The Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Cognitive and Physical Skills in Basketball and Soccer Players.

As athletes pursue excellence, training techniques continue to advance, making structured physical activity an essential tool for enhancing performance. To optimize athletic performance in modern competitive sports, the balance of physical performance and mental clarity is required. This study seeks to examine the effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on cognitive and physical skills in basketball and soccer players. A 3-week HIIT protocol was incorporated based on the Wingate technique. This study included 10 soccer players and 10 basketball players with an average age of 22.79 ± 1.90 years. Participants performed pre- and post-intervention assessments. Physical proficiency was assessed using 20 m sprint, change-of-direction (COD) and dribbling tests, while cognitive skills were assessed using motion object tracking (MOT), working memory, perceptual load (PL), and attention window (AW) tests. The HIIT intervention significantly improved cognitive performance in particular; noteworthy observations were a 15% improvement in motion object tracking test scores and a 16% increase in working memory test scores for basketball players. The attention window test scores showed a 32% increase, and perceptual load test scores were 31% decreased for soccer players post-intervention. There were significant improvements in physical skills; for example, sprint times were decreased by 6%, and change-of-direction and dribbling times were reduced by 8% and 7%, respectively, indicating improved agility, speed, and ball control abilities. In conclusion, both groups performed significantly better on cognitive and physical skill tests post-HIIT intervention.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Professional Football Players during Competitive Season of Italian First Division (Serie A).

BACKGROUND: Data in the literature have demonstrated the crucial role that vitamin D plays in the human organism, and recent studies also emphasize this essential role of vitamin D in athletes. Indeed, vitamin D acts on the skeletal muscles and plays a fundamental role in numerous physiological processes involved in immune function. Many factors such as sun exposure, skin tone, body mass index and chronic illness affect vitamin D levels. The aim of the study is to evaluate vitamin D levels in professional football players in Italy and investigate the variations in vitamin D values in footballers who train at different latitudes. METHODS: The study performed is a retrospective observational study analyzing 25-OH vitamin D values in professional football players of the Italian First Division (Serie A). Two teams during the competitive season were selected: team A (latitude of 41° N in southern Italy) and team B (latitude of 45° N in northern Italy). Three time periods were identified and were classified as follows: the first quarter (May, June, July, and August), the second quarter (September, October, November, and December) and the third quarter (January, February, March, and April). The purpose of this was to study the average values of vitamin D during the year corresponding to different levels of sunlight exposure. Each athlete was subjected to at least one sampling during the three quarters of the competitive season. RESULTS: Both vitamin D insufficiency (10.1%) and overt deficiency (1.93%) were found in Italian Serie A players. Insufficient vitamin D values are between 20 ng/mL and 29 ng/mL and overt deficiency values <20 ng/mL. At the same time, the data demonstrated a significant variation in vitamin D values depending on the period of the competitive season and the latitude of the cities of the two teams. In detail, there was no significant difference in the first quarter, while there was a significant increase in vitamin D values in team B in the second and third quarter, at p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Latitude and seasons have a significant impact on vitamin D levels. Therefore, it is essential to measure vitamin D in professional football players, especially during the spring and winter months, so as to monitor changes in levels in relation to the season and latitude and evaluate any supplements. Further studies should be performed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and football players' athletic performance.

Evaluating Treatment Outcomes for Pelvic Insufficiency Fractures: A Systematic Review.

Background: Pelvic insufficiency fractures (PIF) are typical in geriatric populations with reduced bone quality, most commonly in elderly postmenopausal women. These fractures are usually caused by low-energy forces over the bones during ordinary life and cause disabling pain. Treatment options range from conservative to operative. The aim of this study is to assess the outcomes of treatments for pelvic insufficiency fractures, determining optimal approaches between surgical intervention and conservative management. Methods: This literature review systematically examines articles focusing on patients with PIF, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and using PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library database. We took into account only full-text articles in indexed journals with available English abstracts, considering data about patient demographics, surgery, and outcomes. Results: After screening 128 articles, this study reviewed 20 manuscripts involving 1499 patients, mostly elderly females and focusing on sacrum fractures. Common treatments included conservative methods and sacroplasty, with a few complications reported. Osteoporosis was the prevalent comorbidity, and the survival rate post-treatment was high at 92.3%. Mobility outcomes varied, with some patients experiencing significant autonomy loss. The average follow-up period was over 17 months. Conclusions: This study found a cautious approach to surgery (timing of three weeks), which is reserved only for specific patterns, and it leads to increased autonomy and a lower risk of mortality. Due to the lack of pre- and postoperative scores as well as conflicting results, it is imperative to undertake further studies and research to be able to compare the alternative treatments efficiently.

