RESULTS OF HIP REPLACEMENT IN PATIENTS WITH DYSPLASTIC COXARTHROSIS WITH VARIOUS SURGICAL ACCESS OPTIONS.

In order to study the features of surgical approaches for hip arthroplasty in patients with dysplastic coxarthrosis, an analysis of the course of the disease was carried out in 80 patients with dysplastic coxarthrosis who were treated at the Therapeutic Surgical Clinic of the Azerbaijan Medical University. The average age of the patients was 52.2±0.65, 51.6±0.55 and 50.3±0.71 years with overweight (BMI>=25 and <30. In order to determine the activity of the inflammatory process and the effectiveness of treatment a complete blood count and assessment of ESR, total WOMAC index and visual analog pain scale VAS were performed after 6 and 12 months. (operative technique No. 3) According to VAS, ESR and WOMAC, when using the proposed mini surgical access to the affected joint in the main group, a more pronounced decrease in quantitative indicators was achieved compared to the control group and the comparison group (p<0.001), which allows talk about a more significant decrease in the intensity of the pain syndrome (20.1±0.38 mm), the risk of developing an inflammatory process (8.7±0.28 mm/h) and a reduction in the rehabilitation period.

Gas in Joints After Diving: Computed Tomography May Be Useful for Diagnosing Decompression Sickness.

A 26-y-old experienced scotoma scintillans after 59 min of scuba diving at a maximum depth of 26 m. After the patient smoked a cigarette, the scotoma scintillans ceased. However, he then developed a headache, general fatigue, and shoulder and elbow pain. He therefore called an ambulance. Based on the rules of the medical cooperative system for decompression sickness in Izu Peninsula, the fire department called a physician-staffed helicopter. After a physician checked the patient, his complaints remained aside from a low-grade fever. A portable ultrasound revealed bubbles in his inferior vena cava. Because of the risk of his being infected with COVID-19, he was transported to our hospital not by air evacuation but via ground ambulance staff while receiving a drip infusion of fluid and oxygen. After arriving at the hospital, his symptoms had almost subsided. Whole-body computed tomography revealed gas around the bladder, left hip, right knee, bilateral shoulder, joints, and right intramedullary humerus. The patient received high-concentration oxygen, infusion therapy, and observational admission. On the second day of admission, his symptoms had completely disappeared, and he was discharged. To our knowledge, this is the first report that computed tomography might be useful for detecting gas in multiple joints, suggesting the onset of decompression sickness after diving. This might be the first report of gas in an intramedullary space after diving as a potential cause of dysbaric osteonecrosis.

Low-Dose Aspirin Is Adequate for Venous Thromboembolism Prevention Following Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA) are at risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) without adequate prophylaxis. Since the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons issued guidelines in 2007 recommending aspirin 325 mg bis in die for 6 weeks, aspirin has been favored as the main VTE prophylaxis. However, the appropriate dose and duration of aspirin are not well-studied. This systematic review aims to identify any differences between high and low dose as well as duration for aspirin thromboprophylaxis after TJA as outlined by previous studies. METHODS: A search was performed using Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed, including articles up to July 2016. Studies were included if they contained at least 1 cohort that underwent TJA with aspirin as the sole chemoprophylaxis and reported either (1) symptomatic VTE or (2) secondary outcomes such as major bleeding or 90-day mortality. RESULTS: Forty-five papers were included. There were no significant differences in symptomatic pulmonary embolism, symptomatic deep vein thrombosis, 90-day mortality, or major bleeding between patients receiving low-dose or high-dose aspirin. Patients treated with aspirin for <4 weeks had a higher risk of major bleeding (1.59%) vs patients treated for 4 weeks (0.15%), which may be attributed to premature cessation or differential reporting. Patients treated with aspirin for <4 weeks had a statistically higher 90-day mortality (1.95%) vs patients treated for 4 weeks (0.07%). There was no significant difference between incidence of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis and the durations of aspirin treatment. CONCLUSION: This review suggests that low-dose aspirin is not inferior to high-dose aspirin for VTE thromboprophylaxis in TJA patients. Additionally, patients treated with aspirin for less than 4 weeks may have a higher risk of major bleeding and 90-day mortality compared to patients treated for a longer duration.

The role of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for treat to target in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

The treat-to-target (T2T) approach has revolutionized the way we treat patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Recent attention has focused on imaging techniques, in particular musculoskeletal ultrasound and MRI as a focus for T2T strategies. Recently, a number of randomized clinical trials have been performed that compared tight clinical control vs control augmented by imaging techniques. While the three published trials have concluded that imaging does not add to tight clinical care, implementing imaging into the T2T strategy has actual advantages, such as the detection of subclinical involvement, and information on joint involvement/pathology and may possess potential advantages as evidenced by certain secondary endpoints. This review examines the findings of these studies and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating imaging into the T2T strategy.

