Annual Trends of High Tibial Osteotomy: Analysis of an Official Registry in Italy.

Background and Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis is a serious burden for modern countries. Timing of surgery and treatment choice are still a matter of controversy in the orthopedic literature. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the incidence and hospitalization trends of high tibial osteotomy in Italy from 2001 to 2016. Materials and Methods: Data are sourced from the National Hospital Discharge Reports (SDO) of the Italian Ministry of Health between 2001 and 2016. Results: A total of 34,402 high tibial osteotomies were performed over the study period in Italy. The cumulative incidence was 3.6 cases per 100,000 residents. The age classes 50-54, 55-59 showed the higher number of procedures. In pediatric patients (0-19 years), high tibial osteotomies are also largely performed. The majority of patients having surgery were men with a M/F ratio of 1.5. The mean age of patients was 44.2 ± 19.2 years. Males were significantly younger than females (43.3 ± 20.7 vs. 45.6 ± 17.7). The average length of hospitalization was 6.1 ± 7.3 days. Over the course of the analysis, a declining trend in hospital stay length was seen. The main primary diagnosis codes were "Varus knee" (736.42 ICD-9-CM code, 33.9%), "Osteoarthrosis, localized, primary, leg region" (715.16 ICD-9-CM code, 9.5%). Conclusions: Over the study period, high tibial osteotomies in Italy almost halved. Varus deformity and knee osteoarthritis are the leading causes requiring high tibial osteotomy. Except for the pediatric setting, results showed that from the 20-24 age class to the 50-54 age class, there was an increasing request for knee osteotomy, whereas in those aged >60 years, the incidence progressively decreased. The evident decline in HTO performed over the years in Italy seems to reflect a minor role for knee osteotomy in the management of knee OA, as it seems to be primarily reserved for younger male patients.

Similar short-term KOOS between open-wedge high tibial osteotomy and total knee arthroplasty in patients over age 60: A propensity score-matched cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate improvement in the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) after open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in comparison with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in cohorts over age 60 matched by pre-operative age, gender, body mass index (BMI), hip-knee-ankle angle (HKAA), KOOS sub-scores, and osteoarthritis (OA) grade. METHODS: Propensity score matching was performed between 162 HTO patients and 134 TKA patients. When calculating the propensity score by multivariate logistic regression analysis, the following pre-operative confounders were included: age, gender, BMI, HKAA, KOOS sub-scores, and OA grade. Consequently, a total of 55 patients were included in each group. The Student's t-test was used to analyse differences in the post-operative KOOS sub-scores between groups. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, all matched pre-operative valuables were identical, with no significant differences between the HTO and TKA groups. None of the post-operative KOOS sub-scores at 1 year after surgery showed a significant difference between the HTO and TKA groups. Both groups demonstrated significant and comparable post-operative improvement in every KOOS sub-score. CONCLUSIONS: In patients over age 60, there was no significant difference in short-term pain relief and improvements in activity and quality of life between HTO and TKA after propensity score matching including pre-operative age, KOOS sub-scores, and OA grade. HTO is a joint preservation procedure that is valid for knee OA even in individuals over age 60.

Preliminary results of rigid fixation (locking plate/screw) after triple pelvic osteotomy without a hip spica cast: A modified fixation method in 21 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate whether rigid fixation after triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) utilizing a 3.5-mm locking plate and screws without hip spica cast can provide enough stability and prevent correction loss in pediatric patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 21 hips of 21 pediatric patients (9 males, 12 females; mean age: 9.3±2.0 years; range, 6 to 14 years) who underwent rigid fixation with locking plate/screws after TPO for DDH and LCPD between June 2015 and October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative, immediate postoperative, and six-month follow-up anteroposterior radiographs were compared for the Wiberg's center-edge angle (CE), Sharp angle, acetabular coverage of the femoral head (ACFH), and center-head distance discrepancy (CHDD). The patient demographics, surgery time, perioperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Underlying diagnosis were DDH in 14 patients and LCPD in seven patients. In patients with DDH, postoperative evaluation showed significant increase in the mean CE angle (5.6±16.1° vs. 30.5±9.3°, respectively) and ACFH (46.4±16.8% vs. 84.5±12.1%, respectively), and a significant decrease in the mean Sharp angle (55.3±6.2° vs. 35.6±7.8°, respectively) and CHDD (14.6±10.7% vs. 6.2±5.6%, respectively). The final follow-up revealed that there was no correction loss in these parameters. In the patients with LCPD, postoperative evaluation showed a significant increase in the mean CE (20.1±11.1° vs. 38.3±9.6°, respectively) and ACFH (62.9±18% vs. 91.4±10.1%, respectively), and a significant decrease in the mean Sharp angle (46±3.6° vs. 25.2±5.5°, respectively). The final follow-up revealed that there was no correction loss in radiological parameters. No perioperative complications were noted. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that rigid fixation construct with a 3.5-mm locking plate and screws without hip spica cast can provide adequate stability to allow early mobilization following TPO in children without any loss of correction, until bony healing at the osteotomy sites.

