Different clinical presentations of Achilles tendinopathy: a cross-sectional study.

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common debilitating tendon disorder in the lower extremity. Clinical presentation of AT might differ from place to place, depending on different variables including cultural factors. This study was conducted to determine the clinical picture of AT in a group of clients referring to an outpatient orthopedics clinic in Shiraz, southern Iran. In this cross-sectional study, a convenient sample of 61 (46 female and 15 male) patients attending to a referral outpatient clinic affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences with a definite diagnosis of AT was studied. Patients with partial- or full-thickness tear of Achilles tendon, history of radicular pain or lower extremity injury, previous history of surgery on their lower extremity, and pregnant women were excluded from the study. We used Maffulli et al. (Foot Ankle Surg 26:240-9, 2020) criteria for the diagnosis of AT in our patients. The patients had a mean age of 47.7 (SD 11.1) years and mean BMI of 28.7 (4.2) kg/m2. There was no significant correlation between the age and body mass index of the participants (Pearson's r = -0.028, p = 0.832). The prevalence of insertional AT among 58 patients with only one site affected, was 84% (95% CI 72-92%), significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that of midportional AT (16%). Women were more frequently affected than men (p < 0.001). The clinical presentation of AT in southern Iran is somewhat different from those reported in other parts of the world. Further studies on larger groups of patients should be done to determine the causes of the observed differences.

Thigh Length as the Most Consistent Anthropometric Parameter in Predicting the Size of Hamstring Tendon Autografts in Patients Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Individual variability in the length and thickness of hamstring tendon autografts is a serious drawback in using these tendons for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). In this study, we aimed to determine the correlation between the anthropometric parameters and the size of hamstring tendon autografts. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 52 male ACLR candidates were included. The length of semitendinosus and gracilis tendons and the diameter of single, doubled, and quadrupled tendons were measured. A graft sizing block device with an incremental size change of 0.5 mm (range 4.5-12) was used to measure the tendon graft diameter. The evaluated anthropometric parameters included age, gender, height, weight, BMI, thigh length and diameter, calf length, thigh-to-calf ratio, wrist diameter, and ankle diameter. A Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficient test was used for evaluating the correlation of anthropometric factors with graft characteristics. Results: The mean age of the patients was 27.1 ± 6.4 years. The semitendinosus length was significantly correlated with the patient's height (r = 0.373, P = 0.007), thigh length (r = 0.364, P = 0.009), and calf length (r = 0.340, P = 0.015). The gracilis length was significantly correlated with thigh length (r = 0.278, P = 0.049). The mean quadruple diameter was 8.56 ± 1.15 mm (range 6.5-11). The quadruple diameter was significantly correlated with the thigh length (r = 0.283, P = 0.044). No other significant correlation was found between the tendons' size and evaluated anthropometric parameters. Conclusion: Thigh length was correlated with the semitendinosus length, gracilis length, and quadruple diameter. Therefore, it could be regarded as the most consistent and promising anthropometric factor in the prediction of hamstring autograft size.

Using Blumensaat's line to determine the sagittal alignment of the distal femur.

