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Trochanteric fractures are common in the elderly population, and their incidence increases twice every decade after age 50. Intramural fixation has achieved good clinical efficacy in the treatment of unstable trochanteric fractures, but there have been complications reported in the literature in the Asian population. Most complications arise from a mismatch between the increase in the anterior femoral bow with advancing age and the proximal femoral nails (PFN) on the market, which still have straight designs on the sagittal plane. The non-anatomic shapes of the PFNs sometimes make the surgeries difficult or may lead to an inadvertent intraoperative fracture around the tip of the nail, particularly if they impinge on the anterior cortex of the femur. The entry point on the greater trochanter was divided into three equal parts, i.e., anterior 1/3rd, middle 1/3rd, and posterior 1/3rd on the lateral X-rays. Patients with posterior 1/3rd entry were excluded from the study as it is known that posterior positioning of nail entry can cause an increased incidence of anterior nail impingement. The AI was measured using the best available preoperative lateral roentgenogram of the femur using the incidence cortex (AI cortex) angle. This angle was measured using two tangential lines drawn parallel to the anterior cortex of the femur, proximal and distal to the most bowed point of the femur. We recommend that there is a need to introduce anterior curvature in the sagittal plane corresponding to the femoral bow in a 240 mm cephalomedullary nail to decrease complications. We also consider the use of either a short (i.e., 180 mm) or a long cephalomedullary nail in the Indian population, as the height of the population is shorter as compared to the western population, and the role of a 240 mm cephalomedullary nail is doubtful in the Indian population.
RESUMO
Background Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition with multifactorial etiology. It is the most frequent cause of heel pain and has been categorized as an overuse syndrome. A clinical examination and history are crucial for diagnosis. There are several different forms of treatment available, two of which are frequently used: physical therapy and steroid injections. Recent research on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has demonstrated encouraging outcomes and fewer side effects when compared to steroid injections. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted and randomization was done of indoor patients into two groups. Group 1, ending with odd numbers, was given PRP injections, and Group 2, ending with even numbers, was advised plantar-specific calf stretching exercises. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were evaluated before and after the intervention and follow-up was done on the second, sixth, and 12th weeks. Results Comparing the VAS scores between the two groups, we found that in the pre-intervention phase, the VAS score of Group 1 was 5.4±0.56 and that of Group 2 was 5.4±0.59. In the post-intervention phase, the VAS score in Group 1 was 4.6±0.89, while in Group 2 it was 5.2±0.62. In the second week after intervention, the VAS score was observed to be 3.3±0.97 in Group 1, while in Group 2, it was 3.3±0.80. After the sixth week of intervention, the observed VAS score was 2.7±0.78, while in Group 2 it was 2.9±0.82. The mean VAS score after 12weeks of intervention was observed to be 2.3±0.91 in Group 1, while in Group 2, it was 2.2±0.80. Conclusion PRP injections and plantar-specific calf stretching exercises are equally effective in providing pain relief in plantar fasciitis. PRP injections have complications and problems which have been discussed. Exercises are devoid of such complications. No recurrences occurred in the exercise group and four cases had recurrence in the PRP group.
RESUMO
Background Intertrochanteric femur fractures are relatively common injuries among elderly individuals. Treatment options include fixation of intertrochanteric fractures using proximal femoral nails (PFNs), dynamic hip screws (DHSs), and unipolar and bipolar hemiarthroplasty. Unstable types of intertrochanteric fractures (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) types 31-A2 and A3) are more common in elderly osteoporotic people. Intertrochanteric femur fractures having a subtrochanteric extension, comminution at the posteromedial cortex, and reverse obliquity are considered to be unstable. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the functional outcomes of an unstable intertrochanteric femur fracture treated with bipolar hemiarthroplasty as the primary treatment option. Aims and objectives This study aims to assess the functional outcomes of bipolar hemiarthroplasty in unstable intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly using the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and the Merle d'Aubigné and Postel Criteria. The time point of assessment was from August 2016 to August 2018. Material and methods Fifteen elderly patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures of the femur were treated with cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty. Patients with unstable femur fractures or with osteoporosis and age above 65 years were included in the study. Harris Hip Score and the Merle d'Aubigné and Postel Criteria were used to measure functional outcomes. Patients were followed up at the first, third, and sixth months and subsequently at the end of one year. Results The mean age of the patients was 78.73 years. The majority (11) of the patients were female (73%). The average operative time was 119 minutes, the average blood loss was 380 ml, the mean postoperative hospital stay was 12 days, and the average time taken for mobilization was four days. An average of 15 elderly patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures of the femur were treated with cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty. The HHS on the first follow-up was 42.44 (SD of 6.52), followed by a score of 64.43 (SD of 8.11) on the second follow-up, 82.32 (SD of 2.81) on the third follow-up, and 84.23 (SD of 3.15) on the fourth follow-up. Eleven patients had good results, and two had fair results at the one-year follow-up, according to the HHS. According to the Merle d'Aubigné and Postel Criteria, 11 patients had very good results, and two had moderate results at the one-year follow-up. The average Merle d'Aubigné score was 14.6 on the final follow-up after one year. Conclusion Bipolar hemiarthroplasty in an unstable intertrochanteric femur fracture in the elderly results in better functional outcomes, as it helps in early full weight-bearing mobilization, which significantly decreases complications of prolonged immobilization and can be safely considered in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients.
RESUMO
Giant cell tumours (GCTs) of the proximal tibia are a relatively uncommon lesion among all benign tumours. They can occur at various sites including distal femur, proximal tibia and distal end radius. Various management modalities of GCTs occurring in the knee joint have been described for reconstruction as well as arthrodesis. We present a case of a 19-year-old adolescent patient with GCT of the proximal tibia with cortical breach with the collapse of the medial articular surface of the tibia. The patient reported experiencing knee pain and swelling for a long duration. Radiological investigations were suggestive of GCT of the proximal tibia with the medial cortical breach and collapse of the medial tibial articular surface. The patient was managed with a resection followed by arthrodesis using intramedullary nails with bone grafting, followed by Ilizarov reconstruction due to osteomyelitis of the surgical site. When dealing with relatively aggressive tumours that have breached the cortex, wide resection of the tumour is required. Following this, the reconstruction procedure must ensure good biomechanical tenacity, biological healing, infection resistance, and intact function of the knee joint extension. One option for achieving this is total knee replacement with a customized prosthesis, though this can be costly. Another option is joint arthrodesis with intramedullary nailing or the Ilizarov fixator, which is strongly supported by the existing literature. This case was managed successfully with the above-described method, and complete healing was observed. In conclusion, periarticular long bone tumours, especially around the knee joint, can be managed effectively with the Ilizarov method. Though it has a few disadvantages, such as a long duration of external fixator, non-compliance, and pin tract infections, it still stands as a viable alternative for limb reconstruction due to its cost-effectiveness and time-tested efficacy.