Biological responses to individualized small titanium implants for the treatment of focal full-thickness knee cartilage defects in a sheep model.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the functional, radiological and histological outcome of a customized focal implant for the treatment of focal full-thickness cartilage defects in sheep. METHODS: The study used magnetic resonance imaging data as the basis for construction of the titanium implant using a three-dimensional printing technique. This was then placed on the medial condyle of the knee joint in eight sheep and left in place in vivo over a period of six months. Following euthanasia, the local biological response was analyzed using micro-computed tomography, light microscopy and histological evaluation (International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) score). The variables were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model. Odds ratios were given with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The osseointegration rate was 62.1% (SD 3.9%). All implants were prone to the neighboring cartilage bed (4.4-1096.1 µm). Using the IRCS score, the elements 'surface', 'matrix', 'cell distribution' and 'cell population' all showed pathological changes on the operated side, although these did not correlate with implant elevation. On average, a difference of 0.7 mm (±2 mm) was found between the digitally planned implant and the real implant. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of imprecise segmentation and difficult preparation conditions at the prosthesis bed, as well as changes at the surface of the implant over the operational lifetime of the prosthesis, it must be stated that the approach implemented here of using a customized implant for the treatment of focal full-thickness cartilage defects at the knee did not meet our expectations.

Is there an association between low serum 25-OH-D levels and the length of hospital stay in orthopaedic patients after arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this observational study was to evaluate serum levels of 25-OH-D in patients scheduled to undergo elective hip or knee arthroplasty. We hypothesised that 25-OH-D level is an independent risk factor for length of stay in orthopaedic patients after elective hip or knee arthoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 25-OH-D levels were measured in 1083 patients admitted to an orthopaedic surgery department to undergo elective hip or knee arthroplasty. Comparisons were performed using Chi square or Student's t test, followed by univariate and multiple linear regression analysis examining the correlation between the length of stay in the orthopaedic department and 25-OH-D level while adjusting for possible confounders. RESULTS: Overall, 86 % of patients had insufficient serum levels of 25-OH-D, and over 60 % were vitamin D deficient. The mean length of stay was 13.2 ± 8.3 days. In patients with hypovitaminosis D, the length of stay was significantly longer compared to patients with normal serum 25-OH-D levels (15.6 ± 7.2 compared to 11.3 ± 7.9 days, P = 0.014). In univariate analyses, serum 25-OH-D level was inversely related to the length of stay in our orthopaedic department compared to patients with normal vitamin D levels (r = -0.16; P = 0.008). In multivariate analyses, the length of stay remained significantly associated with low 25-OH-D levels (P = 0.002), indicating that low vitamin D levels increase the length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high frequency of hypovitaminosis D among orthopaedic patients scheduled to undergo elective arthroplastic surgery. Low vitamin D levels showed a significant inverse association to the length of stay in our orthopaedic department. Patients with vitamin D levels in the target range were hospitalised 4.3 days less than patients with hypovitaminosis D. Level 3 of evidence according to "The Oxford 2011 levels of evidence".

Ibandronate: The loading dose concept in the treatment of metastatic bone pain.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Severe bone pain is experienced by 60-80% of patients with metastatic bone disease, and has a profound impact on quality of life. Therefore, effective pain relief is an important goal in managing metastatic bone disease. Orthopedic surgeons are often challenged with patients presenting with newly diagnosed bone metastases and severe and disabling bone pain. It is important to provide fast and sufficient analgesia. Clinical trials have demonstrated that bisphosphonates reduce effectively and sustained bone pain by approved standard dosage over time. Open label prospective trials have shown that short time high dose i.v. Ibandronate is effective in rapid pain relief in different primary tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 33 patients with metastatic bone pain from newly diagnosed skeletal metastases we utilized the loading-dose concept for intravenous ibandronate (6 mg infused over 1 h on 3 consecutive days). RESULTS: In 33 patients loading-dose ibandronate therapy significantly reduced bone pain within the first 5-7 days (VAS day 0: 6-8 vs. day 7: 3-4). Only 3 patients showed no response concerning a distinct pain reduction within the first days of therapy. There was no increase in pain medication. CONCLUSION: This clinical observational study in selected patients with severe metastatic bone pain undergoing an intensive high dosed ibandronate-therapy for a short period demonstrated that loading-dose ibandronate (6 mg i.v., 3 consecutive days) resulted in a reduction of pain within days.

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Bone Metastases and Multiple Myeloma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Breast and prostate cancer are amongst the most prevalent malignancies globally and up to 40% of patients will develop metastatic disease, particularly to the skeleton. Multiple myeloma is the most common cancer to affect bone with up to 90% of patients developing bone lesions. Although several studies demonstrated that endocrine changes such as vitamin D deficiency promote secondary cancer growth in bone, relatively few have reported its prevalence. For this reason, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients with bone metastases and multiple myeloma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum 25-OH-D levels of patients with metastatic bone disease were measured on admission. Statistical analyses was performed to evaluate for possible confounders of hypo-vitaminosis D. RESULTS: We found a widespread and alarming rate of vitamin D deficiency in patients with metastatic bone disease and multiple myeloma. Of note, patients with bone metastases due to breast cancer, prostate cancer and multiple myeloma rarely reached sufficient serum 25-OH-D levels. CONCLUSION: It is of utmost clinical importance to assess vitamin D levels in cancer patients, especially in those with, or at high risk of developing metastatic bone disease.

