Justin Leal

Mr. Justin Leal

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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8 June 2024 in The Journal of Arthroplasty
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
CWChristine J. Wu
Christine J. Wu
JLJustin Leal
Justin Leal
TSThorsten M. Seyler
Thorsten M. Seyler
WJWilliam A. Jiranek
William A. Jiranek
SWSamuel S. Wellman
Samuel S. Wellman
SRSean P. Ryan
Sean P. Ryan

13 February 2025 in The Journal of Arthroplasty
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
EDEric S. Dilbone
Eric S. Dilbone
AHAlexander F. Heimann
Alexander F. Heimann
JLJustin Leal
Justin Leal
SRSean P. Ryan
Sean P. Ryan
SWSamuel S. Wellman
Samuel S. Wellman

23 January 2025 in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
DKDavid N. Kugelman
David N. Kugelman
JLJustin Leal
Justin Leal
SSSharrieff Bs Shah
Sharrieff Bs Shah
RWRebekah Wrenn
Rebekah Wrenn
AMAmy PharmD Mackowiak
Amy PharmD Mackowiak
JSJessica Seidelman
Jessica Seidelman
Background: Rifampin therapy is indicated for the treatment of staphylococcal periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients who have undergone debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) or one-stage revision as per the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guideline. Given the well-established effectiveness of rifampin as adjunctive therapy in staphylococcal PJI, it is crucial to evaluate its utilization in practice and identify factors that contribute to its underuse or incomplete administration, as these deviations may undermine treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. Questions/purposes: Among patients who met clear indications for rifampin use having undergone DAIR or one-stage revision for staphylococcal PJI, (1) what proportion of patients did not receive it? (2) What proportion of patients started it but did not complete the planned course? (3) Where documented in the medical record, what were the common reasons for not using it or prematurely discontinuing it, and in what percentage of the patients’ charts was no reason given? (4) What proportion of patients were taking a medication that put them at risk for a drug-drug interaction (DDI)? Methods: Using an institutional database, patients who underwent DAIR or revision arthroplasty for PJI from January 2013 to April 2023 were identified (n = 935). We defined clear indications for rifampin use as a patient diagnosed with staphylococcal PJI treated via DAIR or one-stage revision, as set forth by the clinical practice guidelines of the IDSA. Based on those indications, we surveyed patients’ electronic medical records (EMRs) and calculated the proportion of patients who did not receive the drug in situations where it would have seemed appropriate that they receive it. We then determined the planned length of antibiotic management and calculated the proportion of patients whose planned courses of rifampin were not completed based on what was documented in each patient’s chart. Next, we performed a review of the EMR and recorded qualitatively the reasons why patients either did not receive rifampin or why the planned course was not completed, as well as the percentage of patients whose medical records did not indicate why the drug was not used or was discontinued before the planned course had been administered. Last, we retrospectively reviewed the medications that the patients were taking at the time of indicated adjunctive rifampin initiation and evaluated whether there were DDIs and the potential severity of those interactions. Results: A total of 9% (87 of 935) of patients who underwent DAIR or revision arthroplasty for PJI met IDSA criteria, suggesting that rifampin use would have been appropriate. Of those meeting IDSA criteria, 49% (43 of 87) started rifampin. Of those who started on rifampin for staphylococcal PJI, 19% (8 of 43) discontinued it before the planned 6-week course was complete as documented in the EMR. Among the patients who did not receive rifampin when it appeared that they ought to have based on IDSA criteria, no reason for this decision was documented in 70% (31 of 44); among those for whom a reason was documented, it was DDI in 8 of 13, concern for hepatotoxicity in 1 of 13, history of a side effect in 1 of 13, and other reasons in 3 of 13. Among the patients whose courses were terminated before the planned course was completed, it was a gastrointestinal issue in 5 of 8, acute kidney injury in 1 of 8, or other reasons in 2 of 8. Conclusion: Only about one-half of patients who met IDSA criteria for adjunctive rifampin therapy for staphylococcal PJI after DAIR or one-stage revision at a large tertiary referral academic center were started on treatment. For most patients who did not receive rifampin, there is no documentation for why not. Given the evidence of superior outcomes for patients treated with adjunctive rifampin, it is imperative that all patients meeting criteria be started on the medication unless there is a clear contraindication, which should be documented. Future studies should further evaluate the clinical benefit of rifampin when treating staphylococcal PJI and which DDIs would be considered true contraindications of treatment. This could be achieved with a prospective study that evaluates successful long-term infection-free survival after treatment with adjunctive rifampin while accounting for and stratifying the potential clinical risk of these DDIs. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.