Third-Generation Minimally Invasive Chevron and Akin Osteotomies (MICA) in Hallux Valgus Surgery: Two-Year Follow-up of 292 Cases.

BACKGROUND: There is interest in hallux valgus deformity correction using internal fixation with the minimally invasive chevron and Akin osteotomies (MICA) technique. The objective of this study was to assess the correction measured on postoperative radiographs and clinical outcomes, using validated outcome measures, at 2 years following third-generation MICA. METHODS: This is a prospective single-surgeon case series of 333 consecutive feet that underwent MICA surgery between July 2014 and April 2018. The primary clinical outcome measures included the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ), EuroQol-5 Dimensions-5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) Index, EuroQol-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), and a VAS for pain (VAS-pain). Secondary outcome measures included radiographic parameters and complication rates. RESULTS: Preoperative and 2-year postoperative patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected for 292 feet (87.7%). At a minimum 2-year follow-up, the MOXFQ scores (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) had improved in each domain-i.e., reduced from 44.5 ± 21.0 preoperatively to 9.4 ± 15.8 postoperatively for pain (p < 0.001), from 38.7 ± 23.4 to 6.5 ± 14.6 for walking and standing (p < 0.001), and from 48.0 ± 22.3 to 6.6 ± 13.5 for social interaction (p < 0.001). The VAS-pain score improved from 31.4 ± 22.7 preoperatively to 8.4 ± 16.4 at the 2-year follow-up (p < 0.001), the 1-2 intermetatarsal angle was reduced from 15.3° ± 3.6° preoperatively to 5.7° ± 3.2° at the 2-year follow-up (p < 0.001), and the hallux valgus angle was reduced from 32.9° ± 10.2° to 8.7° ± 5.2° (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The third-generation MICA provided significant improvement in clinical outcome measures at the 2-year follow-up and can be successfully used for correction of a range of hallux valgus deformities with a low rate of symptomatic recurrence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Efficacy of postoperative antibiotic use after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: A systematic review of published data to determine whether postoperative antibiotic use after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) decreases infection rates. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: A broad bibliographic search was performed in three online databases through March 2020 for publications on postoperative antibiotic use after TPLO in dogs. Search terms included dog, canine, TPLO, tibial plateau leveling osteotomy, infection, antibiotic, and antimicrobial. Articles that met inclusion criteria were evaluated for level of evidence (LoE) by a modified Oxford Level of Evidence (mOLE) and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) classification and evaluation. RESULTS: Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Effect of antibiotic use was the primary question in four studies. Among those, 50% (2/4) were assigned a mOLE of 1b and a GRADE of moderate, while the other 50% (2/4) were assigned a mOLE of 4b or 4c with a GRADE of low. The two studies with the highest LoE did not provide evidence of the benefit of antibiotic usage. Results of only one study provided evidence to support the use of postoperative antibiotics. The remaining nine studies provided evaluation of antibiotic use secondarily and were all assigned a low LoE. Among these, 78% (7/9) provided evidence to support the use of postoperative antibiotics. CONCLUSION: We found little evidence to support the use of postoperative antibiotics to reduce the risk of surgical site infections in dogs after TPLO. The answer to this clinical question is complicated by the lack of prospective studies and inconsistent treatment protocols in the evaluated studies. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The clinical impact of postoperative antibiotic administration on infection rates after TPLO is uncertain.