Effect of Magnetic Resonance Imaging vs Conventional Treat-to-Target Strategies on Disease Activity Remission and Radiographic Progression in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The IMAGINE-RA Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Whether using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to guide treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) improves disease activity and slows joint damage progression is unknown. Objective: To determine whether an MRI-guided treat-to-target strategy vs a conventional clinical treat-to-target strategy improves outcomes in patients with RA in clinical remission. Design, Setting, and Participants: Two-year, randomized, multicenter trial conducted at 9 hospitals in Denmark. Two hundred patients with RA in clinical remission (disease activity score in 28 joints-C-reactive protein [DAS28-CRP] <3.2 and no swollen joints) were enrolled between April 2012 and June 2015. The final follow-up visit was April 2017. Interventions: Patients were randomly allocated (1:1) to an MRI-guided vs a conventional treat-to-target strategy. In the MRI-guided group, the treatment goal was absence of MRI bone marrow edema combined with clinical remission, defined as DAS28-CRP of 3.2 or less and no swollen joints. In the conventional group, the treatment goal was clinical remission. Main Outcomes and Measures: Co-primary outcomes were proportions of patients achieving DAS28-CRP remission (DAS28-CRP <2.6) and with no radiographic progression (no increase in total van der Heijde-modified Sharp score) at 24 months. Significance testing for the primary outcome was based on 1-sided testing. Secondary outcomes were clinical and MRI measures of disease activity, physical function, and quality of life. Results: Of 200 patients randomized (133 women [67%]; mean [SD] age, 61.6 [10.5] years; median baseline DAS28-CRP, 1.9 [interquartile range, 1.7-2.2]; van der Heijde-modified Sharp score, 18.0 [interquartile range, 7.0-42.5]), 76 patients (76%) in the MRI-guided group and 95 (95%) in the conventional group completed the study. Of these, 64 (85%) vs 83 (88%), respectively, reached the primary clinical end point (risk difference, -4.8% [1-sided 95% CI, -13.6% to + ∞; 1-sided P = .19]) and 49 (66%) vs 58 (62%), respectively, reached the primary radiographic end point (risk difference, 4.7% [1-sided 95% CI, -7.0% to + ∞; 1-sided P = .25). Of 10 key secondary end points, 8 were null and 2 showed statistically significant benefit for the MRI treat-to-target group. Seventeen patients (17%) in the MRI-guided treat-to-target group and 6 patients (6%) in the conventional treat-to-target group experienced serious adverse events. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with RA in clinical remission, an MRI-guided treat-to-target strategy compared with a conventional treat-to-target strategy did not result in improved disease activity remission rates or reduce radiographic progression. These findings do not support the use of an MRI-guided strategy for treating patients with RA. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01656278.

Two cases of pressure ulcers related to acute calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis: A new concept of "disease-specific unexpected external forces".

Sudden-onset immobilisation generates unexpected external forces over bony prominences and is a potential cause of pressure ulcers. Here, we report two cases of deep pressure ulcers in patients with acute monoarthritis as a result of calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal deposition (pseudogout). The patients were women in their 80 who could perform activities of daily living by themselves. They developed pressure ulcers while living in their own home. Because acute CPP crystal arthritis is known to develop in relatively healthy elderly patients, patients and caregivers do not expect sudden-onset immobilisation. In addition, larger joints are preferentially involved in acute CPP crystal arthritis, leading to the inability of patients to change positions themselves. Therefore, acute CPP crystal arthritis should be recognised as a potential causal disease for pressure ulcers. This case report further highlights a new concept of "disease-specific unexpected external force", which is beneficial for the prevention of pressure ulcers.

Direct Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty: An Adjunct to an Enhanced Recovery Pathway: Outcomes and Learning Curve Effects in Surgeons Transitioning From Other Surgical Approaches.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the direct anterior approach (DAA) to total hip arthroplasty (THA) resulted in a shorter length of stay (LOS) in surgeons new to the approach when compared to their previously used approach. Perioperative complications were also assessed. METHODS: We examined 93 DAA THA performed by 3 hip arthroplasty surgeons at a single institution comparing these to their previous 166 operations performed using the lateral or posterior approach. RESULTS: Fixed-effects generalized linear modeling demonstrated that patients who underwent THA by the DAA had 26% shorter LOS than those who were operated on using lateral or posterior approaches (adjusted risk ratio = 0.74; 95% confidence interval = 0.65-0.84; P < .001). A greater proportion of DAA patients were discharged directly home (98% vs 87%, F (1,233) = 8.12, P = .005) and complication rates were comparable between groups. CONCLUSION: The DAA can reduce patient LOS and may be a valuable addition to enhanced recovery pathways. Our findings also suggest that surgeons transitioning to the DAA do not have an increased complication rate when compared to their previous approach.

