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Dekhne MS, Fontana MA, Pandey S, Driscoll DA, Lyman S, McLawhorn AS, MacLean CH. Defining Patient-relevant Thresholds and Change Scores for the HOOS JR and KOOS JR Anchored on the Patient-acceptable Symptom State Question. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2024; 482:688-698. [PMID: 37773026 PMCID: PMC10936968 DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000002857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND When evaluating the results of clinical research studies, readers need to know that patients perceive effect sizes, not p values. Knowing the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) and the patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) threshold for patient-reported outcome measures helps us to ascertain whether our interventions result in improvements that are large enough for patients to care about, and whether our treatments alleviate patient symptoms sufficiently. Prior studies have developed the MCID and PASS threshold for the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (HOOS JR) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS JR) anchored on satisfaction with surgery, but to our knowledge, neither the MCID nor the PASS thresholds for these instruments anchored on a single-item PASS question have been described. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES (1) What are the MCID (defined here as the HOOS/KOOS JR change score associated with achieving PASS) and PASS threshold for the HOOS JR and KOOS JR anchored on patient responses to the single-item PASS instrument? (2) How do patient demographic factors such as age, gender, and BMI correlate with MCID and PASS thresholds using the single-item PASS instrument? METHODS Between July 2020 and September 2021, a total of 10,970 patients underwent one primary unilateral THA or TKA and completed at least one of the three surveys (preoperative HOOS or KOOS JR, 1-year postoperative HOOS or KOOS JR, and 1-year postoperative single-item anchor) at one large, academic medical center. Of those, only patients with data for all three surveys were eligible, leaving 13% (1465 total; 783 THAs and 682 TKAs) for analysis. Despite this low percentage, the overall sample size was large, and there was little difference between completers and noncompleters in terms of demographics or baseline patient-reported outcome measure scores. Patients undergoing bilateral total joint arthroplasty or revision total joint arthroplasty and those without all three surveys at 1 year of follow-up were excluded. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, leveraging a 1-year, single-item PASS (that is, "Do you consider that your current state is satisfactory?" with possible answers of "yes" or "no") as the anchor was then used to establish the MCID and PASS thresholds among the 783 included patients who underwent primary unilateral THA and 682 patients who underwent primary unilateral TKA. We also explored the associations of age at the time of surgery (younger than 65 years or 65 years and older), gender (men or women), BMI (< 30 or ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ), and baseline Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Information System-10 physical and mental component scores (< 50 or ≥ 50) for each of the MCID and PASS thresholds through stratified analyses. RESULTS For the HOOS JR, the MCID associated with the PASS was 23 (95% CI 18 to 31), with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.75, and the PASS threshold was 81 (95% CI 77 to 85), with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.81. For the KOOS JR, the MCID was 16 (95% CI 14 to 18), with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.75, and the PASS threshold was 71 (95% CI 66 to 73) with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.84. Stratified analyses indicated higher change scores and PASS threshold for younger men undergoing THA and higher PASS thresholds for older women undergoing TKA. CONCLUSION Here, we demonstrated the utility of a single patient-centered anchor question, raising the question as to whether simply collecting a postoperative PASS is an easier way to measure success than collecting preoperative and postoperative patient-reported outcome measures and then calculating MCIDs and the substantial clinical benefit. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, therapeutic study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihir S. Dekhne
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mark A. Fontana
- Center for the Advancement of Value in Musculoskeletal Care, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sohum Pandey
- Center for the Advancement of Value in Musculoskeletal Care, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel A. Driscoll
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen Lyman
- Healthcare Research Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Catherine H. MacLean
