Recurrent anterior shoulder instability in patients 40-60 years old. Accompanying injuries and patient outcomes of arthroscopic repair.

BACKGROUND: Accompanying injuries are frequently seen in middle aged patients with recurrent instability. The aim of this study was to elucidate the associated injuries, report patient outcomes of the following arthroscopic instability surgery regarding 40-60 years old patients with recurrent shoulder instability. METHODS: Patients that underwent arthroscopic instability surgery due to recurrent shoulder instability between February 2008 and November 2015, and which were 40-60 years old were included and evaluated retrospectively. Minimum follow-up duration was 24 months. Anterior-inferior labral injuries and accompanying pathologies such as rotator cuff tears and SLAP lesions were documented. Postoperative patient-reported outcome evaluation was made using Oxford Shoulder Instability Score. RESULTS: Among 355 patients that underwent arthroscopic instability surgery, 88 patients which had pathology of recurrent instability were in the range of 40-60 years old. Patients who had previous shoulder surgery or fracture (n = 8) epileptic seizure history (n = 3), neurologic deficit (n = 2) were excluded from the study. 75 patients were included with a mean follow-up 69 ± 23 months (32-125). The percentage of middle-aged and elderly (40-60 years old) was 24.8% among recurrent shoulder instability patients. 44% had isolated Bankart lesion whereas 56% revealed multiple pathologies. Bankart + SLAP lesions were found in 32%, whereas Bankart + Rotator Cuff tears in 26.7% (13 isolated supraspinatus, 4 supraspinatus + subscapularis, 1 isolated subscapularis full-thickness and 2 partial-thickness supraspinatus tears). The mean Oxford Shoulder Instability Score was 38.4 ± 5.2 (26-48). The scores of patients which were treated with labrum and rotator cuff repair (median 42, range 30-48) were significantly better than the patients who were treated with isolated labrum repair (median 39, range 20-46) (p = 0.015). There was no difference regarding patients with or without SLAP repair (median 39 vs 39 and range 30-48 vs 20-48, respectively) (p = 0.702). CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic repair of capsulolabral lesions is a safe and successful technique in 40-60 years old patients. Furthermore, the presence of repaired rotator cuff tears led to even superior results. Accompanying SLAP lesions did not affect the results. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Case Series. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4, Retrospective Case Series.

Grade of coracoacromial ligament degeneration as a predictive factor for impingement syndrome and type of partial rotator cuff tear.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of coracoacromial ligament degeneration and specific anatomic parameters in the etiology of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively assessed 96 patients (mean age, 50.1 years [17-76]; 34 men, 62 women) diagnosed with bursal-side and articular-side rotator cuff tears with a history of failed conservative treatment and persistent shoulder pain who underwent arthroscopic surgery. Video records of the surgery were used to evaluate the type of cuff tear, grade of coracoacromial ligament degeneration, and associated pathologic changes; preoperative magnetic resonance images were used to measure acromioglenoid angle, supraspinatus glenoid angle, and subacromial distance. RESULTS: Most of the patients with articular-side tears demonstrated grade 0 and grade 1 coracoacromial ligament degeneration, whereas patients with bursal-side tears had grade 1 and grade 2. There was a significant positive correlation between the grade of coracoacromial ligament degeneration and bursal-side partial rotator cuff tears, whereas no correlation was observed with articular-side tears. There was no significant difference between bursal-side and articular-side partial cuff tears regarding acromioglenoid angle, supraspinatus glenoid angle, and subacromial distance. CONCLUSIONS: Grade 1 and grade 2 coracoacromial ligament degeneration is a strong predictive factor for impingement syndrome in the etiology of bursal-side partial cuff tears and can guide the surgeon to consider ligament release and débridement or acromioplasty in these patients.

Do corrective shoes improve the development of the medial longitudinal arch in children with flexible flat feet?

