Risk Factors for Postoperative Urinary Tract Infection in Patients Undergoing Arthrodesis for Spinal Deformity of Different Levels.

Background: While studies have identified urinary tract infection (UTI) as a complication after spine fusion, UTI is understudied in the context of fusion for spinal deformity. This study sought to determine both UTI incidence after multilevel posterior fusion for spinal deformity and whether pooled risk factors (RFs) increased UTI risk.

Methods: Patients who had posterior fusion for spinal deformities between 2010 to 2019 were queried from the PearlDiver database, separated by the number of levels operated on (<7, 7-12, and >12), matched for age/gender, and analyzed for UTI incidence within 1 week and 1, 2, and 3 months.

Morphological changes to peripheral joints supporting thumb trapezial metacarpal osteoarthritis.

The present study aims to determine if morphological differences of the scaphoid, trapezoid, and second metacarpal are associated with thumb osteoarthritis by comparing three-dimensional bone models of healthy controls and osteoarthritis patients. Fifty-eight patients with moderate to severe thumb osteoarthritis (modified Eaton ≥ II) and 35 healthy controls from a larger completed investigation were examined. To quantify morphological variations, a statistical shape model was created that classified binary with respect to the Eaton grading system: non-osteoarthritis or moderate/severe osteoarthritis (II-IV).

Integrated Business and Engineering Educational Experience for Medical Students in the Development of Pediatric Medical Devices.

Background: There are few opportunities in undergraduate medical education that provide formal training in engineering and scientific innovation. Institutions have sought to address student-specific career goals through combined degree programs such as the Medical Scientist Training Program and MD/MBA. However, only a small percentage of medical students pursue these additional degrees.

Evaluating the 2023 Standardized Letter of Recommendation Form in Applications to Orthopaedic Surgery Residency.

Background: Successfully matching into orthopaedic surgery residency is a challenging endeavor due to the limited number of available positions. Implementation of the Standard Letter of Recommendation (SLOR) in 2017 was intended to allow better comparisons between applicants; however, the form suffered from notable rank inflation ultimately requiring introduction of an updated SLOR for the 2023 to 2024 application cycle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the 2023 SLOR improves on deficiencies of the 2017 SLOR.

Familial and religious ethnic-racial socialization in promoting activism among Asian American Christians.

The adversity faced by Asian Americans (AAs) due to discrimination is a testament to the ongoing fight for human rights. At the crux of social activism, familial and religious ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) instills cultural values, ethnic identity, belonging to one's racial group, and a meaningful outlook, navigating generations through these challenges. This study examined the role of family and religion in amplifying social advocacy among AAs by assessing the relationship between race-related stress and social activism, as well as the mediating role of familial and religious ERS via a parallel mediation.

Postoperative Complications Associated with Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Combinations Used Status-Post Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in multimodal pain control following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). However, few studies have assessed the complications associated with the combinations of NSAIDs in this population despite the known risks associated with this class of medications. The Premier Healthcare Database was queried to identify adults who underwent primary total hip or knee arthroplasty from 2005-2014.

Delivery of Growth Factors to Enhance Bone Repair.

The management of critical-sized bone defects caused by nonunion, trauma, infection, malignancy, pseudoarthrosis, and osteolysis poses complex reconstruction challenges for orthopedic surgeons. Current treatment modalities, including autograft, allograft, and distraction osteogenesis, are insufficient for the diverse range of pathology encountered in clinical practice, with significant complications associated with each. Therefore, there is significant interest in the development of delivery vehicles for growth factors to aid in bone repair in these settings.

The Incidence of Vertebral Artery Injury in Cervical Spine Surgery.

Background: Previously reported estimates of vertebral artery injuries (VAIs) during cervical spine surgery relied on self-reported survey studies and retrospective cohorts, which may not be reflective of national averages. The largest study to date reports an incidence of 0.07%; however, significant variation exists between different cervical spine procedures.

Development and characterization of an automated active mixing platform for hydrogel bioink preparation.

Bioink preparation is an important yet challenging step for bioprinting with hydrogels, as it involves fast and homogeneous mixing of various viscous components. In this study, we have developed an automated active mixing platform (AAMP), which allows for high-quality preparation of hydrogel bioinks. The design of AAMP, adapted from syringe pumps, provides many advantages, including low cost, automated control, high precision, customizability, and great cytocompatibility, as well as the potential to intelligently detect the homogeneity.

