Safety and efficacy of burosumab in improving phosphate metabolism, bone health, and quality of life in adolescents with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) is due to loss-of-function mutations in the phosphate-regulating endopeptidase homologue on the X chromosome (PHEX) that lead to increased fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) production. FGF23 excess causes renal phosphate wasting and insufficient 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) synthesis with reduced intestinal phosphate absorption, ultimately resulting in chronic hypophosphatemia. Children with XLH show typical skeletal lesions of rickets, deformities of the lower limbs, stunted growth with disproportionate short stature, bone pain, and physical dysfunctions. Burosumab, a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds to FGF23 to inhibit its activity, is more effective to improve the biochemical and clinical signs of XLH than conventional treatment with phosphate supplements and vitamin D active metabolites. Data on adolescents with XLH during the transition period to young adulthood are few. In this prospective case series, we aimed to assess safety and efficacy of burosumab in adolescents with XLH who discontinued long-term conventional therapy. METHODS: Five Caucasian adolescents (4 males, 1 female; mean age 15.4 ± 1.5 years) with XLH were recruited and switched from conventional treatment to burosumab (0.8-1.2 mg/kg, s. c. QW2). Burosumab was continued for 12-48 months and, once discontinued, patients were followed-up for 6-12 months. In all patients, serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and 1,25(OH)2D levels, and renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate (TmP/GFR) values were assessed at entry and during burosumab. Intact FGF23 plasma levels were measured at entry. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were assessed at entry and every 3-6 months to evaluate the impact of low extremity pain, stiffness, and difficulties performing daily activities. RESULTS: At entry, all patients showed hypophosphatemia, increased intact FGF23 levels, reduced TmP/GFR, insufficient 1,25(OH)2D levels, and in four out of five increased ALP levels. Two patients had radiological signs of rickets. During burosumab, all patients showed a significant increase in serum phosphate and 1,25(OH)2D levels, and in TmP/GFR values (P < 0.05 - P < 0.0001). Serum ALP levels significantly declined (P < 0.05) to normal values. No changes of serum calcium and PTH levels (PNS) were found during burosumab. PROs significantly improved (P < 0.02 - P < 0.0001) in all patients. Four patients discontinued burosumab when they turned 18 or 19, whereas one continued the treatment since he was still younger than 18 during the study period. Four patients who suspended burosumab showed a rapid decline in serum phosphate and 1,25(OH)2D levels and in TmP/GFR values; serum ALP levels increased, and PROs progressively worsened with a significant reduction in quality of life. These consequences were not observed in the patient who continued burosumab treatment. DISCUSSION: Our data showed that conventional treatment improved only in part the signs and symptoms of XLH. Burosumab was well tolerated and was effective in improving phosphate metabolism, bone health, and PROs. All the benefits of burosumab were lost after its discontinuation. These results suggested that continuing burosumab is required to achieve and maintain the clinical benefits of the treatment during the transition to young adulthood in patients with XLH.

Combined use of minimal screw synthesis and external articulated fixation is effective for the management of supra-intercondyloid humeral fractures in the elderly? A retrospective study.

