PROSPECTIVE CONTROLLED STUDY OF SPINAL SURGERY VERSUS PHYSICAL CAPACITY.

Objectives: Assess whether the spine surgical approach for degenerative diseases can influence the physical capacity of patients and its correlation with cardiorespiratory function. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 9 patients of both genders, aged between eighteen and sixty, scheduled for spinal surgery for degenerative disease in the lumbar segment. Patients underwent treadmill stress test two times, fifteen days before and sixty days after the surgery. A cardiologist performed the test according to the Bruce protocol with a progressive increase in incline and speed. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between pre- and postoperative assessments for the parameters evaluated in the treadmill stress test. Forty-four percent of patients needed to interrupt the test postoperatively due to dyspnea (p=0.023). Conclusion: The improvement obtained with spinal surgery does not have statistically significant relevance in tiredness, pain, and fatigue in the lower limbs and low back pain. Some patients could not complete the examination after surgery due to poor physical conditioning, and it was necessary to interrupt the examination due to dyspnea. Level of Evidence II; Lesser quality RCT (eg, < 80% followup, no blinding, or improper randomization).

Objetivo: Avaliar se a abordagem cirúrgica da coluna vertebral para doenças degenerativas pode influenciar a capacidade física dos pacientes e sua correlação com a função cardiorrespiratória. Métodos: Um estudo prospectivo foi realizado em 9 pacientes, de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 18 e 60 anos, programados para cirurgia de coluna vertebral para doenças degenerativas no segmento lombar. Os pacientes foram submetidos a teste de esforço em esteira duas vezes, quinze dias antes do procedimento cirúrgico e sessenta dias após a cirurgia. O teste foi realizado por um cardiologista de acordo com o protocolo Bruce com aumento progressivo de inclinação e velocidade. Resultados: Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as avaliações pré e pós-operatórias para os parâmetros avaliados no teste de esforço em esteira. Quarenta e quatro por cento dos pacientes precisaram interromper o teste no pós-operatório devido à dispnéia (p=0,023). Conclusão: A melhora obtida com a cirurgia da coluna vertebral não apresenta impactos estatísticos no cansaço, dor e fadiga relativos aos membros inferiores e dores lombares baixas. Alguns pacientes não puderam completar o exame após a cirurgia devido ao mau condicionamento físico, exigindo a interrupção do exame devido à dispnéia. Nível de Evidência II; ECRC de menor qualidade (por exemplo, < 80% de acompanhamento, sem mascaramento do código de randomização ou randomização inadequada).

Prospective controlled study of spinal surgery versus physical capacity / Estudo prospectivo controlado da cirurgia vertebral versus capacidade física

ABSTRACT Objectives: Assess whether the spine surgical approach for degenerative diseases can influence the physical capacity of patients and its correlation with cardiorespiratory function. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 9 patients of both genders, aged between eighteen and sixty, scheduled for spinal surgery for degenerative disease in the lumbar segment. Patients underwent treadmill stress test two times, fifteen days before and sixty days after the surgery. A cardiologist performed the test according to the Bruce protocol with a progressive increase in incline and speed. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between pre- and postoperative assessments for the parameters evaluated in the treadmill stress test. Forty-four percent of patients needed to interrupt the test postoperatively due to dyspnea (p=0.023). Conclusion: The improvement obtained with spinal surgery does not have statistically significant relevance in tiredness, pain, and fatigue in the lower limbs and low back pain. Some patients could not complete the examination after surgery due to poor physical conditioning, and it was necessary to interrupt the examination due to dyspnea. Level of Evidence II; Lesser quality RCT (eg, < 80% followup, no blinding, or improper randomization).

