The American journal of orthopedics
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Encounters with racist patients can be distressing, damage the physician-patient relationship, and threaten the collegial environment of the health care setting. Although policies guiding physician interactions may exist, providers may be uncomfortable and left vulnerable in racially charged interactions. ⋯ Unsuccessful attempts at relationship salvage should be further guided by ethics teams, and in cases of a continued impasse, physicians should absolve themselves of medical duties provided that an appropriate alternative provider is available. Although racism in the health care setting can present a reasonable window to generate productive dialogue to improve race relations, a deeply entrenched and pervasive mindset can be difficult to reverse and should not impede the primary goal of providing timely patient care.
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We conducted a study to determine differences in knee pain in patients who underwent either traditional infrapatellar nailing or suprapatellar nailing. From a single institution, we identified patients who had an isolated tibial shaft fracture (Orthopaedic Trauma Association type 42 A-C) surgically fixed with an intramedullary nail between 2009 and 2012. Each patient was contacted by telephone by an investigator blinded to surgical exposure, and the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) questionnaire was administered. ⋯ Compared with the infrapatellar approach, suprapatellar nailing improved radiographic reduction in the sagittal plane (2.90° vs 4.58°; P = .044) and required less operative fluoroscopy time (81 vs 122 s; P = .003). We found no difference in OKS between the infrapatellar and suprapatellar approaches. Although further study is needed, the suprapatellar entry portal appears to be a safe alternative for tibial nailing with use of appropriate instrumentation.
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We conducted a study to determine the overall incidence and long-term clinical and functional outcomes of patients with malunion after nonoperative management of humeral shaft fractures. Fifteen patients with radiographic malunion (>20° angulation or shortening of :ge;2.5 cm) were identified, and their medical records retrospectively reviewed for information about their injuries and treatment. Long-term outcomes were assessed with a self-reported questionnaire, the DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) form, and physical examination. ⋯ However, 75% also reported a noticeable cosmetic deformity; for 25% of patients, this was a major reason for dissatisfaction. Our findings suggest that malunion may be more common than previously thought but, for a majority of patients, does not cause significant pain, functional limitations, or dissatisfaction. However, patients should be counseled about the high likelihood of cosmetic deformity, which they may find bothersome.
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Despite advances in the understanding of postoperative pain, approximately 80% of surgical patients still experience a meaningful level of pain, which can result in unnecessary stress and suffering; compromise the patient's progress, recovery, and outcome; and lead to poor function and the development of chronic pain. In arthroplasty patients, the goals of pain management include improving comfort and satisfaction, enabling patients to ambulate and move their joints soon after surgery, and, where appropriate, reducing the hospital length of stay. ⋯ Furthermore, as-needed administration of opioids allows for the repeated return of pain after the operation as each dose wears off. A balanced multimodal approach that combines different anesthetic and analgesic modalities in a rational way to target the distinct pain pathways, rather than relying predominantly on opioid drugs, is essential for effective control of postoperative pain, avoiding the risk of opioid-related adverse events and complications, reducing length of stay, and improving longterm outcomes.
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The efficacy of regional anesthesia and peripheral nerve blocks in the management of postoperative pain has resulted in widespread use of this approach in hip and knee arthroplasty. With extensive clinical use, however, the limitations of this approach have become apparent. ⋯ The long-acting anesthetic bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension (EXPAREL®, Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc), in particular, has been shown to be highly effective in managing postoperative pain and reducing opioid consumption. Consequently, a growing body of data and extensive clinical experience now support replacing nerve blocks with periarticular injections.