Comparison of mid-term clinical results between cementless and cemented femoral stems in total hip arthroplasty with femoral shortening osteotomy for Crowe type IV hips.

INTRODUCTION: This report is the first study to compare the clinical outcomes between cementless and cemented femoral prostheses in total hip arthroplasty (THA) with subtrochanteric femoral shortening osteotomy for Crowe type IV hips. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 26 hips in 20 patients who had undergone cemented (n = 13) or cementless (n = 13) THA with subtrochanteric femoral shortening osteotomy for Crowe type IV hips with a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. The mean follow-up period was 60.8 ± 33.9 months (24-120 months). We compared radiological findings, postoperative clinical recoveries, postoperative complications, and implant survival rates. RESULTS: In both groups, there were no cases of aseptic loosening for the acetabular and femoral implant. In terms of bone union at the osteotomy site, the mean duration was significantly longer in the cemented group (9.8 ± 4.2 months) than in the cementless group (5.0 ± 1.9 months). The clinical hip score in gait and pain at 3 months postoperatively was significantly higher in the cemented group than in the cementless group, while there were no significant changes at other timepoints between two groups. The number of postoperative complications was not significantly different between the two groups. The implant survival rate was 92% in the cementless group and 100% in the cemented group at 5 years postoperatively (P = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: The cemented femoral prosthesis is superior to the cementless femoral prosthesis for early clinical recovery, while the duration required to achieve bone union at the osteotomy site is longer in the cemented femoral prostheses. It is possible for surgeons to perform successful hip reconstructions, regardless of the fixation method used for THA with shortening femoral osteotomy.

Predictive Factors for Recurrence in Infantile Blount Disease Treated With Tibial Osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the recurrence rate in infantile Blount disease (IBD) in a cohort of patients treated with a tibial osteotomy; and also to identify which factors were associated with recurrence. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 20 patients, under the age of 7 years, with IBD (35 involved extremities) treated by proximal tibial realignment osteotomy to physiological valgus at a single institution over 4 years. We then analyzed the data to determine the rate of recurrence and identify the risk factors for recurrence. RESULTS: The mean age of the included patients was 4.2 years (range, 2 to 6 y). We observed a recurrence rate of 40% (n=14) at a mean follow-up of 42 months (range, 21 to 72 mo). Knee instability [odds ratios OR, 6.6; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.0-22.2], Langenskiöld stage (OR, 6.3; 95% CI, 2.0-19.4), and severity of the deformity, as measured by medial physeal slope (MPS) (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.4), were associated with recurrence. On multiple logistic regression analysis, MPS remained the most relevant predictor of recurrence. Receiver operating curve analysis showed that an MPS ≥60 degrees predicted recurrence with a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 95% (area under the curve=0.925). Postoperatively, increased varus alignment on weight-bearing as measured by the tibio-femoral angle was indicative of knee instability and associated with increased odds of recurrence (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-1.9; P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a recurrence rate of 40% in children with IBD under 7 years treated with acute correction to a tibio-femoral angle of 5 to 10 degrees valgus through a dome proximal tibial osteotomy. Knee instability, Langenskiöld stage, and MPS were associated with recurrence. Cases with an MPS ≥60 degrees seem to be particularly at risk for recurrence. Further research is needed to validate these findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Conventional versus stereotactic image guided pedicle screw placement during spinal deformity correction: a retrospective propensity score-matched study of a national longitudinal database.

