Orthopedic Pain Research Articles

Improvement in Gait Abnormality Following Minimally Invasive Posterior Sacroiliac Joint Fusion.

Background Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction is a common cause of low back pain and associated gait disturbances that result from aberrant muscle activity and symmetry. This study evaluated the magnitude of improvement in gait characteristics in patients with chronic SIJ pain followed for six months after minimally invasive posterior SIJ fusion. Methods This was a single-arm, prospective, pilot study at two private practice orthopedic pain clinics. Gait characteristics were quantitated using a wireless wearable sensor. Ten patients (mean age: 63 ± 12 years) with abnormal SIJ-associated gait impairment were enrolled and underwent posterior SIJ fusion. Results Average gait velocity improved significantly from 69 ± 28.5 cm/sec at baseline to 99.9 ± 31.5 cm/sec at six months, reflecting an overall average improvement of 30.93 cm/sec or 55.4% (p=0.003). Gait speed, variability, and symmetry impairment parameters also improved with corresponding mean percentage improvements at six months of 27.8% (p=0.02), 19.7% (p=0.17), and 11% (p=0.27). A significant decrease in fall risk and increased timed-up-and-go assessments were noted, with improvements of 32.3% and 24.7%, respectively (p=0.004 for both comparisons). Conclusion These pilot findings demonstrate the first objective assessment of gait characteristics in patients with SIJ dysfunction undergoing minimally invasive posterior SIJ fusion.

Construction and Application Effect Analysis of Orthopedic Pain Care Ward under Multi-Disciplinary Cooperation Model

Aims/Background A multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach is a nurse-led pain management method that involves collaboration with staff from other departments. The purpose of this paper was to discuss the construction and application effect of a pain care ward in orthopedics utilizing the MDT approach. Methods A retrospective analysis of case data was conducted, selecting 90 patients with hip joint fractures who underwent hip replacement arthroplasty (HRA) at our hospital between February 2021 and February 2024. The patients were divided into two groups based on the nursing methods: a control group (n = 43), which received a conventional analgesic management program, and an intervention group (n = 47), which received the same conventional analgesic management program along with the implementation of an orthopedic pain care ward under the MDT approach. The study compared the pain knowledge and attitudes of the responsible nurses in both groups through questionnaires. Additionally, the accuracy of pain assessments and the awareness rates of patients’ pain-related health education were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Furthermore, the effectiveness of pain intervention, range of motion (ROM), and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores before and after the intervention were analyzed. The incidence of complications and overall nursing satisfaction were also compared between the two groups. Results The general knowledge, pain assessment, drug analgesia, comprehensive application, and total scores of nurses in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The accuracy rate of nurses’ pain assessments and the awareness rate of patients’ pain health education in the intervention group were 91.49% and 93.62%, respectively, both significantly higher than the 72.09% and 79.07% observed in the control group (p < 0.05). The total effective rate of pain intervention in the intervention group was 74.47%, significantly higher than the 53.49% in the control group (p < 0.05). After the intervention, both the ROM and HSS scores in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The overall incidence of complications in the intervention group was 6.38%, significantly lower than the 20.93% in the control group (p < 0.05). Finally, the total satisfaction rate with nursing care in the intervention group was 91.49%, significantly higher than the 74.42% in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion The construction and application of an MDT pain care ward can effectively enhance the accuracy of nurses’ pain assessments, increase patients’ awareness of pain-related health education, and improve the efficiency of pain interventions. Additionally, it can lead to better joint mobility and improved hip function, promoting the sustainable development of the pain care ward. These improvements contribute to higher patient satisfaction and enrich the quality of nursing services.

Predictors of Pain Management Outcomes Following Orthopaedic Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Up to 80% of patients in the United States report dissatisfaction with pain management following orthopaedic surgery. Inadequate pain management is linked to negative outcomes, including increased costs, readmission rates, and chronic pain risk. Traditional pain management protocols often emphasise the biological components of pain, overlooking psychological and social. This systematic review addresses this gap by answering two key questions: (1) What factors are associated with increased risk of unsatisfactory pain management following orthopaedic surgery? (2) What are the key components of successful pain management protocols following orthopaedic surgery? PRISMA guidelines were followed with a search of relevant online databases. Studies were included if they were in English, provided patient feedback/satisfaction with pain management (quantitative studies) or provided satisfaction with pain management or healthcare team feedback (qualitative studies) or explored patient variables associated with satisfaction with pain management. Of the 845 articles screened, 27 met the inclusion criteria. Synthesis suggested that while perceived severity and duration of pain are often assumed to be the primary drivers of patient satisfaction related to pain management, patients with a sense of control over their pain reported higher satisfaction, regardless of actual pain level. History of opioid misuse, patient expectations, and patient mental health were associated with dissatisfaction. Pre-operative education and ongoing communication, particularly regarding patient risk-factors and multi-modal pain management strategies, appear to enhance patients' sense of control and satisfaction. Future research should explore whether individualised pre-operative education can improve satisfaction with post-surgical orthopaedic pain management.