BACKGROUND: Flexible flatfoot, as the most prevalent foot deformity in pediatric population still has no standardized strategy for its management hence some orthopedic surgeons have the tendency to use orthotic devices. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether orthotic shoes effect the natural course of the developing medial longitudinal arch in children diagnosed with moderate flexible flatfoot. METHODS: Fourty-five children (33 boys and 12 girls) with moderate flexible flatfoot were enrolled in this study. They were followed up for 34.6 ± 10.9 months (24-57 months). Patients in group 1 were treated with corrective shoes whereas group 2 was left untreated. Patients were evaluated according to; general joint laxity, arch index, lateral talo-first metatarsal (TM), talo-horizontal (TH), calcaneal pitch (CP), lateral and anterior talocalcaneal (TC) angles. RESULTS: Although there was a significant decrease in general laxity in both groups, decrease of laxity percentage was not significant between groups (p = 0.812). TM, TH and anterior TC angles were found to be decreased in groups whereas there was no difference between group 1 and 2. The arch index was found to be correlated with TM and TH angles in both groups (p = 0.004, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Corrective shoes for flexible flatfoot was found not effective on development of foot arches. Therefore, they should be limited only for selected cases.

Polysaccharide hemostatic system reduces blood loss in high-body-mass-index patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the efficacy of a topically applied hemostatic agent used to reduce blood loss in patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Thirty-two patients (5 male, 27 female) mean age 65 ± 9.3 (46-80) undergoing single-stage bilateral TKA were enrolled in the study and divided in two groups. Groups 1 and 2 consisted of patients with body mass index (BMI) <30 and >30, respectively. Polysaccharide hemostatic agent (PHA; 3 g) was applied topically to the right knees of each patient intraoperatively. The left knees were used as controls. A negative suction drain was used and the effect of PHA and BMI on postoperative bleeding was evaluated. RESULTS: Blood loss was significantly higher (p = 0.027, r = 0.397) for patients with higher BMI. Treatment by local application of PHA to potential bleeding sites significantly reduced blood loss-314 ± 151 ml (50-600) for the right knees versus 468 ± 140 ml (150-700) for the left knees (p = 0.007) in group 1; 420 ± 251 ml (100-900) for the right knees versus 620 ± 229 ml (350-1125) for the left knees (p = 0.036) in group 2. Blood loss reduction between the right and left knees was no different between the two groups (p = 0.173). CONCLUSIONS: By reducing blood loss and the need for postoperative blood transfusion in patients with high BMI, PHA can be of value as adjuvant therapy in new blood-management procedures in major joint-replacement surgery.

Treatment preferences of orthopedic surgeons for closed, isolated middle-third diaphyseal long bone fractures without neurovascular injury in children: A cross- sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the treatment trends and the factors influencing the treatment methods of Orthopaedic Surgeons in closed, isolated, middle-third diaphyseal long bone fractures without any neurovascular injury in children. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional electronic survey of Turkish Orthopaedic Surgeons who were active members of the Turkish Society of Children's Orthopaedics (TSCO) and still managing the children's fractures in their daily clinical practice. An initial e-mail including the electronic survey followed by three reminder e-mails was sent to 110 members, and then reminder telephone calls were made. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 66/110 (60%). In recent years, a definitive trend to surgical treatment was not seen 98%, 77%, 39%, and 88% of the responders in the closed humerus, forearm, femur, and tibia mid-shaft fractures, respectively. Neither the years of expertise nor the intensity of daily pediatric patients of the participants did not affect the treatment trend in any fracture scenarios. The patient's age was the most cited factor influencing the responders' decisions on whether conservative or surgical treatment would be performed in each fracture scenario. The most cited lowest age limits for surgical treatment inclosed mid-shaft fractures of the humerus, forearm, femur, and tibia, were the adolescent age group, 10-12 years, six years, and ten years, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first study assessing the daily clinical practice of members of TSCO in the management of closed, isolated, non- complicated middle-third diaphyseal long bone fractures in children just before the covid-19 pandemic started. A marked tendency toward surgical treatment is seen in femur mid-shaft fractures, followed by forearm mid-shaft fractures up to a certain level. The patient's age is the main determinant of the responders' decisions on the type of treatment in closed, isolated, non-complicated middle-third diaphyseal long bone fractures in children.

