Orthopedics Commons^™

Reconstruction Of A Pelvic Nonunion Secondary To Metastatic Breast Cancer And Palliative Radiation., Ronald Peirish, Landon Reading, Cesar Cereijo

Surgery Articles

Pathologic pelvic nonunions are uncommon, although they remain a difficult problem and require meticulous surgical planning and execution for desired outcomes. In this paper, we discuss a patient who sustained a pathologic pelvic insufficiency fracture secondary to radiation therapy for metastatic breast cancer, who subsequently developed a symptomatic nonunion that required surgical intervention secondary to debilitating pain and inability to ambulate. We also discuss the classification of insufficiency fractures of the pelvis to guide treatment, in addition to complications associated with surgical intervention. A 51-year-old female with a 12-year history of metastatic breast cancer. She presented to an outside facility …

Elbow Interpositional Arthroplasty Using An Achilles Tendon Allograft: A Case Report., Matthew Glazier, Morgan Turnow, Hunter Pharis, Taylor Manes, Hayden Schuette, Stephen Wiseman

Surgery Articles

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of post-traumatic elbow arthritis poses a significant challenge for orthopedic surgeons, especially in young active patients. Total elbow arthroplasty is often the recommended treatment option in older patients; however, interpositional arthroplasty remains a viable option in high-demand patients.

CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 50-year-old male who presented after the development of post-traumatic arthritis of the elbow after multiple prior surgeries. He was treated with an interpositional arthroplasty using an Achilles tendon graft and allowed immediate range of motion as tolerated in a hinged elbow brace without the use of any form of distraction external …

Biomechanical Analysis Of 3d Correction And Bone-Screw Forces As A Function Of Rod Insertion Sequence And Orientation Relative To The Sagittal Plane In Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Instrumentation., Camille Pillot, Xiaoyu Wang, Alexandria Mallinos, Todd Ritzman, Lorena Floccari, Richard M. Schwend, Carl-Eric Aubin

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: In adolescent idiopathic scoliosis instrumentation, rods are typically aligned with the sagittal plane during the initial translation maneuver. Surgeons often empirically orient the rod slightly opposite to the scoliotic curve, but the optimal orientation and insertion sequence, as well as their influence on 3D correction and forces, remain unclear. This study investigates the biomechanical influence of these rod parameters on scoliosis correction.

METHODS: Patient-specific multi-body biomechanical models were developed for 30 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients (11 hypo-, 12 normo-, 7 hyper-kyphotic thoracic curves) to simulate posterior instrumentation with a primary segmental translation correction maneuver. Rod insertion was tested in …

Common Cast Complications, Jessica A Mcgraw-Heinrich, Jon C Wall, Scott B Rosenfeld

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Complications can arise from the application, wear, and removal of casts and splints. This text reviews common complications, risk factors, and prevention strategies while exploring the medical-legal implications of these complications. Being aware of common pitfalls can help reduce risk and promote optimal patient outcomes.

Key concepts: (1)Proper and judicious casting and splinting techniques are critical to prevent complications.(2)Thermal injuries can occur due to excessive curing heat and cast saw burns.(3)Poor cast molding can lead to skin sores and loss of fracture reduction.(4)Patients should be comfortable in their cast, and uncontrolled pain warrants investigation.

Outcomes Of Suprapatellar Intramedullary Nail Fixation Of Tibial Shaft Fractures In Skeletally Immature Patients, Carlos D Pargas-Colina, Tori J Coble, Sara E Davis, David D Spence, Jonathan K Rowland, Derek M Kelly, Benjamin W Sheffer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Tibial shaft fractures in children require individualized treatment approaches, including elastic nails, plates and screws, intramedullary rigid nails (IMN), and external fixators, with selection based on fracture characteristics and patient factors. IMN risks damaging the physis, but can provide enhanced stability and immediate weight bearing. While both infrapatellar and suprapatellar approaches exist for IMN placement, studies in adults have demonstrated that the suprapatellar approach offers higher patient satisfaction, less anterior knee pain, and lower radiation exposure. However, there is a lack of data on IMN for pediatric tibial fractures.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective cohort study analyzed patients aged 11-16 …