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar se a abordagem cirúrgica da coluna vertebral para doenças degenerativas pode influenciar a capacidade física dos pacientes e sua correlação com a função cardiorrespiratória. Métodos: Um estudo prospectivo foi realizado em 9 pacientes, de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 18 e 60 anos, programados para cirurgia de coluna vertebral para doenças degenerativas no segmento lombar. Os pacientes foram submetidos a teste de esforço em esteira duas vezes, quinze dias antes do procedimento cirúrgico e sessenta dias após a cirurgia. O teste foi realizado por um cardiologista de acordo com o protocolo Bruce com aumento progressivo de inclinação e velocidade. Resultados: Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as avaliações pré e pós-operatórias para os parâmetros avaliados no teste de esforço em esteira. Quarenta e quatro por cento dos pacientes precisaram interromper o teste no pós-operatório devido à dispnéia (p=0,023). Conclusão: A melhora obtida com a cirurgia da coluna vertebral não apresenta impactos estatísticos no cansaço, dor e fadiga relativos aos membros inferiores e dores lombares baixas. Alguns pacientes não puderam completar o exame após a cirurgia devido ao mau condicionamento físico, exigindo a interrupção do exame devido à dispnéia. Nível de Evidência II; ECRC de menor qualidade (por exemplo, < 80% de acompanhamento, sem mascaramento do código de randomização ou randomização inadequada).

Treatment of Morton's neuroma with minimally invasive distal metatarsal metaphyseal osteotomy (DMMO) and percutaneous release of the deep transverse metatarsal ligament (DTML): a case series with minimum two-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment of symptomatic Morton's neuroma remains unclear; conservative methods are sometimes ineffective and neurectomy has significant rates of patient dissatisfaction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of minimally invasive distal metatarsal metaphyseal osteotomy (DMMO) and percutaneous release of the deep transverse metatarsal ligament (DTML) in patients with Morton's neuroma. METHODS: Between January 2018 and November 2019, 27 patients (29 feet) diagnosed with Morton's neuroma after clinical and radiological evaluation underwent DMMO and percutaneous DTML release. The primary clinical outcomes were pain (VAS) and function (AOFAS score). Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction, complications, and radiographic outcomes. Patients were followed up for a minimum of two years. RESULTS: The median age of the participants was 66 years (range 48-79) and the follow-up time was 28 months (24-47). There was a decrease of 5.7 points in the VAS for pain (p < .001) and an increase of 19.9 in AOFAS (p < .001) after the surgical procedure. There was one case of superficial infection and one patient required resection of the neuroma (neurectomy). The majority of patients (89.7%) were satisfied and considered the procedure outcome as excellent or good. CONCLUSION: Treatment of Morton's neuroma with minimally invasive distal metatarsal metaphyseal osteotomy and percutaneous release of the deep transverse metatarsal ligament showed significant improvement in pain and function with a low incidence of complications and a high rate of personal satisfaction.

ORTHOPAEDIC TELEMEDICINE SERVICES DURING THE CURRENT NOVEL CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

Introduction: To evaluate the use of telemedicine by physicians specializing in orthopaedics and traumatology at the authors' institution, and to assess the rates of satisfaction and resolution for this type of care. The current global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in the expansion of telemedicine services. However, quality measures and barriers for physicians dealing with the rapid increase in patients have not been well described. Materials and Methods: This study included 255 patients with orthopaedic complaints. Between 24 and 48 hours after the appointment, independent physicians, who did not participate in the initial appointment, contacted one another to assess the degree of satisfaction with the appointment, and whether there was a solution to the orthopaedic complaint. Results: There was a need for referral for face-to-face consultation in only 13.8% of cases. When asked about the probability of recommending telemedicine to a friend/family member, the answer was 90.3%. The satisfaction rate with the service was 91.1% and 93.69% of patients would return for a telemedicine consultation. Telemedicine consultations solved the problem in 82.74% of cases. Conclusions: Telemedicine care in orthopaedics proved to be a service modality with a high rate of satisfaction among the patients evaluated. Level of evidence III, Retrospective cohort study.

Introdução: O estudo avaliou o uso da telemedicina por especialistas em ortopedia e traumatologia da instituição dos autores e avaliou os índices de satisfação e resolução desse tipo de atendimento. A atual pandemia causada pelo coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) resultou na expansão dos serviços de telemedicina. Contudo, as medidas de qualidade e barreiras para médicos que lidam com o rápido aumento não foram bem descritas. Material e Método: Este estudo incluiu 255 pacientes com queixas ortopédicas. Entre 24 e 48 horas depois da consulta, médicos independentes, que não participaram da primeira consulta, entraram em contato para avaliar o grau de satisfação com o atendimento e se houve solução da queixa ortopédica. Resultados: Houve necessidade de encaminhamento para consultas presenciais em apenas 13,8% dos casos. Quando questionados sobre a probabilidade de recomendar a telemedicina para um amigo/familiar, a resposta dos participantes foi 90,3%. A taxa de satisfação com o serviço foi de 91,1% e 93,6% de pacientes que retornariam para consulta por telemedicina. As consultas de telemedicina resolveram o problema em 82,74% dos casos. Conclusões: O atendimento por telemedicina em ortopedia mostrou ser uma modalidade de serviço com alto índice de satisfação entre os pacientes avaliados. Nível de evidência III, Estudo de coorte retrospectivo.

