Jared T. Roberts’s research while affiliated with Albany Medical College and other places

The popularity of yoga and the prevalence of total hip arthroplasty (THA) have simultaneously increased in the United States. Accordingly, one can assume that the number of THA patients practicing yoga has increased. Certain yoga poses reach the extremes of hip range of motion, potentially leaving patients vulnerable to dislocation. To date, 2 cases of late posterior prosthetic hip dislocations during yoga have been reported; however, there have been no reports of anterior prosthetic hip dislocations. We present one case of late anterior prosthetic hip dislocation during yoga in a patient who underwent THA via the direct anterior approach. Prosthetic hip dislocation during yoga may be a growing concern. We provide additional evidence in support of recommendations for THA patients to safely practice yoga.

Background Limb length discrepancy (LLD) is a known complication of total hip arthroplasty (THA), leading to decreased patient function and satisfaction. It remains unknown how a patient’s perception of LLD evolves over time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between measured and perceived LLD, and to assess whether perceived LLD resolved with time in most patients. Methods and Materials This study retrospectively reviewed radiographs of 140 consecutive patients undergoing primary THA by a single surgeon via a direct anterior approach, calculating postoperative change in limb length (ΔL). Patient perceptions of LLD were recorded at standard postoperative visit intervals. A p-value of 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. Results Of 130 patients (mean ΔL = +7.9 mm), 22 patients endorsed perceived postoperative LLD and the remainder were asymptomatic (mean ΔL +11.1 mm vs +7.3 mm, p=0.03). 17 reported mild symptoms and 5 reported severe (mean ΔL +10.2 mm vs +13.8 mm, p=0.4). After 1 year, 45% (10) patients reported complete resolution of perceived LLD (mean follow-up 364 days), 18% (4) reported notable improvement, and 36% (8) reported no improvement. Four excluded patients endorsed perceived LLD (2 mild, 2 severe), which resolved after contralateral THA. Discussion and Conclusion This study noted a correlation between increasing postoperative ΔL and perceived LLD. A majority of patients (63%) experienced either improvement or full resolution of symptoms during the follow-up period. This data may have a role in reassuring the orthopaedic surgeon and the patient regarding the natural course of postoperative LLD. Further investigation is needed to help identify risk factors for persistent LLD. Level of Evidence Level III (Prognostic)

Background. Because they are associated with a high energy mechanism, open distal femoral physeal fractures are rare injuries. Appropriate management of these injuries is critical in the pediatric population due to the increased risk of damage to the physis and subsequent growth disturbance and deformity after injury. Pediatric fractures may also represent the sequelae of genetic syndromes (particularly connective tissue disorders), nutritional abnormalities, or conditions that predispose to abnormal bone mineral density. Clinical case. In this case report, we present the case of a 9-year-old girl with tetrasomy 18p who presented with a grossly displaced right open distal femoral physeal fracture in the setting of isolated, lower extremity trauma. The patient underwent an irrigation and debridement, followed by an open reduction and cross-pinning through the distal femoral epiphysis. After the operation, the patient was made non-weight-bearing in a cast for 4 weeks, and at 6 weeks, the pins were removed. The patient had full range of motion at the 6-month follow-up and then resumed her preinjury level of play at school. Discussion. Tetrasomy 18p results in inherent muscle weakness that may interfere in the normal soft tissue sleeve of muscles stabilizing long bones. This may result in greater displacement of fractures sustained during trauma, which may lead to a greater rate of vascular injury, physeal injury, and poor overall prognosis. It is imperative for clinicians to be familiar with tetrasomy 18p and its associated orthopedic manifestations. Conclusion. There is scarce literature on the management of physeal fractures in patients with tetrasomy 18p. In the case described here, we report a good outcome with the standard of care using preoperative and postoperative antibiotics, irrigation and debridement, open fracture fixation, and immobilization in a cast postoperatively. The duration of non-weight-bearing was also increased by 1 week and the pins were removed 1 week later than we would have for patients without any bone or connective tissue disorders.

Introduction: There is paucity of literature evaluating anterior acetabular retractor proximity to the femoral nerve and external iliac vessels during total hip arthroplasty through the direct anterior approach. In this cadaveric study, we evaluated three retractor locations to identify optimal positioning of anterior retractors. Methods: A direct anterior approach was performed in 22 hips of 15 cadavers. Anterior acetabular retractors were placed over the anterior acetabular wall in-line with the femoral neck (12-o'clock or middle position). The anterior neurovascular structures were identified through the ilioinguinal approach. Retractors were reinserted at 10-o'clock (right hip; superior) and 2-o'clock (right hip; inferior) locations marked using K-wires. Horizontal and vertical distances from retractor tip positions to neurovascular structures were measured with a digital caliper. Results: Retractor tips moved significantly from lateral to the femoral nerve when placed in the superior position (mean, 2.8 mm) to medial to the femoral nerve in the middle (mean, -2.3 mm) and inferior (mean, -4.8 mm) locations. Retractor tips moved significantly medial toward the external iliac artery when retractors were moved from superior (mean, 15.3 mm) to inferior (mean, 6.6 mm) positions placing the retractor tip closer to the vessels. Conclusion: As retractor placements moved inferior, retractor tips moved medial to neurovascular structures. Inferior retractor positioning placed the femoral nerve and external iliac artery at the risk of injury during the initial retractor placement or adjustment. Retractors should be placed in a relative safe zone superior to the 12-o'clock position to avoid damage to neurovascular structures. Level of evidence: IV.