Track and Field Throwing Sports: Injuries and Prevention.

Throwing events in track and field are among the oldest sporting events in recorded history and include shot put, discus, hammer, and javelin. All throwing athletes use the kinetic chain to transfer energy from the lower extremities, through the pelvis, trunk, shoulder, arm, wrist, hand, and finally into the implement to generate maximum force. Throughout this sequential activation, mobilization, and stabilization of body segments, there is opportunity for breakdown in the chain, which can lead to injury. This review describes the biomechanics and kinetic chain components of each event and highlights injuries common among all throwers as well as injuries unique to each event. The cornerstone of prevention is practicing and competing with proper technique. It is important to understand the breadth of injuries that can affect these athletes to develop evidence based diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.

One year in review: novelties in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease characterised by inflammation of the synovial tissue in joints, which can lead to joint destruction. The primary aim of the treatment is to control pain and inflammation, reduce joint damage and disability, and maintain or improve physical function and quality of life. In this article, we provide a critical analysis of the recent literature on the novelties in the treatment of RA, with a particular focus on the most relevant studies published over the last two years.

Advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (s-JIA) is clinically distinct from other types of JIA. It is typified by extraarticular features such as quotidian fevers, rash, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, laboratory abnormalities (including leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, anemia, hyperferritinemia, and elevated inflammatory markers), and a close association with the macrophage activation syndrome. Recent investigations have highlighted dysregulation of the innate immune system as the critical pathogenic driver of s-JIA. Key innate immune mediators of s-JIA are the macrophage-derived cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6. Increased understanding of the roles of IL-1 and IL-6 in the pathogenesis of s-JIA has led to major changes in therapeutic options. Until recently, the most commonly used medications included corticosteroids, methotrexate, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, which are incompletely effective in most cases. Newer biologic agents targeting IL-1 and IL-6 have proven very effective in treating s-JIA and in minimizing corticosteroid exposure. Here we review recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of s-JIA and the recent clinical trials that have revolutionized the care of children with s-JIA.

Relatives without rheumatoid arthritis show reactivity to anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies that are associated with arthritis-related traits: studies of the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine reactivity to anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPAs) and determine associations between ACPAs and other rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related autoantibodies and clinically assessed swollen or tender joints in unaffected first-degree relatives of RA patients. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from first-degree relatives without RA according to the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the 2010 ACR/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria. A bead-based assay was used to measure 16 separate ACPAs in sera from 111 antibody-positive first-degree relatives who were positive on at least 1 visit for any of 5 RA-related autoantibodies (rheumatoid factor [RF], anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 [anti-CCP-2], and RF isotypes), and sera from 99 antibody-negative first-degree relatives who were never autoantibody positive. Cutoffs for positivity for each ACPA were determined using receiver operating characteristic curves derived from data on 200 RA patients and 98 blood donor controls, in which positivity for ≥9 ACPAs had 92% specificity and 62% sensitivity for RA. In first-degree relatives, ACPA reactivity was assessed, and associations between ACPAs (number positive, and positivity for ≥9 ACPAs) and RA-related characteristics were examined. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of anti-CCP-2-positive first-degree relatives and 8% of anti-CCP-2- negative first-degree relatives were positive for ≥9 ACPAs. After adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, and pack-years of smoking, an increasing number of ACPAs was directly associated with the presence of ≥1 tender joint on examination (odds ratio [OR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.04-1.34), with the greatest risk of having ≥1 tender joint seen in first-degree relatives positive for ≥9 ACPAs (OR 5.00, 95% CI 1.37-18.18). CONCLUSION: RA-free first-degree relatives (even those negative for RF and anti-CCP-2) demonstrate reactivity to multiple ACPAs, and the presence of an increasing number of ACPAs may be associated with signs of joint inflammation. Prospective evaluation of the relationship between these findings and the progression of classifiable RA is warranted.

Effects of age and its interaction with task parameters on lifting biomechanics.

This study investigated the age-related differences in lifting biomechanics. Eleven younger and 12 older participants were instructed to perform symmetric lifting tasks defined by different combinations of destination heights and load magnitudes. Lifting biomechanics was assessed. It was found that the trunk flexion in the starting posture was 32% lower and the peak trunk extension velocity was 46% lower in older participants compared with those in younger ones, indicating that older adults tended to use safer lifting strategies than did younger adults. Based on these findings, we recommend that physical exercise programmes may be a more effective ergonomic intervention for reducing the risks of low back pain (LBP) in lifting among older workers, compared with instructions of safe lifting strategies. As for younger workers, instructions of safe lifting strategies would be effective in LBP risk reduction.