Identifying Critical Evidence Gaps In Wound Closure And Incision Management After Total Hip Arthroplasty: Delphi Panel Insights, Margaret Ainslie-Garcia, Lucas Anderson, Benjamin Bloch, Tim N Board, Antonia Chen, Samantha Craigie, Walter Danker, Najmuddin Gunja, James Harty, Victor Hernandez, Kate Lebedeva, Mitchell Ng, Daniel Hameed, Michael Mont, Ryan Nunley, Javad Parvizi, Sean Sequeira, Carsten Perka, Nicolas Piuzzi, Ola Rolfson, Joshua Rychlik, Emilio Romanini, Pablo Sanz-Ruiz, Rafael Sierra, Linda Suleiman, Eleftherios Tsiridis, Pascal-André Vendittoli, Helge Wangen, Luigi Zagra

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: In total hip arthroplasty (THA), proper management of surgical incisions is essential for optimal wound healing and patient outcomes. Despite advances in surgical techniques, significant challenges remain in preventing complications and infections. This study aimed to identify evidence gaps in THA wound care, including presurgical preparation, intraoperative practices, and postsurgical complications.

METHODS: Using a modified Delphi method, 20 expert orthopedic surgeons from Europe and North America participated in a 3-phase consensus process from April 1 to September 30, 2023. This included a preliminary questionnaire, a remote conference, and a final online survey. The panel reviewed literature and achieved agreement …

Injury And Illness: An Analysis Of Team Usa Athletes At The 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, Ashley N Triplett, Eric G Post, Travis Anderson, Olivia Samson, Alexis D Gidley, Francisco Silva, Lea Thomann, Amber T Donaldson, Jonathan T Finnoff, Eric L Dugan, Jeffrey S Shilt, William M Adams

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Injury and illness surveillance is essential for understanding the relative risks of sports participation to develop effective strategies to optimize athlete health, wellness, and performance. Epidemiological studies examining injuries and illnesses among Team USA youth athletes are limited, particularly among athletes competing in Winter sports. The purpose of this study was to characterize the injury and illness incidence rate among Team USA athletes participating in the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG).

Methods: Injuries and illnesses among 101 Team USA youth athletes (40.6% female; age, 17 ± 1 years) were prospectively documented. Injury and illness prevalence, and incidence rate …

Incidence Of Heart Failure Following Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery, Harrison S. Fellheimer, Mahaa Ayub, Gabriel I. Onor, Lauren O'Mara, Eric Tecce, Pedro K. Beredjiklian

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Previous literature suggests a relationship between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and heart failure (HF), indicating that patients with CTS are more likely to experience cardiomyopathy. Amyloid deposition leading to CTS may be prodromal for the development of amyloid cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized that patients undergoing surgery for CTS would have an increased risk of HF compared to those who did not undergo surgery.

METHODS: The TriNetX database was queried using the primary ICD-10 code for CTS to identify patients. Patients were included if they had surgical treatment for CTS, reported as endoscopic or open carpal tunnel release, or median nerve …

The Articularis Genu As A Surrogate For Structural Determinants Of Peri-Articular Myopenia In Osteoarthritis, Davis Martin, José A.Cruz Ayala, Mary C. Gatterer, Tara Soria, Ryan Schroeder, Vinod Dasa, Luis Marrero

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The functional limitations associated with the painful stiffness of knee osteoarthritis (kOA) can affect the muscles of the knee, such as the quadriceps femoris (QF) and articularis genu (AG). The vastus medialis oblique (VMO) of the QF complex is particularly sensitive to kOA. The AG, which can be sampled during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for kOA, can provide information about the condition of the QF when affected by patient-reported disuse, helping to identify indicators of muscle weakness in the synovial fluid. This study compares the structural and gene expression changes between the VMO and the AG collected from patients with …

Full Issue: Volume 3, Issue 1 - June 2025

Bone Bulletin

i - Editors’ Note

ii - Foreword by Dr. Alan Hilibrand

7 - Challenges and Concerns of Artificial Intelligence in Shoulder and Elbow by Claude J. Regis

10 - Exploring Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty by Sahil Shah

13 - The Future of Robot-Assisted Surgery in Foot and Ankle Procedures by Sam Duggan

16 - Revolutionizing Spine Surgery: The Potential Role of AI in Enhancing Surgical Workflow and Patient Outcomes by Samuel Ezeonu

21 - Management of Periprosthetic Humeral Fractures Following Shoulder Arthroplasty by Akshay Khanna

24 - Patient Specific Implants in Total Shoulder Arthroplasty by Alexander Zavitsanos

26 - Posterior …

Comparison Of Autograft, Allograft, And Conduits For Peripheral Upper Extremity Nerve Repair A Critical Review Of The Current State Of Bone Grafting In Orthopaedic Surgery, Samantha Meacock

