Orthopedics Commons^™

Incidence And Outcomes Of Acute Implant Extrusion Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery., Gabriel A. Smith, Jonathan Pace, Mark Corriveau, Sungho Lee, Thomas E. Mroz, Ahmad Nassr, Michael G. Fehlings, Robert A. Hart, Alan S. Hilibrand, Paul M. Arnold, David B. Bumpass, Ziya Gokaslan, Mohamad Bydon, Jeremy L. Fogelson, Eric M. Massicotte, K. Daniel Riew, Michael P. Steinmetz

Rothman Institute Papers

STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional retrospective case series of 8887 patients who underwent anterior cervical spine surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Anterior decompression from discectomy or corpectomy is not without risk. Surgical morbidity ranges from 9% to 20% and is likely underreported. Little is known of the incidence and effects of rare complications on functional outcomes following anterior spinal surgery. In this retrospective review, we examined implant extrusions (IEs) following anterior cervical fusion.

METHODS: A retrospective multicenter case series study involving 21 high-volume surgical centers from the AOSpine North America Clinical Research Network. Medical records for 17 625 patients who received cervical spine surgery (levels …

Misplaced Cervical Screws Requiring Reoperation., Jeremy C. Peterson, Paul M. Arnold, Zachary A. Smith, Wellington K. Hsu, Michael G. Fehlings, Robert A. Hart, Alan S. Hilibrand, Ahmad Nassr, Ra'kerry K. Rahman, Chadi A. Tannoury, Tony Tannoury, Thomas E. Mroz, Bradford L. Currier, Anthony F. De Giacomo, Jeremy L. Fogelson, Bruce C. Jobse, Eric M. Massicotte, K. Daniel Riew

Rothman Institute Papers

STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter, retrospective case series.

OBJECTIVE: In the past several years, screw fixation of the cervical spine has become commonplace. For the most part, this is a safe, low-risk procedure. While rare, screw backout or misplaced screws can lead to morbidity and increased costs. We report our experiences with this uncommon complication.

METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective case series was undertaken at 23 institutions in the United States. Patients were included who underwent cervical spine surgery from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2011, and had misplacement of screws requiring reoperation. Institutional review board approval was obtained at all …

Surgical Site Infection And Transfusion Rates Are Higher In Underweight Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients., Jorge Manrique, Antonia F. Chen, Md, Mba, Miguel M. Gomez, Mitchell Maltenfort, Phd, William J. Hozack Md

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Underweight (UW) patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty have exhibited higher complication rates, including infection and transfusion. No study to our knowledge has evaluated UW total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients. We, therefore, conducted a study to investigate if these patients are at increased risk for complications, including infection and transfusion.

METHODS: A case-control study was conducted using a prospectively collected institutional database. Twenty-seven TKA patients were identified as UW (body mass index [BMI] < 18.5 kg/m

RESULTS: The average BMI was 17.1 kg/m

CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that UW TKA patients have a higher likelihood of developing SSI and requiring blood transfusions. The …

Epidemiology And Impact Of Abdominal Oblique Injuries In Major And Minor League Baseball., Christopher L Camp, Stan Conte, Steven B. Cohen, Matthew Thompson, John D' Angelo, Joseph T Nguyen, Joshua S Dines

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Oblique injuries are known to be a common cause of time out of play for professional baseball players, and prior work has suggested that injury rates may be on the rise in Major League Baseball (MLB).

PURPOSE: To better understand the current incidence of oblique injuries, determine their impact based on time out of play, and to identify common injury patterns that may guide future injury prevention programs.

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiological study.

METHODS: Using the MLB Health and Injury Tracking System, all oblique injuries that resulted in time out of play in MLB and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) …

Prospects And Limitations Of Improving Skeletal Growth In A Mouse Model Of Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Caused By R992c (P.R1192c) Substitution In Collagen Ii., Machiko Arita, Jolanta Fertala, Cheryl Hou, James Kostas, Andrzej Steplewski, Andrzej Fertala

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Skeletal dysplasias form a group of skeletal disorders caused by mutations in macromolecules of cartilage and bone. The severity of skeletal dysplasias ranges from precocious arthropathy to perinatal lethality. Although the pathomechanisms of these disorders are generally well defined, the feasibility of repairing established aberrant skeletal tissues that developed in the presence of mutant molecules is currently unknown. Here, we employed a validated mouse model of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED) that enables temporal control of the production of the R992C (p.R1192C) collagen II mutant that causes this disease. Although in our earlier studies we determined that blocking the expression of this …

Sports Medicine Potpourri, Marc I. Harwood, Md

Department of Family & Community Medicine Presentations and Grand Rounds

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this talk, the learner will be:

• Thoroughly confused by the whirlwind of information presented
• But...able to delve into any of the topics at greater length when time permits.