Mechanically induced experimental knee osteoarthritis benefits from anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of simvastatin via inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-3.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect of simvastatin on articular cartilage via the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), a matrix-degrading enzyme, in a mechanically induced experimental osteoarthritis (OA) animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven albino Wistar rats were divided in three groups of equal number. Unphysiologic loading of articular cartilage was simulated by transecting anterior cruciate ligaments of the right knees of 18 rats consisting of groups 1 and 2. Nine animals in group 2 received orally administered simvastatin 20 mg/kg per day by gavage for 8 weeks. Animals in group 3 were sham operated. All animals were sacrificed at postoperative 8 weeks. Effects of simvastatin on disease progression was evaluated by documenting OA changes in cartilage specimens using Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) OA cartilage histopathology assessment system scores combined with the percentage of MMP-3 expression in chondrocytes. RESULTS: Simvastatin treatment significantly down-regulated the percentage of MMP-3 expression in chondrocytes as assessed by immunohistochemistry methods. Suppression of this matrix-degrading enzyme by simvastatin also reduced OARSI scores, suggesting the potential for statins against OA progression. CONCLUSIONS: Following knee trauma, OA initiates at the molecular level in a short period of time. Irreversible structural changes in cartilage that require demanding treatment strategies led us to focus on effective measures to prevent OA. Statins have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties independent from their serum-cholesterol-lowering effects. One of these widely used drugs, simvastatin, showed beneficial effects on OA progression and extent by reducing cartilage degradation in our experimental setting. If these results are confirmed by human trials, simvastatin might be considered by orthopedic surgeons as a disease-modifying drug during the early inflammatory phase of posttraumatic OA.

Urothelial carcinoma of bladder in a pediatric patient case report of a rare disease.

Urothelial carcinoma is a very rare malignancy in the pediatric population. In spite of the extremely low amount of published cases, the incidence rate is between 0.4 and 0.1% before the age of 20. Insomuch that only less than 30 cases have been reported in the first decade. Those tumors were mostly solitary, non-invasive, with low-risk of progression and recurrence rate compared to adult-onset form. In this case report, we aim to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of a 10-year-old male patient with urothelial carcinoma of bladder who admitted to our clinic.

The implant density does not change the correction rate of the main and the accompanying curves: A comparison between consecutive and intermittent pedicle screw constructs.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and the coronal correction rate of the main and accompanying curves of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) corrected with pedicle screws inserted consecutively or intermittently. METHODS: The prospectively collected data of 60 patients (8 men and 52 women; mean age: 14.6±2.5 years) who underwent corrective surgery for AIS between January 2010 and December 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Two groups were constituted according to the pedicle screw construct type: consecutive pedicle screw construct (CPSC) and intermittent pedicle screw construct (IPSC) groups. The preoperative, early postoperative, and 24-month follow-up radiographs and the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) scores were reevaluated. The Cobb angle of the main and accompanying curves, the correction rate, and the flexibility of the curves were calculated. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Cobb angles were 57.03° and 57.46°, the mean postoperative Cobb angles were 14.93° and 14.4°, and the mean correction rates were 76.22% and 75.31% in IPSC and CPSC groups, respectively (p>0.05). The preoperative and postoperative accompanying curve magnitudes and correction rates were similar (p>0.05). These radiographic outcomes were also consistent with the SRS-22 scores. CONCLUSION: Both the pedicle screw constructs had satisfactory outcomes following the surgery, which were confirmed by both the SRS-22 scores and radiographs taken perioperatively and at follow-ups. The IPSC and CPSC groups did not demonstrate a significant change in the correction rate of the main and minor or major accompanying structural and nonstructural curves, and also in the SRS-22 scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Retrospective comparative study.