Background: Fractures of the distal humerus are relatively rare and can be a source of disabling outcomes especially if not properly treated. Therefore, the objective of the treatment must be to obtain a stable synthesis that allows early mobilization, avoiding complications such as muscular hypotonotrophy, joint rigidity or delays in consolidation that may be due to prolonged immobilization of this joint. Although ORIF treatment of these fractures may intuitively appear to be the gold standard, there is still no consensus in the literature on which type of treatment is most suitable. Patients and method: We report in this retrospective case series analysis our experience on 31 elder patients (more than 65 years old), affected by a supra-intercondyloid humerus fracture, treated using a minimal internal fixation with cannulated screws combined with the use of an external articulated elbow fixator. This methodology is less invasive but allows a stable synthesis and an early mobilization.Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed for each patient at 1, 2, 3 and 6 months after surgery. At 6 months the residual joint excursion was evaluated and the data were collected. In addition, at 6 months, each patient underwent three different functional capacity assessment questionnaires: MAYO Elbow Performance score, The Disability of the ARM, Shoulder and Hand Score (QuickDASH) and Oxford Elbow Score. Results: The healing rate was 100% with no cases of non-union, despite the old age of our patients. The average range of motions obtained at 6 months from the surgery was 111° in flexion-extension and 157° in pronation-supination for the patient with an extra-articular fracture, 88° in flexion-extension and 153° in pronation-supination for the patients with a partial articular fracture and 85° in flexion-extension and 149° in pronation-supination for the patients with a complete articular fracture. Our results in the recovery of an arc of motion in flexion-extension are slightly less performing than the results obtained with an ORIF treatment. Indeed, according to literature the mean postoperative flexion arc in an ORIF treatment of distal humerus fractures in adults is 110°.The functional results obtained were satisfactory, with an average score at 6 months from the surgery of 95/100 (Mayo score) for the patients with an extra-articular fracture, 83.3/100 for the patients with a partial articular fracture and 79/100 for the patients with a complete articular fracture. Conclusion: The results obtained, in terms of range of motions, function, pain and healing and complications rate lead us to affirm that, in selected patients, this technique can represent a valid treatment and therefore a valid option that could be considered.

Use of a Plasma-Sprayed Titanium-Hydroxyapatite Femoral Stem in Hip Arthroplasty in Patients Older than 70 Years. Is Cementless Fixation a Reliable Option in the Elderly?

BACKGROUND: Although cementless implants are increasing in popularity, the use of cementless femoral stems for total hip arthroplasty (THA) and hip hemiarthroplasty (HH) in elderly patients remains controversial. The aim of this study was to report the outcomes of a cementless stem used in a large multicentric cohort of elderly patients receiving elective THA and HH for displaced femoral neck fracture. METHODS: A total of 293 patients (301 hips) aged 70 years or older (mean age, 78 years; range, 70-93) who received the same cementless plasma-sprayed porous titanium-hydroxyapatite stem were retrospectively evaluated after primary THA and HH to investigate stem survival, complications, and clinical and radiographic results. RESULTS: Cumulative stem survival was 98.5% (95% CI, 96.4-99.4%; 91 hips at risks) with revision due to any reason as the end-point at 10-year follow-up (mean 8.6 years, range 4-12). No stem was revised due to aseptic loosening. The mean Forgotten Joint Score was 98.7. Radiographically, the implants showed complete osseointegration, with slight stress-shieling signs in less than 10% of the hips. CONCLUSION: The use of cementless stems was proven to be a reliable and versatile option even in elderly patients for elective THA and HH for femoral neck fracture.

A continuous PREMs and PROMs Observatory for elective hip and knee arthroplasty: study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Scholars, healthcare practitioners and policymakers have increasingly focused their attention on patient-centredness. Patient-reported metrics support patient-driven improvement actions in healthcare systems. Despite the great interest, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are still not extensively collected in many countries and not integrated with the collection of patient-reported experience measures (PREMs). This protocol describes the methodology behind an innovative observatory implemented in Tuscany, Italy, aiming at continuously and longitudinally collecting PROMs and PREMs for elective hip and knee total replacement. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Observatory is digital. Enrolled patients are invited via SMS or email to online questionnaires, which include the Oxford Hip Score or the Oxford Knee Score. Data are real-time reported to healthcare professionals and managers in a raw format, anonymised and aggregated on a web platform. The data will be used to investigate the relationship between the PROMs trend and patients' characteristics, surgical procedure, hospital characteristics, and PREMs. Indicators using patient data will be computed, and they will integrate the healthcare performance evaluation system adopted in Tuscany. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The data protection officers of local healthcare organisations and the regional privacy office framed the initiative referring to the national and regional guidelines that regulate patient surveys. The findings will be reported both in real time and for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Pulp chamber features, prevalence of abscesses, disease severity, and PHEX mutation in X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets.