Bone Bulletin

Introduction

Several mechanisms of injury can cause peripheral nerve injury (PNI) and subsequent impaired quality of life with loss of motor and/or sensory function. Trauma is a common cause of injury with the most commonly injured nerves being the radial (53%), ulnar (32%), and median nerves (15%).¹ The preferred treatment for PNI is reconnecting severed nerve ends anatomically with tension-free end-to-end direct nerve repair of healthy fascicles. However, if the nerve ends cannot be brought together without tension, gapping can occur, and a direct tension-less repair is not possible.⁵ In the case of a lengthy nerve gap, a …

A Critical Review Of The Current State Of Bone Grafting In Orthopaedic Surgery, Joseph Kelly

Bone Bulletin

Introduction

Millions of people around the world currently suffer from orthopaedic injuries and illness due to trauma, degenerative diseases, cancer, and infections that require bone grafting techniques to heal. Bone grafting allows a surgeon to replace missing, broken, or infected bone with a substitute that returns the structural integrity of the bone. Bone grafting can rebuild bones but can also help bones with existing defects to heal properly. There are multiple types of bone grafts, and each may be indicated in different scenarios to optimize healing, restore function, and prevent complications depending on the bone in question. The three broad …

Distal Radius Fractures: A Common Injury With Disproportionate Results, Brady Stillman

Bone Bulletin

Introduction

A distal radius fracture (DRF) is a common upper-extremity injury that occurs when the radius is fractured near the wrist, usually after falling on an outstretched or flexed hand. DRFs account for one-sixth of fracture-related emergency department visits.² In a 2009 study, a sample of 87 million Americans with upper-extremity fractures revealed the most common fracture sites were the distal radius and ulna.³ The distal radius was the most common fracture site in patients younger than 18 and older than 49, and the incidence is increasing in older adulthood.^{3, 4} A DRF can be classified as …

Innovative Pain Management Protocols In Orthopedics And Their Role In Reducing Postoperative Opioid Use, Jake Lamonaca

Bone Bulletin

Background

The opioid epidemic has emerged as one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time, marked by significant increases in opioid-related dependence, abuse, and death in recent years. Excess prescription of opioids represents a major contributing factor to this crisis.¹ The origins and impact of the opioid epidemic in the United States are documented in Sam Quinones research narrative, Dreamland. He highlights how pharmaceutical companies leveraged misinterpreted research—particularly a 1980 letter published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggesting a low risk of addiction associated with opioids—to normalize their widespread prescription. This flawed evidence served …

Analyzing The Common Criteria And Decision-Making Process For Opting Between Same-Day And Overnight Surgeries For Improved Patient Management, Gaston Davis

Bone Bulletin

Introduction

Within the scope of sports medicine, the decision to opt for same-day or overnight surgeries is multifactorial and relies on many interplaying considerations. Common factors include patient health, surgical complexity, and post-operative care requirements. This article explores the criteria and decision-making process involved in choosing between these two surgical options for common sports-related injuries, such as shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee, and ankle injuries.

Posterior Shoulder Dislocations In The Setting Of Seizures, Alex Charlton

Bone Bulletin

The shoulder joint provides an exceptional range of motion that allows for flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, internal rotation, external rotation, and 360-degree circumduction; however, this mobility comes at the expense of decreased stability.¹ Shoulder dislocations account for 50% of all joint dislocations, with anterior dislocation being the most common and usually associated with trauma.² In comparison, about 2-5% of shoulder dislocations are posterior and are often associated with more unique etiologies.¹ One of the most interesting resulting from a tonic seizure in an individual with epilepsy.

Patient Specific Implants In Total Shoulder Arthroplasty, Alexander Zavitsanos

Bone Bulletin

Primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States, and is expected to be utilized more in the coming decades, with estimates of around 2 million TJAs performed annually by 2030.^1,2 While the first attempts at TJA occurred in the late 1800s, utilizing a variety of implant materials such as ivory and rubber, over the past 100+ years, the methods employed in TJA and the quality of implants used have progressed immensely with advances in material science and procedural methods^8-12. However, the implants currently used in all types of …

Management Of Periprosthetic Humeral Fractures Following Shoulder Arthroplasty, Akshay Khanna