PURPOSE/AIM: To compare complications, readmissions, revisions, and payments between navigated and conventional pedicle screw fixation for treatment of spine deformity. METHODS: The Thomson Reuters MarketScan national longitudinal database was used to identify patients undergoing osteotomy, posterior instrumentation, and fusion for treatment of spinal deformity with or without image-guided navigation between 2007-2016. Conventional and navigated groups were propensity-matched (1:1) to normalize differences between demographics, comorbidities, and surgical characteristics. Clinical outcomes and charges were compared between matched groups using bivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 4,604 patients were identified as having undergone deformity correction, of which 286 (6.2%) were navigated. Propensity-matching resulted in a total of 572 well-matched patients for subsequent analyses, of which half were navigated. Rate of mechanical instrumentation-related complications was found to be significantly lower for navigated procedures (p = 0.0371). Navigation was also associated with lower rates of 90-day unplanned readmissions (p = 0.0295), as well as 30- and 90-day postoperative revisions (30-day: p = 0.0304, 90-day: p = 0.0059). Hospital, physician, and total payments favored the conventional group for initial admission (p = 0.0481, 0.0001, 0.0019, respectively); however, when taking into account costs of readmissions, hospital payments became insignificantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Procedures involving image-guided navigation resulted in decreased instrumentation-related complications, unplanned readmissions, and postoperative revisions, highlighting its potential utility for the treatment of spine deformity. Future advances in navigation technologies and methodologies can continue to improve clinical outcomes, decrease costs, and facilitate widespread adoption of navigation for deformity correction.

Can Chiari Osteotomy Favorably Influence Long-term Hip Degradation in Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia and Pseudoachondroplasia?

BACKGROUND: Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) and pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) are congenital skeletal disorders characterized by irregular epiphyses, mild or severe short stature and early-onset osteoarthritis which frequently affect the hips. The current study evaluates the long-term results of the Chiari osteotomy in MED and PSACH patients. METHODS: Twenty patients (14 MED and 6 PSACH) were retrospectively included. Clinical assessment used the Postel Merle d'Aubigné (PMA) score and the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS). Risser index, Sharp angle, acetabular depth index, center-edge angle, Tönnis angle, and femoral head coverage were measured on the preoperative radiographs and at last follow-up. The Treble index, which identifies the hip at risk in MED patients, was also determined. Stulberg classification (grades I to V) was used to evaluate the risk of osteoarthritis in the mature hips.Statistical analyses determined differences between preoperative and postoperative data. The Kaplan Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate of the operated hips using total hip arthroplasty as the endpoint. RESULTS: Thirty-three hips which underwent a Chiari osteotomy were reviewed. The average follow-up was 20.1 years. The PMA scores were significantly better at last follow-up than preoperatively. All radiographic parameters significantly improved. Moreover, the Sharp angle, center-edge angle, and femoral head coverage improved to a normal value at hip maturity. All of the operated hips had a Treble index of type I. At hip maturity, a majority of hip were aspherical congruent (Stulberg grades of III and IV). The survival rate of the operated hips was 80.7% at 24 years postoperative. CONCLUSIONS: The Chiari osteotomy is a satisfying solution for severe symptomatic hip lesions in MED and PSACH patients. At long-term follow-up, this procedure lessens pain and improves hip function, which delays total hip arthroplasty indication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

The Effect of Smith-Peterson Osteotomy on Blood Loss during Surgical Correction of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is inevitably accompanied by blood loss. About 37-85% of patients undergo allogeneic transfusions associated with a risk of serious complications. Prediction of the expected blood loss volume remains a topical problem. In this regard, there is a need to clarify predictors of increased blood loss. AIM: To assess the effect of vertebrectomy on the intraoperative blood loss volume during surgical correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study included 511 adolescents who underwent posterior correction of spinal deformity. Two groups were allocated: Group I consisted of 303 patients who underwent multilevel transpedicular fixation; Group II included 208 patients who underwent multilevel transpedicular fixation combined with Smith-Peterson osteotomy. RESULTS: Intergroup comparisons revealed significant differences in the number of transpedicular fixation levels and the volume of blood loss, which were higher in Group II. After aligning the groups by the number of transpedicular fixation levels using the Propensity Score Matching method, no statistically significant difference was observed. We derived formulas for calculating the expected blood loss volume in Groups I and II. Comparison of the formulas revealed that the formula for Group II predicted a significantly lower volume of blood loss, by 2.51%, while the formula for Group I predicted a significantly higher volume of blood loss, by 3.27%. In our opinion, application of the formula that overestimates expected intraoperative blood loss is most reasonable due to a possibility of the worst case scenario during surgery; therefore, the formula for Group I approaches a universal model for use. CONCLUSION: Smith-Peterson osteotomy did not affect the amount of blood loss during surgical correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, considering the number of transpedicular fixation levels.