INTRODUCTION: Rickets, growth failure, and recurrent periapical abscesses with fistulae are main signs in patients with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH). Prevalence of abscesses, pulp chamber features, biochemical findings, disease severity, and PHEX gene mutation were examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pulp chambers size, shape, and morphology were assessed by orthopantomography in XLH patients (n = 24, age 5.8 ± 1.6 years) and in sex and age-matched healthy controls (n = 23, age 6.2 ± 1.4 years). XLH patients received conventional treatment (3.5 ± 1.9 years). Pulp chamber features were assessed in teeth of primary dentition and in the permanent left mandibular first molar and compared with those of controls. Rickets severity score was assessed at wrist, knee, and ankle. RESULTS: The mean pulp chamber area/tooth area ratio, mean pulp chamber height/pulp chamber width ratio, and prominence of pulp horns into the tooth crown in primary and secondary molars were significantly higher in patients than in controls and in patients suffered abscesses than in patients without abscesses. Sixteen patients (67%) had a history of abscesses; incisors were affected more than canines and molars. Severity of rickets and mean serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were significantly higher, and mean serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] levels significantly lower in patients suffered abscesses than in patients without abscesses. PHEX gene mutations were not correlated with dental phenotype and disease severity. CONCLUSION: Enlarged pulp chambers with altered shape and morphology affected the majority of XLH patients predisposing to recurrent periapical abscesses with fistulae. Dental phenotype was associated with severity of rickets, high serum PTH, and low serum 1,25(OH)2D levels.

Added Value of Dynamic EMG in the Assessment of the Equinus and the Equinovarus Foot Deviation in Stroke Patients and Barriers Limiting Its Usage.

Equinus (EFD) and equinovarus foot deviation (EVFD) are the most frequent lower limb deformities in stroke survivors. The equinus component can be triggered by a combination of dorsiflexor deficits, plantar flexor overactivity, muscle stiffness, and contractures. The varus component is typically due to an imbalance between invertor and evertor muscle actions. An improvement in identifying its causes leads to a more targeted treatment. These deformities are typically assessed via a thorough clinical evaluation including the assessment of range of motions, force, spasticity, pain, and observational gait analysis. Diagnostic nerve blocks are also being increasingly used. An advantage of dynamic electromyography (dEMG) is the possibility of measuring muscle activity, overactivity or lack thereof, during specific movements, e.g., activity of both ankle plantar flexors and dorsiflexors during the swing phase of gait. Moreover, fine-wire electrodes can be used to measure the activity of deep muscles, e.g., the tibialis posterior. An impediment to systematic use of dEMG in the assessment of EFD and EVFD, as a complimentary tool to the clinical evaluation, is a lack of evidence of its usefulness. Unfortunately, there are few studies found in literature. In order to fill this void, we studied three pairs of patients suffering from chronic hemiparesis consequent to a stroke, with EFD or EVFD. At the initial evaluation they all displayed the same clinical traits, very similar walking patterns, and an overlapping gait kinematics. However, the patterns of muscle activity differed considerably. dEMG data acquired during walking provided information that was not available from the sole clinical assessment. The contribution of this information to the subsequent clinical and rehabilitation process was discusses along with the barriers that limit the use of dEMG as a routine tool in neurorehabilitation.

Functional and radiological outcomes in displaced heel fractures: Open reduction and internal fixation versus external fixation.

Management of intra-articular heel fractures is controversial. The main goals of surgical treatment are restoring subtalar articular congruence and width, height, form and alignment of the heel. The gold standard is considered Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF), a complex technique with a high rate of complications. External Fixation (EF) could be a good alternative. In this study were identified 37 fractures in 35 patients (24 patients underwent ORIF and EF was performed in 13 cases) and the outcomes of the two techniques were compared. The mean surgical time for ORIF was 107.8 minutes, while for EF was 88.61 minutes and the ORIF group presented a higher rate of complications, despite of similar results in the mean postoperative AOFAS Ankle and Hindfoot Scale scores (73.31/100 points in the ORIF group and 75.40/100 points in the EF group). Fast learning curve, short surgery time and low complications rate make EF an alternative to ORIF in treating intraarticular heel fractures.

