Christian Calderon

All Publications

• Range of motion measurements do not correlate with patient reported outcome measures in the early post-operative period following ankle fracture. Injury Calderon, C., Oquendo, Y. A., Van Rysselberghe, N., Finlay, A. K., Hunt, A. A., San Agustin, M. J., Gardner, M. J. 2024; 55 (4): 111419

  Abstract

  Early mobilization following ankle fracture open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) improves long-term patient functionality. Because of this, numerous resources have been spent to increase patient adherence to post-operative mobilization, with range of motion (ROM) measurements generally considered an important outcome in patient recovery. In this study we investigated how ankle ROM correlates to patient function, self-sufficiency in performing activities of daily living (ADLs), and pain in the early post-operative period.This was a prospective, observational study on patients undergoing ORIF of ankle fractures. We collected patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and ROM measurements at the 2-week, 6-week, 12-week, and 6 month post-operative visit. We collected three PROMs: pain intensity (VAS), pain self-efficacy questionnaire (PSEQ-2), and foot and ankle ability measurement (FAAM). ROM of the ankle was measured by goniometer. ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests were used to examine statistical differences in PROMs over time. Pearson correlation tests were used to examine the association between ROM and PROMs.One-hundred and twenty-three participants enrolled in this study in the perioperative period. Pain intensity was higher at enrollment compared to week 6 (post-hoc p = 0.006), after which pain intensity did not differ significantly. FAAM scores for activities or daily living (ADL) were increased at all study visits compared to enrollment (post-hoc p < 0.001). FAAM-Sports scores were higher compared to enrollment at the week 12 and 6 month visits (post-hoc p < 0.001). No significant improvements in goniometer measurements were noted across any timepoints. There were no significant correlations between ROM and PROMs at any of the study visits.In our cohort of patients, there was no correlation between ROM and patient pain, self-efficacy or functionality in the early post-operative period following ankle ORIF. The lack of correlation between PROMs and ROM indicates that ROM may be both a poor indicator of patient improvement for physicians to guide post-operative treatment as well as a poor motivator for patient adherence to post-operative exercises. In the future, it is important to study reliable outcome measures in early recovery that can be utilized to track patient recovery from ankle ORIF.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.injury.2024.111419

  View details for PubMedID 38368652

• Factors affecting residency selection for underrepresented minorities pursuing orthopaedic surgery. Journal of the National Medical Association Hunt, A. A., Calderon, C., Bishop, J. A. 2023

  Abstract

  The United States is increasingly diverse and there are many benefits to an equally diverse physician workforce. Despite this, the percentage of under-represented minorities in orthopaedic surgery has remained stagnant. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics underrepresented minorities pursuing orthopaedic surgery value most when evaluating residency programs.The contact information of current underrepresented minority orthopaedic surgery residents were obtained through professional society databases, residency program coordinators and residency program websites. Individuals were sent a survey through which they evaluated the importance of a variety of program characteristics.The most influential program characteristics were resident happiness and camaraderie, program reputation, geographic location, and relationships between residents and attendings. The least influential characteristics were sub-internship scholarship opportunities for minorities, program affiliation with diversity organizations, word of mouth from others, number of fellows, and centralized training sites.There is a need to diversify the field of orthopaedic surgery, which begins by selecting more diverse trainees. This study demonstrates that underrepresented applicants are most influenced by many of the same characteristics as their well-represented peers. However, diversity-related factors still play an important role in the decision-making process. Many residents highlighted the impact microaggressions and mistreatment played in their residency experience, emphasizing the need for residency programs to focus not only on recruitment, but also on the successes and retention of their residents. Only once this is done will the field of orthopaedic surgery find sustained improvement in its diversification efforts.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jnma.2023.12.006

  View details for PubMedID 38195326

• Comparing the Outcomes and Complication Rates of Biologic vs Synthetic Meshes in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review. Annals of plastic surgery Makarewicz, N., Perrault, D., Sharma, A., Shaheen, M., Kim, J., Calderon, C., Sweeney, B., Nazerali, R. 2023; 90 (5): 516-527

  Abstract

  This systematic review evaluates all published studies comparing biologic and synthetic meshes in implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR), to determine which category of mesh produces the most favorable outcomes.Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women globally. Implant-based breast reconstruction is currently the most popular method of postmastectomy reconstruction, and recently, the use of surgical mesh in IBBR has become commonplace. Although there is a long-standing belief among surgeons that biologic mesh is superior to synthetic mesh in terms of surgical complications and patient outcomes, few studies exist to support this claim.A systematic search of the EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane databases was performed in January 2022. Primary literature studies comparing biologic and synthetic meshes within the same experimental framework were included. Study quality and bias were assessed using the validated Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria.After duplicate removal, 109 publications were reviewed, with 12 meeting the predetermined inclusion criteria. Outcomes included common surgical complications, histological analysis, interactions with oncologic therapies, quality of life measures, and esthetic outcomes. Across all 12 studies, synthetic meshes were rated as at least equivalent to biologic meshes for every reported outcome. On average, the studies in this review tended to have moderate Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies scores.This systematic review offers the first comprehensive evaluation of all publications comparing biologic and synthetic meshes in IBBR. The consistent finding that synthetic meshes are at least equivalent to biologic meshes across a range of clinical outcomes offers a compelling argument in favor of prioritizing the use of synthetic meshes in IBBR.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/SAP.0000000000003512