Presentation: 52:03

Audio for PowerPoint slides.

Distal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis Complicated By Postoperative Infection: A Rare Presentation Of Disseminated Herpes Simplex Virus., Meredith N. Osterman, Michael P. Gaspar

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Postoperative infection after elective arthrodesis of the interphalangeal joint is an uncommon complication often necessitating urgent debridement. We present the rare case of a female patient with a history of oral herpetic lesions, who underwent elective arthrodesis of the middle and index fingers for treatment of erosive osteoarthritis and subsequently developed a postoperative herpetic infection at the surgical site.

New Horizons In Spine Research: Intervertebral Disc Repair And Regeneration., James C Iatridis, James Kang, Rita Kandel, Makarand V. Risbud

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Rna Sequencing Reveals A Role Of Tonebp Transcription Factor In Regulation Of Pro-Inflammatory Genes In Response To Hyperosmolarity In Healthy Nucleus Pulposus Cells: A Homeostatic Response?, Zariel I. Johnson, Irving M. Shapiro, Makarand V. Risbud

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Transcription factor tonicity-responsive enhancer-binding protein (TonEBP/NFAT5) is critical for osmo-adaptation and extracellular matrix homeostasis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells in their hypertonic tissue niche. Recent studies implicate TonEBP signaling in inflammatory disease and rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis. However, broader functions of TonEBP in the disc remain unknown. RNA sequencing was performed on NP cells with TonEBP knockdown under hypertonic conditions. 1140 TonEBP-dependent genes were identified and categorized using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Bioinformatic analysis showed enrichment of matrix homeostasis and cytokine/chemokine signaling pathways. C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) …

The Development Of A Universally Accepted Sacral Fracture Classification: A Survey Of Aospine And Aotrauma Members., Gregory D. Schroeder, Mark Kurd, Christopher K. Kepler, James C. Krieg, Jefferson R. Wilson, Conor P. Kleweno, Reza Firoozabadi, Carlo Bellabarba, Frank Kandizoria, Klause J. Schnake, S. Rajesekaran, Marcel F. Dvorak, Jens R. Chapman, Luiz R. Vialle, F. C. Oner, Alex R. Vaccaro

Rothman Institute Papers

Study Design Survey study. Objective To determine the global perspective on controversial aspects of sacral fracture classifications. Methods While developing the AOSpine Sacral Injury Classification System, a survey was sent to all members of AOSpine and AOTrauma. The survey asked four yes-or-no questions to help determine the best way to handle controversial aspects of sacral fractures in future classifications. Chi-square tests were initially used to compare surgeons' answers to the four key questions of the survey, and then the data was modeled through multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 474 surgeons answered all questions in the survey. Overall …

A Prospective Evaluation Of Opioid Utilization After Upper-Extremity Surgical Procedures: Identifying Consumption Patterns And Determining Prescribing Guidelines., Nayoung Kim, Jonas L. Matzon, Jack Abboudi, Christopher M. Jones, William Kirkpatrick, Charles Leinberry, Frederic Liss, Kevin F F. Lutsky, Mark L. Wang, Mitchell Maltenfort, Asif M Ilyas

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Although adequate management of postoperative pain with oral analgesics is an important aspect of surgical procedures, inadvertent overprescribing can lead to excess availability of opioids in the community for potential diversion. The purpose of our study was to prospectively evaluate opioid consumption following outpatient upper-extremity surgical procedures to determine opioid utilization patterns and to develop prescribing guidelines.

METHODS: All patients undergoing outpatient upper-extremity surgical procedures over a consecutive 6-month period had the following prospective data collected: patient demographic characteristics, surgical details, anesthesia type, and opioid prescription and consumption patterns. Analysis of variance and post hoc comparisons were performed using …

Evaluation And Management Of Sleep Disorders In The Hand Surgery Patient., Michael P. Gaspar, Patrick M. Kane, Sidney M. Jacoby, Patrick S. Gaspar, A. Lee Osterman

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Despite posing a significant public health threat, sleep disorders remain poorly understood and often underdiagnosed and mismanaged. Although sleep disorders are seemingly unrelated, hand surgeons should be mindful of these because numerous conditions of the upper extremity have known associations with sleep disturbances that can adversely affect patient function and satisfaction. In addition, patients with sleep disorders are at significantly higher risk for severe, even life-threatening medical comorbidities, further amplifying the role of hand surgeons in the recognition of this condition.