Lessons learnt from COVID 19: An Italian multicentric epidemiological study of orthopaedic and trauma services.

INTRODUCTION: The Pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 has put a strain on the most of health systems all over the world. Many hospitals had to re-organize to deal with the emergency, so that the non-core activities have been suspended or cancelled, raising management problems. The aim of this multicentre study is to report the epidemiological orthopaedic and traumatological data between COVID and pre-COVID era and to analyse patients' needs and their management. METHODS: We reported and compared traumatological and elective orthopaedic surgeries performed in three of the main hospital centres in Tuscany during COVID (March 2020) and pre-COVID (March 2019) era. We also reported the epidemiological data about the number of orthopaedic first aid visits at the main hub, analysing the main differences. For each centre, we reported the number, diagnosis, co-morbidities, treatment, hospital course, complications and outcomes of confirmed COVID 19 patients. We also indicated what kind of PPE were used by medical staff and patients at any visit. RESULTS: The scheduled surgery drastically decreased in all the centres and the most of procedures were carried out for tumours, infections and implant mobilizations during the COVID time, delaying all the other ones. Trauma activities slightly decreased between the two time points: proximal femur fractures continued to engage our hospitals at the same pre-COVID volumes, while minor traumas drastically decreased. We report a decrease of 70.95% in orthopaedic first aid, with first-aid-visits/hospitalization ratio of 13.8 in the pre-COVID time vs 5.8 in the COVID time. A total of 5 confirmed COVID patients were treated for fractures and 4 of them healed without complications. We report just one case of death among COVID patients. All the medical staff members have worn the PPE and no one have developed COVID symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 raised many important issues, such as the optimal management of patients requiring the treatment of conventional diseases during a pandemic. The flow of patients changes from one area to another during a pandemic and an integrated approach within the same geographical area could be useful to better allocate resources and manage the patients' needs. The preventive measures put in place in our country seem to work, but this first experience with COVID-19 crisis highlighted the chronic problems of our health system and we believe that we have to "learn the lesson" to be better prepared in the future.

Suspension arthroplasty in the treatment of thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis.

Literature presents several examples of surgical techniques for the treatment of carpometacarpal osteoarthritis. In our study we used a modified Ceruso's suspended arthroplasty technique. In this study, 53 patients from 2011 to 2017 underwent arthroplasty with trapezius excision and suture suspension between abductor pollicis longus and flexor carpi radialis. The average age at surgery was 69, the participants were 43 women and 10 men. The average total operation time was 59 minutes. The modified CMC suspension arthroplasty technique provides excellent results compared with those in the literature.

Rheumatoid arthritis patient antibodies highly recognize IL-2 in the immune response pathway involving IRF5 and EBV antigens.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by a progressive joint damage due to largely unknown environmental factors acting in concert with risk alleles conferring genetic susceptibility. A major role has been attributed to viral infections that include past contacts with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and, more recently, to non-protein coding sequences of human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) integrated in the human genome. Molecular mimicry between viral and self proteins is supposed to cause the loss of immune tolerance in predisposed hosts. There are evidences that anti-IL-2 antibodies (Abs) are present in subjects affected by autoimmune diseases and may be responsible for alterations in regulatory T cell responses. In this study, we evaluated the levels of Abs against IL-2, viral epitopes and interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) in 140 RA patients and 137 healthy controls (HCs). Ab reactivity reached the highest levels for IRF5, EBV and IL-2 (56%, 44% and 39%, respectively) in RA with significantly lower values among HCs (7-9%, p < 0.0001), which suggests a possible cross-reaction between IRF5/EBV homologous antigens and shifts in T cell balance disrupted by anti-IL-2 Abs.

Electromyographic activity of the vastus intermedius muscle in patients with stiff-knee gait after stroke. A retrospective observational study.