What about strontium ranelate in osteoarthritis? Doubts and securities.

Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common disabling joint disease worldwide and its treatment is based on a combination of non-pharmacological and pharmacological modalities. Commonly prescribed OA medications include symptomatic drugs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, locally administered corticosteroids, viscosupplementation) and new compounds that are potentially able to reduce or stop the disease progression, called "Disease Modifying Osteoarthritis Drugs (DMOADs)". Strontium ranelate (SR) is an anti-osteoporotic treatment that increases bone formation, while decreasing bone resorption and it potentially acts as a new DMOAD. The objective of this review is to summarize the currently available information on clinical effects and mechanism of action of SR in OA. We have examined two post hoc analysis conducted on the large, randomized Treatment of Peripheral Osteoporosis study and the double-blind, randomized, controlled trial about SR in knee OA. Furthermore, we analyzed three studies in animal models and two in vitro experiments to better understand the mechanism of action of SR in OA. The available data demonstrate that SR could be considered a new promising symptomatic and disease-modifying agent in the treatment of OA and was safe and well tolerated. Additionally, there is a need for further investigations to establish the optimal dosage and to better clarify the mechanism of action of SR in OA.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a herbal formulation for rheumatoid arthritis - A non-inferiority randomized controlled trial.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a diverse disease characterized by a variable, progressive course of articular and extra-articular symptoms that are linked with pain, disability, and mortality. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still being investigated, and there is no cure for this debilitating, persistent, painful disease. Qurs-e-Mafasil, a herbal Unani preparation, is regarded as a potent treatment for Waja'al-Mafasil, a condition clinically similar to rheumatoid arthritis, but scientific evidence is scarce. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to assess the non-inferiority of Qurs-e-Mafasil compared to celecoxib in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on seventy patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis between the ages of 35 and 55 years. The participants were randomly allocated in a ratio of 3:2, with 42 participants in the test group and 28 participants in the control group. The test group was administered 2 tablets (each having 500 mg) of Qurs-e-Mafasil, while the control group was administered 1 capsule of Celecoxib 100 mg. Both medications were delivered for four weeks. The primary outcome measure was European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria based on Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) assessed before and after therapy, whereas the secondary outcome measure was the change in joint pain severity as determined by a 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline and each follow-up. The safety of the interventions was evaluated based on adverse event monitoring at each follow-up and laboratory tests including hemogram, Liver Function Tests (LFTs), Kidney Function Tests (KFTs), and a complete urine examination performed at baseline and after four weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The per-protocol analysis was done on 50 participants (30 in test group and 20 in control group) who completed the study duration. Thus, at the conclusion of the trial, participants in the test and control groups had either a moderate or no response based on EULAR response criteria. The odds ratio for no response versus moderate response between the test and the control groups was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.20-2.55) with p = 0.744. Moreover, the observed mean differences in VAS scores between the test and the control groups at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and final follow-up were -0.33 (95% CI: -6.65 to 5.99, p = 0.916), 0.50 (95% CI: -5.63 to 6.63, p = 0.870), 2.42 (95% CI: -2.95 to 7.78, p = 0.370), and 3.00 (95% CI: -1.82 to 7.84, p = 0.219), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in primary and secondary outcomes between the two groups indicate that Qurs-e-Mafasil, a herbal Unani formulation containing Zingiber officinale Roscoe rhizome, Colchicum luteum Baker root, Piper nigrum L. fruit, and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. root, is comparable to celecoxib in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Injury and illnesses prevention for ultramarathoners.

The popularity of ultramarathon races continue to grow with runners participating in races throughout the world. These events offer challenges unique to an ultramarathon compared to a marathon race. These challenges require the athlete to focus on factors including race distance, race stages, race environment (temperature, humidity, and altitude), appropriate training, nutritional preparation, and equipment. Athletes ill prepared for these challenges will be at risk from injury and illness. The goal of this article is to review preventive strategies for managing commonly encountered musculoskeletal injuries and medical illnesses in ultramarathon runners.

[Observation of Qigui Tongfengshu granules in treatment of sixteen cases of gouty arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of Qigui Tongfengshu granule in treating gouty arthritis. METHOD: Qigui Tongfengshu granule was used to treat 16 patients with gouty arthritis for 14 d. RESULT: The recovery rate, marked effective rate, effective rate and improvement rate were 37.5%, 50%, 6.25%, 6.25%, respectively. The total effective rate was 100%. Before and after treatment, the comparison showed statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Qigui Tongfengshu granule is significantly effective for gouty arthritis, and has the effect of anti-inflammation, analgesia and reduction in blood uric acid.