Sexual Dysfunction in Puerto Rican Women with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) negatively impacts quality of life-related issues including intimacy, body image, and sexual activity. Sexual dysfunction in patients with IBD is often unrecognized. In this study, we aimed to describe sexual function in Puerto Rican women with IBD. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of women with IBD at the University of Puerto Rico Center for IBD. Patients were invited to anonymously complete the validated Spanish version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. On this 36-point scale, a score of 26.55 or less is defined as sexual dysfunction. Data were analyzed by diagnosis, presence of an ostomy, and age, using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Student's t test, and logistic regression. RESULTS: One hundred women completed the FSFI questionnaire, with subjects having Crohn's disease (CD) outnumbering those having ulcerative colitis (UC) 2:1. The mean sexual function score was 21.92 (95% CI: 20.08-23.76). No statistical difference was observed in total FSFI scores between subjects with CD and UC (p = 0.084) and those with an ostomy (p = 0.891). Sexual function decreased with age (p = 0.001). The domains of excitation, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction were the most negatively affected (p<0.05) by increasing age. Multivariate analysis confirmed the effect of age on excitation, lubrication, orgasm, and pain. CONCLUSION: Our study showed sexual dysfunction to be present in this sample of Puerto Rican Hispanic women with IBD. Physicians treating patients with IBD need to be aware of these findings to explore the concerns of individuals with this disease and develop strategies to address those concerns.

Endosinotarsal device exerts a better postoperative correction in Meary's angle than exosinotarsal screw from a meta-analysis in pediatric flatfoot.

For pediatric flexible flatfoot, the subtalar extra-articular screw arthroereisis (SESA) and endosinotarsal device are the most popular techniques in current practice. Nevertheless, scarce literature is available comparing the outcomes between these two techniques. Thus, we aimed to provide a meta-analysis for the radiographic and clinical outcomes, respectively. A systemic search for correction of pediatric flexible flatfoot using subtalar arthroereisis was conducted mainly in Pubmed and Scopus, and the search was completed on 31 Dec., 2019. The standardized mean differences (SMD) of postoperative versus preoperative calcaneal pitch and Meary's angle were defined as the primary outcomes, whereas the preoperative versus posteoperative AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) as the secondary outcome. The meta-analysis included 12 comparative studies comprising 2063 feet in total. The quantitative analysis showed a marked improvement in Meary's angle of endosinotarsal cone implant group (SMD: 4.298; 95% CI 2.706-5.889) than exosinotarsal screw group (SMD: 1.264; 95% CI 0.650-1.877). But no significant difference was noted between both groups in calcaneal pitch and AOFAS. The exosinotarsal screw and endosinotarsal device are both effective arthroereisis implant for pediatric flexible flatfoot. While considering the correction of Meary's angle, the endosinotarsal device is better than exosinotarsal screw.

Periacetabular Osteotomy for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip and Femoroacetabular Impingement: A Study Using the U.K. Non-Arthroplasty Hip Registry (NAHR) Data Set.

BACKGROUND: Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a well-recognized procedure for the treatment of hip dysplasia in young adults and can be used for the surgical management of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) with acetabular retroversion. The aim of this study was to use a national database to assess the outcomes of PAO for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and for FAI. METHODS: All patients in whom an isolated PAO had been performed between January 2012 and February 2019 were identified in the Non-Arthroplasty Hip Registry (NAHR). Their outcomes were assessed using the EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) index and the International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT)-12 preoperatively and then at 6 months, 12 months, and 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: Six hundred and thirty (630) PAOs were identified, with 558 (89%) performed for DDH and 72 (11%) performed for FAI. Most patients (90%) were female. The mean age in the DDH group (31.2 years) was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than that in the FAI group (26.5 years). There were no other significant between-group demographic differences. Preoperatively and at each follow-up time-period, iHOT-12 scores were better in the DDH group than in the FAI group; however, only the preoperative scores differed significantly. There was significant improvement between the preoperative and 6-month iHOT-12 and EQ-5D index scores in both the DDH and the FAI group. This improvement was maintained at 12 months postoperatively, by which time almost 90% of the patients had achieved the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in their iHOT-12 score. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that PAO is a successful surgical intervention for DDH and FAI in the short term, with significant improvement in patient-reported outcome scores that is maintained up to 2 years postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Management of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