Development of a novel intramuscular liposomal injection for advanced meloxicam delivery: Preparation, characterization, in vivo pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pain assessment in an orthopedic pain model

Pain produces several physiological, and degenerative complications. This study aimed to formulate meloxicam (MLX) in liposomes to increase solubility and deliver MLX in a controlled manner to overcome its poor aqueous solubility and relatively short t1/2 problems. Liposomes were prepared by thin film hydration followed by ultrasonication. Tests for characterizing formulations included particle size, span, entrapment efficiency, drug loading, stability, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transformation infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, morphology, in vitro release, release kinetics mathematical modeling, and an in vivo pain model in dogs undergoing orthopedic surgeries, followed by in vivo pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pain assessment studies in comparison to the reference standard, Mobitil®. Liposomal MLX had a particle size of around 100 nm, 82 % entrapment efficiency, and 4.62 % drug loading. Stability studies, DSC, and FT-IR spectroscopy indicated that liposomes were highly stable. The formulation showed an improved in vitro controlled release pattern and an enhanced in vivo pharmacokinetic behavior as manifested by higher t1/2 and AUC0–24 and lower Cl/F in comparison to Mobitil®. The pharmacodynamics study and pain scales demonstrated liposomal MLX managed postoperative pain better than Mobitil®. In conclusion, the incorporation of MLX in liposomes increased its solubility and stability, as well as its pain management properties.

Biological sex differences in pain response and functional outcomes after orthopedic surgery procedures: a scoping review

Background/Objective: Post-operative pain is frequently experienced by patients following orthopedic surgery procedures despite improved surgical technology and anesthesia techniques. The intensity of postoperative pain is multifactorial and biological sex is a key component of pain analysis. In this review article, the authors examine the impact of biological sex on post-operative pain scores and surgical outcomes following orthopedic surgery procedures. Methods: A keyword-based search of the National Library of Medicine and the National Center for Biotechnology Information was utilized for this review. Through our literature search we identified 56 articles related to the impact of sex on post-operative pain. These studies were then tabulated and analyzed in detail to provide data for this review article. Results: There are a variety of factors that influence surgical outcomes in orthopedics including age, comorbidities, and biological sex. The reviewed studies found that women report higher pain scores in the initial 6 wk post-operative period after total joint arthroplasty, upper extremity surgery, spine surgery, and general orthopedic surgery. Female sex was also associated with higher opioid consumption following surgery. In addition, men tend to have better surgical outcomes following total joint arthroplasty, upper extremity procedures, and spine surgery. Discussion/Conclusion: Biological differences including hormones, anatomy, and psychosocial factors influence post-operative pain differences between sexes. Little data is available on orthopedic surgery post-operative pain scores between the sexes and therefore further research is needed. Biological sex must be considered when evaluating patient wellness following orthopedic surgery procedures.

A Systematic Review of Sex-Related Differences in Response to Post-Operative Orthopaedic Pain Management Protocols

A Systematic Review of Sex-Related Differences in Response to Post-Operative Orthopaedic Pain Management Protocols

Can Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System estimate high-impact chronic pain after total shoulder arthroplasty?

Identification of high-impact chronic pain (HICP) among patients receiving total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) may allow for the design and implementation of tailored pain interventions to address the negative impact on postoperative outcomes and quality of life. This analysis sought to determine if Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures could be used to estimate HICP status following TSA. This was a secondary analysis of a cohort of patients (n=227) who received a TSA at a single, academic medical center, of whom 25 (11.5%) met HICP status postoperatively. Generalized linear models estimated HICP from each PROMIS measure of physical function, pain interference, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and dyspnea individually, then in a combined model. Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated using receiver operator characteristic curves to assess accuracy of each PROMIS measure to estimate HICP status for patients receiving TSA. Bivariate generalized linear models and mean difference analyses revealed individuals with HICP had worse PROMIS scores in every included domain (all P values < .01). Only pain interference (AUC=0.964) and physical function (AUC=0.907) PROMIS measures met criteria (AUC > 0.850) to accurately predict HICP. A pain interference score ≥58.3 and/or a physical function score ≤41.2 could be used to estimate HICP from PROMIS measures in this cohort. Two PROMIS measures commonly administered in orthopedic surgery settings, physical function and pain interference, can be used to estimate HICP for patients receiving TSA. Further application and evaluation of these cutoff scores can be used to assist in refining assessment of outcomes for patients receiving TSA.