- Center for the Advancement of Value in Musculoskeletal Care, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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Dekhne MS, Stenquist D, Suneja N, Weaver MJ, Petersen MM, Singh UM, Von Keudell A. Optimizing Outcomes after Operative Treatment Bicondylar Tibial Plateau Fractures - Time for Innovation? Arch Bone Jt Surg 2024; 12:80-91. [PMID: 38420520 PMCID: PMC10898803 DOI: 10.22038/abjs.2023.72836.3378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Bicondylar tibial plateau fractures are technically demanding fractures that have a high complication rate. We sought to review the recent literature with the aim to summarize the development of new classification systems that may enhance the surgeon's understanding of the fracture pattern and injury. We highlight the best methods for infection control and touch on new innovative solutions using 3D printer models and augmented mixed reality to provide potentially personalized solutions for each specific fracture configuration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihir S. Dekhne
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Orthopedic Trauma Initiative, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Derek Stenquist
- Harvard Orthopedic Trauma Initiative, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nishant Suneja
- Harvard Orthopedic Trauma Initiative, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael J. Weaver
- Harvard Orthopedic Trauma Initiative, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Moerk Petersen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Upender Martin Singh
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arvind Von Keudell
- Harvard Orthopedic Trauma Initiative, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Thacher RR, Retzky JS, Dekhne MS, Oquendo YA, Greditzer HG. Current Concepts in the Measurement of Glenohumeral Bone Loss. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 2023; 16:419-431. [PMID: 37341857 PMCID: PMC10427601 DOI: 10.1007/s12178-023-09852-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The extent of glenohumeral bone loss seen in anterior shoulder dislocations plays a major role in guiding surgical management of these patients. The need for accurate and reliable preoperative assessment of bone loss on imaging studies is therefore of paramount importance to orthopedic surgeons. This article will focus on the tools that are available to clinicians for quantifying glenoid bone loss with a focus on emerging trends and research in order to describe current practices. RECENT FINDINGS Recent evidence supports the use of 3D CT as the most optimal method for quantifying bone loss on the glenoid and humerus. New trends in the use of 3D and ZTE MRI represent exciting alternatives to CT imaging, although they are not widely used and require further investigation. Contemporary thinking surrounding the glenoid track concept and the symbiotic relationship between glenoid and humeral bone loss on shoulder stability has transformed our understanding of these lesions and has inspired a new focus of study for radiologists and orthopedist alike. Although a number of different advanced imaging modalities are utilized to detect and quantify glenohumeral bone loss in practice, the current literature supports 3D CT imaging to provide the most reliable and accurate assessments. The emergence of the glenoid track concept for glenoid and humeral head bone loss has inspired a new area of study for researchers that presents exciting opportunities for the development of a deeper understanding of glenohumeral instability in the future. Ultimately, however, the heterogeneity of literature, which speaks to the diverse practices that exist across the world, limits any firm conclusions from being drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan R Thacher
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70Th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
| | - Julia S Retzky
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70Th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Mihir S Dekhne
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70Th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Yousi A Oquendo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70Th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Harry G Greditzer
- Department of Radiology, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70Th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA
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Beach ZM, Bonilla KA, Dekhne MS, Sun M, Adams TH, Adams SM, Weiss SN, Rodriguez AB, Shetye SS, Birk DE, Soslowsky LJ. Biglycan has a major role in maintenance of mature tendon mechanics. J Orthop Res 2022; 40:2546-2556. [PMID: 35171523 PMCID: PMC9378794 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Decorin and biglycan are two small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) that regulate collagen fibrillogenesis and extracellular matrix assembly in tendon. The objective of this study was to determine the individual roles of these molecules in maintaining the structural and mechanical properties of tendon during homeostasis in mature mice. We hypothesized that knockdown of decorin in mature tendons would result in detrimental changes to tendon structure and mechanics while knockdown of biglycan would have a minor effect on these parameters. To achieve this