Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry (RNFC): analysis of its first annual report and international comparison with other established registries.

Hip fracture registries have helped improve quality of care and reduce variability, and several audits exist worldwide. The results of the Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry are presented and compared with 13 other national registries, highlighting similarities and differences to define areas of improvement, particularly surgical delay and early mobilization. INTRODUCTION: Hip fracture audits have been useful for monitoring current practice and defining areas in need of improvement. Most established registries are from Northern Europe. We present the results from the first annual report of the Spanish Hip Fracture Registry (RNFC) and compare them with other publically available audit reports. METHOD: Comparison of the results from Spain with the most recent reports from another ten established hip fracture registries highlights the differences in audit characteristics, casemix, management, and outcomes. RESULTS: Of the patients treated in 54 hospitals, 7.208 were included in the registry between January and October 2017. Compared with other registries, the RNFC included patients ≥ 75 years old; in general, they were older, more likely to be female, had a worse prefracture ambulation status, and were more likely to have extracapsular fractures. A larger proportion was treated with intramedullary nails than in other countries, and spinal anesthesia was most commonly used. With a mean of 75.7 h, Spain had by far the longest surgical delay, and the lowest proportion of patients mobilized on the first postoperative day (58.5%). Consequently, development of pressure ulcers was high, but length of stay, mortality, and discharge to home remained in the range of other audits. CONCLUSIONS: National hip fracture registries have proved effective in changing clinical practice and our understanding of patients with this condition. Such registries tend to be based on an internationally recognized common dataset which would make comparisons between national registries possible, but variations such as age inclusion criteria and follow-up are becoming evident across the world. This variation should be avoided if we are to maximize the comparability of registry results and help different countries learn from each other's practice. The results reported in the Spanish RNFC, compared with those of other countries, highlight the differences between countries and detect areas of improvement, particularly surgical delay and early mobilization.

Comparative study of the Weil osteotomy with and without fixation.

BACKGROUND: Weil osteotomy is a technique widely used in patients with metatarsalgia which shortens the metatarsal and reduces the load under the metatarsal head. METHODS: The aim of this paper is to compare the results of the Weil osteotomy with and without any fixation system. We present a retrospective study of 92 patients (97 feet) who underwent treatment for metatarsalgia between 1999 and 2005. One hundred and six osteotomies were vixed using a screw amd no fixation was used in 92. The mean follow-up was 51.2 and 46.6 months respectively. RESULTS: All the patients were evaluated following the AOFAS LMIS scale, obtaining a mean score of 69.8 points (ranged 15-100) and 75.3 points (from 47 to 100) in each group (P=0.11). CONCLUSIONS: The results of fixed and unfixed Weil osteotomies were not significantly different. Our study could not find a significant relationship between metatarsal shortening and main complications (recurrent metatarsalgia, transfer metatarsalgia and stiffness of the metatarsophalangeal joint).

Identification of differentially expressed genes in trabecular bone from the iliac crest of osteoarthritic patients.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is clinically characterized by degeneration of the joints and has been traditionally considered a primary disorder of articular cartilage, with secondary changes in the subchondral bone. The increased bone mass and generalized changes in bone quality observed in osteoarthritic patients suggest that OA may be a primary systemic bone disorder with secondary articular cartilage damage. The iliac crest is a skeletal site distant from the affected joint, with a minimal load-bearing function. To provide evidence that OA is a systemic disorder, we searched for differentially expressed genes in the iliac crest bone of patients suffering from hip OA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gene expression levels between bone samples collected at surgery from the iliac crest of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for primary OA and younger donors, who were undergoing spinal arthrodesis, were investigated by means of oligonucleotide microarrays. To verify data detected by microarrays technology, Real Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assays were performed with specimens from osteoarthritic patients and donors, as well as from elderly donors who were undergoing arthroplasty for subcapital femoral neck fracture. RESULTS: The microarray analysis surveyed 8327 genes and identified 83 whose expression levels differed at least 1.5-fold in the OA group (P<0.005). Comparisons between Real Time RT-PCR data from OA and the two donor groups indicated differential expression of genes involved in bone cell functions in the group of OA patients. The genes identified, including CCL2, FOS, PRSS11, DVL2, AKT1, CA2, BMP6, OMD, MMP2, TGFBR3, FLT1, BMP1 and TNFRS11B, have known roles in osteoblast or osteoclast activities. CONCLUSIONS: The data from this study identify a set of genes, closely related to bone cell functions, in which differential regulation in osteoarthritic bone distant from the diseased subchondral bone might underlie the etiopathogenesis of OA as a generalized bone disease.