The genetic landscape of osteogenesis imperfecta: mutational mechanisms and therapeutic targets

Osteogenesis imperfecta is colloquially known as brittle bone disease because it is an inherited disease characterized by a connective tissue disorder that causes decreased bone mass, increased bone fragility and abnormalities in skeletal structure. This disease is caused by a mutation in the type I collagen genes, specifically COL1A1 and COL1A2, resulting in a variety of clinical manifestations ranging from mild to lethal. The impact on the quality of life of patients with OI can be complicated, which is why they need multidisciplinary management strategies including orthopedic care, physical therapy, pain management and surgical interventions.

Successful Treatment of Olecranon Fracture with Tie-in External Fixator in a Cat

In this case report, A 4-months-old, male, British shorthair cat was presented with lameness and swelling in the forelimb and loss of appetite after a fall from a height. On the orthopedic examination, pain, lameness, abnormal mobility, local sensitivity, crepitation, and deformation findings were observed in the forelimb. Clinical and radiological examinations revealed an avulsion fracture of the left olecranon. The fracture was treated with an external fixator. Clinical and radiological controls were performed on the 10th, 21st, 30th, and 45th postoperative days. The external fixator was removed on the 62nd postoperative day under sedation. This case report aimed to contribute to the literature on the successful treatment of fracture of the olecranon with an external fixator in a 4-months-old young cat.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Methocarbamol and Nefopam in Orthopedic Surgical Pain.

Introduction Pain after orthopedic surgeries represents a special concern in patients with fractures. The use of multimodal analgesia significantly reduced the opioid need and reduced the risk of their side effects. Objectives This study compared the effectivenessand safety of methocarbamol and nefopam in the reduction of post-operative pain for patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries. Method This prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial took place at Al-Sader Teaching Hospital in Basrah, Iraq, from the first of February 2022 to the end of October 2023. The study aimed to assess the post-operative pain relief efficacy and safety of intramuscular nefopam (20 mg) and intravenous methocarbamol (1 g) in 110 adults (aged 18-65) undergoing elective orthopedic surgeries. Exclusions were made for allergies to the drugs, substance abuse history, and severe hepatic or renal impairment. Participants were randomized into two groups, with pain intensity measured at one hour, six hours, and 12 hours post-operation using the visual analog scale (VAS). Side effects were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 27, with a significance level set at p<0.05 and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results In this study, we conducted a rigorous comparison between two groups, methocarbamol and nefopam, to evaluate their efficacy and safety in post-operative pain management. We started by ensuring that the groups were well-matched in terms of age, gender distribution, and body mass index (BMI). The results showed remarkable similarities in mean age, gender distribution, and BMI, supported by robust p-values, affirming the effective matching of the two groups. Moving to pain management, we observed a significant advantage in favor of methocarbamol. At all-time intervals (one hour, six hours, and 12 hours post-operation), methocarbamol consistently demonstrated lower mean VASscores compared to nefopam. These differences were highly statistically significant, underscoring the superior pain relief efficacy of methocarbamol. Exploring side effects, we found no statistically significant disparities in the occurrence of nausea and vomiting between the two groups. However, there was a noticeable trend towardhigher tachycardia incidence in the nefopam group, though it did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion The present study showed a higher efficacy of methocarbamol in post-operative pain reduction in comparison to nefopam. No serious side effects were observed with both drugs.

Collaboration Between Orthopedic Surgery and Psychiatry Residency Programs to Improve Education About Orthopaedic Pain Management for Patients With Mental Illness

Collaboration Between Orthopedic Surgery and Psychiatry Residency Programs to Improve Education About Orthopaedic Pain Management for Patients With Mental Illness

Timeline of diagnosed pain causes in children with severe neurological impairment.