The role of body mass index in high- and low-velocity trauma causing knee injury associated with popliteal artery lesions.

BACKGROUND: Among arterial traumas, osteoarticular traumas are particularly dangerous, and those involving the popliteal artery are associated with a high amputation rate. Despite representing a minority of arterial traumas, with an incidence that varies considerably by population and geographic location, traumatic lesions of the popliteal artery are challenging. This study aimed to verify the impact of body mass index (BMI) on arterial trauma damage and patient outcomes. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from the electronic medical reports of all patients with osteoarticular and vascular associated lesions treated in the emergency operating room at our institution between 1 January 2005 and 1 May 2022. Forty-one patients presented with lower limb arterial trauma (43.2%); popliteal artery lesions occurred in 11 of these patients (26.8%), who were eligible for inclusion in the study. The lesion mechanism was dislocation by high-velocity trauma in 9 patients and dislocation by low-velocity trauma in 3 patients. All 7 males (63.6%) experienced high-velocity trauma, and 2 of the 3 females experienced low-velocity trauma. Only one patient had an isolated popliteal artery lesion associated with fractures in the leg or the contralateral limb. Patients with low-velocity trauma were older than 54 years, while those with high-velocity trauma were aged 22 to 71 years. RESULTS: In 10/11 patients (90.9%), revascularization was performed after osteoarticular stabilization and reduction of the dislocation or fracture. Intraoperative angiography was selectively used. Two patients required above-the-knee amputation after the procedure: one due to infection of the surgical access point and the other due to severe soft tissue injury. One patient died during hospitalization due to trauma-related complications and comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: High-velocity trauma and low-velocity trauma in patients with a body mass index > 35 kg/m2 and knee lesions are associated with popliteal artery lesions. Revascularization success is not associated with high- or low-velocity trauma.

Adoption of blockchain as a step forward in orthopedic practice.

Blockchain technology has gained popularity since the invention of Bitcoin in 2008. It offers a decentralized and secure system for managing and protecting data. In the healthcare sector, where data protection and patient privacy are crucial, blockchain has the potential to revolutionize various aspects, including patient data management, orthopedic registries, medical imaging, research data, and the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This manuscript explores the applications of blockchain in orthopedics and highlights its benefits. Furthermore, the combination of blockchain with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and deep learning can enable more accurate diagnoses and treatment recommendations. AI algorithms can learn from large datasets stored on the blockchain, leading to advancements in automated clinical decision-making. Overall, blockchain technology has the potential to enhance data security, interoperability, and collaboration in orthopedics. While there are challenges to overcome, such as adoption barriers and data sharing willingness, the benefits offered by blockchain make it a promising innovation for the field.

A Two-Step Approach to the Surgical Treatment of Soft-Tissue Sarcomas.

Background: Nowadays, limb-sparing procedures are the gold standard in the treatment of soft-tissue sarcomas of the limbs. Wide tumor resection with appropriate oncological margins, reconstruction, and stabilization of the involved bone and joint and restoration of the soft tissue lost are essential in order to obtain good clinical and functional outcomes. Tumor excision and soft-tissue reconstruction performed in one-step surgery is chosen by many centers as the preferred approach; however, according to our experience in some selected patients, two-step surgery performed using a dermal regeneration template first and then a margin revision, taking into account the definitive results of the anatomopathological exam conducted over the surgical specimen from the previous surgery, associated with definitive reconstruction surgery over a healthy bed of granulated tissue, showed many potential benefits. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on thirteen patients who underwent a two-step reconstruction procedure using dermal substitution after soft-tissue sarcoma excision. Results: Clinically, the enrolled patients achieved excellent contour and cosmesis of their surgical wounds, with a mean VSS value of 3.07. During the follow-up period, no local recurrences were observed in any patient. Conclusions: Two-step surgery represents the most suitable solution to allow surgical radicality with minimal recurrency and adequate soft-tissue reconstruction, avoiding the possibility of wasting autologous tissue. Our patients generally embraced this approach and the management that followed.

Pathological Fractures in Patients Affected by Pycnodysostosis: A Case Series.