Neurogenic Fever After Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Qualitative Systematic Review., Katherine E. Savage, Christina V. Oleson, Gregory D. Schroeder, Gursukhman S Sidhu, Alex R. Vaccaro

Rothman Institute Papers

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, pathogenesis, and clinical outcomes related to neurogenic fevers following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed on thermodysregulation secondary to acute traumatic SCI in adult patients. A literature search was performed using PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus. Using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven relevant articles were obtained.

RESULTS: The incidence of fever of all origins (both known and unknown) after SCI ranged from 22.5 to 71.7% with a mean incidence of 50.6% and a median incidence of 50.0%. …

Pain Management After Outpatient Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review Of Randomized Controlled Trials., Eric S. Secrist, Kevin B. Freedman, Michael G. Ciccotti, Donald W. Mazur, Sommer Hammoud

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Effective pain management after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction improves patient satisfaction and function.

PURPOSE: To collect and evaluate the available evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on pain control after ACL reconstruction.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review.

METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed using PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, UpToDate, Cochrane Reviews, CINAHL, and Scopus following PRISMA guidelines (July 2014). Only RCTs comparing a method of postoperative pain control to another method or placebo were included.

RESULTS: A total of 77 RCTs met inclusion criteria: 14 on regional nerve blocks, 21 on intra-articular injections, 4 on intramuscular/intravenous injections, 12 …

Geographic And Age-Based Variations In Medicare Reimbursement Among Assh Members., Michael P. Gaspar, Patrick M. Kane, Grace B. Honik, Eon K. Shin, Sidney M. Jacoby, A. Lee Osterman

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate how American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) members' Medicare reimbursement depends on their geographical location and number of years in practice. Methods: Demographic data for surgeons who were active members of the ASSH in 2012 were obtained using information publicly available through the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). "Hand-surgeons-per-capita" and average reimbursement per surgeon were calculated for each state. Regression analysis was performed to determine a relationship between (1) each state's average reimbursement versus the number of ASSH members in that state, (2) average reimbursement versus …

Chemical Modification Of Extracellular Matrix By Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Generated Reactive Species Affects Chondrogenesis And Bone Formation., Peter Eisenhauer, Natalie Chernets, You Song, Danil Dobrynin, Nancy Pleshko, Marla J Steinbeck, Theresa A. Freeman

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

The goal of this study was to investigate whether cold plasma generated by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) modifies extracellular matrices (ECM) to influence chondrogenesis and endochondral ossification. Replacement of cartilage by bone during endochondral ossification is essential in fetal skeletal development, bone growth and fracture healing. Regulation of this process by the ECM occurs through matrix remodelling, involving a variety of cell attachment molecules and growth factors, which influence cell morphology and protein expression. The commercially available ECM, Matrigel, was treated with microsecond or nanosecond pulsed (μsp or nsp, respectively) DBD frequencies conditions at the equivalent frequencies (1 kHz) or …

The Financial And Professional Impact Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries In National Football League Athletes., Eric S. Secrist, Suneel B. Bhat, Christopher C. Dodson

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries can have negative consequences on the careers of National Football League (NFL) players, however no study has ever analyzed the financial impact of these injuries in this population.

PURPOSE: To quantify the impact of ACL injuries on salary and career length in NFL athletes.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS: Any player in the NFL suffering an ACL injury from 2010 to 2013 was identified using a comprehensive online search. A database of NFL player salaries was used to conduct a matched cohort analysis comparing ACL-injured players with the rest of …

Catastrophic Femoral Head-Stem Trunnion Dissociation Secondary To Corrosion., Laura Matsen Ko, Antonia F. Chen, Md, Mba, Gregory K Deirmengian, William J. Hozack Md, Peter F. Sharkey

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Modular femoral heads provide procedural enhancement by allowing accurate restoration of hip offset and limb-length equalization. However, corrosion may lead to adverse local tissue reactions. Severe trunnion corrosion can also lead to femoral head dissociation and catastrophic implant failure following primary total hip arthroplasty.

METHODS: We describe 5 cases, from our institution, in which the femoral head became dissociated from the femoral stem trunnion secondary to severe corrosion. Possible causes are evaluated.

RESULTS: Demographic commonalities among the 5 patients included a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m(2) and male sex. All femoral heads were made of cobalt-chromium alloy …

The 2015 American-British-Canadian Traveling Fellows Report., Alpesh A. Patel, Robert H. Brophy, Rajiv Gandhi, Hue H. Luu, Kishore Mulpuri, Suken A Shah, Sanjeev Kakar

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

What's New In Musculoskeletal Infection: Update On Biofilms., Arvind Nana, Sandra B Nelson, Alex Mclaren, Antonia F. Chen, Md, Mba

Rothman Institute Papers

No abstract provided.