Botulinum toxin type A injection increases range of motion in hip, knee and ankle joint contractures of children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of children with spastic type cerebral palsy (CP) treated with botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection for lower limb contracture and the influence of age, gender, functional level and degree of initial contracture on treatment outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical records at pre-BoNT-A injection and post-BoNT-A injections of 153 sessions of a total of 118 consecutive children (67 boys, 51 girls; mean age 5.9±2.6 years; range, 2.5-16 years) were retrospectively evaluated. Degrees of pre- and post-injection contracture were evaluated. Post-injection supplemental casting for 10 days was recorded in all cases. Less than 20° of hip flexion contracture, more than 30° of hip abduction, a negative prone Ely test, less than 50° of popliteal angle and at least 5° of ankle dorsiflexion values at post-injection were accepted as sufficient clinical improvement. RESULTS: Sufficient post-injection range of motion (ROM) was observed in 80% of cases with hip flexion contracture, in 45% of cases with hip adduction contracture, in 84% of cases with knee flexion contracture and in 77% of cases with ankle equinus contracture. Prone Ely test that was positive in 60% of cases with knee extension contracture was negative at post-injection. Improvement in contractures were prominent in children with lesser degree initial contractures. CONCLUSION: Botulinum toxin type A injection increases ROM in hip, knee and ankle joint contractures in CP. Although age, gender and functional level may influence the clinical outcomes, pre-treatment level of contracture is the main determinant in improvement in ROM at post-injection.

Excision and short segment fusion of a double ipsilateral lumbar hemivertebrae associated with a diastematomyelia and fixed pelvic obliquity.

We report the surgical treatment course of a 4-year-old girl with congenital scoliosis, diastematomyelia and double adjacent hemivertebrae. She had a lumbar curve with an apparent pelvic obliquity. Simultaneous excision of double segmented sequential hemivertebra at the L3-L4 level and fusion with short-segment instrumentation was performed via a posterior approach. Intraoperative radiographs revealed satisfactory curve correction and 0° pelvic obliquity. Following the excision of double adjacent hemivertebrae, three adjacent nerve roots were placed in one intervertebral foramen bilaterally. Nevertheless, no neurological deficit was developed, and the patient was able to ambulate with a brace at day one. Pelvic balance and deformity correction were maintained with no implant failure at the fifth year follow-up. Excision of two ipsilateral adjacent hemivertebra and short-segment posterior fusion performed via posterior-only approach simultaneously is an effective, safe, and less invasive technique for the treatment of the described case.

Biomechanical Evaluation of a Novel Apatite-Wollastonite Ceramic Cage Design for Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Finite Element Model Study.

OBJECTIVES: Cage design and material properties play a crucial role in the long-term results, since interbody fusions using intervertebral cages have become one of the basic procedures in spinal surgery. Our aim is to design a novel Apatite-Wollastonite interbody fusion cage and evaluate its biomechanical behavior in silico in a segmental spinal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mechanical properties for the Apatite-Wollastonite bioceramic cages were obtained by fitting finite element results to the experimental compression behavior of a cage prototype. The prototype was made from hydroxyapatite, pseudowollastonite, and frit by sintering. The elastic modulus of the material was found to be 32 GPa. Three intact lumbar vertebral segments were modelled with the ANSYS 12.0.1 software and this model was modified to simulate a Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Four cage designs in different geometries were analyzed in silico under axial loading, flexion, extension, and lateral bending. RESULTS: The K2 design had the best overall biomechanical performance for the loads considered. Maximum cage stress recorded was 36.7 MPa in compression after a flexion load, which was within the biomechanical limits of the cage. CONCLUSION: Biomechanical analyses suggest that K2 bioceramic cage is an optimal design and reveals essential material properties for a stable interbody fusion.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy on Tendon/Ligament Healing.

