Neal C. Chen

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA

[ 1 ] - The “July Effect” on Shoulder Arthroplasty: Are Complication Rates Higher at the Beginning of the Academic Year?

Background: The ”July effect” is a colloquialism asserting an increased rate of errors at the start of the academicyear in teaching hospitals. This retrospective population-based study evaluated for the presence of the July effect inperforming shoulder arthroplasty.Methods: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 2002 through 2011, a total of 178,590 patients undergoingshoulder arthroplasty a...

[ 2 ] - Predictors of Upper-Extremity Physical Function in Older Adults

  Background: Little is known about the influence of habitual participation in physical exercise and diet on upper-extremity physical function in older adults. To assess the relationship of general physical exercise and diet to upper-extremity physical function and pain intensity in older adults.   Methods: A cohort of 111 patients 50 or older completed a sociodemographic survey, the Rapid Asse...

[ 3 ] - Do Patient Preferences Influence Surgeon Recommendations for Treatment?

Background: When the best treatment option is uncertain, a patient’s preference based on personal values should bethe source of most variation in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Unexplained surgeon-to-surgeon variation intreatment for hand and upper extremity conditions suggests that surgeon preferences have more influence than patientpreferences.Methods: A total of 184 surgeons revie...

[ 4 ] - The Prevalence of Calcifications at the Origin of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Increases with Age

Background: Enthesopathy of the extensor carpi radialis brevis origin [eECRB] is a common idiopathic, noninflammatorydisease of middle age that is characterized by excess glycosaminoglycan production and frequentlyassociated with radiographic calcification of its origin. The purpose of our study was to assess the relationship ofcalcification of the ECRB and advancing age.<br /...

[ 5 ] - Reoperation Rate and Indication for Reoperation after Free Functional Muscle Transfers in Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury

plexus injury. Few studies report the rate of revision surgeries following free functional muscle transfers. We examinedthe reoperation rate and indication for reoperation after primary reconstruction of upper extremity function with a freegracilis transfer after brachial plexus injury.Methods: From 2003-2016, we identified 25 patients who underwent a free functional gracilis ...