Medicare Reimbursement For Total Joint Arthroplasty: The Driving Forces., Eric M. Padegimas, Kushagra Verma, Benjamin Zmistowski, Richard H. Rothman, James J. Purtill, Michael Howley

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Total joint arthroplasty is a large and growing part of the U.S. Medicare budget, drawing attention to how much providers are paid for their services. The purpose of this study was to examine the variables that affect total joint arthroplasty reimbursement. Along with standard economic variables, we include unique health-care variables. Given the focus on value in the Affordable Care Act, the model examines the relationship of the quality of care to total joint arthroplasty reimbursement. We hoped to find that reimbursement patterns reward quality and reflect standard economic principles.

METHODS: Multivariable regression was performed to identify variables that …

Outcomes And National Trends For The Surgical Treatment Of Lumbar Spine Trauma., Doniel Drazin, Miriam Nuno, Faris Shweikeh, Alex R. Vaccaro, Eli Baron, Terrence T. Kim, J. Patrick Johnson

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Introduction. Operative treatment of lumbar spine compression fractures includes fusion and/or cement augmentation. Our aim was to evaluate postoperative differences in patients treated surgically with fusion, vertebroplasty, or kyphoplasty. Methods. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database search for adult vertebral compression fracture patients treated 2004-2011 identified 102,316 surgical patients: 30.6% underwent spinal fusion, 17.1% underwent kyphoplasty, and 49.9% underwent vertebroplasty. Univariate analysis of patient and hospital characteristics, by treatment, was performed. Multivariable analysis was used to determine factors associated with mortality, nonroutine discharge, complications, and patient safety. Results. Average patient age: fusion (46.2), kyphoplasty (78.5), vertebroplasty (76.7) (p < .0001). Gender, race, household income, hospital-specific characteristics, and insurance differences were found (p ≤ .001). Leading comorbidities were hypertension, osteoporosis, and diabetes. Risks for higher mortality (OR 2.0: CI: 1.6-2.5), nonroutine discharge (OR 1.6, CI: 1.6-1.7), complications (OR 1.1, CI: 1.0-1.1), and safety related events (OR 1.1, CI: 1.0-1.1) rose consistently with increasing age, particularly among fusion patients. Preexisting comorbidities and longer in-hospital length of stay were associated with increased odds of nonroutine discharge, complications, and patient safety. Conclusions. Fusion patients had higher rates of poorer outcomes compared to vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty cohorts. Mortality, nonroutine discharge, complications, and adverse events increased consistently with older age.

Circadian Factors Bmal1 And Rorα Control Hif-1Α Transcriptional Activity In Nucleus Pulposus Cells: Implications In Maintenance Of Intervertebral Disc Health., Kaori Suyama, Elizabeth S Silagi, Hyowon Choi, Kou Sakabe, Joji Mochida, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BMAL1 and RORα are major regulators of the circadian molecular oscillator. Since previous work in other cell types has shown cross talk between circadian rhythm genes and hypoxic signaling, we investigated the role of BMAL1 and RORα in controlling HIF-1-dependent transcriptional responses in NP cells that exist in the physiologically hypoxic intervertebral disc. HIF-1-dependent HRE reporter activity was further promoted by co-transfection with either BMAL1 or RORα. In addition, stable silencing of BMAL1 or inhibition of RORα activity resulted in decreased HRE activation. Inhibition of RORα also modulated HIF1α-TAD activity. Interestingly, immunoprecipitation studies showed no evidence of BMAL1, CLOCK or …

The Role Of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling In Osteoclastogenesis And Jaw Bone Destruction., Tsuyoshi Shimo, Kenichi Matsumoto, Kiyofumi Takabatake, Eriko Aoyama, Yuichiro Takebe, Soichiro Ibaragi, Tatsuo Okui, Naito Kurio, Hiroyuki Takada, Kyoichi Obata, Pai Pang, Masahiro Iwamoto, Hitoshi Nagatsuka, Akira Sasaki

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and its signaling have been identified in several human cancers, and increased levels of its expression appear to correlate with disease progression and metastasis. However, the role of SHH in bone destruction associated with oral squamous cell carcinomas is still unclear. In this study we analyzed SHH expression and the role played by SHH signaling in gingival carcinoma-induced jawbone destruction. From an analysis of surgically resected lower gingival squamous cell carcinoma mandible samples, we found that SHH was highly expressed in tumor cells that had invaded the bone matrix. On the other hand, the hedgehog receptor Patched …

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries In National Football League Athletes From 2010 To 2013: A Descriptive Epidemiology Study., Christopher C Dodson, Eric S Secrist, Suneel B Bhat, Daniel P Woods, Peter F Deluca

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: There is a high incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries among National Football League (NFL) athletes; however, the incidence of reinjury in this population is unknown.