objective, we created tamoxifen-inducible mouse knockdown models targeting decorin or biglycan inactivation. This enables the evaluation of the roles of these SLRPs in mature tendon without the abnormal tendon development caused by conventional knockout models. Contrary to our hypothesis, knockdown of decorin resulted in minor alterations to tendon structure and no changes to mechanics while knockdown of biglycan resulted in broad changes to tendon structure and mechanics. Specifically, knockdown of biglycan resulted in reduced insertion modulus, maximum stress, dynamic modulus, stress relaxation, and increased collagen fiber realignment during loading. Knockdown of decorin and biglycan produced similar changes to tendon microstructure by increasing the collagen fibril diameter relative to wild-type controls. Biglycan knockdown also decreased the cell nuclear aspect ratio, indicating a more spindle-like nuclear shape. Overall, the extensive changes to tendon structure and mechanics after knockdown of biglycan, but not decorin, provides evidence that biglycan plays a major role in the maintenance of tendon structure and mechanics in mature mice during homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zakary M. Beach
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Stemmler Hall, 36th and Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6081, United States
| | - Kelsey A. Bonilla
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Stemmler Hall, 36th and Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6081, United States
| | - Mihir S. Dekhne
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Stemmler Hall, 36th and Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6081, United States
| | - Mei Sun
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, United States
| | - Thomas H. Adams
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, United States
| | - Sheila M. Adams
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, United States
| | - Stephanie N. Weiss
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Stemmler Hall, 36th and Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6081, United States
| | - Ashley B. Rodriguez
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Stemmler Hall, 36th and Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6081, United States
| | - Snehal S. Shetye
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Stemmler Hall, 36th and Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6081, United States
| | - David E. Birk
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, United States
| | - Louis J. Soslowsky
- McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Stemmler Hall, 36th and Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6081, United States
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Beach ZM, Dekhne MS, Rodriguez AB, Weiss SN, Adams TH, Adams SM, Sun M, Birk DE, Soslowsky LJ. Decorin knockdown is beneficial for aged tendons in the presence of biglycan expression. Matrix Biol Plus 2022; 15:100114. [PMID: 35818471 PMCID: PMC9270257 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2022.100114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Decorin and biglycan are two major small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) present in the tendon extracellular matrix that facilitate collagen fibrillogenesis, tissue turnover, and cell signal transduction. Previously, we demonstrated that knockout of decorin prevented the decline of tendon mechanical properties that are associated with aging. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of decorin and biglycan knockdown on tendon structure and mechanics in aged tendons using tamoxifen-inducible knockdown models. We hypothesized that the knockdown of decorin and compound knockdown of decorin and biglycan would prevent age-related declines in tendon mechanics and structure compared to biglycan knockdown and wild-type controls, and that these changes would be exacerbated as the tendons progress towards geriatric ages. To achieve this objective, we created tamoxifen-inducible mouse knockdown models to target decorin and biglycan gene inactivation without the abnormal tendon development associated with traditional knockout models. Knockdown of decorin led to increased midsubstance modulus and decreased stress relaxation in aged tendons. However, these changes were not sustained in the geriatric tendons. Knockdown in biglycan led to no changes in mechanics in the aged or geriatric tendons. Contrary to our hypothesis, the compound decorin/biglycan knockdown tendons did not resemble the decorin knockdown tendons, but resulted in increased viscoelastic properties in the aged and geriatric tendons. Structurally, knockdown of SLRPs, except for the 570d I-Dcn-/-/Bgn-/- group, resulted in alterations to the collagen fibril diameter relative to wild-type controls. Overall, this study identified the differential roles of decorin and biglycan throughout tendon aging in the maintenance of tendon structural and mechanical properties and revealed that the compound decorin and biglycan knockdown phenotype did not resemble the single gene decorin or biglycan models and was detrimental to tendon properties throughout aging.