Stiff-knee gait (SKG) in hemiplegic patients is often due to an inappropriate activity of the quadriceps femoris. However, there are no studies in literature addressing the vastus intermedius (VI) involvement in SKG. In this study, VI activity was analyzed in a sample of 46 chronic stroke patients with SKG, during spontaneous gait. VI activity was recorded by fine-wire electrodes inserted under ultrasound guidance then confirmed by electrical stimulation. The measured VI activity was compared to the normal reference pattern reported in literature and classified (e.g. premature, prolonged). The occurrences of abnormal activations during each sub-phase of the gait cycle were assessed. VI activity presented an abnormal timing in 96% of the sample. The most common pathological pattern (in 46% of the sample) was the combination of premature and prolonged VI activation. Nearly 20% of patients presented a continuous activity. A pathological activation in patients was found for 91% in mid stance, for more than 50% in terminal stance and pre-swing and for 37% and 70% in initial- and mid-swing. Results indicate that abnormal VI activity is frequent in patients with SKG. Hence, VI activity should be included in the assessment of SKG to assist in the clinical decision-making processes.

SIAMOC position paper on gait analysis in clinical practice: General requirements, methods and appropriateness. Results of an Italian consensus conference.

Gait analysis is recognized as a useful assessment tool in the field of human movement research. However, doubts remain on its real effectiveness as a clinical tool, i.e. on its capability to change the diagnostic-therapeutic practice. In particular, the conditions in which evidence of a favorable cost-benefit ratio is found and the methodology for properly conducting and interpreting the exam are not identified clearly. To provide guidelines for the use of Gait Analysis in the context of rehabilitation medicine, SIAMOC (the Italian Society of Clinical Movement Analysis) promoted a National Consensus Conference which was held in Bologna on September 14th, 2013. The resulting recommendations were the result of a three-stage process entailing i) the preparation of working documents on specific open issues, ii) the holding of the consensus meeting, and iii) the drafting of consensus statements by an external Jury. The statements were formulated based on scientific evidence or experts' opinion, when the quality/quantity of the relevant literature was deemed insufficient. The aim of this work is to disseminate the consensus statements. These are divided into 13 questions grouped in three areas of interest: 1) General requirements and management, 2) Methodological and instrumental issues, and 3) Scientific evidence and clinical appropriateness. SIAMOC hopes that this document will contribute to improve clinical practice and help promoting further research in the field.

Evaluation of Clinical Gait Analysis parameters in patients affected by Multiple Sclerosis: Analysis of kinematics.

BACKGROUND: Clinical Gait Analysis is commonly used to evaluate specific gait characteristics of patients affected by Multiple Sclerosis. The aim of this report is to present a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the changes in Clinical Gait Analysis parameters in patients affected by Multiple Sclerosis. METHODS: In this study a sample of 51 patients with different levels of disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale 2-6.5) was analyzed. We extracted a set of 52 parameters from the Clinical Gait Analysis of each patient and used statistical analysis and linear regression to assess differences among several groups of subjects stratified according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale and 6-Minutes Walking Test. The impact of assistive devices (e.g. canes and crutches) on the kinematics was also assessed in a subsample of patients. FINDINGS: Subjects showed decreased range of motion at hip, knee and ankle that translated in increased pelvic tilt and hiking. Comparison between the two stratifications showed that gait speed during 6-Minutes Walking Test is better at discriminating patients' kinematics with respect to Expanded Disability Status Scale. Assistive devices were shown not to significantly impact gait kinematics and the Clinical Gait Analysis parameters analyzed. INTERPRETATION: We were able to characterize disability-related trends in gait kinematics. The results presented in this report provide a small atlas of the changes in gait characteristics associated with different disability levels in the Multiple Sclerosis population. This information could be used to effectively track the progression of MS and the effect of different therapies.

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection after Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare condition usually encountered in young women without risk factors for atherosclerotic disease but with tortuous coronary artery or contemporary presence of fibromuscular dysplasia. Sometimes spontaneous coronary dissection occurs in patients with atherosclerotic disease, although without significant epicardial coronary artery stenosis. We report a case of a patient who underwent minimally invasive mitral valve repair, whose initially uneventful postoperative course was complicated by spontaneous coronary artery dissection of the left main causing a life threatening condition. A subsequent emergency sternotomy was required to perform a coronary artery bypass.

