity: Visual Analog Scale (0-10) surgical site pain, narcotic consumption, patient-reported disability (Levine-Katz, Patient Reported Elbow Evaluation [PREE] scores). Olecranon paresthesia and wound complications (hematoma, drainage, infection) were recorded.Results-No preoperative differences in age, sex, or the presence of pain existed between the surgical groups. Surgical site pain was not significantly different at any time. Following transposition, a significantly greater percentage of patients were using narcotics at 4-8 weeks after surgery and the average total morphine equivalents consumed per patient was significantly greater. Both Levine-Katz and PREE scores indicated greater disability at 1-3 and 4-8 weeks after transposition, but this significant difference resolved by final follow-up. Olecranon paresthesias occurred after both procedures but were significantly less frequent at 4-8 weeks and >8 weeks after decompression. Twelve hematomas occurred following transposition (15%) with 1 requiring operative debridement and 5 hematomas resolved with non-operative treatment after in situ decompression (11%).Conclusions-Ulnar nerve transposition imparts greater surgical morbidity than decompression with greater narcotic consumption, more patient-reported disability up to 8 weeks postoperatively and more persistent olecranon paresthesia. However, most differences in surgical morbidity are transient with resolution after 8 weeks following surgery.
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