Clinical assessment of patients with isolated hip fractures associated with an upper limb fracture. / Evaluación clínica de pacientes con fractura de cadera aislada y asociada a fractura de miembro superior.

INTRODUCTION: Some patients with a hip fracture also present a concomitant upper limb fracture. We want to know whether these patients have a worse functional level and whether they have any differences in various clinical parameters compared with patients with an isolated hip fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 1061 discharge reports from the Orthogeriatrics Unit. We collected information on several clinical parameters of the fractures. Subsequently, we performed a statistical analysis of the data by comparing the associated fracture group with the isolated fracture group. RESULTS: We detected 44 patients with associated upper limb fracture, 90.9% were women (40) and the average age was 84.45years. Eighty-one point eight percent of the upper limb fractures were distal radius or proximal humerus. Pertrochanteric fractures were the most common (none of them were subtrochanteric fractures). Surgical delay was 2.60days and the average hospital stay was 12.30days. Sixty-four point three percent were nail surgery and 31% arthroplasty. The mean Barthel index score was 84.88 (P=.021). Fifty-two point 5 percent of the patients in the study group were referred to a functional support unit (P=.03). The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.2%, with no differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with an associated fracture have a higher previous functional capacity and they are more independent. Nevertheless, after the fracture they need more help from the healthcare system for optimal functional recovery.

[Fragile hip fracture in Mexico: Where are we today? Where do we want to go?] / Fractura de cadera por fragilidad en México: ¿En dónde estamos hoy? ¿Hacia dónde queremos ir?

INTRODUCTION: Hip fracture is considered the most serious consequence of falls and osteoporosis. 18% of women will suffer one and 25% die in the first year. Only 73% of survivors will walk as they did previously. We know little about the assistance and evolution of it in Mexico. Our goal was to review the current state of Mexican literature on hip fracture, compare Mexican studies with each other and with quality indicators. METHODS: We conducted a search of Mexican articles published between 2000-2017 with the key words: hip fracture, elderly, Mexico and hip fracture (in English) in the databases PubMed, EBSCO and Bibliomed. RESULTS: Twenty-one articles were included. No clinical trials, multidisciplinary unit reports, records, or meta-analyses were found. The average age was 76.9 years and 67.2% were women. No papers were found to report quality indicators. Comorbidity is reported little. The most common complications of hip fractures were delirium, pneumonia and pressure ulcers. Mortality in the acute phase was 0.97 to 12.5%. Special units were not reported. The cost of care oscillated between 1,261 and 13,641 USD. CONCLUSIONS: The scientific information on hip fractures in Mexico is sparse, heterogeneous and does not allow for conclusive results. Increasing the amount and quality of research in hip fractures in Mexico is required. It would also be advisable to disseminate the usefulness of multidisciplinary teams and registry of hip fractures, which would help to improve attention.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La fractura de cadera (FC) se considera la consecuencia más grave de las caídas y la osteoporosis. Dieciocho por ciento de las mujeres sufrirán una FC y 25% muere en el primer año. Sólo 73% de los supervivientes caminará como lo hacía previamente. Conocemos poco de la asistencia y evolución de la FC en México. OBJETIVO: Revisar el estado actual de la literatura mexicana sobre FC, comparar estudios mexicanos entre sí y con los indicadores de calidad. METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó una búsqueda de artículos mexicanos publicados entre 2000 y 2017 con las palabras clave: fractura de cadera, ancianos, México y hip fracture en las bases de datos PubMed, EBSCO y Bibliomed. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 22 artículos. No se encontraron ensayos clínicos, informes de unidades multidisciplinarias, registros, ni metaanálisis. La media de edad fue de 76.9 años y 67.2% fueron mujeres. No se encontraron trabajos que reportaran indicadores de calidad. La comorbilidad se describe poco. Las complicaciones más frecuentes de la FC fueron delirium, neumonía y úlceras por presión. La mortalidad en la fase aguda fue de 0.97 a 12.5%. No se reportaron unidades ortogeriátricas. El costo de atención osciló entre 1,261 y 13,641 dólares estadounidenses (USD). CONCLUSIONES: La información científica sobre FC en México es escasa, heterogénea y no permite obtener resultados concluyentes. Se requiere aumentar la cantidad y la calidad de la investigación en FC en México. Sería también conveniente difundir la utilidad de los equipos multidisciplinarios y registros de FC, lo que contribuiría a mejorar la atención.

Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry (SNHFR): a description of its objectives, methodology and implementation.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the current situation and clinical variability of the provision of care for Hip Fracture (HF) in Spain and the factors related to it by using a National Registry (NHFR) with high patient numbers and territorial representation NHFR, and to compare results on a national and international level and propose standards and criteria to improve healthcare quality. DESIGN: Continuous registry for at least three years of a representative sample of patients admitted to Spanish hospitals due to HF using the Minimum Common Dataset - international Fragility Fracture Network (FFN) MCD, adapted for Spanish. STUDY SCOPE AND SUBJECTS: all patients over the age of 74 years who are hospitalized with a diagnosis of a fragility HF at the participating hospitals distributed throughout the Spanish territory. Initially 48 hospitals are included, and we expect to incorporate the highest number of sites possible. RESULTS: It is expected to ascertain the current situation of provision of care for HF in Spain. Each hospital will be offered information regarding their results and their situation compared to the rest. The results from national hospitals will be compared to others included in the registry and to hospitals abroad, which use the same database. Variability will be studied, care standards will be established, and objectives will be proposed for the continuous improvement of the care process of this condition.

Insufficient duration of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after total hip or knee replacement when compared with the time course of thromboembolic events: findings from the Global Orthopaedic Registry.

Patients who have undergone total hip or knee replacement (THR and TKR, respectively) are at high risk of venous thromboembolism. We aimed to determine the time courses of both the incidence of venous thromboembolism and effective prophylaxis. Patients with elective primary THR and TKR were enrolled in the multi-national Global Orthopaedic Registry. Data on the incidence of venous thromboembolism and prophylaxis were collected from 6639 THR and 8326 TKR patients. The cumulative incidence of venous thromboembolism within three months of surgery was 1.7% in the THR and 2.3% in the TKR patients. The mean times to venous thromboembolism were 21.5 days (sd 22.5) for THR, and 9.7 days (sd 14.1) for TKR. It occurred after the median time to discharge in 75% of the THR and 57% of the TKA patients who developed venous thromboembolism. Of those who received recommended forms of prophylaxis, approximately one-quarter (26% of THR and 27% of TKR patients) were not receiving it seven days after surgery, the minimum duration recommended at the time of the study. The risk of venous thromboembolism extends beyond the usual period of hospitalisation, while the duration of prophylaxis is often shorter than this. Practices should be re-assessed to ensure that patients receive appropriate durations of prophylaxis.

GEDOS-SECOT consensus on the care process of patients with knee osteoarthritis and arthoplasty. / Consenso GEDOS-SECOT sobre el proceso de atención a pacientes con artrosis de rodilla e indicación de artroplastia.

OBJECTIVE: To develop recommendations on the evaluation and management procedure in patients undergoing total knee replacement based on best evidence and the experience of a panel of experts. METHODS: A multidisciplinary group of 12 experts was selected that defined the scope, users and the document parts. Three systematic reviews were performed in patients undergoing knee replacement: (i)efficacy and safety of fast-tracks; (ii)efficacy and safety of cognitive interventions in patients with catastrophic pain, and (iii) efficacy and safety of acute post-surgical pain management on post-surgical outcomes. A narrative review was conducted on the evaluation and management of pain sensitization, and about the efficacy and safety of pre-surgical physiotherapy. The experts generated the recommendations and explicative text. The level of agreement was evaluated in a multidisciplinary group of 85 experts with the Delphi technique. The level of evidence was established as well for each recommendation. RESULTS: A total of 20 recommendations were produced. An agreement higher than 80% was reached in all of them. We found the highest agreement on the need for a full discharge report, on providing proper information about the process and on following available guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: There is consensus among professionals involved in the management of patients undergoing total knee replacement, in that it is important to protocolize the replacement process, performing a proper, integrated and coordinated patient evaluation and follow-up, paying special attention to the surgical procedure and postoperative period.

