OBJECTIVES: Disparities in healthcare among minority groups can result in disparate treatments for similar severities of symptoms, unequal access to medical care, and a wide deviation in health outcomes. Such racial disparities may be reduced via use of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. However, there has been little research investigating the impact of EMR systems on the disparities in health outcomes among minority groups. METHODS: This study examined the impact of EMR systems on the following four outcomes of black patients: length of stay, inpatient mortality rate, 30-day mortality rate, and 30-day readmission rate, using patient and hospital data from the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society between 2000 and 2007. The difference-in-difference research method was employed with a generalized linear model to examine the association of EMR adoption on health outcomes for minority patients while controlling for patient and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: We examined the association between EMR adoption and the outcomes of minority patients, specifically black patients. However, after controlling for patient and hospital characteristics we could not find any significant changes in the four health outcomes of minority patients before and after EMR implementation. CONCLUSIONS: EMR systems have been reported to support better coordinated care, thus encouraging appropriate treatment for minority patients by removing potential sources of bias from providers. Also, EMR systems may improve the quality of care provided to patients via increased responsiveness to care processes that are required to be more time-sensitive and through improved communication. However, we did not find any significant benefit for minority groups after EMR adoption.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Delivery of Health Care ; Electronic Health Records ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Length of Stay ; Linear Models ; Medicare ; Minority Groups ; Minority Health* ; Mortality

OBJECTIVES: Disparities in healthcare among minority groups can result in disparate treatments for similar severities of symptoms, unequal access to medical care, and a wide deviation in health outcomes. Such racial disparities may be reduced via use of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. However, there has been little research investigating the impact of EMR systems on the disparities in health outcomes among minority groups. METHODS: This study examined the impact of EMR systems on the following four outcomes of black patients: length of stay, inpatient mortality rate, 30-day mortality rate, and 30-day readmission rate, using patient and hospital data from the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society between 2000 and 2007. The difference-in-difference research method was employed with a generalized linear model to examine the association of EMR adoption on health outcomes for minority patients while controlling for patient and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: We examined the association between EMR adoption and the outcomes of minority patients, specifically black patients. However, after controlling for patient and hospital characteristics we could not find any significant changes in the four health outcomes of minority patients before and after EMR implementation. CONCLUSIONS: EMR systems have been reported to support better coordinated care, thus encouraging appropriate treatment for minority patients by removing potential sources of bias from providers. Also, EMR systems may improve the quality of care provided to patients via increased responsiveness to care processes that are required to be more time-sensitive and through improved communication. However, we did not find any significant benefit for minority groups after EMR adoption.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Delivery of Health Care ; Electronic Health Records ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Length of Stay ; Linear Models ; Medicare ; Minority Groups ; Minority Health* ; Mortality

BACKGROUNDSeveral techniques have been described for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. However, double-bundle PCL reconstruction using the quadruple bone-tunnel technique has been seldom reported. The current study investigated this technique, focusing on the anatomy of the femoral and tibial insertions of the anterolateral (AL) and posteromedial (PM) bundles of the PCL.

METHODSTwenty-two fresh, healthy adult cadaveric knees were dissected and measured. The PCL was divided into the AL bundle and PM bundle at the insertion footprint. The insertion footprints of the AL and PM bundles, their location, size, and the clock positions were measured and described.

RESULTSOn the femur, the clock position of the footprint of the AL bundle was 11:21 ± 0:23 (left) or 0:39 ± 0:23 (right), and the PM bundle was 9:50 ± 0:18 (left) or 2:10 ± 0:18 (right), with the knee flexed at 90 degrees. The distances from the center of the femoral insertions of the AL and PM bundles to the anterior cartilage margins of the medial femoral condyle were (7.79 ± 1.22) mm and (8.36 ± 1.63) mm, respectively. On the tibia, the vertical distances from the center of the tibial insertions of the AL and PM bundles to the tibial articular surface were (3.25 ± 1.20) mm and (6.91 ± 1.57) mm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThese results have led to a better definition of the anatomy of the AL and PM bundle footprint of the PCL. The technique of double-bundle PCL reconstruction using quadruple bone-tunnel is feasible. Application of these data during PCL reconstruction using the quadruple bone-tunnel technique may help optimize knee stability.

