Fixation of Anterior Pelvic Ring Injuries Treatment of anterior pelvic ring injuries involves both acute stabilization during the initial resuscitation and definitive fixation. Definitive management has evolved substantially over the past 40 years with improved patient mobilization and long-term outcomes. Although its use has recently declined, external fixation remains a favorable option in certain situations. Symphyseal plating is the preferred technique for stabilization of symphyseal diastasis because of superior stability and low morbidity. Ramus screws can be effective for simple ramus fractures but require a careful technique because of the proximity of neurovascular structures. The subcutaneous internal fixator provides a good option for obese patients in whom external fixation would be poorly tolerated. Regardless of fixation strategy, posterior ring reduction and stabilization is crucial.

Traumatic Brachial Plexopathy in Athletes: Current Concepts for Diagnosis and Management of Stingers Traumatic upper trunk brachial plexopathy, also known as a stinger or burner, is the most common upper extremity neurologic injury among athletes and most commonly involves the upper trunk. Recent studies have shown the incidence of both acute and recurrent injuries to be higher in patients with certain anatomic changes in the cervical spine. In addition, despite modern awareness, tackling techniques, and protective equipment, some think the incidence to be slowly on the rise in contact athletes. The severity of neurologic injury varies widely but usually does not result in significant loss of playing time or permanent neurologic deficits if appropriate management is undertaken. Timely diagnosis allows implementation of means to minimize the risk of recurrent injury. It is important for treating physicians to understand the pathogenesis, evaluation, and acute and long-term management of stingers to improve recovery and minimize chronic sequela.

Diagnosis and Management of Fungal Periprosthetic Joint Infections Fungal periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication because it can be difficult to diagnose, manage, and eradicate. Fungal PJI treatment requires a systematic approach. Increased awareness is essential when patients with painful arthroplasties present with immunosuppression, significant comorbidities, multiple surgeries, and history of drug use. Every suspected fungal PJI should be promptly diagnosed using readily available serum and synovial fluid markers. Surgical management involves débridement, antibiotics, and implant retention, one-stage exchange arthroplasty, prosthetic articulating spacers, and two-stage exchange arthroplasty. Because mycotic infections develop robust biofilms, the utility of débridement, antibiotics, and implant retention and one-stage revisions seem limited. A thorough irrigation and débridement is essential to decrease infection burden. Adjunctive local and systemic antifungal therapy is critical, although the agent choice and duration should be tailored appropriately. Future high-quality studies are needed to develop standardized guidelines for the management of fungal PJI.

Management of Extra-articular Deformity in the Setting of Total Knee Arthroplasty Extra-articular deformities of the femur and tibia in conjunction with advanced knee osteoarthritis pose unique challenges for the arthroplasty surgeon. Careful preoperative planning is needed to evaluate both the intra- and extra-articular deformities and to determine the best route to total knee arthroplasty. An intra-articular compensatory correction can typically be performed if the extra-articular deformity is distant from the joint or if preoperative templating shows that bony cuts do not interfere with ligamentous attachments. Staged osteotomy followed by arthroplasty is beneficial in severe cases in which bony cuts are excessive or would interfere with soft-tissue structures and in cases with leg-length discrepancy. Osteotomies can be performed percutaneously and fixed with intramedullary nails, external fixators, or plate and screw constructs. Ligamentous laxity after correction and risk of peroneal nerve injury are increased in extra-articular deformity cases and must be considered during the knee arthroplasty procedure with increased implant constraint and patient counseling, respectively. Computer-assisted navigation has an emerging role in total knee arthroplasty in patients with extra-articular deformity.

What Orthopaedic Surgeons Need to Know: The Basic Science Behind Opioids On October 26, 2017, US president, Donald J. Trump, declared the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency. This declaration opened the door to government funding for programs geared toward studying and treating opioid addiction; however, part of the responsibility to slow the epidemic falls on physicians. Orthopaedic surgeons prescribed the third-highest number of narcotic prescriptions among all physician groups, and therefore, they have a major role to play in decreasing the use of opioids. Although restricting prescriptions is part of the solution, orthopaedic surgeries are often painful, and opioid medications, along with other multimodal nonopioid medications, allow patients to control pain and improve function, especially in the short term. Therefore, to successfully manage pain and opioid prescriptions, orthopaedic surgeons should know the basic science behind these powerful medications. Understanding the basic mechanism of action of opioid and nonopioid medication classes, knowing what oral morphine equivalent are, and knowing which nonopioid drugs can amplify or weaken the potency of opioids will help orthopaedic surgeons become more informed prescribers and leaders in helping control the opioid epidemic.

Management of Iatrogenic Nerve Injuries Iatrogenic peripheral nerve injuries from orthopaedic surgery can occur via many scenarios, including direct injury to the nerve during surgery, indirect injury via retraction or compartment syndrome, and injury from nonsurgical treatments such as injections and splinting. Successful management of iatrogenic nerve injuries requires an accurate diagnosis and timely, appropriate treatment. All orthopaedic surgeons must understand the preclinical study of nerve injury and the evaluation and treatment options for iatrogenic nerve injuries. Although a sharply transected nerve can be repaired immediately in the operating room under direct visualization, many injuries are not appreciated until the postoperative period. Advances in diagnostic studies and nerve repair techniques, nerve grafting, and nerve transfers have improved our ability to identify and treat such injuries.