Pain's causes in children with severe cognitive impairment may be challenging to diagnose. This study aimed to investigate if there is a relationship between pain causes and the age of children. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study in three Italian Pediatric Units. Eligible subjects were patients from 1 to 18 years with severe neurological impairment. We collected data regarding diagnoses, pain causes and medical or surgical procedures. The timing of pain episodes was categorized into age-related periods: infants and toddlers (0-24 months), preschool children (3-5 years), schoolchildren (6-12 years), and adolescents (13-17 years). Eighty children with severe neurological impairment were enrolled. The mean age was 11 years (±5.8). Gastroenterological pain was most common in the first years of life (p = 0.004), while orthopaedic and tooth pain was the most typical in schoolchildren and adolescents (p = 0.001 and p = 0.02). Concerning surgical procedures, PEG placement and gastric fundoplication were significantly more common in the first 5 years of age (p = 0.03), and heart surgery was typical of infants (p = 0.04). Orthopaedic surgery was more commonly reported in older children and adolescents (p < 0.001). Some causes of pain are more frequent in children with severe neurological impairment in defined age-related periods. Specific age-related pain frequencies may help physicians in the diagnostic approach.

National Trends in Orthopaedic Pain Management from 2016 to 2020.

Effective pain management is vital in orthopaedic care, impacting postoperative recovery and patient well-being. This study aimed to discern national and regional pain prescription trends among orthopaedic surgeons through Medicare claims data, using geospatial analysis to ascertain opioid and nonopioid usage patterns across the United States. Physician-level Medicare prescription databases from 2016 to 2020 were filtered to orthopaedic surgeons, and medications were categorized into opioids, muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, and NSAIDs. Patient demographics were extracted from a Medicare provider demographic data set, while county-level socioeconomic metrics were obtained primarily from the American Community Survey. Geospatial analysis was conducted using Geoda software, using Moran I statistic for cluster analysis of pain medication metrics. Statistical trends were analyzed using linear regression, Mann-Whitney U test, and multivariate logistic regression, focusing on prescribing rates and hotspot/coldspot identification. Analysis encompassed 16,505 orthopaedic surgeons, documenting more than 396 million days of pain medication prescriptions: 57.42% NSAIDs, 28.57% opioids, 9.84% anticonvulsants, and 4.17% muscle relaxants. Annually, opioid prescriptions declined by 4.43% ( P < 0.01), while NSAIDs rose by 3.29% ( P < 0.01). Opioid prescriptions dropped by 210.73 days yearly per surgeon ( P < 0.005), whereas NSAIDs increased by 148.86 days ( P < 0.005). Opioid prescriptions were most prevalent in the West Coast and Northern Midwest regions, and NSAID prescriptions were most prevalent in the Northeast and South regions. Regression pinpointed spine as the highest and hand as the lowest predictor for pain prescriptions. On average, orthopaedic surgeons markedly decreased both the percentage of patients receiving opioids and the duration of prescription. Simultaneously, the fraction of patients receiving NSAIDs dramatically increased, without change in the average duration of prescription. Opioid hotspots were located in the West Coast, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, the Northern Midwest, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Future directions could include similar examinations using non-Medicare databases.

Development, refinement, and validation of an equine musculoskeletal pain scale.