Bone Bulletin

Introduction Since the introduction of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) in 2004, the total incidence of primary total shoulder arthroplasties in the United States has doubled to over 30 cases per 100,000 persons.^1,2 Despite overall complication rates decreasing with the advancement of novel techniques and implant designs, there are rising concerns regarding the frequency of certain complications including glenohumeral instability, rotator cuff tearing, and periprosthetic fracture.^3,4 Glenoid fractures are relatively rare, occurring at a rate of 1.4% in one national registry study.^19,20 The risk of periprosthetic humeral fracture, however, is of particular concern because of how devastating …

Revolutionizing Spine Surgery: The Potential Role Of Ai In Enhancing Surgical Workflow And Patient Outcomes, Samuel Ezeonu

Bone Bulletin

Introduction

With the growing incidence of degenerative spine pathology¹, surgeons have been tasked to treat more patients than ever. According to Mani et al., the number of single and multilevel fusion procedures are both projected to double over the next 25 years.² In light of this trend, several strategies have been proposed to reduce the resultant burden placed on hospitals and surgeons, while maintaining optimal standards of care. Namely, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is a growing field that has greatly increased in the last decade. AI has the potential to relieve the cognitive workload placed …

The Future Of Robot-Assisted Surgery In Foot And Ankle Procedures, Sam Duggan

Bone Bulletin

Robot-assisted surgeries are becoming common in most fields of orthopaedics by providing increased accuracy and precision, reducing revision procedures.^1,2 Surgeons specializing in hip and knee, and more recently, spine, have seen tremendous increases in the use of robotics. Still, foot and ankle surgery has had little to no adoption of robotics due to the complex foot and ankle anatomy, in addition to small operating windows; however, usage in spine surgery may be a strong indicator of future use in foot and ankle surgery, as spine surgery similarly requires extreme precision in small operating spaces, with the added benefit of …

Exploring Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty, Sahil Shah

Bone Bulletin

Background and Introduction of Total Knee Arthroplasty

Within the field of orthopedics, joint replacements rank amongst the most common procedures. Among those, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the most commonly conducted joint replacement procedure at approximately 51.02% of arthroplasties between 2012 and 2022.¹ Annually, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons estimates more than 700,000 TKAs are performed within the United States.² The procedure was introduced in 1968 to relieve severe joint pain and stiffness, as well as restore mobility in patients suffering from “end-stage degenerative knee osteoarthritis” or rheumatoid arthritis.³ TKAs revolutionized the treatment plan for patients …

Challenges And Concerns Of Artificial Intelligence In Shoulder And Elbow, Claude J. Regis

Bone Bulletin

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming shoulder and elbow surgery, driving significant advancements across various domains. Currently, AI is enhancing diagnostic accuracy through imaging-based analysis, predictive modeling of clinical outcomes, implant identification, and automated image segmentation.^1,2 AI-driven personalized treatment plans are also anticipated to optimize patient care by tailoring interventions based on individual data analysis.³ Additionally, deep learning algorithms have been developed to automatically classify large sets of preoperative and postoperative radiographs in the setting of shoulder arthroplasty.⁴ These technologies, combined with AI, could revolutionize surgical training and intraoperative guidance, offering real-time data and enhanced visualization. …

Foreword, Alan S. Hilibrand

Bone Bulletin

As the Director of Undergraduate medical education for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College, I am happy to once again oversee the third annual issue of the Bone Bulletin. Through the activities of the DePalma Orthopaedic Society, medical students at SKMC have an excellent venue to learn about orthopaedic surgery, and through articles in this publication our surgeons at Rothman Orthopaedics have enthusiastically mentored younger students interested in the field of orthopedic surgery. The DePalma leadership has worked hard on many initiatives in recent years: providing forums for orthopaedic faculty to speak about their …

Editors' Note, Liam Gibbons, Amit Syal

Bone Bulletin

We are thrilled to introduce the third edition of the Bone Bulletin, DePalma Orthopaedic Society’s student-run, non-peer reviewed journal for Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC) students. The journal aims to offer an additional avenue for medical students to engage with orthopaedics in medical school. Through the 1-on-1 mentorship with physicians from the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, students gain hands-on experience writing about and directly engaging with current orthopaedic research and developments.