AIMS: Earlier studies dealing with trends in the management of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) identified an increasing rate of total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and a decreasing rate of joint-preserving procedures between 1992 and 2008. In an effort to assess new trends in the management of this condition, this study evaluated the annual trends of joint-preserving versus arthroplasties for patients aged < or > 50 years old, and the incidence of specific operative management techniques. METHODS: A total of 219,371 patients with ONFH were identified from a nationwide database between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2015. The mean age was 54 years (18 to 90) and 105,298 (48%) were female. The diagnosis was made using International Classification of Disease, Ninth revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) and Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) procedure codes. The percentage of patients managed using each procedure during each year was calculated and compared between years. The trends in the use of the types of procedure were also evaluated. RESULTS: The rate of joint-preserving procedures was significantly higher in patients aged < 50 years compared with those aged > 50 years (4.93% vs 1.52%; p < 0.001). For the overall cohort, rates of arthroplasty were far greater than those for joint-preserving procedures. THA was the most commonly performed procedure (291,114; 94.03%), while osteotomy (3,598; 1.16%), partial arthroplasty (9,171; 2.96%), core decompression (1,200; 0.39%), and bone graft (3,026; 0.98%) were performed markedly less frequently. The annual percentage of patients managed using a THA (93.56% to 89.52%; p < 0.001), resurfacing (1.22% to 0.19%; p < 0.001), and osteotomy (1.31% to 1.05%; p < 0.001) also decreased during the study period. CONCLUSION: We found that patients with ONFH have been most commonly managed with non-joint-preserving procedures. Our findings provide valuable insight into the current management of this condition and should increase efforts being made to save the hip joint. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(7 Supple B):122-128.

Successful Ponseti-treated Clubfeet at Age 2 Years: What Is the Rate of Surgical Intervention After This?

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, nonoperative Ponseti casting has become the standard of care in the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot. However, the rate of recurrence, even after successful Ponseti treatment is not insignificant. The purpose of this study was to determine the future rate, timing, and type of surgery needed in patients whose idiopathic clubfeet treated by Ponseti casting were considered successful at the age of 2 years. METHODS: Inclusion criteria for this retrospective study were patients under 3 months with idiopathic clubfoot treated exclusively by Ponseti casting, who had successful outcomes at 2 years of age without surgery, and who had at least 5 years of follow-up. The total number of surgical interventions in the age range 2 to 5 and above 5 years, the number and type of procedures performed, and the timing of surgery were reviewed. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-six patients with a total of 504 clubfeet fulfilled the inclusion criteria. One hundred twenty-two of these 336 patients (36.3%) eventually underwent surgical intervention. Between 2 and 5 years of age, 79 patients (23.5%) with 104 feet (20.6%) underwent surgery. The most common procedures performed between 2 and 5 years were limited (a la carte) in scope: tibialis anterior tendon transfer, posterior release, plantar fascia release, and repeat tendo-Achilles lengthening. At age above 5 years, 53 patients (20.1%) with 65 feet (16.9%) underwent surgery. Ten of these 53 patients had already undergone surgery between 2 and 5 years of age. The procedures most commonly performed were similar. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with idiopathic clubfoot who reached 2 years of age with successful outcomes from Ponseti cast treatment, ∼35% eventually underwent surgical intervention, mostly limited (a la carte), to regain or maintain a plantigrade foot. The most commonly performed procedures include tibialis anterior tendon transfer, posterior capsular release, plantar fascia release and repeat tendo-Achilles lengthening, either in isolation or in combination. However, before considering surgery, the need for these procedures can, and should, be minimized by recasting recurrent deformities using Ponseti method. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Effects of variations in Dwyer calcaneal osteotomy determined by three-dimensional printed patient-specific modeling.