Orthopaedic telemedicine services during the current novel coronavirus pandemic / Serviço de telemedicina em ortopedia durante a atual pandemia do coronavírus

ABSTRACT Introduction To evaluate the use of telemedicine by physicians specializing in orthopaedics and traumatology at the authors' institution, and to assess the rates of satisfaction and resolution for this type of care. The current global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in the expansion of telemedicine services. However, quality measures and barriers for physicians dealing with the rapid increase in patients have not been well described. Materials and Methods This study included 255 patients with orthopaedic complaints. Between 24 and 48 hours after the appointment, independent physicians, who did not participate in the initial appointment, contacted one another to assess the degree of satisfaction with the appointment, and whether there was a solution to the orthopaedic complaint. Results There was a need for referral for face-to-face consultation in only 13.8% of cases. When asked about the probability of recommending telemedicine to a friend/family member, the answer was 90.3%. The satisfaction rate with the service was 91.1% and 93.69% of patients would return for a telemedicine consultation. Telemedicine consultations solved the problem in 82.74% of cases. Conclusions Telemedicine care in orthopaedics proved to be a service modality with a high rate of satisfaction among the patients evaluated. Level of evidence III, Retrospective cohort study.

RESUMO Introdução O estudo avaliou o uso da telemedicina por especialistas em ortopedia e traumatologia da instituição dos autores e avaliou os índices de satisfação e resolução desse tipo de atendimento. A atual pandemia causada pelo coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) resultou na expansão dos serviços de telemedicina. Contudo, as medidas de qualidade e barreiras para médicos que lidam com o rápido aumento não foram bem descritas. Material e Método Este estudo incluiu 255 pacientes com queixas ortopédicas. Entre 24 e 48 horas depois da consulta, médicos independentes, que não participaram da primeira consulta, entraram em contato para avaliar o grau de satisfação com o atendimento e se houve solução da queixa ortopédica. Resultados Houve necessidade de encaminhamento para consultas presenciais em apenas 13,8% dos casos. Quando questionados sobre a probabilidade de recomendar a telemedicina para um amigo/familiar, a resposta dos participantes foi 90,3%. A taxa de satisfação com o serviço foi de 91,1% e 93,6% de pacientes que retornariam para consulta por telemedicina. As consultas de telemedicina resolveram o problema em 82,74% dos casos. Conclusões O atendimento por telemedicina em ortopedia mostrou ser uma modalidade de serviço com alto índice de satisfação entre os pacientes avaliados. Nível de evidência III, Estudo de coorte retrospectivo.

Comparison of the effect of hyaluronic acid injection versus extracorporeal shockwave therapy on chronic plantar fasciitis: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of pain in the plantar region of the heel, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is an option used in cases where conservative treatment fails. Hyaluronic acid (HA), initially used for osteoarthrosis, is a treatment option because it has been applied to extra-articular regions, such as tendons, ligaments, and fascia. The aim of the present study will be to evaluate the outcomes of pain, function, and personal satisfaction after a single injection of HA and to compare the results with those of ESWT in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. METHODS: The study will include 80 patients who will be randomized to receive three sessions of ESWT (n = 40) or a single ultrasound-guided HA injection in the plantar fascia (n = 40). The outcomes will include the visual analog pain scale score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). All of the assessments will be performed at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Statistical analysis will be performed using the repeated measures ANOVA (analysis of variance test) for primary and secondary outcomes and also Fisher's Least Significant Difference, a Post-Hoc test. We will use R software for statistical analysis, randomization, and sample size calculation. RESULTS: Recruitment and data collection will begin in November 2020, with completion scheduled for November 2022 and final publication available in March 2023. CONCLUSION: This trial will evaluate the effects of a single ultrasound-guided HA injection for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (Register Number: RBR-97vkx4) http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-97vkx4/.