Off-pump minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass in patients with cosmetic prosthesis for pectus excavatum.

Pectus excavatum can be associated with coronary artery diseases that can become difficult to manage in urgent situations. We describe the use of an off-pump minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) through the fourth intercostal space incision in a patient with pectus excavatum and acute coronary syndrome who previously underwent a cosmetic prosthesis implantation. The patient refused any surgical procedure that could compromise the integrity of his cosmetic prosthesis and a left mini-thoracotomy was a good option to avoid the removal of the prosthesis. The preservation of the integrity of the thoracic cage enhanced chest wall stability and pulmonary function and permitted avoidance of inadvertent cardiac structure iatrogenic injuries. MIDCAB was optimal for the exposure of the left internal thoracic artery and the left anterior descending artery. The deformity of the chest should not be considered as an absolute contraindication to off-pump MIDCAB when other surgical options are not viable, even in emergency situations.

Relationship between ultrasonographic, electromyographic, and clinical parameters in adult stroke patients with spastic equinus: an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To find more accurate indices that could affect decisions in spasticity treatment by investigating the relation between ultrasonographic, electromyographic, and clinical parameters of the gastrocnemius muscle in adults with spastic equinus after stroke. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: University hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Chronic patients with stroke with spastic equinus (N=43). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ultrasonographic features were spastic gastrocnemius muscle echo intensity, muscle thickness, and posterior pennation angle of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) in both legs. Electromyographic evaluation included compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) recorded from the GM and GL of both legs. Clinical assessment of the spastic gastrocnemius muscle was performed with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and by measuring ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (PROM). RESULTS: Spastic muscle echo intensity was inversely associated with proximal (GM and GL: P=.002) and distal (GM and GL: P=.001) muscle thickness, pennation angle (GM: P< .001; GL: P=.01), CMAP (GM: P=.014; GL: P=.026), and ankle PROM (GM: P=.038; GL: P=.024). The pennation angle was directly associated with the proximal (GM and GL: P< .001) and distal (GM: P=.001; GL: P< .001) muscle thickness of the spastic gastrocnemius muscle. The MAS score was directly associated with muscle echo intensity (GM: P=.039; GL: P=.027) and inversely related to the pennation angle (GM and GL: P=.001) and proximal (GM: P=.016; GL: P=.009) and distal (GL: P=.006) muscle thickness of the spastic gastrocnemius. CONCLUSIONS: Increased spastic muscle echo intensity was associated with reduced muscle thickness, posterior pennation angle, and CMAP amplitude in the gastrocnemius muscle. Building on previous evidence that these instrumental features are related to botulinum toxin response, these new findings may usefully inform spasticity treatment decisions.

Mid-term results of tricuspid annuloplasty with a three-dimensional remodelling ring.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the results of tricuspid annuloplasty performed with the Edwards MC3 remodeling ring. METHODS: From 2005 to 2007, 140 patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) secondary to left-sided valve disease (mean age 63.8 ± 11.6, permanent pacemaker in 7.8%, LVEF 56.4 ± 10.1%, LVEDD 54.1 ± 8 mm, SPAP 52.5 ± 14.4 mmHg) underwent tricuspid annuloplasty using the MC3 ring. Dilatation of the tricuspid annulus was present in all patients. Other concomitant mechanisms of TR (moderate leaflet prolapse, pacemaker wires, leaflets' retraction) were documented in 21 cases (15%). All patients underwent concomitant left-sided valve surgery. Ring size was between 28 and 32 in 84.3% of patients. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 3.5% and actuarial survival at 3 years 94.8 ± 2.1%. Mean follow-up of the 135 hospital survivors was 22 ± 9.5 months (median 23 months). Echocardiography at hospital discharge documented no or mild TR in 119 patients (87%), moderate TR (2+/4+) in 15 (11%) and moderate-to-severe (3+/4+) in 1 patient (0.7%). At echocardiographic follow-up moderate TR was present in 14 patients (10.3%) and moderate-to-severe TR in 2 (1.4%). At 3 years freedom from TR ≥ 2+ was 88.1 ± 2.78% and freedom from TR ≥ 3+ was 94.3 ± 4.89. Predictors of TR ≥ 2+ at hospital discharge and at follow-up were preoperative LVEF (OR:0.8; p = 0.001 at discharge; HR:0.9; p = 0.003 at follow-up) and the presence of other mechanisms of TR besides annular dilatation (OR:10.8; p = 0.007 at discharge; HR:6.1; p = 0.003 at follow-up). CONCLUSION: Tricuspid annuloplasty with the MC3 ring provides satisfactory early results which remain stable at mid-term follow-up. The presence of other mechanisms besides annular dilatation leads to residual valve insufficiency after ring annuloplasty alone.

