Does Dual-Eligible Medicare/Medicaid Insurance Status as a Surrogate for Socioeconomic Status Compromise Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes?

BACKGROUND

Medicare/Medicaid dual-eligible patients who undergo primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) demonstrate poor outcomes when compared to patients with other payers. We compare Medicare/Medicaid dual-eligible patients vs Medicare and Medicaid only patients at a single hospital center.

METHODS

All patients who underwent TKA for aseptic arthritis between August 9, 2016 and December 30, 2020 with either Medicare or Medicaid insurance were retrospectively reviewed. 4599 consecutive TKA (3749 Medicare, 286 Medicare/Medicaid dual eligibility, and 564 Medicaid) were included. Groups were compared using appropriate tests for direct comparisons and regression analysis.

RESULTS

Patients with dual eligibility and Medicaid insurance were less likely to be white and married, more likely to be female and current smokers, and more likely to have COPD, mild liver disease, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, and HIV/AIDS, but had a lower age-adjusted Charleson Comorbidity Index when compared to Medicare patients. When controlling for smoking status and medical comorbidities, patients with dual eligibility and Medicaid insurance stayed in the hospital 0.64 and 0.39 additional days (P < .001), respectively, were more likely to be discharged to subacute rehab (RR 2.01, 1.49, P < .001) and acute rehab (RR 2.22, 2.46, P = .007, < .001), and were 2.14 and 1.73 times more likely to return to the ED within 90 days (P < .001) compared to Medicare patients.

CONCLUSION

Value-based healthcare may disincentivize treating patients with low socioeconomic status, represented by Medicaid and dual-eligible insurance status, by their association with increased postoperative healthcare utilization, and less risky patients may be prioritized.

Subspecialty Fellowship Training Is Not Associated With Better Outcomes in Fixation of Low-Energy Femoral Neck Fractures-An Analysis of the Fixation Using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip Fractures Database

OBJECTIVES

To compare risk of reoperation for femoral neck fracture patients undergoing fixation with cancellous screws (CSs) or sliding hip screws based on surgeon fellowship (trauma-fellowship-trained vs. non-trauma-fellowship-trained).

DESIGN

Retrospective review of Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures data.

SETTING

Eighty-one centers across 8 countries.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS

Eight hundred nineteen patients ≥50 years old with low-energy hip fractures requiring surgical fixation.

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomized to CS or sliding hip screw group in the initial dataset.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was risk of reoperation. Secondary outcomes included death, serious adverse events, radiographic healing, discharge disposition, and use of ambulatory devices postoperatively.

RESULTS

There was no difference in risk of reoperation between the 2 surgeon groups (P > 0.05). Patients treated by orthopaedic trauma surgeons were more likely to be overweight/obese and have major medical comorbidities (P < 0.05). There was a higher risk of serious adverse events, higher likelihood of radiographic healing, and higher odds of discharge to a facility for patients treated by trauma-fellowship-trained surgeons (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these data, risk of reoperation for low-energy femoral neck fracture fixation is equivalent regardless of fellowship training. The higher likelihood of radiographic healing noted in the trauma-trained group does not seem to have a major clinical implication because it did not affect risk of reoperation between the 2 groups. Patient-specific factors present preinjury, such as body habitus and medical comorbidities, may account for the lower odds of discharge to home and higher risk of postoperative medical complications for patients treated by orthopaedic trauma surgeons.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Higher Rate of Early Revision Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients Under Age 55: A Cautionary Tale

BACKGROUND

There has been an increased number of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) performed in young and active patients. Although improved materials have decreased the likelihood of early catastrophic wear, concerns remain with the performance and survivorship of TKA implants in this patient population. The purpose this study is to evaluate perioperative complications, patient-reported outcomes, and implant survivorship of TKAs performed in patients under age 55.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 4259 primary TKAs performed over a 4-year period. There were 741 TKAs in patients under age 55. The primary outcome of interest was rate of revision at 30 days, 1, 2, and 5-year time points. Secondary outcomes included postoperative transfusion rate, length of stay, rate of deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism, need for manipulation under anesthesia, readmission and reoperation within 30 days, as well as patient-reported outcomes.

RESULTS

There were 3518 patients over 55 years and 741 patients under 55 years. Overall, 175 patients required revision (4.1%). Patients under 55 years had significantly higher cumulative revision rate at 1 (3.4% vs 1.8%, P < .001), 2 (5.0% vs 2.4%, P < .001), and 5 years (7.3% vs 3.7%, P < .001). Patients under 55 years had a higher rate of early reoperation. Patients over 55 years required more transfusions and suffered a higher rate of early deep vein thrombosis. Patients over 55 years had significantly greater improvements in Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Global 10 Physical scores at 6 months postoperatively compared to patients under 55 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite improvements in TKA implants, young and active patients remained at higher risk of early revision compared to older patients. The data should be used to counsel young prospective TKA patients about the early risk of reoperation and non-wear-related complications.

Intrapleural Penetration of a Clavicle Fracture: An Indication for Operative Fixation

INTRODUCTION

Clavicle fractures are common injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons, with most injuries managed nonoperatively. Operative fixation of clavicle fractures is indicated in specific clinical scenarios such as open injuries, ipsilateral shoulder trauma, or fractures with associated neurovasculature compromise. Operative fixation is not widely accepted for closed injuries and is typically reserved for instances of failed closed treatment with resultant nonunion or delayed union. Among the complications associated with clavicle fractures, pneumothorax has not been commonly reported. We report a case of a severely displaced clavicle fracture requiring operative repair through plate fixation to achieve union of the fracture as well as resolve the pneumothorax.

CASE REPORT

A 22-year-old intoxicated male with no past medical history was admitted to the trauma bay in stable condition after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. On the primary survey, the patient was noted to be tachypneic with decreased breath sounds over his right hemithorax. Radiographic studies of his chest demonstrated a right proximal third clavicle fracture with inferior displacement with associated partial pneumothorax; the patient was also noted to have a right femoral shaft fracture. Neurovascular examinations of his extremities were normal. A chest thoracostomy tube was inserted and placed under suction. Computerized tomography studies later revealed that the fractured clavicle had penetrated the pleura and caused the partial lung collapse. The patient was initially placed in a sling and underwent intramedullary nailing of his femur on the day of presentation. Given the severe displacement of his clavicle fracture into the lung tissue resulting in pneumothorax, there was significant concern for nonunion and lack of resolution of the pneumothorax. 2 days after stabilization of his right femur fracture, the patient underwent open reduction with internal fixation of his right clavicle. Follow-up radiographs showed a healed clavicle fracture and resolved pneumothorax.

CONCLUSION

Closed clavicle fractures typically heal uneventfully. Low energy, minimally displaced clavicle fractures can be managed nonoperatively, but high energy, significantly displaced injuries may require operative repair. Specifically, if these injuries result in pneumothorax, physicians shoulder consider operative repair for both treatment of the bony defect as well resulting pneumothorax.