Background/Objectives: Pycnodysostosis is a rare genetic disorder causing skeletal dysplasia. It is determined by a gene mutation leading to cathepsin K deficiency and predisposes a patient to osteosclerosis, resulting in increased bone fragility. The altered bone quality typical of this disease is responsible for an increased risk of fractures. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the orthopedic manifestations and potential pitfalls in the surgical treatments of pathological fractures in a series of patients treated in our institution who were affected by pycnodysostosis. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated clinical and radiographic characteristics of five patients with pycnodysostosis treated for pathological fractures at our hospital in the past 5 years. Results: Two male and three female patients were included in this study. Four patients had a family history of pycnodysostosis. All the patients were of short stature, but only two underwent growth hormone treatment. All the patients experienced fractures, mostly in their lower limbs and occurring as a result of low-energy trauma. Most of the patients experienced either consolidation delay or nonunion. Conclusions: The orthopedic management of fractures in patients with pycnodysostosis poses an ongoing challenge for orthopedic surgeons. The fact that the bone is simultaneously sclerotic and brittle makes any orthopedic surgical treatment challenging and at a high risk of nonunion in any case.

Triangular osteosynthesis and lumbopelvic fixation as a valid surgical treatment in posterior pelvic ring lesions: a systematic review.

Objective: Unstable fractures of the sacrum often occur in patients with pelvic fractures and represent a real challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. Triangular osteosynthesis (TOS) and lumbopelvic fixation (LP) may represent a valid management option for the treatment of this condition. We present a systematic literature review about lumbopelvic fixation and triangular fixation as treatment option for unstable sacral fractures, to assess clinical and radiological outcomes after surgery and to evaluate appropriate indications and impact on the natural history of sacral fractures. Methods: The review is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. 50 articles out of 108 titles, were considered eligible for the full-text analysis. Finally, 16 studies that met inclusion criteria were included in this review. Results: Overall, 212 patients (87 males, 58 females) with sacral fractures treated with TOS triangular fixation or LP lumbopelvic fixation were collected. The mean age was 37.6 years. Mean follow-up reported in all studies was 24.14 months. Conclusion: The results presented by the different authors, highlight the effectiveness of TOS triangular fixation and LP lumbopelvic fixation for the treatment of unstable sacral fractures associated with other pelvic fractures, in terms of function, stability, cost-effectiveness, and quality of life postoperatively.

Tenoplasty in suspension with or without tendon interposition: A prospective randomized study in the treatment of advanced thumb carpometacarpal arthritis.

Introduction: The aim of this prospective and randomized study is to analyze and compare the outcomes of two surgical techniques for trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis (Eaton-Littler grade III and IV). Materials and methods: 52 consecutive patients underwent surgical intervention by two different surgical techniques and checked for subjective outcomes (DASH, NPRS), objective outcomes (ROM, opposition test, grinding test, pulp pinch, hand grip) and radiographic outcomes. Surgical time was calculated. Results: 26 patients underwent suspension arthroplasty using abductor pollicis longus tendon interposition (Ceruso procedure) and 26 patients underwent arthroplasty using suspension tenoplasty of the flexor radialis carpi (Altissimi procedure). Both techniques were performed by a single surgeon and showed good and satisfactory results, with best outcome reported in Altissimi procedure regarding DASH and ROM (p = 0.011 and p = 0.012, respectively), with reduced surgical time (about 6 min less, p = 0.03). The proximal shift between scaphoid and the base of first metacarpal did not influence the final results of the cases treated. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that trapeziectomy in combination with both tendon suspension arthroplasty and tendon interposition are two surgical procedures useful to solve advanced basal joint arthritis. Patients who underwent suspension tenoplasty without tendon interposition seemed to be generally more satisfied with significantly better symptomatic and functional outcomes.

Treatment of Scaphoid Non-Unions with Custom-Made 3D-Printed Titanium Partial and Total Scaphoid Prostheses and Scaphoid Interosseous Ligament Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Treatment of scaphoid fracture sequelae is still an unsolved problem in hand surgery. Custom-made 3D-printed titanium partial and total scaphoid prosthesis and scaphoid interosseous ligament reconstruction (SLIL) are performed in cases of non-union and isolated aseptic necrosis of the proximal scaphoid pole and when it is impossible to save the scaphoid bone, respectively. This study aims to evaluate the clinical, functional and radiographic results after these two prosthesis implantations. METHODS: Between January 2019 and July 2020, nine partial and ten total scaphoid prostheses were implanted using custom-made 3D-printed titanium implants. Evaluation criteria included carpal height ratio (CHR), radioscaphoid angle, wrist extension and flexion, radial deviation and ulnar deviation of the wrist, grip strength and pinch strength, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, and the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE). RESULTS: Clinical, functional, and radiographic improvements were found in all outcomes analyzed for both patient groups. The VAS pain scale obtained the most remarkable improvement at the one-year follow-up. The results of the DASH scores and the PRWE were good, with a great rate of patient satisfaction at the end of the follow-up. SLIL reconstruction also provided excellent stability and prevented a mid-carpal bone collapse in the short- and medium-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A custom-made 3D-printed titanium partial or total scaphoid prosthesis is a viable solution for patients with scaphoid non-union and necrosis or complete scaphoid destruction in whom previous conservative or surgical treatment has failed.