  View details for PubMedID 37146317

• Preneoplastic stromal cells promote BRCA1-mediated breast tumorigenesis NATURE GENETICS Nee, K., Ma, D., Nguyen, Q. H., Pein, M., Pervolarakis, N., Insua-Rodriguez, J., Gong, Y., Hernandez, G., Alshetaiwi, H., Williams, J., Rauf, M., Dave, K., Boyapati, K., Hasnain, A., Calderon, C., Markaryan, A., Edwards, R., Lin, E., Parajuli, R., Zhou, P., Nie, Q., Shalabi, S., LaBarge, M. A., Kessenbrock, K. 2023: 595-606

  Abstract

  Women with germline BRCA1 mutations (BRCA1+/mut) have increased risk for hereditary breast cancer. Cancer initiation in BRCA1+/mut is associated with premalignant changes in breast epithelium; however, the role of the epithelium-associated stromal niche during BRCA1-driven tumor initiation remains unclear. Here we show that the premalignant stromal niche promotes epithelial proliferation and mutant BRCA1-driven tumorigenesis in trans. Using single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of human preneoplastic BRCA1+/mut and noncarrier breast tissues, we show distinct changes in epithelial homeostasis including increased proliferation and expansion of basal-luminal intermediate progenitor cells. Additionally, BRCA1+/mut stromal cells show increased expression of pro-proliferative paracrine signals. In particular, we identify pre-cancer-associated fibroblasts (pre-CAFs) that produce protumorigenic factors including matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), which promotes BRCA1-driven tumorigenesis in vivo. Together, our findings demonstrate that precancerous stroma in BRCA1+/mut may elevate breast cancer risk through the promotion of epithelial proliferation and an accumulation of luminal progenitor cells with altered differentiation.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41588-023-01298-x

  View details for Web of Science ID 000948843800003

  View details for PubMedID 36914836

  View details for PubMedCentralID 8167363

• Effectiveness of melatonin treatment for sleep disturbance in orthopaedic trauma patients: A prospective, randomized control trial. Injury Tanner, N., Schultz, B., Calderon, C., Fithian, A., Segovia, N., Bishop, J., Gardner, M. 2022; 53 (12): 3945-3949

  Abstract

  Explore sleep disturbance in postoperative orthopedic trauma patients and determine the impact of melatonin supplementation on postoperative sleep, pain, and quality of life.In this prospective, randomized controlled trial at a Level I trauma center, 84 adult orthopedic trauma patients with operative fracture management were randomized 2-weeks postoperatively to either the melatonin or placebo group. Patients randomized to the melatonin group (42 subjects, mean age 41.8 ± 15.5 years) received 5 mg melatonin supplements. Patients in the placebo group (42 subjects, mean age 41.3 ± 14.0 years) received identical glucose tablets. Both groups were instructed to take the tablets 30 minutes before bed for 4 weeks and received sleep hygiene education and access to the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) Coach app.Our primary outcome was sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Secondary outcomes were pain measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), quality of life measured by the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), and opioid use.Patients in both groups had significant sleep disturbance (PSQI ≥ 5) at 2-weeks (83%) and 6-weeks (67%) postoperatively. PSQI improved by 3.3 points (p<0.001) at follow-up, but there was no significant difference between groups (melatonin PSQI = 5.6, placebo PSQI = 6.1, P = 0.615). Compared to placebo, melatonin did not affect VAS, SF-36, or opioid use significantly.Sleep disturbance is prevalent in orthopedic trauma patients. Melatonin treatment did not significantly improve subjective sleep quality, pain, quality of life or opioid use.Therapeutic Level I.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.injury.2022.10.011

  View details for PubMedID 36424687

• Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Extremity Open Wound Management: A Review of the Literature. Journal of orthopaedic trauma Van Rysselberghe, N. L., Gonzalez, C. A., Calderon, C., Mansour, A., Oquendo, Y. A., Gardner, M. J. 2022; 36 (Suppl 4): S6-S11

  Abstract

  SUMMARY: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with reticulated open cell foam is used commonly in orthopaedic trauma, particularly in the management of complex open fracture wounds. This article reviews the literature to date regarding this adjunctive treatment, particularly in regard to removal of infectious material, temporary management of wounds pending soft tissue reconstruction, combat wounds, and over split-thickness skin grafts. Mechanism of action is also reviewed, including stabilization of the wound environment, edema control, macrodeformation, and microdeformation effects. Use of NPWT as an adjunct in management of open fractures along with operative debridement, systemic antibiotics, and early soft tissue reconstruction are the highest yield interventions for managing open fracture wounds with infection. NPWT as an adjunct therapy in the protocol for open fractures seems to add additional clinical benefit for patients with severe open fracture wounds not amenable to primary, immediate closure.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/BOT.0000000000002430

  View details for PubMedID 35994302