Female ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Knee Joint ; anatomy & histology ; Male ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the factors contributing to the failure of primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

METHODSFrom November 2001 to July 2006, 13 patients underwent ACL reconstruction revision because of pathological instability in daily activities after primary ACL reconstruction, and the data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSIn this group, 7 cases were reconstructed with bone-patellar tendon-bone (B-PT-B) autografts, 4 cases with hamstring tendon autograft and 2 cases with hamstring tendon allograft. There were malpositioned bone tunnels in 8 cases. Among them 4 cases had a femoral tunnel in the front of the predicted one, and in the other 4 cases, both the femoral and tibial tunnels were in the front of the predicted ones. In 2 cases reconstructed with allograft, one had to receive a twice operation to take out the allograft because of serious rejection, and the other claimed a failure because of the obviously enlarged bone tunnel. In the 2 cases reconstructed with B-PT-B autograft, malposition of the interference screw using to fasten the bone block had been founded in the upper bone tunnel. One case suffered from postoperative infection and had been cured by the anti-biotic treatment after arthroscopic debridement. Then the reconstructed ACL in 7 cases had absolutely ruptured and been absorbed. Four cases had obviously loosen but still partly linked reconstructed ligament. Two cases had a malposited interference screw, and both of them had no fastening function. One case received the lytic operation due to knee stiffness. Two cases received primary bone transplantation and needed to receive a secondary revision operation owing to severe incompletion of spongy bone. The other 10 cases received primary revision. Among them 4 cases reconstructed with STG obtained from the same lateral, 4 cases reconstructed with STG obtained from the opposite lateral, 1 case reconstructed with B-PT-B obtained from the same lateral and 1 case reconstructed with iliotibiali tractus.

CONCLUSIONSThere are many reasons leading to failure of ACL reconstruction. Nevertheless, malposition of the bone tunnel, invalid fixation, rejection to allograft and other complications such as the enlargement of the bone tunnel, postoperative infection and adhesion are the major factors that predispose the primary construction to failure.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Failure

BACKGROUNDRevision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery can be expected to become more common as the number of primary reconstruction keeps increasing. This study aims to investigate the factors causing instability after primary ACL reconstruction, which may provide an essential scientific base to prevent surgical failure.

METHODSOne hundred and ten revision ACL surgeries were performed at our institute between November 2001 and July 2012. There were 74 men and 36 women, and the mean age at the time of revision was 27.6 years (range 16 - 56 years). The factors leading to instability after primary ACL reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSFifty-one knees failed because of bone tunnel malposition, with too anterior femoral tunnels (20 knees), posterior wall blowout (1 knee), vertical femoral tunnels (7 knees), too posterior tibial tunnels (12 knees), and too anterior tibial tunnels (10 knees). There was another knee performed with open surgery, where the femoral tunnel was drilled through the medial condyle and the tibial tunnel was too anterior. Five knees were found with malposition of the fixation. One knee with allograft was suspected of rejection and a second surgery had been made to take out the graft. Three knees met recurrent instability after postoperative infection. The other factors included traumatic (48 knees) and unidentified (12 knees).

CONCLUSIONTechnical errors were the main factors leading to instability after primary ACL reconstructions, while attention should also be paid to the risk factors of re-injury and failure of graft incorporation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDSeveral reports have shown the progression of articular cartilage degeneration after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. No report has been published about the cartilage comparing changes after single-bundle (SB) and double-bundle (DB) ACL reconstructions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the articular cartilage changes after SB and DB ACL reconstructions by second-look arthroscopy.

METHODSNinety-nine patients who received arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed at an average of 14 months after reconstruction, 58 patients underwent SB ACL reconstruction and 41 patients underwent DB ACL reconstruction. Hamstring tendon autografts were used in all patients. Second-look arthroscopy was done in conjunction with the tibial staple fixation removal at least one year after the initial ACL reconstruction. Arthroscopic evaluation and grading of the articular cartilage degeneration for all patients were performed at the initial ACL reconstruction, and at the second-look arthroscopy.