Periprosthetic distal femoral fractures after total knee replacement treated by ORIF. Mid to long-term follow-up study in 12 patients.

Periprosthetic fractures following total knee arthroplasty are a quite uncommon traumatic lesion that often are present in elderly patients with osteoporosis and comorbidities. The most common periprosthetic fracture affects the distal femur. The main internal fixation techniques are ORIF with a locking plate and retrograde intramedullary nailing. In the present study, we report the medium-long term results in 12 patients with a distal femoral periprosthetic fracture stabilized with a locking plate. We reviewed 12 patients affected by a periprosthetic distal femur fracture surgically treated between 2010 and 2016 by ORIF using a locking compression plate after an average follow-up of 5.75 years. The average age of the patients at diagnosis was 78 years. The mean interval time between knee arthroplasty and distal femoral fracture was 8.25 years. Clinical results were assessed using the WOMAC score, while radiographic results according to Beals and Tower's criteria. All fractures of our series were type II according to the Rorabeck and Taylor classification. At follow-up, the WOMAC score ranged from 40.5 to 76.5 points (average 53.92). Radiographic results, according to Beals and Tower's criteria, were excellent in 5 patients and good in 7. All patients returned to their previous daily activities. We believe that reduction and internal fixation with a locking plate is a surgical option of treatment that provides satisfactory clinical and radiological results in Rorabeck type II periprosthetic distal femoral fractures.

Functional Outcomes and Shoulder Instability in Reconstruction of Proximal Humerus Metastases.

(1) Background: Some of the goals of orthopedic surgical oncology are saving limbs and function. The humerus is the third most frequent site in primary tumors and one of the most involved sites for metastases. Prosthetic replacement with modular megaprosthesis is one of the treatment choices, but there are several types of complications, such as problems with function and pain. The aim of our study is to assess functional outcomes and shoulder instability in the reconstruction of proximal humerus metastases. (2) Methods: This is a retrospective observational study. Twenty-eight patients, with proximal humerus metastases, admitted to the department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of our University Hospital between 2014 and 2022 were recruited. Each patient underwent resection and prosthetic replacement surgery with modular megaprosthesis. Clinical evaluation was assessed through MSTS score, WOSI index, and DASH score. (3) Results: Twenty patients were included in the study. Fairly good results, especially regarding pain, function, and emotional acceptance, were obtained in all three tests: DASH, MSTS, and WOSI. Patients who reported shoulder instability actually have worse outcomes than those who report having stable shoulders. In addition, patients with a resection >10 cm have worse outcomes than those who had a resection of 10 cm. No significant differences were found between the deltopectoral approach group and the lateral approach group. (4) Conclusions: Reconstructive surgery with megaprosthesis of the proximal humerus in patients with metastases can be considered a treatment option, especially in patients with pathological fractures or injuries with a high risk of fracture and good life expectancy. This study shows how this type of surgery affects instability, but in terms of functionality, pain, and patient satisfaction, it gives satisfactory results.

Dual-mobility total hip arthroplasty in patients younger than 55 years old: a systematic review.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is regarded as one of the most successful and cost-effective orthopedic procedures. However, THA is a surgical procedure with potential intraoperative and postoperative risks. Dislocation is one of the common postoperative complications and remains one of the main indications for THA revision. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the role and the outcomes of dual-mobility implant to prevent dislocation in patients younger than < 55 years in primary THA. In this systematic review, we included observational, prospective, and retrospective studies that evaluated the outcome and the complications of the dual-mobility cup in < 55-year-old patients. After applying exclusion criteria (femoral neck fractures or THA revision, case series, reviews, and meta-analyses), ten articles were included in the study. The overall number of participants in all the studies was 1530. The mean age of the participants was 50 years. The mean follow-up was 11.7 years. A total of 46 patients (2.7%) reported intraprosthetic dislocations, in which the polyethylene liner dissociates from the femoral head, while 4.8% of revision was due to aseptic loosening. The mean revision rate at twelve years was 11%. The mean value of Harris Hip Score increased from 50.9 pre-operatively to 91.6 after surgery. Dual mobility is a valid option for young patients with extended survivorship and low rates of instability and dislocation after primary THA.