BACKGROUND: A coherent measurement approach for sagittal alignment of the distal femur after fracture reduction or distal femur osteotomies is not available. The present study aims to introduce a new method using Blumensaat's line and tangent lines to the femoral cortexes to determine the sagittal alignment of the distal femur. METHODS: 113 patients who had true lateral knee radiographs were included. All of the radiographs were evaluated by one fellowship-trained knee surgeon and one radiologist using the PACS system. The Blumensaat's line was determined on the true lateral knee radiographs. Then, three long lines were drawn on the distal third of the femoral shaft. The first line is tangent to the anterior cortex of the femur, the second line is along with the anatomical axis of the femur, and the third line is tangent to the posterior cortex of the femur. The angles between Blumensaat's line and these lines were measured. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was used to measure the strength of inter-and intra-rater agreement. RESULTS: The mean angle between the Blumensaat's line and the anatomical axis of the femur was 35.4 ± 3°. The mean angle between the Blumensaat's line and the line tangent to the anterior femoral cortex and the line tangent to the posterior femoral cortex were 34.5 ± 3° and 35.2 ± 3°, respectively. Excellent inter-and intra-rater reliabilities were observed between the measurements (ICC = 0.96 and ICC = 0.98, respectively). The angle between the Blumensaat's line and the line tangent to the posterior femoral cortex was significantly higher in participants aged < 38 years (p = 0.049). No other significant association was found between the angles and demographic characteristics of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The expected mean angles between the Blumensaat's line and the distal femur were 34.3 to 35.4 degrees. This finding could be useful to determine the normal sagittal alignment of the distal femur. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Clinical and radiological results of using proximal femoral locking compression plate and proximal femoral nail antirotation for subtrochanteric fractures.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of treatment of subtrochanteric femoral fracture in the use of proximal femoral locking compression plate (PFLCP) and proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). This retrospective study was performed on patients who referred to Firoozgar Hospital in 2017 with subtrochanteric fracture. During follow-up, control radiographs were obtained from patients and the Harris Hip Score questionnaire was completed. Finally, the data were entered into Spss version 22 and then analyzed. A total of 56 patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into two treatment groups of 28: including groups with locking plate and nailing treatment. The results showed that the treatment was not significantly different in patients with subtrochanteric fractures who were treated with either intramedullary nailing or plate placement. There is no difference between the two groups in any of the parameters. The two groups were similar in terms of fracture classification, and finally no significant difference was found in terms of union findings. This study showed that clinical and imaging findings are not significantly different between the two groups of patients with subtrochanteric fracture who are treated with nailing or plate placement.

Evaluation of early complications, outcome, and mortality in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in patients who underwent orthopedic surgery.

BACKGROUND: A higher mortality and morbidity rate has been reported in COVID-19 patients undergoing surgery. To reduce the morbidity and mortality rate in COVID-19 patients undergoing orthopedic procedures, we aimed to increase the threshold for surgical planning. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, COVID-19 patients who underwent elective or emergent orthopedic surgery in three orthopedic surgery centers from February 2020 to September 2020 were included. In this period, 6751 patients were scheduled for orthopedic surgery. To increase surgical threshold planning, all patients with grade 5 of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification and patients with COVID-19 related moderate to severe pulmonary involvement were identified as high-risk patients and were excluded. RESULTS: 35 deaths occurred during the study. The frequency of deaths was significantly higher in patients with COVID-19, 6 (9.4%) than patients without COVID-19, 29 (0. 43%). The average hospitalization stay was 12.8 ± 12.1 days. The odds ratio (OR) for death was significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 than patients without COVID-19. [OR: 8.13, Confidence interval 95% (CI95%) (5.02-11.25), P: 0.001]. Four (6.3%) COVID-19-associated complications were recorded in this series that all were respiratory failure requiring unexpected postoperative ventilation. Twenty surgical complications (31.3%) were recorded. The odds ratio for ICU admission was significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 than patients without COVID-19. [OR: 5.46, CI 95% (2.68-8.68), P: 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: An increased threshold for orthopedic surgery is suggested for COVID-19 patients with a mortality rate of 9.3%, which is less than the mortality rate in other studies. Level of evidence III.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Persian version of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A).

PURPOSE: Achilles tendinopathy is a prevalent overuse injury among athletes and in those with a sedentary lifestyle. Current evidence indicates that the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire is a valid, reliable and disease-specific outcome measure for assessing the clinical symptoms in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. The objective of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the VISA-A questionnaire into Persian (VISA-A-P) and evaluating its psychometric properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cultural adaptation of VISA-A-P was conducted according to Beaton's guideline. The final version of VISA-A-P was handed to 61 patients for analysis of psychometric properties. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency, concurrent validity, item-total correlation, and floor/ceiling effect were evaluated in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. To assess test-retest reliability, 35 patients refilled the VISA-A-P twice within 5-7 days. Known-group validity was evaluated using 50 healthy individuals. RESULTS: VISA-A-P showed excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.90), excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.95), strong correlation with FAAM, and moderate to strong correlation with FAOS questionnaires. There was a significant difference between the average score of patients (34.55 ± 18.24) and the healthy group (73.1 ± 20.10). VISA-A-P showed neither ceiling nor floor effect. CONCLUSIONS: The VISA-A-P is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the symptoms in Persian speaking populations with Achilles tendinopathy.Implications for rehabilitationAchilles tendinopathy is a debilitating overuse injury that insidiously affects tendoAchilles.VISA-A-P revealed acceptable validity and reliability and it could be used by Persian speaking clinicians and researchers to assess pain and function in people with Achilles tendinopathy.