PURPOSE: This retrospective epidemiological study analyzed all publicly disclosed ACL tears occurring in NFL players between 2010 and 2013 to characterize injury trends and determine the incidence of reinjury.

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiological study.

METHODS: A comprehensive online search identified any NFL player who had suffered an ACL injury from 2010 to 2013. Position, playing surface, activity, and date were recorded. Each player was researched for any history of previous ACL injury. …

Predicting Revision Following In Situ Ulnar Nerve Decompression For Patients With Idiopathic Cubital Tunnel Syndrome., Michael P. Gaspar, Patrick M. Kane, Dechporn Putthiwara, Sidney M. Jacoby, A. Lee Osterman

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of revision and potential risk factors for needing revision surgery following in situ ulnar nerve decompression for patients with idiopathic cubital tunnel syndrome (CTS).

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients treated at 1 specialty hand center with an open in situ ulnar nerve decompression for idiopathic CTS from January 2006 through December 2010. Revision incidence was determined by identifying patients who underwent additional surgeries for recurrent or persistent ulnar nerve symptoms. Bivariate analysis was performed to determine which variables had a significant influence on the need for revision surgery.

RESULTS: Revision …

Acute Rehabilitation Of Spinal Epidural Abscess Following Triple Laminectomy: A Case Report, B. A. Dahlben, Ms, D. Fleischmann, Md

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Posters

Case Description:

• A 36-year-old man presented with a large epidural collection, shown on MRI to extend from C1-S5 and resulting in spinal canal narrowing (Figures 1-3). The patient was admitted for acute inpatient rehabilitation after neurosurgical treatment and stabilization s/p C7-T1, T7-8, L4-5 laminectomies.
• He presented with impaired mobility and activities of daily living, and reported moderate pain in the back and lower extremities, but without specific distribution, during PT/OT therapies.
• Throughout his 7-day length of stay, the patient was closely monitored for methicillin-susceptible S. aureus bacteremia, and he received IV oxacillin and oral rifampin. Active medical problems …

Variables Prognostic For Delayed Union And Nonunion Following Ulnar Shortening Fixed With A Dedicated Osteotomy Plate., Michael P. Gaspar, Patrick M. Kane, Ralph C Zohn, Taylor Buckley, Sidney M. Jacoby, Eon K. Shin

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: To examine potential risk factors for the development of delayed or nonunion following elective ulnar shortening osteotomy using a dedicated osteotomy plating system.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent elective ulnar shortening using the TriMed single osteotomy dynamic compression plating system by 1 of 2 fellowship-trained hand surgeons over a 5-year period. Demographic data and medical, surgical, and social histories were reviewed. Time to bony union was determined radiographically by a blinded reviewer. Bivariate statistical analysis was performed to examine the effect of explanatory variables on the time to union and the incidence of …

Recurrence Of Ganglion Cysts Following Re-Excision, Lindsay S. Mcalpine, Msiii, Juana Medina, Md, Nayoung Kim, Bs, Michael Rivlin, Md

CwiC Posters

Previous studies have examined the recurrence of ganglion cysts after surgical excision at a rate of 4 to 40%. However, recurrence after revision surgical excision is unknown. The purpose of this study was to define the incidence of recurrent ganglion cysts in patients who underwent a 2nd excisional procedure.

Unlocking The Doors To Patient Satisfaction In Pediatric Orthopaedics, Frederick B. Peng, Bs, James F. Burrows, Mba, Eric D. Shirley, Md, Paul Rosen, Md, Mph, Mmm

Department of Pediatrics Posters

Background

• Many hospitals continue to struggle to improve patient satisfaction as the identification of tangible quality improvement areas remains difficult
• Medicare hospital payments are linked to patient satisfaction and hospitals' HCAHPS scores, which has contributed to the growing influence of patient satisfaction measures
• Investigation into the major drivers of patient satisfaction in the pediatric clinical arena has not been thoroughly pursued
• To determine the main drivers of patient experience in pediatric orthopaedics, we performed an analysis of patient satisfaction surveys collected from outpatient pediatric orthopaedic practices at 5 locations in 3 states
• Hypothesis: the patient-physician relationship is the most important …