Early return to activity of daily living after total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an orthopaedic procedure that improves the quality of life in patients suffering from hip pain related to osteoarthritis, fractures, and avascular osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Different surgical approaches can be used for THA leading to different recovery times. Because of the lowering medium age of people undergoing THA, it is important to focus on the earlier return of physiological activity after surgery. AIM: To evaluate the best approach for THA in terms of earlier return to activity. METHOD: Studies comparing the postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent THA through different approaches were analysed focusing on patients' self-reported outcomes, ADL score and UCLA activity score with a short follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 1990 articles were identified in the search, and 14 met the inclusion criteria. The Review Manager software version 5.4 was used to conduct a meta-analysis to compare the direct anterior (DAA) and posterior (PA) approaches, which are the most adopted approaches. An earlier return to walk without aids and to independent ADLs were reported with DAA, but without statistical significance (respectively p = 0.06 and p = 0.10). The time to return to drive was similar among the 2 groups (p = 0.88). The return to work was faster with PA, but no statistical significance was reported (p = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are needed with a larger number of patients, that present homogeneous outcomes, follow-ups and rehabilitation programmes, and that compare similar surgical approaches to assess the early return to activity of daily living after THA.

Modular versus monoblock stem in revision total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is estimated to grow in the following decades with a consequent increase of THA revisions (rTHA). This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare modular and monoblock stem in rTHA surgery, focusing on clinical and radiological outcomes and complication rates. Methods: A literature search was performed using the following search strategy: ((Modular stem) OR (monolithic stem)) AND (hip review) on PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (OS) compared clinical and radiological outcomes, and complication rates for monoblock and modular revision femoral stem were included. The risk of bias was assessed through the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) score. The Review Manager (RevMan) software was used for the meta-analysis. The rate of complications was assessed using odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The authors included 11 OS and one RCT with 3,671 participants (mean age: 68.4 years old). The mean follow-up was 46.9 months. There was no prevalence of subsidence for one type of stem. Mean subsidence was from 0.92 to 10 mm for modular stem and from 1 to 15 mm for monoblock stem. Postoperative Harris Hip Score (HHS) showed better results with modular stems without statistical significance [mean difference (MD) =1.32; 95% CI: -1.62 to 4.27; P=0.38]. No statistically significant difference was found for dislocations (OR =2.48; 95% CI: 0.67 to 9.14; P=0.17), infections (OR =1.07; 95% CI: 0.51 to 2.23; P=0.86), intraoperative fractures (OR =1.62; 95% CI: 0.42 to 6.21; P=0.48), and postoperative fractures (OR =1.60; 95% CI: 0.55 to 4.64; P=0.39). Conclusions: Modular and monoblock stems show comparable and satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes for rTHA. Both stems are valid and effective options for managing femoral bone deficit in hip revision surgery. The main limitation of this study is the small number and low quality of enclosed studies that compared the two stems. Moreover, the modular stem is usually used for more complex cases with lower quality femoral bone stock.

Treatment of olecranon fractures in childhood: A systematic review.

Background: Literature over the last 20 years provides evidence for a surgical treatment of displaced olecranon fractures in children, this is usually obtained with commonly proposed methods, although there is no general agreement about the best recommended technique. Aim: Identifying the best surgical technique in displaced olecranon fractures in children and the role of associated fractures in the prognosis of these lesions, by analyzing the most relevant studies on this topic. Methods: A literature search was performed in MEDLINE database and Scopus database. Articles reporting clinical outcomes of pediatric patients affected by olecranon fractures treated surgically were identified. Results: The initial search produced 111 studies, with 8 fulfilling the eligibility criteria of our study. Selected articles (2002-2022) included 122 patients overall. Conclusion: Displaced olecranon fractures, occurring during skeletal growth and surgically treated, generally have good results, although we are unable to recommend the best surgical treatment based on our review. In most cases, they are intra-articular fractures; thus, the overall goal is to get an anatomic reduction that in some cases cannot be obtained by percutaneous techniques. Tension band suture is the preferred device, although it is not recommended in adolescence for the high risk of fixation failure. Associated lesions may affect results.

Surgical correction of valgus deformities of the knee in Polyostotic Fibrous Dysplasia.