Musculoskeletal disease is a common cause of chronic pain that is often overlooked and inadequately treated, impacting the quality of life of humans and horses alike. Lameness due to musculoskeletal pain is prevalent in horses, but the perception of pain by owners is low compared with veterinary diagnosis. Therefore, this study aims to establish and validate a pain scale for chronic equine orthopaedic pain that is user-friendly for horse owners and veterinarians to facilitate the identification and monitoring of pain in horses. The newly developed musculoskeletal pain scale (MPS) was applied to 154 horses (mean age 20 ± 6.4 years SD) housed at an equine sanctuary, of which 128 (83%) suffered from chronic orthopaedic disease. To complete the MPS, the horses were observed and videotaped from a distance while at rest in their box or enclosure. In addition, they received a complete clinical and orthopaedic exam. The need for veterinary intervention to address pain (assessed and executed by the sanctuary independent from this study) was used as a longitudinal health outcome to determine the MPS's predictive validity. To determine the interrater agreement, the MPS was scored for a randomly selected subset of 30 horses by six additional blinded raters, three equine veterinary practitioners, and three experienced equestrians. An iterative process was used to refine the tool based on improvements in the MPS's correlation with lameness evaluated at the walk and trot, predictive validity for longitudinal health outcomes, and interrater agreement. The intraclass correlation improved from 0.77 of the original MPS to 0.88 of the refined version (95% confidence interval: 0.8-0.94). The refined MPS correlated significantly with lameness at the walk (r = 0.44, p = 0.001) and trot (r = 0.5, p < 0.0001). The refined MPS significantly differed between horses that needed veterinary intervention (mean MPS = 8.6) and those that did not (mean MPS = 5.0, p = 0.0007). In summary, the MPS showed good interrater repeatability between expert and lay scorers, significant correlation with lameness at the walk and trot, and good predictive validity for longitudinal health outcomes, confirming its ability to identify horses with orthopaedic health problems.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Orthopedic Pain: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) appears to alleviate chronic pain via a brain-down mechanism. Although several review studies have examined the effects of tDCS on patients with chronic pain, no systematic review or meta-analysis has comprehensively analyzed the effects of tDCS on chronic orthopedic joint pain in one study. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of tDCS for pain reduction in chronic orthopedic patients; (2) Methods: A comprehensive search of five electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane) was performed. Only randomized controlled trials that compared tDCS with a control intervention were included. Eighteen studies met our inclusion criteria. We identified four categories of chronic orthopedic pain: knee (k = 8), lower back (k = 7), shoulder (k = 2), and orofacial pain (k = 1). Random effect models were utilized, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted in the presence of significant heterogeneity. Studies within each pain condition were further classified according to the number of treatment sessions: 1-5 sessions, 6-10 sessions, and >10 sessions.; (3) Results: Significant reductions in chronic orthopedic joint pain were observed following tDCS compared to controls for knee (g = 0.59, p = 0.005), lower back (g = 1.14, p = 0.005), and shoulder (g = 1.17, p = 0.020). Subgroup analyses showed pain reductions after 6-10 tDCS sessions for knee pain and after 1-5 and >10 sessions for lower back pain; (4) Conclusions: tDCS could be considered a potential stand-alone or supplemental therapy for chronic knee and lower back pain. The effectiveness of tDCS treatment varies depending on the number of treatment sessions. Our findings suggest the importance of implementing individualized treatment plans when considering tDCS for chronic pain conditions.

Changes in the equine facial repertoire during different orthopedic pain intensities

A number of facial expressions are associated with pain in horses, however, the entire display of facial activities during orthopedic pain have yet to be described. The aim of the present study was to exhaustively map changes in facial activities in eight resting horses during a progression from sound to mild and moderate degree of orthopedic pain, induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) administered in the tarsocrural joint. Lameness progression and regression was measured by objective gait analysis during movement, and facial activities were described by EquiFACS in video sequences (n = 348, total length 892.5 min) of the horses obtained when resting in their box stalls. Predictive modeling identified 16 action units and action descriptors, related to ears, eyes, and lower face. Lower lip depressor (AU16), lips part (AU25), half blink (AU47), single ear forward (SEAD101) and single ear rotator (SEAD104) were selected as co-occurring significantly more in horses with pain than in horses without pain. The major change in co-occurring facial activities occurred in the transition from no pain to mild pain. In conclusion, resting horses with induced orthopedic pain showed a dynamic upper and lower facial repertoire and the relationship between level of pain intensity and facial activity appears complex.

COVID-19 with Suspected Secondary Pyogenic Arthritis of the Hip: A Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: COVID-19 may be associated with orthopedic symptoms, including myalgia and joint pain. There are reports of reactive arthritis and acute arthritis diagnosed after COVID-19; however, COVID-19-associated pyogenic arthritis has not been reported. Case Report: We treated a young woman with secondary pyogenic hip arthritis that started after COVID-19. The patient was a 23-year-old woman who developed acute pain in the right hip 9 days after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Blood cultures revealed methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed joint effusion in the right hip. Although the joint fluid culture results were negative, we suspected pyogenic arthritis of the hip joint and performed curettage and continuous irrigation of the right hip joint. Intraoperative histopathological examination of the synovial membrane revealed numerous neutrophils with segmental nuclei, consistent with a diagnosis of pyogenic arthritis. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of probable secondary pyogenic hip arthritis in a patient with COVID-19. Keywords: COVID-19, pyogenic arthritis, hip joint.

Shoulder Pain and Disability Scores and the Factors Influencing Them among Orthopedic Surgeons Working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: Musculoskeletal pain is common among orthopedic surgeons. Their common musculoskeletal issues include shoulder pain and disability. Many associated factors could lead to this pain and disability; by identifying these, we can prevent orthopedic surgeons' pain and improve their functional capacity. (2) Methods: This study aimed to gather quantitative data regarding the shoulder pain and disability experienced by orthopedic surgeons. It also aimed to explore the potential correlations between demographic characteristics and work-related factors and their pain and disability. This study interviewed 150 orthopedic surgeons working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, asking questions on the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) scale and about their demographic characteristics. (3) Results: All interviewed orthopedic surgeons were male, married, and nonsmokers. Their SPADI pain subsection score was 25.24%, their SPADI disability subsection score was 21.25%, and their total SPADI score was 22.79%. Among the examined demographic characteristics, total SPADI scores have a significant positive correlation with body weight (Spearman's ρ = 0.432; p < 0.05) and body mass index (BMI; ρ = 0.349; p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Our findings indicate that all orthopedic surgeons generally suffer from moderate shoulder pain and disability. Body weight and body mass index are important factors that may influence shoulder pain and disability among orthopedic surgeons.