A normal healing response after ligament and tendon rupture results in scar formation and an inferior tissue that fails to emulate its original structure, composition, and function. More regenerative healing (closer to the original) can be obtained through early suppression of inflammatory cells and associated cytokines. Examination of the immune mediated response of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) during healing indicates that MSCs reprogram macrophages from a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. Based on these studies our objective was to treat ligament and tendon injuries with MSCs in order to modulate their inflammatory response. Our initial studies using allogeneic cells demonstrated an in vivo dose dependency of MSCs on ligament healing. Medial collateral ligaments (MCLs) treated with 1 × 106 (low dose) MSCs exhibited less inflammation and a reduced number of M1 macrophages compared to ligaments treated with 4 × 106 (high dose) MSCs. Strength of ligament was also improved with the low dose treatment. We then examined the in vivo effects of MSCs that had been preconditioned to be more anti-inflammatory. Treatment with these preconditioned MSCs was compared with normally processed (unconditioned) MSCs using the rat Achilles tendon and MCL healing models. Pre-conditioned MSCs significantly reduced inflammation by increasing the M2 macrophages and decreasing the M1 macrophages. Most importantly, treatment with pre-conditioned MSCs improved tissue strength to levels comparable to intact tissue. Overall, pre-conditioned MSC-treatment out-performed unconditioned MSCs to improve ligament and tendon healing by stimulating a more robust, paracrine-mediated immunosuppressive response.

Comparison of multimodal intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring efficacy in early childhood and school aged children undergoing spinal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of multimodal intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (MIONM) in children below and over 6 years of age. METHODS: 43 children, diagnosed with spinal pathologies were divided into two cohorts according to their age and enrolled in the study. Those under the age of 6 consisted group A, whereas those between the age of 6 and 11 consisted group B. All patients underwent spinal surgical procedures according to their diagnosis. A standard anesthesia protocol was given to both groups. Baseline somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and transcranial electrical motor evoked potentials (tcMEPs) were recorded and evaluated at specific time points for each patient. RESULTS: Except for the SSEPs in three cases, tcMEPs and SSEPs were recorded for all patients. There was no false-negative whereas 9 false positive recordings due to physiological conditions that all recovered intraoperatively. In 10 patients, MIOMN recorded more than %50 decrement, in which 8 had the kyphosis component. The tcMEPs fully recovered by the end of the operation except for the patient with post-tuberculosis kyphosis. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean threshold values with regard to transcranial stimulus intensity for the tcMEPs between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Compared to school aged children, both SSEPs, tcMEPs recordings are feasible and MIONM is effective for early childhood patients undergoing spinal surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Diagnostic Study.

Platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma therapy has the potential to promote peripheral nerve regeneration through the autologous supply of growth factors. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of platelet-rich plasma injections with the effects of corticosteroid injections in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: In total, 40 patients with mild carpal tunnel syndrome were equally divided into two groups. Nerve conduction studies were carried out, and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire was administered to both groups before treatment. One group of patients received platelet-rich plasma injections, and the patients in the other group received corticosteroid injections into the carpal tunnel. The patients were followed for 6 months. After 3 and 6 months, the nerve conduction studies and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire were repeated. RESULTS: Although distal motor latencies did not change in either of the groups during the follow-up period, improvements in sensory nerve conduction were recorded after 3 months in both groups. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in the nerve conduction studies. In the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, both the symptom severity score and the functional capacity score of the platelet-rich plasma group were significantly better than those of the corticosteroid group after 3 months, although there were no significant differences after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet-rich plasma injections may be considered for the temporary symptomatic relief of mild carpal tunnel syndrome.

Immune modulation with primed mesenchymal stem cells delivered via biodegradable scaffold to repair an Achilles tendon segmental defect.