Coxa vara and shepherd's crook deformity represent the most common femoral deformities in patients affected by polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (PFD) and McCune Albright syndrome (MAS). The tibia is also commonly affected, with antero-medial bowing and valgus deformity. Surgical treatment of these deformities are technically demanding and, in most cases, intramedullary nails are the preferred method to stabilize corrective osteotomies. Genu valgus may also be present, as a residual defect after the surgical correction of the aforementioned deformities. The aim of our study was to report the outcomes obtained in five patients with PFD or MAS operated on for complex deformities of the lower limbs with an associated residual genu valgum greater than 15°. It was surgically treated by distal femoral or proximal tibial osteotomy stabilized with a screw plate. The osteotomy was performed distal to the intramedullary nail in femurs, while it was performed after removing the intramedullary nail in the proximal metaphysis of the tibia. In latter cases, the intramedullary device was reinserted at least 6 months after surgery. At follow-up, the femoro-tibial angle was corrected in all cases and the patients were satisfied with the final result. Two patients showed mild limping, unrelated to the alignment of the knee. In our opinion, residual valgus deformities of the lower limb greater than 15 degrees should be corrected to improve function and cosmetic appearance of these patients. The osteotomy of the distal femur or of the proximal tibia stabilized by a screw-plate represent the treatment of choice for the correction of these deformities.

An update on osteochondritis dissecans of the knee.

Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee (OCD) is a multifactorial pathology in where repetitive microtrauma plays a central role in the etiopathogenesis. Knee MRI is indicated in young, active patients who have knee pain and/or effusion, to make an early diagnosis and decide about treatment, according essentially to the MRI stability signs. The choice of treatment should be also tailored, based on the patient's skeletal maturity, as well as the size and location of the lesion. Conservative treatment with restricting sports activities is the first line treatment and often sufficient to ensure healing in patients with open physes. Surgical treatment depends on the persistence of symptoms after 6 months of conservative treatment and/or based on the development of signs of instability of the lesion. Stable lesions with intact articular cartilage may be treated by drilling of the subchondral bone aiming to stimulate vascular ingrowth and subchondral bone healing. Every attempt should be made to retain the osteochondral fragment when possible. Instable lesions should be fixed or "replaced" with salvage procedures to prevent the onset of early osteoarthritis in this young population. Furthers studies are needed to improve the knowledge and optimizing non-operative and surgical treatment and to develop noninvasive diagnostic tools to predict with more accuracy the fragment's stability.

Clinical and Radiological Results after Fracture-Dislocations of the Ankle: A Medium- to Long-Term Followup Study.

The authors report the long-term outcome in a series of 26 patients surgically treated for a fracture-dislocation of the ankle by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), reviewed after an average followup of 5.2 years. The average age of the patients was 46.8 years; 17 were female and 9 male; the right side was involved in 22 patients and the left side in 4; 10 patients had a unimalleolar fracture, 11 a bimalleolar fracture, and 5 a trimalleolar fracture. The quality of reduction was excellent in 14 cases and good in 12. The functional results were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, while radiographic results followed the Van Dijk classification. At followup, the AOFAS score ranged from 75 to 98 points with an average of 87.9, while the radiographic results were evaluated as grade 0 in 16 ankles and grade I in 10. Fracture-dislocations of the ankle occurred more frequently after high-energy traumas in younger patients on the right side, but they were also observed in older females after low-energy trauma. Excellent reduction was correlated with better radiographic results at long term followup. However, these injuries may lead to a poor functional outcome, despite an anatomical reduction and good radiographic results; in fact, in nine of our cases (34.6 percent), the AOFAS score was less than 90 points.

Changes in neurorehabilitation management during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has generated a threat to global health, determining the need for healthcare for large numbers of people in an extremely short timeOBJECTIVE:To investigate the management changes in the neurorehabilitation services during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: An electronic search was conducted in September 2021 by 2 independent reviewers in the following databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. All studies on organizational and welfare changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in neurorehabilitation services were included. Screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts and data extraction were undertaken independently by pairs of reviewers. RESULTS: The summary of results was reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews.Electronic searches after the screening of title and abstract identified 80 studies, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. A narrative summary of results of all included studies were reported in a tabular format. CONCLUSIONS: Different organizational models were adopted in neurorehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the therapies time frame, the physical and mental health of healthcare professionals and the caregiver's workload. There is still uncertainty about the effectiveness of these new therapeutic strategies on the management of neurorehabilitation services and future studies should explore the effect on the patients' needs.