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Dekhne MS, Kocher ID, Hussain ZB, Feroe AG, Sankarankutty S, Williams KA, Heyworth BE, Milewski MD, Kocher MS. Tibial Tubercle Apophyseal Stage to Determine Skeletal Age in Pediatric Patients Undergoing ACL Reconstruction: A Validation and Reliability Study. Orthop J Sports Med 2021; 9:23259671211036897. [PMID: 34497863 PMCID: PMC8419558 DOI: 10.1177/23259671211036897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries demand individualized treatments based on an accurate estimation of the child’s skeletal age. Wrist radiographs, which have traditionally been used to determine skeletal age, have a number of limitations, including cost, radiation exposure, and inconvenience. Purpose: To evaluate the reliability and validity of a radiographic staging system using tibial apophyseal landmarks as hypothetical proxies for skeletal age to use in the preoperative management of pediatric ACL tears. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: The study included children younger than 16 years of age who underwent ACL reconstruction between July 2008 and July 2018 and received both skeletal age radiography and knee radiography within 3 months of each other. Skeletal age was calculated from hand and wrist radiographs using the Greulich and Pyle atlas. Tibial apophyseal staging was categorized into 4 stages: cartilaginous stage (stage 1), apophyseal stage (stage 2), epiphyseal stage (stage 3), and bony/fused stage (stage 4). Data were collected by 2 independent assessors. The analysis was repeated 1 month later with the same assessors. We calculated descriptive statistics, measures of agreement, and the correlation between skeletal age and apophyseal stage. Results: The mean chronological age of the 287 patients included in the analysis was 12.9 ± 1.9 years; 164 (57%) of the patients were male. The overall Spearman r between skeletal age and tibial apophyseal staging was 0.69 (0.77 in males; 0.60 in females). The interrater reliability for the tibial apophyseal staging was substantial (Cohen κ = 0.66), and the intrarater reliability was excellent (Cohen κ = 0.82). The interrater reliability for skeletal age was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.93), as was the intrarater reliability (ICC = 0.97). Conclusion: The observed correlation between skeletal age and tibial apophyseal staging as well as observed intra- and interrater reliabilities demonstrated that tibial apophyseal landmarks on knee radiographs may be used to estimate skeletal age. This study supports the validity of knee radiographs in determining skeletal age and provides early evidence in certain clinical presentations to simplify the diagnostic workup and operative management of pediatric knee injuries, including ACL tears.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isabelle D Kocher
- Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zaamin B Hussain
- Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Aliya G Feroe
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Saritha Sankarankutty
- Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kathryn A Williams
- Biostatistics and Research Design Center, ICCTR, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Benton E Heyworth
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew D Milewski
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mininder S Kocher
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Dekhne MS, Thomas HM, Haider T, Mortensen S, Rodriguez EK, Weaver MJ, von Keudell A. Treatment and outcomes of basicervical femoral neck fractures: A systematic review. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong) 2021; 29:23094990211003344. [PMID: 33779387 DOI: 10.1177/23094990211003344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to systematically review the literature comparing surgical treatments options and respective failure rates for basicervical hip fractures. METHODS A comprehensive search of databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central for studies published in English on or before June 21, 2019 was performed. Selected search terms included "basicervical," "basi cervical," "AO/OTA type 31-B," "femoral neck fracture" AND "bone nails," "bone screws," "fracture fixation," "internal fixation," "arthroplasty," "cephalomedullary," "sliding hip screw," "ORIF," and "treatment outcome." We included studies that assessed outcomes of basicervical fracture fixation using open reduction internal fixation or arthroplasty. Two authors extracted the following data from each paper: study design, country, cohort year, definition of basicervical, intervention type, sample size, patient demographics, follow-up length, percent of fractures that required revision, and the percent of implants that failed. RESULTS Sixteen articles encompassing 910 patients were included. The main outcome was the percent of implants that required revision. The total revision rates were 8% (8 studies, 157 patients, range 0%-55%) for cephalomedullary nails, 7% (10 studies, 584 patients, range 0%-18%) for sliding hip screws, 23% (3 studies, 40 patients, range 16%-50%) for cannulated screws, 0% (1 study, 6 patients) for total hip arthroplasty, and 8% (2 studies, 13 patients, range 0%-11%) for hemiarthroplasty. CONCLUSION Management of basicervical fractures with SHS and CMN produces similar failure and re-operation rates. Limited evidence is available on the use of cannulated screws and arthroplasty, but available studies suggest that cannulated screws have an unacceptable revision rate (23%) while arthroplasty may be acceptable. Future studies examining the comparative efficacy of various fixation methods would benefit from strict definition of fracture type as well as consistent reporting of functional outcomes, re-operation rates, and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihir S Dekhne