Low-velocity Gunshot Injuries to the Femur: What Is the Utility of Stabilizing Incomplete Fractures? Introduction: Extremity involvement is common among nonfatal gunshot injuries. Most of these injuries are low energy in nature and may be associated with fractures. Although displaced fractures of lower extremity long bones are often treated surgically, the purpose of this study was to review our experience in managing incomplete femur fractures caused by gunshot penetration and to develop treatment recommendations. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical and radiographic data for 46 consecutive patients with incomplete femur fractures secondary to low-energy gunshot wounds. Fracture patterns included OTA/AO 31 (n = 7), 32 (n = 20), and 33 (n = 19). All fractures were nondisplaced and extra-articular. Type of treatment, clinical and radiographic healing, and related complications were recorded. Results: Thirty-two patients (70%) were managed nonsurgically with progressive weight bearing from toe touch to full weight bearing by 6 weeks of follow-up, whereas 14 patients (30%) underwent prophylactic fixation of the femur. No differences in treatment were seen based on age, body mass index, fracture pattern, or the presence of other fractures or systemic injuries. Two of the 32 patients (6.2%) treated nonsurgically for femoral shaft fractures fell subacutely after the original injury and displaced their fractures. Both underwent reduction and fixation. All other fractures maintained alignment until union. No infections or nonunions were seen. Among patients who underwent prophylactic fixation, two underwent removal of prominent implants after union. Discussion: Only 6% of incomplete femur fractures treated at our hospital required later surgery for fracture displacement. Although incomplete fractures occur infrequently, nonsurgical management with limited weight bearing seems to be successful and cost-effective for most patients. We propose initial nonsurgical management of nondisplaced femoral fractures secondary to cortical penetration from low-energy gunshot wounds.

Increased Pulmonary Complications Associated with Intramedullary Fixation of Intertrochanteric Fractures: An Analysis of 13,276 Hips Introduction: Intramedullary devices are being used more frequently to treat intertrochanteric (IT) femur fractures but without clear benefit in several clinical trials. This study determines differences in complication rates in patients with IT fractures treated with intramedullary versus extramedullary devices. Methods: Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, patients aged ≥55 years with an isolated IT fracture and an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of <5 were identified. Thirty-day mortality and perioperative complications were assessed. Results: Extramedullary fixation was performed in 4,392 patients, whereas 8,884 underwent intramedullary fixation. Intramedullary fixation was associated with increased 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; P = 0.038), ventilator use (OR, 1.57; P = 0.004), transfusion (OR, 1.12; P < 0.001), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (OR, 1.45; P = 0.032). Mean postoperative hospital stay was 1 day shorter for the intramedullary group (P < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, ventilator use (OR, 1.59), DVT (OR, 1.44), and transfusion (OR, 1.15) were more common with intramedullary fixation group. Discussion: Intramedullary fixation for IT fractures was associated with an increased risk of pulmonary complications, DVT, and transfusion. Further randomized controlled studies are required to determine the relative safety of intramedullary versus extramedullary implants. Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic, retrospective comparative study

Autogenous Iliac Crest Bone Grafting for the Treatment of Fracture Nonunion Is Equally Effective in Elderly and Nonelderly Patients Introduction: Autogenous iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) is considered the benchmark graft for nonunion repair. However, ICBG harvest is invasive and may provide reduced benefit to elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of ICBG use in fixation of fracture nonunions between elderly and nonelderly patients. Methods: Over a 13-year period, 242 patients who underwent operative repair of a long bone fracture nonunion and received autogenous ICBG were enrolled in a prospective research registry and followed. Data collected included patient demographics, injury information, and nonunion management. All patients had a minimum of 12 months of postoperative follow-up. Patients at least 65 years of age were classified as elderly, whereas younger patients were classified as nonelderly. Functional outcomes were evaluated at routine intervals postoperatively using the short musculoskeletal function assessment (SMFA) and visual analog scale pain scores. Bony union was determined radiographically. All postoperative complications were recorded. Results: Of the 242 patients included, 44 were elderly and 198 were nonelderly. No differences were found between groups with respect to postoperative pain scores or SMFA scores. Furthermore, time to union, rate of union, and postoperative complication rate did not differ between groups. Multivariate linear regression demonstrated that older age was not associated with time to union, postoperative pain scores, or postoperative SMFA scores after controlling for possible confounding variables. Discussion: The use of ICBG in nonunion repair among elderly patients is as effective as use in younger patients with a long bone nonunion. Concerns of increased postoperative complications and decreased rate of union in elderly patients receiving ICBG for treatment of fracture nonunion should be alleviated. ICBG remains the benchmark graft for nonunion repair among all age groups.