Dwyer (lateral calcaneal closing wedge) osteotomy is commonly used in surgical correction of heel varus deformity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of wedge size and angle of osteotomy on deformity correction using preoperative imaging analysis with three-dimensional (3D) printed modeling. Seven patients diagnosed with pes cavovarus deformity who underwent Dwyer calcaneal osteotomy were identified retrospectively. Preoperative computed tomogrphy scans were used to create 3D printed models of the foot. After18 variations of osteotomy and fixation performed for each foot, Harris heel and Saltzman images were obtained. The angle between the tibia-talus axis and calcaneal-tuber axis was measured and compared to pre-osteotomy state. Change in the calcaneal lengths was also analyzed. The average degree correction of deformity per mm of bone resected was 3.8 ± 0.2 degrees in the Harris Heel view and 2.7 ± 0.8 degrees in the Saltzman view. A significant increase in correction was obtained with 10 mm compared with 5 mm wide wedges (P < .001). The difference in correction was not statistically significant between 30 and 45 degree cuts or osteotomy distance from the posterior calcaneal tuberosity, but a 45 degree sagittal angle resulted in less calcaneal shortening compared to 30 degrees (P = .02). A clinically driven method using patient-specific 3D models for determining effects of calcaneal osteotomy variables in correcting hindfoot alignment was developed. In summary, the amount of wedge resected impacts hindfoot alignment more than location and sagittal angle of the cut. Calcaneal shortening depends on sagittal angle of the cut.

In intra-articular distal humeral fractures: Can combined medial-lateral approach gain better outcomes than olecranon osteotomy?

BACKGROUND: This research aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes of intra-articular distal humeral fractures treated through a combined medial-lateral approach and comparing with olecranon osteotomy simultaneously. METHODS: In this study, 62 distal humeral fractures patients were assessed retrospectively. The olecranon osteotomy was used in 30 cases (14 males, 16 females) and combined medial-lateral in 32 cases (15 males, 17 females). The outcomes of function were assessed by the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire score. The follow-up time was 15.4±3.5 months (range 10-24 months) for a combined medial-lateral group and 14.6±2.6 months (range 10-20 months) for olecranon osteotomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level, retrospective study. RESULTS: The flexion-extension of elbows was 115.3°±16.1° in the combined medial-lateral group, and the olecranon osteotomy group was 110.1°±15.2°. A significant difference was observed between the two groups for flexion-extension of the elbows (p=0.041). Pronation-supination of the forearms had a significant difference (p=0.025) between the combined medial-lateral group (160.6°±7.2°) and the olecranon osteotomy group (154.1°±9.3°). Mean MEPS, DASH, excellent and good rate and complication rate for combined medial-lateral approaches were 88.6±6.9 points, 9.8±6.6 points, 90.6% and 9.4%, respectively. Significant differences were not noted between the two groups for mean MEPS, DASH scores and excellent and good rate (p=0.594, p=0.505, p=0.934, respectively) except complication rate (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: The combined medial-lateral approach is successful approach in the treatment of intra-articular distal humeral fractures (especially type C1 and C2) that provides better outcomes for the motion of the elbow, bleeding volume in surgery and complications than olecranon osteotomy.

Decision making for concomitant high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in cartilage repair patients based on a nationwide cohort study of 4968 patients.

BACKGROUND: High tibial osteotomy (HTO) for varus deformities is a common concomitant treatment in cartilage surgery. Aim of the present study was to analyze factors influencing the decision towards accompanying HTO in patients with cartilage defects of the medial femoral condyle, such as the amount of varus deformity. METHODS: Data from 4986 patients treated for cartilage defects of the knee from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU) were used for the current analysis. Seven hundred and thirty-six patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Their data were analyzed for factors influencing the decision towards performing a concomitant HTO using t test, univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression models. RESULTS: The break point at which the majority of patients receive a concomitant HTO is 3° of varus deformity. Several factors apart from the amount of varus deformity (5.61 ± 2.73° vs. 1.72 ± 2.38°, p < 0.00) differed significantly between the group of patients with HTO and those without. These included defect size (441.6 ± 225.3 mm2 vs. 386.5 ± 204.2 mm2, p = 0.001), symptom duration (29.53 ± 44.58 months vs. 21.85 ± 34.17 months, p = 0.021), defect grade (62.5% IVa/IVb vs. 57.3% IVa/IVb, p = 0.014), integrity of corresponding joint surface (10.8% grade III-IV vs. 0.2% grade III-IV, p < 0.001), meniscus status (15.5% > 1/3 resected vs. 4.4% > 1/3 resected, p < 0.001) and number of previous surgeries (1.01 ± 1.06 vs. 0.75 ± 1.00, p = 0.001). In the stepwise multivariate binary logistic regression test, only the amount of varus deformity, symptom duration and quality of the corresponding joint surface remained significant predictors associated with performing a concomitant HTO. CONCLUSION: Based upon data from a nationwide cohort, additional HTO in context with cartilage repair procedures of the medial femoral condyle is frequently performed even in mild varus deformities less than 5°. Other factors also seem to influence decision for HTO.

