Assessment of plasma BMP-2, BMP-7, BMP-10, vitamin D, and TGF ß1 in simple fractures among Sudanese patients.

BACKGROUND: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are multifunctional proteins. They work as cytokines regulating osteogenesis during fracture healing process. The objectives of this study were to assess changes in BMPs during fracture and their correlations to Fracture's healing. METHODS: Case-Control hospital-based study conducted from January 2018 to January 2019. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, and blood samples were collected from patients and controls (18-65 years old). Plasma concentrations of selected BMPs and vitamin D were measured using quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). SPSS version 25 was used to calculate frequencies, Pearson correlation tests, chi-square and unpaired t-test. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients with fractures and Sixty-five controls were studied. Means of plasma concentrations were (TGFß1 = 21.07 ng/ml ±8.49 and 19.8 ng/ml ±7.2) (BMP-2 = 76.3 pg/ml ± 156.6 and 55.5 ng/ml ± 127.9) (BMP-7 = 13.02 pg/ml ±43.5 and 64.6pg/ml ±250) (BMP-10 = 8.14 pg/ml ±12.7 and 5.48 pg/ml ±11.3) (Vitamin D mean was 24.94 ng/ml ±13.2 and 26.2 ng/ml ±11.6) in patients and controls, respectively. Forty-five subjects were enrolled into follow up study: 30 males, 15 females. Healing time mean was 4.13± 2.6 months. No significant correlation between BMP-2/BMP-7 with healing time. CONCLUSIONS: BMP-7 was significantly lowers in the plasma of patients that controls (P = 0.042). Low Vitamin D was observed among Sudanese participants.

Short-Term Outcome of Multi-Ligament Knee Injury among Sudanese Patients.

BACKGROUND: Multi-ligament knee injury is the state of having two or more of the major knee ligaments, namely: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the medial collateral ligament (MCL), the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), the posteromedial corner (PMC), and the posterolateral corner (PLC). The knee is a hinge joint; this dictates two direction movements on the y-axis plane. The knee joints carry the weight load of the body uniquely. The role of the knee ligaments is not conserved only to maintain knee in a rigid position while standing, but also orchestrates the biomechanics of knee motion in harmony. Multi-ligament knee injury is very rare (incidence < 10:10,000 of trauma cases). Patients with multiple ligaments injuries of the knee become disabled for a long period. This disability rises from the pain and stiffness of the knee joint. A disability that might be associated with increased frequencies of sick leave from work, or much more dire consequences, such as quitting a job or being relieved of duty. AIM: To assess the functional outcome of the knee of patients with a multi-ligament knee injury after treatment using a standard scoring system and to determine the recovery rates of each treatment option to a multi-ligament knee injury. METHODS: it is a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2018 to January 2019. All patients with multi-ligament knee injuries that were diagnosed by MRI, and underwent reconstruction surgeries or on the waiting list, at Ribat University Hospital and Alyaa Specialized Hospital, Alkuwiti specialised hospital, and Haj Alsafi Hospital for the past 2 years were included. Lyshlome knee scoring scale was used to assess the functional outcome of each patient. RESULTS: 24 patients were enrolled in this study (16 had reconstruction surgery, 8 did not). 3 had excellent outcome (LKSS = 95 - 100), 8 of them had good score (LKSS = 84-94), 5 had fair outcome (LKSS = 65-83). All those who did not have reconstruction had a poor score (LKSS < 64). CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of multi-ligament knee injury shows a good outcome than it was left alone. Post-operative physiotherapy increases the potential of reconstruction. While our data is limited because of the rare condition, we plan to expand our study area to include a larger sample size. We also recommend extending the post-operative physiotherapy to improve the outcome of a multi-ligament knee injury.