Is spastic muscle echo intensity related to the response to botulinum toxin type A in patients with stroke? A cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between gastrocnemius muscle echo intensity and response to botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) in patients with spastic equinus foot resulting from stroke. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients (N=56) with spastic equinus foot resulting from stroke scheduled to receive BoNT-A injection into the gastrocnemius muscle. INTERVENTIONS: All patients were injected with BoNT-A (abobotulinumtoxinA) into the gastrocnemius muscle with an ultrasonography-guided, multisite injection technique. The toxin dose was 250U for the gastrocnemius medialis and 250U for the gastrocnemius lateralis (dilution 500U/2mL) in each patient. All patients were evaluated before and 4 weeks after BoNT-A injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Spastic gastrocnemius muscle echo intensity visually graded with the Heckmatt scale. Clinical assessment of the spastic gastrocnemius with the Modified Ashworth Scale, Tardieu Scale, and ankle passive range of motion. RESULTS: Postintervention testing at 4 weeks showed overall significant improvements in the clinical assessment of the spastic gastrocnemius muscle. No significant change was observed in the echo muscle intensity of the spastic gastrocnemius after BoNT-A injection. Post hoc comparisons showed that all clinical outcomes were significantly better in those patients with echo muscle intensity of the spastic gastrocnemius graded II on the Heckmatt scale than those with grades III (P<.001) and IV (P<.001) after botulinum toxin injection. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the hypothesis that patients with higher spastic muscle echo intensity have a reduced response to BoNT-A.

Surgical technique: articulated external fixator for treatment of complex knee dislocation.

BACKGROUND: Knee dislocation is a severe but relatively uncommon injury caused by violent trauma that can result in long-term complications, such as arthrofibrosis, stiffness, instability, and pain. Perhaps owing in part to its rarity, treatment of this injury is controversial. We therefore describe a treatment approach for these complex cases involving a novel dynamic knee external fixator. DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUE: We performed open PCL reconstruction when possible and/or repair of other associated lesions. At the end of the surgical procedure, the surgeon applied an external fixator that reproduced normal knee kinematics, allowing early motion exercises and reducing the risk of joint stiffness while protecting the bony and soft tissue structures involved in the repair during the first healing phase. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed eight patients treated with this approach, four of whom had the PCL reconstructed and four of whom had only associated injuries reconstructed. We evaluated all patients with clinical scores (subjective International Knee Documentation Committee form, Lysholm score, and Tegner level), physical examination (objective International Knee Documentation Committee form), and KT-1000™ arthrometer for AP laxity. Minimum followup was 10 months (mean, 26 months; range, 10-45 months). RESULTS: One patient had manipulation under anesthesia. The median Lysholm score was 76, Tegner level was 4, and subjective International Knee Documentation Committee was 73. All patients recovered to their preinjury work activity, except one unemployed patient. Stability was normal or nearly normal in five patients; the mean side-to-side difference in AP displacement with manual maximum force was 2.9 mm. CONCLUSIONS: This approach with an external fixator allowed staged reconstruction and early motion and provided reasonable stability, ROM, and activity level at followup in patients with complex injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.