1 April 2024 in JBJS Case Connector
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
JLJustin Leal
Justin Leal
MCMark M. Cullen
Mark M. Cullen
MBMichael P. Bolognesi
Michael P. Bolognesi
SWSamuel S. Wellman
Samuel S. Wellman
SRSean P. Ryan
Sean P. Ryan
Case: A 32-year-old woman with a history of hip fusion presented with significant lower back, hip, and knee pain as well as severely limited hip mobility and function. Single-stage fusion takedown and conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) was performed using augmented reality navigation. At 1 year, the patient was pain free with improved function. This study is the first to report the technique and outcomes of surgical fusion conversion to THA, using mixed reality navigation. Conclusion: Mixed reality navigation in complex conversion THA can be useful for identifying the patient's true acetabulum and for patient-specific acetabular component placement to maximize outcomes.

11 February 2025 in Arthroplasty Today
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
JLJustin Leal
Justin Leal
CWChristine J. Wu
Christine J. Wu
NCNiall H. Cochrane
Niall H. Cochrane
TSThorsten M. Seyler
Thorsten M. Seyler
WJWilliam A. Jiranek
William A. Jiranek
SRSean P. Ryan
Sean P. Ryan
This study compared outcomes between patients undergoing outpatient total joint arthroplasty (TJA) at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) versus a cohort of medically and socially complex patients undergoing TJA at a tertiary healthcare system. An institutional database at a single academic center was retrospectively reviewed for patients who underwent primary TJA since the opening of an ASC from August 2021 to January 2024. A total of 716 (outpatient: 374; inpatient: 342) total knee arthroplasties and 458 (outpatient: 196; inpatient: 262) total hip arthroplasties met inclusion criteria. Patients in the inpatient total knee arthroplasty group had a higher proportion of patients requiring an emergency department visit (11.4% vs 4.5%; P = .008) and admission (6.7% vs 2.7%; P = .025) within the first 90 days after surgery than the outpatient group; however, 2-year revision-free (97.9% vs 97.9%; P = .75) survival was similar between groups. Patients in the inpatient total hip arthroplasty group had a higher proportion of patients requiring an emergency department visit (13.0% vs 4.6%; P = .035) and admission (7.3% vs 1.0%; P = .018) within the first 90 days after surgery compared to the outpatient group; however, there was no difference in 2-year revision-free survival (96.4% vs 99.5%; P = .059). Medically and socially complex patients undergoing TJA required additional resources during the 90-day postoperative window; however, they achieved similar survivorship as patients who met criteria for outpatient surgery.

1 October 2023 in JBJS Reviews
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
JLJustin Leal
Justin Leal
ACAlexis L. Clifford
Alexis L. Clifford
Albert T AnastasioAlbert T Anastasio
Albert T Anastasio
MDMichael Dymtruk
Michael Dymtruk
RRRyan P. Roach
Ryan P. Roach
Background: Orthopedic surgery is among the least diverse specialties in medicine. This systematic review analyzes gender, racial, and ethnic diversity within orthopedic sports medicine and aims to raise awareness and provide guidance for future strategies that support underrepresented minorities in medicine (URMs) and women in joining the orthopedic sports medicine workforce. We hypothesize that at all tiers of training, there is a lack of gender, racial, and ethnic parity in academic rank, leadership positions, and research productivity. Methods: A search of all published literature in the English language from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus databases, between January 1, 2010, and August 18, 2023, was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Included studies presented demographics regarding diversity within orthopedic sports medicine and provided trends in applicants, attendings, leadership, and/or research. Bias was assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) study checklist. Results: Thirteen studies published between 2016 and 2023 with STROBE scores 15.5 to 21.5 (70.5% to 97.7%) met criteria, and pertinent data were extracted. The percent of female orthopedic sports medicine surgeons from 2010 to 2019 increased from 5% (n = 138) to 6% (n = 206) with a compound annual growth rate of 0.2% (r2 = 0.97; p < 0.001). Females and URMs are underrepresented at the highest levels of orthopedic sports medicine leadership including department chair (female: 0% [n = 0]), division chief (female: 4% [n = 4]; URM: 3% [n = 3]), and fellowship director (female: 3.3% [n = 3]; URM: 4.4% [n = 4]). Studies from prominent orthopedic sports medicine journals (American Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, and Sports Health) show a 12.1% increase in female involvement in orthopedic sports medicine research from 1972 to 2018; however, this increase captures 59.3% (n = 2,953) females with degrees other than an MD. Conclusions: Although increasingly more females and underrepresented minorities are joining orthopedic sports medicine, the rate of diversification remains slow and current involvement in leadership and research is minimal. Targeted efforts aimed at increasing research opportunities and inspiring interest through mentorship for URMs and females in orthopedics is essential to drive change toward parity. Level of Evidence: Level IV. Systematic Review. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.