[Limited versus Extended Lateral Approach for Osteosynthesis of Calcaneal Fractures - Comparison of Temporal and Dynamic Parameters of the Gait Cycle]. / Limitovaný versus extenzivní laterální prístup pri osteosyntéze zlomenin patní kosti ­ srovnání casových a dynamických parametru krokového cyklu.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Currently, operative treatment is preferred in dislocated calcaneal fractures. Most frequently used is the extended lateral approach, the disadvantage of which is the risk of early complications. Therefore, less invasive operative techniques are sought that would reduce the risk of such complications. The presented study aimed to compare the two different surgical approaches with respect to the restoration of gait stereotype using the objective pedobarography. We assume that the limited operative approach in osteosynthesis of intra-articular calcaneal fractures results in comparable or earlier restoration of gait stereotype with regard to temporal and dynamic parameters compared to the extended lateral approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS The research study comprised a total of 22 patients who underwent the surgical treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures, divided into two groups by the applied operative approach. The first group consisted of 10 patients treated with less invasive sinus tarsi operative approach (ST). For osteosynthesis a calcaneal nail (C-nail, Medin, CR) was used. The second group consisted of 12 patients, to whom extended lateral approach (EXT) was applied. For osteosynthesis a calcaneal plate 3.5 mm (DePuy Synthes, Switzerland) was used. Pedobarographic measurement using a tensometric platform was performed in all the patients, always six months post-operatively. Temporal and dynamic variables of the gait cycle during the interaction of the foot with the ground were monitored. RESULTS In the EXT group, significant differences between the injured and healthy foot were found in walking 6 months after the surgery in most of temporal and dynamic variables. The ST group, however, showed no significant differences between the values for the injured and healthy foot in most of temporal and dynamic variables. DISCUSSION Six months after the surgery, the patients continue to carefully load the heel, regardless of the selected surgical approach, due to which the pressure at this place is significantly reduced and tends to be transferred to the midfoot or forefoot. This finding corresponds with previous studies. The patients undergoing a less invasive surgical approach load both the operated and healthy feet. Also, with regards to temporal parameters, as early as 6 months after the surgery correct gait stereotype is restored under the heel in these patients. We believe this is achieved thanks to less pain due to a limited extent of the surgical approach. On the very contrary, the extended lateral approach can cause deterioration of conditions for the restoration of gait stereotype due to the presence of extensive scarring on the heel side with a limited mobility of talocalcaneal joint or also an impaired mobility of peroneal tendons outside the ankle bone. CONCLUSIONS Six months after the surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures changes still persist in gait stereotype. The analysis of temporal and dynamic gait parameters in the followed-up group of patients reveals that the limited sinus tarsisurgical approach results in an earlier restoration of gait stereotype compared to the extended lateral approach. A higher number of patients in the respective groups is necessary in order to obtain more general results. Key words:sinus tarsi; extended lateral approach; plantar pressure; force; contact time.

Correlation of IL-1alpha and IL-4 gene polymorphisms and clinical parameters in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious disease characterized with progressive scarring of the lungs in which a genetic background is supposed. We have tested correlation of promotor regions of IL-1alpha and IL-4 gene polymorphisms with clinical parameters in IPF. We investigated the group of 30 patients with IPF. The correlations of vital capacity (VC) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL(CO)), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cell counts and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) alveolar and interstitial scores with different genotypes of IL-4 at (-1098), (-590) and (-33) positions and IL-1 alpha at (-889) position were tested. The PCR method was used for genotyping. The carriers of CT genotype at IL-1 alpha (-889) position had higher VC at the time of diagnosis. The CC genotype at this position was more frequent in patients with higher counts of HLADR+ T lymphocytes in BAL. The GT genotype at IL-4 (-1098) position correlated with higher counts of CD4(+) T lymphocytes, and inversely the TT genotype with higher counts of CD8(+) T lymphocytes in BAL fluid. According to dynamic changes of HRCT score the CT genotype at IL-4 (-33) was more frequent in patients with progressive disease compared to that with stable disease. We assume from our data that the gene polymorphisms of the promotor region of IL-4 at position (-1098) and (-33) and IL-1 alpha at position (-889) are likely to play a pathogenic role in IPF and in modification of its clinical presentation and severity.

Th1/Th2 cytokine gene polymorphisms in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

We investigated 30 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and 103 healthy volunteers for the cytokines polymorphisms of the IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-1R, IL-1RA, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, transforming growth factor-beta, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-4RA genes. The strongest correlation of a genotype with the disease was found for gene polymorphisms at the promotor region of IL-4, where the CT genotypes at the positions (-590) and (-33) were more frequent in the IPF group (P < 0.0001, P(corr) < 0.0022; vs P < 0.0001, P(corr) < 0.0022). Our results support the idea of the pathogenic role of cytokine gene polymorphisms in the etiology and pathogenesis of IPF, with emphasize on the IL-4 promotor gene polymorphisms.