Browsing by Author "Vallier, Heather"

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    Polytrauma: update on basic science and clinical evidence
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2021-02-23) Nauth, Aaron; Hildebrand, Frank; Vallier, Heather; Moore, Timothy; Leenen, Luke; Mckinley, Todd; Pape, Hans-Christoph; Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine
    The management of multiply injured or severely injured patients is a complex and dynamic process. Timely and safe fracture fixation is a critical component of the multidisciplinary care that these patients require. Effective management of these patients, and their orthopaedic injuries, requires a strong understanding of the pathophysiology of the response to trauma and indicators of patient status, as well as an appreciation for the dynamic nature of these parameters. Substantial progress in both clinical and basic science research in this area has advanced our understanding of these concepts and our approach to management of the polytraumatized patient. This article summarizes a symposium on this topic that was presented by an international panel of experts at the 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.
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    Potential Benefits of Limited Clinical and Radiographic Follow-up After Surgical Treatment of Ankle Fractures
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2021-05-11) Friedman, Lisa G.M.; Sanchez, Daniela; Zachos, Terri A.; Marcantonio, Andrew; Audet, Megan; Vallier, Heather; Mullis, Brian; Myers-White, Adam; Kempton, Laurence; Watts, Jeffrey; Horwitz, Daniel S.; Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine
    Introduction: Ankle fractures are one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal injuries, with a significant number requiring surgical treatment. Postoperative complications requiring additional interventions frequently occur during the early postoperative period. We hypothesize that there is a limited need for routine clinical and radiographic follow-up once the fracture is deemed healed. Methods: IRB approval was obtained at four academic trauma centers. A retrospective chart review was done to identify adults with healed unimalleolar and bimalleolar ankle fractures treated surgically with at least 12 months of follow-up. Based on postoperative radiographs, changes in fracture alignment and implant position from radiographic union to final follow-up were documented. The average reimbursement for a final follow-up clinic visit and a set of ankle radiographs were estimated. Results: A total of 140 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age at injury was 49.5 years, and 67.9% of patients were female. The mean time to healing was 82.2 days (±33.5 days). After radiographic healing, one patient had radiographic changes but was asymptomatic and full weight bearing at their final follow-up. On average, our institution was reimbursed $46 to $49 for a follow-up clinic visit and $364 to $497 for a set of ankle radiographs. Conclusion: Given the average time to healing, there is limited utility in routine radiographic and clinical follow-up beyond 16 weeks in asymptomatic patients. In our series, this would result in a savings of $950 to $1,200 per patient. However, after ankle fractures were deemed healed, 0.7% patients had radiographic evidence of a change in implant position. Documenting this change did not modify the immediate course of fracture treatment. Surgeons will need to balance the need for routine follow-up with the potential economic benefits in reducing costs to the healthcare system.
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    Unilateral Sacral Fractures Demonstrate Slow Recovery of Patient Reported Outcomes Irrespective of Treatment
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2021-08) Mullis, Brian H.; Agel, Julie; Jones, Cliff; Lowe, Jason; Vallier, Heather; Teague, David; Kempton, Laurence; Schmidt, Andrew; Friess, Darin; Morshed, Saam; Miller, Anna; Leighton, Ross; Tornetta, Paul III; Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine
    Objectives: To report functional outcomes of unilateral sacral fractures treated both operatively and nonoperatively Design: Prospective, multicenter, observational Setting: 16 level 1 trauma centers Patients/participants: Skeletally mature patients with unilateral zone 1 or 2 sacral fractures categorized as: displaced nonoperative (DN), displaced operative (DO), nondisplaced nonoperative (NN), nondisplaced operative (NO) Main outcome measurements: Pelvic displacement was documented on injury plain radiographs. Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) scores were obtained at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months following injury. Displacement was defined as greater than 5 mm in any plane at the time of injury. Results: 286 patients with unilateral sacral fractures were initially enrolled, mean age 40 and mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) 16 were included. One hundred twenty-three patients completed 2 year follow up as follows; 29 DN, 30 DO, 47 NN, and 17 NO with 56% loss to follow-up at 2 years. Highest dysfunction was seen at 3 months for all groups with mean SMFA dysfunction scores; 25 DN, 28 DO, 27 NN, 31 NO. Mean SMFA scores at 2 years for all groups were 13 DN, 12 DO, 17 NN, 17 NO. Conclusions: All groups (operative/nonoperative and displaced/non-displaced) reported worst function 3 months following injury and all but (DN) continued to recover for 2 years following injury, with peak recovery for DN seen at 1 year. No functional benefit was seen with operative intervention for either displaced or non-displaced injuries at any time point.