Tendon healing is a complex coordinated series of events resulting in protracted recovery, limited regeneration, and scar formation. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has shown promise as a new technology to enhance soft tissue and bone healing. A challenge with MSC therapy involves the ability to consistently control the inflammatory response and subsequent healing. Previous studies suggest that preconditioning MSCs with inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1ß may accelerate cutaneous wound closure. The objective of this study was to therefore elucidate these effects in tendon. That is, the in vivo healing effects of TNF-α primed MSCs were studied using a rat Achilles segmental defect model. Rat Achilles tendons were subjected to a unilateral 3 mm segmental defect and repaired with either a PLG scaffold alone, MSC-seeded PLG scaffold, or TNF-α-primed MSC-seeded PLG scaffold. Achilles tendons were analyzed at 2 and 4 weeks post-injury. In vivo, MSCs, regardless of priming, increased IL-10 production and reduced the inflammatory factor, IL-1α. Primed MSCs reduced IL-12 production and the number of M1 macrophages, as well as increased the percent of M2 macrophages, and synthesis of the anti-inflammatory factor IL-4. Primed MSC treatment also increased the concentration of type I procollagen in the healing tissue and increased failure stress of the tendon 4 weeks post-injury. Taken together delivery of TNF-α primed MSCs via 3D PLG scaffold modulated macrophage polarization and cytokine production to further accentuate the more regenerative MSC-induced healing response. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:269-280, 2017.

Chondromyxoid fibroma of the pubic ramus: a case report and literature review.

Chondromyxoid fibromas (CMF) are benign cartilaginous bone tumors which are found most frequently in the metaphyses of long bones. They comprise less than 1% of primary bone neoplasms. We report an interesting incidental case of a 43-year-old woman with a CMF of the left pubic ramus, presenting with complaints of gradual onset of left groin pain over a period of 2 years. According to radiological examination, a malign chondroid bone tumor was excluded, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of CMF. The patient underwent aggressive curettage and bone grafting 6 years ago. Pelvic bones are encountered as rare localizations for CMFs. Pubic ramus is accepted as an exceptional site for this benign bone tumor of cartilaginous origin. To our knowledge, no any other CMF case in this localization has been reported in the literature. In atypical regions such as the pelvis and pubic ramus, CMF must be considered for differential diagnosis of malign tumors.

Spontaneous and bilateral avascular necrosis of the navicula: Müller-Weiss disease.

Although, trauma, foot deformity (pesplanovalgus), systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and lupus, drugs (steroids, antineoplastic) and excessive alcohol consumption have all been accused in the etiology of avascular necrosis of the tarsal bones, spontaneous avascular necrosis of the navicular bone, especially in adults, is a rare entity. In this article, we report a 50-year-old female patient with bilateral, spontaneous avascular necrosis of the navicular bone and related severe talonavicular arthrosis. Clinical and radiological findings were concordant with Müller-Weiss disease, which is a rare disease with complex idiopathic foot condition of the adult tarsal navicular bone characterized by progressive navicular fragmentation and talonavicular joint destruction. The patient was successfully treated with two-staged bilateral talonavicular arthrodesis.

Serum and knee synovial fluid matrix metalloproteinase-13 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in patients with late-stage osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare serum and synovial fluid levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in 2 stages of osteoarthritis, and investigate their correlation with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores. METHODS: Forty-two patients (mean age: 64±8.8 years) with grade 3 and grade 4 knee osteoarthritis according to Kellgren-Lawrence criteria were enrolled in the study and underwent total knee arthroplasty. TNF-α and MMP-13 levels were measured preoperatively from venous blood samples and intraoperatively from knee synovial fluid via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Preoperative and 1-month postoperative knee functions were assessed by WOMAC. RESULTS: Grade 4 synovial fluid MMP-13 (4.76±5.82 pg/ml) was elevated compared to grade 3 (3.95±4.45), whereas grade 3 serum MMP-13 (1.128±0.308 pg/ml) was found elevated compared to grade 4 (1.038±0.204) (p=0.438, p=0.430, respectively). Grade 4 serum TNF-α (0.253±0.277) was elevated compared to grade 3 (0.206±0.219), whereas grade 3 synovial fluid TNF-α (0.129±0.052) was elevated compared to grade 4 (0.118±0.014). Positive correlation was observed between synovial fluid MMP-13 levels and postoperative WOMAC scores. Mean serum TNF-α (0.226±0.246 pg/ml) was elevated compared to synovial levels (0.124±1.59), and synovial MMP-13 (4.31±1.24) was elevated compared to serum levels (1.089±1.519). CONCLUSION: Despite the systemic increase in TNF-α levels concordant with osteoarthritis grade, MMP-13 levels are elevated via local manner, with a significant correlation with WOMAC scores.