Does overcorrection cause any negative effect on pediatric missed Monteggia lesion?

PURPOSES: To evaluate the outcome of different types of ulna osteotomy in missed Monteggia fracture with a particular interest in anatomical correction and overcorrection techniques. The outcome between the two groups were compared on aspects of (1) clinical outcome (2) radiologic outcome. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with type 1 missed Monteggia fracture who underwent surgery between January 2005-2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the degrees of correction: group 1 anatomical correction (no ulnar dorsal angulation) and group 2 overcorrection (degrees of ulnar dorsal angulation ≥ 10°). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Kim elbow performance score. Radiologic outcomes were categorized into four groups with regard to the radial head: excellent (complete reduction), good (slight subluxation), fair (moderate subluxation), and poor (dislocation). RESULTS: Eleven patients with anatomical ulna osteotomy and ten patients with overcorrection ulnar osteotomy were enrolled with a mean age of 7.95 (5-12) years at the time of operation. The mean duration from injury to surgery was 27.05 (3-120) months, and the mean period of follow-up was 29.90 ± 22.37 (12-84) months. The average angle of total correction measured in group 1 was 6.09° (3°-9°) and 28.37° (12°-40°), in group 2. Fair-to-poor radiological outcomes at the last follow-up were more frequently observed in overcorrection group (40% vs. 0%) (p = 0.035) as well as clinical outcome (20% vs. 0%) (p = 0.214). Among the patients in group 2, posterior dislocation was diagnosed in two patients at 18 months and 2 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: The postoperative result of overcorrection ulna osteotomy showed significant inferiority in radiologic outcome compared to anatomical correction. Overcorrection of ulna osteotomy could be associated with posterior dislocation of radial head.

Can injection of adipose stem cells to non-union zone increase bone union? Experimental rat study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of local adipose stem cell injection on non-union and diabetic non-union of rat femurs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight female Wistar albino rats (weighing mean 200 g and aged 8 weeks) were used in this study. The rats were divided into six groups. Group 1 was chosen as a reference for receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa (κ) B (RANK), receptor activator of nuclear factor-κ B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) genes and no femur osteotomy was performed in this group. Group 2 underwent femur osteotomy, the osteotomy was fixed with a 1.5 mm K-wire as retrograde from the knee joint, and no gap was left in the osteotomy line. In order to induce non-union, femurs underwent osteotomy fixed with K-wires in groups 3, 4, 5 and 6. In addition, the osteotomy line was measured as 1.8 mm gap with electronic calipers and the gap was fixed with U staple. Before osteotomy, streptozocin was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 60 mg/kg in 0.1 mol/L citrate buffer solution (Ph 4.4) in groups 4 and 6, in order to induce diabetes mellitus. Left femur anteroposterior and lateral X-rays were taken 10 weeks after the operation and the union in group 2 and non-union in groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 were confirmed. To see if injection of adipose stem cells into the non-union site increases bone union, 2 mL 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) in groups 3 and 4 and 2×106 adipose stem cell in groups 5 and 6 were locally injected into the non-union area with fluoroscopy. Femur X-rays were taken eight weeks after the injection and all rats were sacrificed. Femurs of rats were removed for histopathological and gene expression evaluation. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the groups injected 0.9% NaCI and adipose stem cells in terms of bone healing according to radiological and histopathological evaluations (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of gene expression levels. CONCLUSION: According to the results of our study, local adipose stem cell injection has positive radiological and histopathological effects in diabetic and non-diabetic femoral non-unions, independently of RANK, RANKL, or OPG gene expression pathways.