Vitamin D insufficiency in the elderly orthopaedic patient: an epidemic phenomenon.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this observational study was to evaluate serum levels of 25-OH-D of elderly patients presenting with orthopaedic illness. Furthermore, we enquired about potential confounders and risk factors of hypovitaminosis D in comorbidities and daily medication of the elderly. METHODS: Vitamin D levels in 1,083 patients aged >70 years and admitted to an orthopaedic surgery department were measured. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess risk factors for insufficient vitamin D levels. RESULTS: Overall, 86 % of patients had insufficient serum levels of 25-OH-D and >60 % were vitamin D deficient. Serum vitamin D levels were lower during winter and months with fewer sunshine hours. Patients presenting with obesity, hypertension and osteoporosis were more likely to have low vitamin D levels. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in elderly, nonhospitalized orthopaedic patients. Given the well-known effects of vitamin D on bone metabolism and muscle health, as well as its nonskeletal effects, vitamin D insufficiency may have a negative impact.

Is there an association between periprosthetic joint infection and low vitamin D levels?

PURPOSE: Vitamin D is increasingly being recognized as an important mediator of immune function and may have a preventive role in the pathogenesis of periprosthetic joint infection. To the best of our knowledge, no other study has examined possible associations between periprosthetic joint infection and vitamin D deficiency. We investigated the rate of vitamin D deficiency in patients treated for periprosthetic joint infection and whether vitamin D deficiency is independent of other risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in patients with periprosthetic joint infection. METHODS: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels of every patient scheduled to receive a total prosthesis either of the hip, knee, or shoulder in the orthopaedic department of the Johannes-Guttenberg-University Hospital in Mainz, Germany (109 patients), were measured after admission. Furthermore, serum 25OHD levels were measured for every patient presenting with periprosthetic joint infection (n = 50) or aseptic loosening of the prosthesis (n = 31) scheduled to undergo revision surgery. The prevalence of normal (> 30 ng/ml), insufficient (20-30 ng/ml), and deficient (<20 ng/ml) 25OHD levels was determined. RESULTS: All tested patient subgroups showed low vitamin D levels. Statistical analysis found no significant difference in vitamin D levels comparing patients with prosthesis and patients with aseptic prosthesis loosening (p = 0.58). Significant differences in 25OHD levels were found comparing patients with periprosthetic joint infection and patients scheduled for primary arthroplasty (p < 0.001). In addition, we found a significant difference (p < 0,001) in 25OHD levels of patients with periprosthetic joint infection compared with patients with aseptic prosthesis loosening. CONCLUSION: We found a high frequency of vitamin D deficiency in patients being treated by primary arthroplasty and those with aseptic joint prosthetic loosening and periprosthetic joint infection. Vitamin D deficiency was severe in patients with periprosthetic joint infection.

Vitamin D deficiency in orthopaedic patients: a single center analysis.

Vitamin D is essential to bone health and is a major regulator of calcium homeostasis. Many recent reports demonstrated worldwide high rates of vitamin D deficiency, but few studies have been published on the vitamin D status of orthopaedic patients. The present study aimed to investigate the extent of hypovitaminosis D of orthopaedic patients and possible variations in vitamin D status according to the body region which was scheduled to undergo surgery. We measured the vitamin D level of 1119 patients consecutively admitted to an orthopaedic surgery department of a university hospital in Germany in 2011. The prevalence of normal (< or =30 ng/ml), insufficient (20-30 ng/ml) and deficient (< or =20 ng/ml) 25-OH-D levels was determined. Serum Vitamin D levels and rates of insufficiency and deficiency were compared between the different cohorts using two-tailed tests. The level of significance was set at p < or =0.05. The serum 25-OH-D levels for all participants were normally distributed, with a mean of 2057 ng/ml. Overall, we noted an alarmingly high rate of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency among orthopaedic patients. No significant difference was found related with the various body regions scheduled to undergo surgery. Given the well-known effects of vitamin D on bone metabolism and muscle health, vitamin D insufficiency may negatively affect patients.

Is there an epidemic vitamin D deficiency in German orthopaedic patients?

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D plays an essential role in bone health and muscle function. Some studies have shown a widespread rate of vitamin D deficiency in the general population, but few have reported on the vitamin D status of orthopaedic patients. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We investigated (1) the extent of hypovitaminosis D in orthopaedic patients, (2) seasonal variations in vitamin D levels, and (3) possible risk factors for insufficient vitamin D levels. METHODS: Vitamin D levels in 1119 patients consecutively admitted to an orthopaedic surgery department in 2011 were measured. To investigate the correlation between climate factors and vitamin D levels, the sunshine hours for each month in 2011 were collected by Deutscher Wetterdienst (the German weather service) in the region where most tested patients lived. The prevalence of normal (> 30 ng/mL), insufficient (20-30 ng/mL), and deficient (< 20 ng/mL) 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels was determined. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess risk factors for insufficient vitamin D levels. RESULTS: Overall, 84% of patients had insufficient levels of vitamin D and 60% were vitamin D deficient. Only 15% were in the target range of 30 to 60 ng/mL. The prevalence of low vitamin D levels was greater during winter and months with fewer sunshine hours. Vitamin D levels did not vary according to age, sex, and disease. Individuals with obesity, hypertension, and osteoporosis were more likely to have low vitamin D levels compared with their healthy counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: There is an alarmingly high rate of hypovitaminosis D and vitamin D deficiency among orthopaedic patients in this region of Germany, whose latitude (50° N) is approximately the same as those of Vancouver (49°, 15' N) and Paris (48°, 51' N). Given the well-known effects on bone metabolism and muscle health, low vitamin D levels may negatively affect patients. Screening and treating hypovitaminosis D appears to be important in this patient population.