EFAS Score -Validation of Persian Version by the Score Committee of the European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS).

BACKGROUND: The Score Committee of the European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) developed, validated, and published the EFAS Score in nine European languages (English, German, French, Italian, Polish, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, Turkish). From other languages under validation, the Persian version finished data acquisition and underwent further validation. METHODS: The Persian version of the EFAS Score was developed and validated in three stages: 1) item (question) identification (completed during initial validation study), 2) item reduction and scale exploration (completed during initial validation study), 3) confirmatory analyses and responsiveness of Persian version (completed during initial validation study in nine other languages). The data were collected pre-operatively and post-operatively at a minimum follow-up of 3 months and mean follow-up of 6 months. Item reduction, scale exploration, confirmatory analyses and responsiveness were executed using classical test theory and item response theory. RESULTS: The internal consistency was confirmed in the Persian version (Cronbach's Alpha 0.82). The Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) was 0.38 and is similar to other language versions. Between baseline and follow-up, 97% of patients showed an improvement on their EFAS score, with excellent responsiveness (effect size 1.93). CONCLUSIONS: The Persian EFAS Score version was successfully validated in patients with a wide variety of foot and ankle pathologies. All score versions are freely available at www.efas.co.

Terrible Triad Elbow Fracture Dislocation with Ipsilateral Triceps Avulsion and Radial Shaft Fracture: A Case Report.

CASE: We report an unusual combination of injuries, terrible triad elbow fracture dislocation with ipsilateral avulsion of the triceps, and radial shaft fracture in a 23-year-old man. He was managed surgically and had good postoperative outcomes. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of the triceps tendon avulsion injury is difficult in this context, such as problems evaluating the rotator cuff injuries after a shoulder fracture dislocation. Because of the diagnostic difficulty, a high index of suspicion is necessary.

Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Larynx: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Pleomorphic adenomas are tumors mostly originating from salivary glands. These lesions in the larynx are very rare. CASE REPORT: We report a rare case of pleomorphic adenoma that originated from the mucosal lining, just above the glottic area at the level of the laryngeal ventricle in a 55-year-old female patient. The tumor could not be palpated easily but was observed in the CT scan. We resected the large and firm tumor using trans hyoid pharyngotomy as the surgical approach. CONCLUSION: Pleomorphic adenoma in the ventricle of the larynx is an extremely rare lesion. Trans-hyoid pharyngotomy can have good results as the surgical approach in removing such lesions.

Treatment and prognosis of deep neck infections.

Deep neck infections could have serious threats for life of patients, if not noticed adequately. Early diagnosis and correct treatment planning can save the patient's lives and prevent complications of disease extension and also surgical procedures that in some instances may be performed in an emergent situation with higher complication rates. Herein, we have studied 815 cases of deep neck abscesses and infections with especial consideration to treatment and prognosis. In a retrospective case review, we studied 815 cases admitted in our medical center from 1998 until the year 2013. Only patients with abscesses or infections deeper than superficial layer of deep cervical fascia were included in this study, based on the review of their medical records. From 815 cases (485 males and 330 females) surgery was indicated and performed in 428 cases and the rest were treated medically. In cases with dental infections as the etiologic factor, dental procedures were performed as early as possible (extraction in almost all cases). Tracheostomy was performed in five cases. All of the patients in medical treatment group and most of the surgically managed patients were discharged while were stable with relative or complete resolution of their symptoms. One of our patients, a 15 year old boy died with symptoms suggestive for mediastinitis and air way compromise. Early diagnosis and medical management can be effective in treating deep neck infections. Dental infections and also procedures are the major cause in our patients, although tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess also were important leading causes with almost equal numbers in our series. Extraction of the infected tooth as early as possible while medical treatment is continued can be very helpful. In some cases it may be necessary to perform surgical exploration of the neck more than once, and finally, malignant neoplasia, somewhere in the head and neck should be considered in some cases, as in one of our patients with left side submandibular abscess whose underlying disorder was tongue SCC with neck metastasis. Prognosis can be excellent in both medically and surgically managed groups if started and designed early and promptly.