Serum and knee synovial fluid matrixmetalloproteinase-13 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in patients with late stage osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the levels of MMP-13 and TNF-α in late stage osteoarthritis, define their predominant pathways and investigate their correlation with McMaster Universities Arthritis Index scores. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 42 patients (mean age 64 ± 8.8) with grade 3 and grade 4 knee osteoarthritis according to Kellegren- Lawrence criteria and who were scheduled for total knee arthroplasty were enrolled in the study. TNF-alpha and MMP-13 levels were measured preoperatively from venous blood samples and intraoperatively from knee synovial fluid via ELISA. Preoperative and 1 month postoperative knee functions were assessed by McMaster Universities Arthritis Index. RESULTS: Grade 4 synovial fluid MMP-13 (4.76 ± 5.82) was elevated compared to grade 3 (3.95 ± 4.45) (p = 0.438), whereas grade 3 serum MMP-13 (1.128 ± 0.308) was found elevated compared to grade 4 (1.038 ± 0.204) (p = 0.430). Grade 4 serum TNF-α (0.253 ± 0.277) was elevated compared to grade 3 (0.206 ± 0.219) whereas grade 3 synovial fluid TNF-α (0.129 ± 0.052) was elevated compared to grade 4 (0.118 ± 0.014). Positive correlation was observed between synovial fluid MMP-13 levels and postoperative WOMAC scores. Mean serum TNF-α level (0.226 ± 0.246 pg/ml) was found higher compared to synovial level (0.124 ± 1.59), synovial MMP-13 level (4.31 ± 1.24) was found higher compared to serum level (1.089 ± 1.519). CONCLUSION: Despite the systemic increase in TNF-α levels concordant with osteoarthritis grade, MMP-13 levels are elevated via local manner with a significant correlation with WOMAC scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Diagnostic study.

Brucellosis Suspicion is the Most Important Criterion for Diagnosis Particularly in Endemic Regions.

INTRODUCTION: Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease that remains endemic in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to emphasize the need for considering brucellosis as a diagnosis, since this disease has a high risk of complications among young patients when not treated appropriately. METHODOLOGY: A total of 88 brucellosis cases with blood cultures that were positive for the pathogen were evaluated retrospectively in this study. RESULTS: The patients included 33 males (37.5%) and 55 females (62.5%) with a median age of 8.9 years (range: 5-14 years). A total of 43.1% (n=38) of the cases included occupational exposure to animals as a possible infection source. The consumption of raw milk products, especially cheese, was present in 52.2% (n=46) of the cases. Clinically, 55 of the cases were acute (62.5%), 23 of the cases were subacute (26.2%) and 10 of the cases were chronic (11.3%). The distribution of the joint pain complaints was as follows: 62.5% (n=55) of patients reported hip pain, 22.7% (n=20) of patients reported knee pain, 11.4% (n=10) of patients reported lumbar-back pain and 3.4% (n=3) of patients reported pain in other joints. A total of 59.1% (n=52) of the cases had been examined by another doctor at least once and mistreated. CONCLUSION: Complication rates and the rate of chronic infection increase with delayed diagnosis, and clinical doubt is the most important criterion for diagnosis, particularly in endemic regions.