Opioid Prescribing Rate for Nonoperative Distal Radius Fractures and Clinician Response to a Clinical Decision Support Alert

BackgroundOpioids are commonly prescribed for the management of acute orthopedic trauma pain, including nonoperative distal radius fractures. ObjectivesThis prospective study aimed to determine if a clinical decision support intervention influenced prescribing decisions for patients with known risk factors. We sought to quantify frequency of opioid prescriptions for acute nonoperative distal radius fractures treated. MethodsWe performed a prospective study at one large health care system. Utilizing umbrella code S52.5, we identified all distal radius fractures treated nonoperatively, and the encounters were merged with the Prescription Reporting with Immediate Medication Mapping (PRIMUM) database to identify encounters with opioid prescriptions and patients with risk factors for opioid use disorder. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine patient characteristics associated with the prescription of an opioid. Among encounters that triggered the PRIMUM alert, we calculated the percentage of encounters where the PRIMUM alert influenced the prescribing decision. ResultsOf 2984 encounters, 1244 (41.7%) included an opioid prescription. Age increment is a significant factor to more likely receive opioid prescriptions (p < 0.0001) after adjusting for other factors. Among encounters where the physician received an alert, those that triggered the alert for early refill were more likely to influence physicians’ opioid prescribing when compared with other risk factors (p = 0.0088). ConclusionOver 90% of patients (106/118) continued to receive an opioid medication despite having a known risk factor for abuse. Additionally, we found older patients were more likely to be prescribed opioids for nonoperatively managed distal radius fractures.

EVALUATING THE UTILITY OF SPECT/CT FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF CARTILAGE LESIONS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

AbstractObjectiveA common orthopaedic pain found in a wide spectrum of individuals, from young and active to the elderly is anterior knee pain (AKP). It is a multifactorial disorder which is thought to occur through muscular imbalance, overuse, trauma, and structural malalignment. Over time, this can result in cartilage damage and subsequent chondral lesions. Whilst the current gold standard for chondral lesion detection is MRI, it is not a highly sensitive tool, with around 20% of lesions thought to be mis-diagnosed by MRI. Single-photon emission computerised tomography with conventional computer tomography (SPECT/CT) is an emerging technology, which may hold clinical value for the detection of chondral lesions. SPECT/CT may provide valuable diagnostic information for AKP patients who demonstrate absence of structural change on other imaging modalities. This review systematically assessed the value of SPECT/CT as an imaging modality for knee pain, and its ability to diagnose chondral lesions for patients who present with knee pain.MethodsUsing PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was carried out in PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Knowledge, CINAHL, AMED, Ovid Emcare and Embase. Inclusion criteria consisted of any English language article focusing on the diagnostic value of SPECT/CT for knee chondral lesions and knee pain. Furthermore, animal or cadaver studies, comparator technique other than SPECT/CT or patients with a pathology other than knee chondral lesions were excluded from the study. Relevant articles underwent QUADAS-2 bias assessment.Results11,982 manuscripts were identified, and the titles were screened for relevance. Seven studies were selected as being appropriate and were subjected to QUADAS-2 assessment. All 7 articles scored low for bias. Two papers deemed that the ICRS score of chondral lesions at intraoperative assessment correlated with SPECT/CT tracer uptake. Two studies concluded that MRI significantly correlated with SPECT/CT tracer uptake, with some instances whereby SPECT/CT identified more chondral lesions than MRI. Two papers compared bone scintigraphy (BS) to SPECT/CT and concluded that SPECT/CT was not only able to identify more chondral lesions than BS, but also localise and characterise the lesions.ConclusionEvidence implies that SPECT/CT may be a useful imaging modality for the detection and localisation of cartilage lesions, particularly in discrepant cases whereby there is an absence of lesions on other imaging modalities, or a lack of correspondence with patients’ symptoms. More studies would be of value to confirm the conclusions of this review.Declaration of Interest(b) declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported:I declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.