- Harvard Orthopaedic Trauma Initative, 1811Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hannah M Thomas
- Harvard Orthopaedic Trauma Initative, 1811Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas Haider
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, 27271Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20,1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sharri Mortensen
- Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, 1859Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Edward K Rodriguez
- Harvard Orthopaedic Trauma Initative, 1811Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, 1859Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael J Weaver
- Harvard Orthopaedic Trauma Initative, 1811Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Arvind von Keudell
- Harvard Orthopaedic Trauma Initative, 1811Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Center for Surgery and Public Health, 1811Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Chhabra KR, Sheetz KH, Nuliyalu U, Dekhne MS, Ryan AM, Dimick JB. Out-of-Network Bills for Privately Insured Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery With In-Network Primary Surgeons and Facilities. JAMA 2020; 323:538-547. [PMID: 32044941 PMCID: PMC7042888 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.21463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Privately insured patients who receive care from in-network physicians may receive unexpected out-of-network bills ("surprise bills") from out-of-network clinicians they did not choose. In elective surgery, this can occur if patients choose in-network surgeons and hospitals but receive out-of-network bills from other involved clinicians. OBJECTIVE To evaluate out-of-network billing across common elective operations performed with in-network primary surgeons and facilities. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective analysis of claims data from a large US commercial insurer, representing 347 356 patients who had undergone 1 of 7 common elective operations (arthroscopic meniscal repair [116 749]; laparoscopic cholecystectomy [82 372]; hysterectomy [67 452]; total knee replacement [42 313]; breast lumpectomy [18 018]; colectomy [14 074]; coronary artery bypass graft surgery [6378]) by an in-network primary surgeon at an in-network facility between January 1, 2012, and September 30, 2017. Follow-up ended November 8, 2017. EXPOSURE Patient, clinician, and insurance factors potentially related to out-of-network bills. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was the proportion of episodes with out-of-network bills. The secondary outcome was the estimated potential balance bill associated with out-of-network bills from each surgical procedure, calculated as total out-of-network charges less the typical in-network price for the same service. RESULTS Among 347 356 patients (mean age, 48 [SD, 11] years; 66% women) who underwent surgery with in-network primary surgeons and facilities, 20.5% of episodes (95% CI, 19.4%-21.7%) had an out-of-network bill. In these episodes, the mean potential balance bill per episode was $2011 (95% CI, $1866-$2157) when present. Out-of-network bills were associated with surgical assistants in 37% of these episodes; when present, the mean potential balance bill was $3633 (95% CI, $3384-$3883). Out-of-network bills were associated with anesthesiologists in 37% of episodes; when present, the mean potential balance bill was $1219 (95% CI, $1049-$1388). Membership in health insurance exchange plans, compared with nonexchange plans, was associated with a significantly higher risk of out-of-network bills (27% vs 20%, respectively; risk difference, 6% [95% CI, 3.9%-8.9%]; P < .001). Surgical complications were associated with a significantly higher risk of out-of-network bills, compared with episodes with no complications (28% vs 20%, respectively; risk difference, 7% [95% CI, 5.8%-8.8%]; P < .001). Among 83 021 procedures performed at ambulatory surgery centers with in-network primary surgeons, 6.7% (95% CI, 5.8%-7.7%) included an out-of-network facility bill and 17.2% (95% CI, 15.7%-18.8%) included an out-of-network professional bill. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this retrospective analysis of commercially insured patients who had undergone elective surgery at in-network facilities with in-network primary surgeons, a substantial proportion of operations were associated with out-of-network bills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karan R. Chhabra
- National Clinician Scholars Program, Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kyle H. Sheetz
- Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Ushapoorna Nuliyalu
- Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | | | - Andrew M. Ryan
- Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Center for Evaluating Health Reform, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Justin B. Dimick
- Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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