RESULTSThe average cartilage degeneration at the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) was found significantly worsened after both SB and DB ACL reconstructions. This worsening were not seen at medial tibiofemoral joint (TFJ) and lateral TFJ. Grade II cartilage damage was the most common. At second-look arthroscopy, the average patellar cartilage degeneration was 1.14 ± 0.14 (at first look 0.52 ± 0.11) for the SB group, and 1.22 ± 0.15 (at first look 0.56 ± 0.12) for the DB group. The average trochlear cartilage degeneration was 1.05 ± 0.16 (at fist look 0.10 ± 0.06) and 0.66 ± 0.17 (at fist look 0.17 ± 0.09), respectively. The average patellar cartilage degeneration showed no significant difference in both groups. However, the average trochlea cartilage degeneration in DB group was significantly less than in SB group.

CONCLUSIONSPatellofemoral cartilage degeneration continued to aggravate after ACL reconstruction. DB ACL reconstruction could significantly decrease the trochlea cartilage degeneration compared with SB ACL reconstruction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; methods ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Cartilage, Articular ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Second-Look Surgery ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the management principle of revision after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and the factors contributing to its result.

METHODSThe data of 12 patients who received revision after ACL reconstructions from November 2001 to July 2006 were studied retrospectively. The indication of the operation, the management during the procedure and the clinical results were analyzed.

RESULTSAll the patients had pathological instability after primary ACL reconstructions. In this group, 2 cases received primary bone transplantation. The other 10 cases received primary ACL revision. Among them, 4 cases were reconstructed with STG obtained from the same lateral, 4 cases were obtained from the opposite lateral, 1 case was reconstructed with bone-patellar tendon-bone (B-PT-B) obtained from the same lateral, and 1 case was reconstructed with iliotibial tractus. One year later, the mean side-to-side difference of KT-2000 examination were 1.6 mm and 3.1 mm at 90 degrees and 30 degrees. The mean IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner scores were 72.8, 78.3 and 4.9.

CONCLUSIONSThe functional results and objective stability could be obtained through revision ACL reconstruction. However, outcomes are less favorable than those with primary reconstructions, which might be related to the factors including deficiency of previous surgery and impact of revision procedure.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Arthroscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDDifferent kinds of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedures have now been used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Compared with traditional TKA procedure with a long skin incision, clinical studies showed MIS procedures had some advantages. Quadriceps sparing (QS) procedures are the most minimally invasive MIS procedure until now. This study was aimed to find the insertion types for Chinese patients' vastus medialis and if the QS procedure had some advantages in patients' early recovery.

METHODSBetween February 2006 and May 2007, 120 consecutive patients underwent unilateral primary TKA under general anesthesia, among whom 14 patients were lost to follow-up, the remaining 106 cases were enrolled in this study. Among the 106 cases there were 85 right knees, 21 left knees (15 men and 91 women, with a mean age of 65.1+/-7.4 years); osteoarthritis in 97 patients (91.5%) and rheumatoid arthritis in 9 patients (8.5%). MIS TKA was performed in 49 cases (MIS TKA group), while MIS-QS TKA in 57 cases (MIS-QS TKA group). During the operation, the type I, II and III insertions of the vastus medialis for all patients were recorded. Each knee was rated post-operatively according to the Hospital of Special Surgery (HSS) scoring system. Clinical follow-up was undertaken at 1 week, 2, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. Operating time and complications were recorded.