Preoperative Epidural Steroid Injection Does Not Increase Infection Risk Following Posterior Cervical Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the infection risk of preoperative epidural steroid injection (ESI) in patients undergoing posterior cervical surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: ESI is a helpful tool for alleviating pain and is often used as a diagnostic tool before cervical surgery.

Are Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Medicare Reimbursement Trends Sustainable?

Background: Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) was originally approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007 as a motion-sparing procedure to treat cervical degenerative disc disease. Since then, promising results from randomized control trials have led to increasing popularity. However, data discussing monetary trends are limited.

The Role of Sex Hormones in Degenerative Disc Disease.

Study Design: Narrative review.

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to outline the role of sex hormones, particularly estrogen, in the pathogenesis of degenerative disc disease (DDD).

Methods: A narrative review of studies discussing sex hormones and intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration was conducted through a search of bibliographic databases to identify various mechanisms involved in effectuating DDD.

The biomechanics of osteoarthritis in the hand: Implications and prospects for hand therapy.

Background: The unique anatomy of the human hand makes it possible to carefully manipulate tools, powerfully grasp objects, and even throw items with precision. These apparent contradictory functions of the hand, high mobility for manual dexterity vs high stability during forceful grasping, imply that daily activities impose a high strain on a relatively instable joint. This makes the hand susceptible to joint disorders such as osteoarthritis.

A Decreasing National Trend in Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty.

Study Design: Retrospective National Database Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the national trend of lumbar disc arthroplasty (LDA) utilization from 2005 to 2017.

Methods: Patients undergoing primary LDA between 2005 and 2017 were identified in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.

Incidence of injuries among lacrosse athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the incidence of injuries among lacrosse athletes and the differences in rates of injury by location and gender.

Methods: The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were implemented to conduct this systematic review.[1] The following variables were extracted from each of the included articles: location of injury, gender of patient, and incidence of injury among study population.

Somatic Lineage Reprogramming.

Embryonic development and cell specification have been viewed as an epigenetically rigid process. Through accumulation of irreversible epigenetic marks, the differentiation process has been considered unidirectional, and once completed cell specification would be permanent and stable. However, somatic cell nuclear transfer that involved the implantation of a somatic nucleus into a previously enucleated oocyte accomplished in amphibians in the 1950s and in mammals in the late 1990s-resulting in the birth of "Dolly the sheep"-clearly showed that "terminal" differentiation is reversible.

Open Stabilization Procedures of the Shoulder in the Athlete: Indications, Techniques, and Outcomes.

Shoulder instability is a relatively common injury especially in the young athletic population and its surgical management continues to remain a controversial topic in sports medicine orthopedics. Anterior instability is the most common type encountered and is estimated to have an incidence rate of 0.08 per 1000 person-years in the general population; however, this figure is likely higher in the young athletic population.

Utilization of Tranexamic Acid in Surgical Orthopaedic Practice: Indications and Current Considerations.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a lysine analog that exhibits an anti-fibrinolytic effect by directly preventing the activation of plasminogen as well as inhibiting activated plasmin from degrading fibrin clots, thereby promoting hemostasis and reducing the duration and quantity of blood loss. The aims of this study were to summarize the indications, routes of administration, safety, and clinical outcomes of TXA use throughout the different subspecialities in orthopedic surgery. Given that orthopedic procedures such as TKA, THA, fracture fixation, and various spine surgeries involve significant intraoperative blood loss, TXA is indicated in providing effective perioperative hemostasis.

Single position lumbar fusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Context: Recently, a single position lumbar fusion has been described in which both the anterior or lateral interbody fusion as well as posterior percutaneous pedicle screw fixation are performed in a single position.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to present and analyze the current evidence for single position lumbar fusion.

Study Design/setting: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring During Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Objective: To review the evidence for the use of electromyography (EMG), motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs) intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) strategies during lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), as well as discuss the limitations associated with each technique.

Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature and compilation of findings relating to clinical studies investigating the efficacy of EMG, MEP, SSEP, or combined IONM strategies during LLIF.

Results: The evidence for the use of EMG is mixed with some studies demonstrating the efficacy of EMG in preventing postoperative neurologic injuries and other studies demonstrating a high rate of postoperative neurologic deficits with EMG monitoring.