After each edition, it’s been exciting to see the journal continue to grow, with increasing numbers of students eager to get involved. This year, we are proud to announce …

Single-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion Is Associated With Higher Nonroutine Discharge Rates Compared To Cervical Disc Arthroplasty In Obese Patients, Paul G. Mastrokostas, Luke B. Schwartz, Eli Berglas, Aaron B. Lavi, Leonidas E. Mastrokostas, Jonathan Dalton, Christopher K. Kepler, Arya Varthi, Jad Bou Monsef, Afshin E. Razi, Mitchell K. Ng

Rothman Institute Papers

CONTEXT: Obesity is a recognized risk factor for adverse outcomes in cervical spine surgery. While cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) has emerged as an alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), comparative outcomes among obese patients remain underexplored.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to compare nonroutine discharge rates and other postoperative outcomes between obese patients undergoing single-level ACDF and CDA.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using a national database.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample was queried to identify obese patients who underwent single-level ACDF or CDA between 2016 and 2020. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were …

The Impact Of Operative Level On Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Following Single-Level Posterior Lumbar Decompression For Disc Herniation, Jonathan Dalton, Robert Oris, Omar Tarawneh, Gregory Toci, Rajkishen Narayanan, Dominic Finan, Hannah Bash, Marco Goldberg, John Mangan, Barrett Woods, Mark Kurd, Ian Kaye, Jose Canseco, Alan Hilibrand, Alex Vaccaro, Gregory Schroeder, Christopher Kepler

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impact of upper versus lower lumbar decompression on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing L1-L2, L2-L3, L4-L5, or L5-S1 single-level elective decompression with 1-year PROMs were identified. Included PROMs were the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) back and leg, and Short Form-12 physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores. Minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were calculated. Multivariable regressions assessed the independent predictive ability of operative level controlling for demographic confounders.

RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-six patients were included (94 upper lumbar decompressions). Upper lumbar decompression patients were older (64.0 vs. …

How Are We Defining Preoperative Anemia? A Comparison Of Various Anemia Thresholds Among Patients Undergoing Short-Construct Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Tariq Issa, Omar Tarawneh, Teeto Ezeonu, Mark Lambrechts, Mark Kurd, Ian Kaye, Jose Canseco, Alan Hilibrand, Alex Vaccaro, Christopher Kepler, Gregory Schroeder

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a risk factor for increased transfusions. However, various definitions of anemia have been described in scientific literature and a consensus on how to appropriately diagnose anemia or who to preoperatively optimize is lacking. We aimed to compare multiple anemia definitions and evaluate if any threshold best predicts transfusion requirements and surgical outcomes following spinal fusion.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1-2 level posterior spinal fusions. Preoperative hemoglobin was defined based on preoperative laboratories within 28 days of surgery. Anemia was diagnosed using the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Society of Hematology (ASH), and …

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Adjunct For Acetabular Labral Tear Repair: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Seth Spicer, Hanna Brancaccio, Ashley Sundin, Jamie Bono, John Desrochers, Brandon Goodwin, Nicholas Averell, Seungkyu Park, Alexandra Goodwin, William Diciurcio, Richard Jermyn

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) on long-term patient outcomes when used as an adjuvant to acetabular repair of the labrum.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were completed following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Included in the analysis were controlled studies which assessed functional outcomes via the International Hip Outcome Tool-33 (iHOT-33) 12 or 24 months after acetabular repair with BMAC adjunct. Four studies totaling 315 participants were analysed.

RESULTS: Pooled effect sizes for iHOT-33 scores were not significantly different between control and treatment groups at 12 (p = …

Proceedings Of The 2025 Nassi Annual Meeting, Patrick C. Hsieh, Chiung-Chyi Shen, Alan S. Hilibrand, D. Scott Kreine, David R. O’Brien Jr., Hani H. Mhaidli, Jau-Ching Wu, Wen-Cheng Huang

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

The Loss Of Opa1 Accelerates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration And Osteoarthritis In Aged Mice, Vedavathi Madhu, Miriam Hernandaz-Meadows, Ashley Coleman, Kimheak Sao, Kameron Inguito, Owen Haslam, Paige Boneski, Hiromi Sesaki, Ruteja Barve, John Collins, Makarand Risbud

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of mitochondria in NP cells and articular chondrocyte health. Since the understanding of mechanisms governing mitochondrial dynamics in these tissues is lacking, we investigated the role of OPA1, a mitochondrial fusion protein, in their homeostasis. OPA1 knockdown in NP cells altered mitochondrial size and cristae shape and increased the oxygen consumption rate. OPA1 governed the morphology of multiple organelles, including peroxisomes, early endosomes and cis-Golgi and loss resulted in the dysregulation of autophagy. Metabolic profiling and