RESULTSThere was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for gender distribution, age, left or right knee incidence, pre-operative diagnosis, incidence of varus or valgus deformity. Of the 106 cases there was 1 (0.9%) case with a type I insertion of the vastus medialis, 4 (3.8%) cases with type II insertions, 101 (95.3%) cases with type III insertions. The HSS scoring was significantly different between the MIS-QS TKA group and MIS TKA group within the first two weeks post operation. From 2 weeks later to 24 weeks, no significant difference was found. The average operating time was (53.3+/-12.4) minutes in the MIS TKA group and (64.1+/-15.1) minutes in the MIS-QS TKA group (P<0.001). In the MIS-QS TKA group, 1 patient had delayed healing of the partial skin incision (1.8%). No other complications were found in either group.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough most of the Chinese patients had type III insertions of the vastus medialis, the MIS-QS TKA procedure showed less injury to the quadriceps than the standard MIS TKA and this could contribute to the earlier recovery of the patients. But a shorter skin incision and more tension on the skin may also lead to more skin complications.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Quadriceps Muscle ; surgery ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDAllograft meniscal transplantation is an increasingly popular treatment option for the symptomatic young patients with meniscus deficiency. However, many questions still surround it. In this research, we studied the anatomical location and histological structure of human meniscal horn bony insertions and to observe the anatomical morphology and histomorphology of peri-meniscal attachments based on meniscal allograft transplantation.

METHODSTwenty-two fresh-frozen adult cadaver knees were dissected. The locations of meniscal anterior and posterior horn bony insertions to tibia were measured. The anatomical morphology of peri-meniscal attachments was observed and the histological structure of meniscal horn bony insertions and peri-meniscal attachment were studied by HE staining.

RESULTSThe anterior horn bony insertion of medial meniscus was (9.19 +/- 1.83) mm inferior to the corresponding anterior border of tibial plateau, and (7.81 +/- 2.25) mm lateral to the axial line of the medial intercondylar eminence. The posterior horn bony insertion of medial meniscus was in the posterior intercondylar fossa of tibia, located between the anterior fibers of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tibial insertion and anterior border of the tibial posterior intercondylar fossa, and was (5.05 +/- 1.18) mm lateral to the axial line of the medial intercondylar eminence. The distance between anterior and posterior horn bony insertions of the lateral meniscus was (13.68 +/- 2.19) mm. Anterior horn bony insertion of the lateral meniscus was (3.99 +/- 1.27) mm medial to the axial line of the lateral intercondylar eminence, and the posterior horn bony insertion of the lateral meniscus was (5.80 +/- 1.36) mm medial to the axial line of the lateral intercondylar eminence. Except for the meniscal horn bony insertions, which is the typical enthesis, we call the attachment of the other parts of menisci as 'peri-meniscal attachment'. The morphological and histological study showed that the main peri-meniscal attachment was the meniscotibial ligament, through which the meniscus attached to the tibia with enthesis structure, and there was only loose connective tissue between menisci and capsule.

CONCLUSIONSIn meniscal allograft transplantation, the traditional meniscal size-matching method which take medial and lateral intercondylar eminences as references is not as accurate as expected. Attention should be taken to locate both anterior and posterior horn tunnels of medial meniscal allograft inferior to the tibia plateau, and to locate anterior and posterior horn tunnels of lateral meniscus close enough (mean 13.68 mm). The best way to reconstruct the peri-meniscal attachment is to suture the allograft to the preserved outer remnant of the original meniscus.

Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Cadaver ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; transplantation ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo summary the experience in the diagnosis and management of septic arthritis after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

METHODSThe knee joint infections after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were retrospectively studied. From January 1997 to July 2007, 16 of 3638 patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions experienced postoperative septic arthritis. The incidence, cause, presentation, laboratory results, treatment, and outcome of all infected patients were analyzed. The experiences of diagnosis and management of septic arthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were summarized.

RESULTSThe incidence of septic arthritis after ACL reconstruction was 0.44%. The most common symptoms of the infected patients were fever, swelling, severe pain, tenderness, restricted motion. Eleven (68.8%) patients were positive for bacteria cultures, and Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common bacteria. Nine of the 16 patients were performed arthroscopic debridement, and the other 7 patients were conservatively treated. All patients regained full range of motion and normal stability at the 19.7 months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSSeptic arthritis, which could bring the dysfunction of the joint, is subsequent with cartilage injury and the failure of the ACL grafts. Early diagnosis and treatment of arthroscopic debridement in time are essential to the ultimate clinical outcome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Arthritis, Infectious ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Arthroscopy ; Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Grafting ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies