Comorbidities associated with poor outcomes following operative hammertoe correction in a geriatric population

Category: Lesser Toes Introduction/Purpose: Hammertoe deformities are one of the most common lesser foot deformities and are extremely prevalent in the geriatric population. When nonoperative treatment fails, surgical correction can improve functional status and pain. While complications following t...

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Main Authors: Samuel Maidman BA, Jason Bariteau MD, Stephanie Boden BA, Allison Boden BA, Shay Tenenbaum MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2018-09-01
Series:Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/2473011418S00328
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author Samuel Maidman BA
Jason Bariteau MD
Stephanie Boden BA
Allison Boden BA
Shay Tenenbaum MD
author_facet Samuel Maidman BA
Jason Bariteau MD
Stephanie Boden BA
Allison Boden BA
Shay Tenenbaum MD
author_sort Samuel Maidman BA
collection DOAJ
description Category: Lesser Toes Introduction/Purpose: Hammertoe deformities are one of the most common lesser foot deformities and are extremely prevalent in the geriatric population. When nonoperative treatment fails, surgical correction can improve functional status and pain. While complications following these surgeries are rare, older patients with comorbid conditions are often considered worse operative candidates due to an increased risk of adverse outcomes. The aim of this study is to determine if specific comorbidities or perioperative variables are associated with increased complications or unsuccessful outcomes following operative hammertoe correction in geriatric patients. Methods: Prospectively collected data was reviewed on 31 consecutive patients aged 60 or older who underwent operative correction of hammertoe deformity. Patient demographics, comorbidities, perioperative variables, and postoperative complications were recorded from their electronic medical records. Clinical outcomes were assessed utilizing preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Short Form Health Survey Physical Component Score (SF-36 PCS) with a minimum of six-month follow-up. Data was examined using Fisher’s method and multivariable analysis. Results: 29.0% (9/31) of patients had a history of smoking, 61.2% (19/31) were on anticoagulant therapy, 19.4% (6/31) had osteoporosis, 16.1% (5/31) had rheumatoid arthritis, and 9.7% (3/31) had diabetes mellitus. The mean tourniquet and operative times were 65.7 (SE=6.2) and 95.4 (SE=7.4) minutes, respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 12.9% (4/31) of patients with the most prevalent being wound infections that were treated with antibiotics in 9.7% (3/31). Impaired wound healing, joint nonunion, and the need for revision surgery each occurred in 3.2% (1/31) of patients. Mean 6-month improvement in VAS was 2.1 (SE=0.5) and mean improvement in SF-36 PCS was 10.2 (SE = 3.4). No significant association was found between comorbidities or perioperative variables and postoperative complications or improved outcomes. Conclusion: No specific comorbidities or perioperative variables were identified that increase the risk for unsuccessful surgical correction of hammertoe deformities. While comorbidities in the geriatric population have traditionally been thought to increase complication rates and lead to poor outcomes, further research in this area is warranted. Comorbidities should not necessarily be a deterrent for geriatric patients pursuing operative hammertoe correction.
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spelling doaj.art-cf60f1604d6540b18c556e015b779a2f2022-12-22T01:43:54ZengSAGE PublishingFoot & Ankle Orthopaedics2473-01142018-09-01310.1177/2473011418S00328Comorbidities associated with poor outcomes following operative hammertoe correction in a geriatric populationSamuel Maidman BAJason Bariteau MDStephanie Boden BAAllison Boden BAShay Tenenbaum MDCategory: Lesser Toes Introduction/Purpose: Hammertoe deformities are one of the most common lesser foot deformities and are extremely prevalent in the geriatric population. When nonoperative treatment fails, surgical correction can improve functional status and pain. While complications following these surgeries are rare, older patients with comorbid conditions are often considered worse operative candidates due to an increased risk of adverse outcomes. The aim of this study is to determine if specific comorbidities or perioperative variables are associated with increased complications or unsuccessful outcomes following operative hammertoe correction in geriatric patients. Methods: Prospectively collected data was reviewed on 31 consecutive patients aged 60 or older who underwent operative correction of hammertoe deformity. Patient demographics, comorbidities, perioperative variables, and postoperative complications were recorded from their electronic medical records. Clinical outcomes were assessed utilizing preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Short Form Health Survey Physical Component Score (SF-36 PCS) with a minimum of six-month follow-up. Data was examined using Fisher’s method and multivariable analysis. Results: 29.0% (9/31) of patients had a history of smoking, 61.2% (19/31) were on anticoagulant therapy, 19.4% (6/31) had osteoporosis, 16.1% (5/31) had rheumatoid arthritis, and 9.7% (3/31) had diabetes mellitus. The mean tourniquet and operative times were 65.7 (SE=6.2) and 95.4 (SE=7.4) minutes, respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 12.9% (4/31) of patients with the most prevalent being wound infections that were treated with antibiotics in 9.7% (3/31). Impaired wound healing, joint nonunion, and the need for revision surgery each occurred in 3.2% (1/31) of patients. Mean 6-month improvement in VAS was 2.1 (SE=0.5) and mean improvement in SF-36 PCS was 10.2 (SE = 3.4). No significant association was found between comorbidities or perioperative variables and postoperative complications or improved outcomes. Conclusion: No specific comorbidities or perioperative variables were identified that increase the risk for unsuccessful surgical correction of hammertoe deformities. While comorbidities in the geriatric population have traditionally been thought to increase complication rates and lead to poor outcomes, further research in this area is warranted. Comorbidities should not necessarily be a deterrent for geriatric patients pursuing operative hammertoe correction.https://doi.org/10.1177/2473011418S00328
spellingShingle Samuel Maidman BA
Jason Bariteau MD
Stephanie Boden BA
Allison Boden BA
Shay Tenenbaum MD
Comorbidities associated with poor outcomes following operative hammertoe correction in a geriatric population
Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics
title Comorbidities associated with poor outcomes following operative hammertoe correction in a geriatric population
title_full Comorbidities associated with poor outcomes following operative hammertoe correction in a geriatric population
title_fullStr Comorbidities associated with poor outcomes following operative hammertoe correction in a geriatric population
title_full_unstemmed Comorbidities associated with poor outcomes following operative hammertoe correction in a geriatric population
title_short Comorbidities associated with poor outcomes following operative hammertoe correction in a geriatric population
title_sort comorbidities associated with poor outcomes following operative hammertoe correction in a geriatric population
url https://doi.org/10.1177/2473011418S00328
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AT stephaniebodenba comorbiditiesassociatedwithpooroutcomesfollowingoperativehammertoecorrectioninageriatricpopulation
AT allisonbodenba comorbiditiesassociatedwithpooroutcomesfollowingoperativehammertoecorrectioninageriatricpopulation
AT shaytenenbaummd comorbiditiesassociatedwithpooroutcomesfollowingoperativehammertoecorrectioninageriatricpopulation