SECOT-GEDOS consensus on pre-surgical pain management in knee and hip arthrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To develop recommendations, based on best evidence and experience, on pain management in patients undertaking total knee or hip replacement. METHODS: Nominal group methodology was followed. A group of experts was selected (5 orthopedics, 1 anesthesiologist), who defined the scope, users, topics, preliminary recommendations, and 3 systematic reviews: efficacy and safety of pre-surgical analgesia regarding to post-surgical pain, efficacy and safety of pre-emptive analgesia and pre-operative factors of post-operative pain. The level of evidence and grade of recommendation was established using the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, and the level of agreement with the Delphi technique (2 rounds). The Delphi was extended to 39 orthopedics and anesthesiologists. The whole document was reviewed by all the experts. RESULTS: A total of 21 recommendations were produced. They include specific pharmacological treatment, as well as the evaluation and monitoring of patients on this treatment, and post-operative pre-emptive treatment. Agreement above 70% was reached in 19 recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing total knee or hip replacement, a proper evaluation, follow-up, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of predictors of poor surgical outcomes should be performed, especially those related to pre-operative pain. This can improve post-operative pain and surgery outcomes.

In vitro corrosion behaviour and osteoblast response of thermally oxidised Ti6Al4V alloy.

In this work, the influence of thermal oxidation treatments of Ti6Al4V at 500 degrees C and 700 degrees C for 1 h on the in vitro corrosion behaviour and osteoblast response is studied. The potential of these treatments, aimed to improve the wear surface performance as biomaterial, relies in the formation of an outer "ceramic" layer of rutile. The corrosion behaviour was evaluated in simulated human fluids by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and anodic polarisation tests. The effect of these thermal oxidation treatments on osteoblastic behaviour was studied in primary cultures of human osteoblastic cells. Results show that thermal oxidation treatments do not decrease the high in vitro corrosion resistance of the Ti6Al4V alloy. Osteoblast adhesion studies indicate that thermal oxidation treatments do not impair the material biocompatibility. Moreover, the thermal oxidation at 700 degrees C enhances the in vitro osteoblastic cell attachment compared to the thermal oxidation at 500 degrees C.

[Medial versus lateral plating in distal tibial fractures: a prospective study of 40 fractures]. / Placas mediales versus laterales para las fracturas de pilón tibial: estudio prospectivo de 40 fracturas.

OBJECTIVE: Tibial plafond fractures are one of the most challenging injuries in orthopaedic surgery. Their results could be improved by following the new guidelines for the management, and modern plating techniques. The results and complication rate between anteromedial and anterolateral approach for open reduction and internal fixation of these fractures were compared. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A study was conducted on 40 patients treated by open reduction an internal fixation between 2007 and 2008. The surgical approach was selected by the surgeon in charge, depending on fracture pattern and skin situation. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically by an independent orthopaedic surgeon, not involved in the surgical procedure, using clinical (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score) and radiological criteria at a minimum of two years. The appearance of complications after both approaches was recorded. RESULTS: Forty patients were included. The mean age was 53 years, with 24 males and 16 females. Seventeen of the injuries were of high energy, and there were 8 open fractures (3 of type i, 4 type ii and one type iii), and 12 of the closed injuries were grade ii or iii in the Tscherne classification. Six patients (15%) had associated injuries. At final follow-up there were 33 (82%) excellent or good results. No statistical differences were found between either surgical approach regarding time to bone union, rate of delayed union and infection rate. Three plates of the anteromedial group and none of the anterolateral group needed to be removed. CONCLUSION: Open reduction and internal fixation of distal tibia fractures produced reliable results, with no statistical differences found between anteromedial and anterolateral surgical approaches. Clinical and radiological results and complication rate were mainly related to the fracture type.

[Modulation of scoliotic spine growth in experimental animals using intelligent metal bars]. / Modulación del crecimiento de columnas escolióticas en animales de experimentación mediante el uso de barras de metal inteligente.

OBJECTIVE: To create an experimental structural scoliosis model in mice to evaluate the efficacy of shape-memory metals to gradually correct the deformity over time. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Experimental scoliosis was generated in 3 week-old mice by means of a suture between the left scapula and pelvis for 8 weeks. They were then randomised into two groups: a control group, in which the suture was cut, and another, in those that also had a Nitinol straight memory-wire implant fixed to the column. Serial X-rays were performed to determine the efficacy of the Nitinol in the correction of the scoliosis. In a second time, the histological changes at apical vertical body level and the adjacent discs were evaluated pre- and post-correction. RESULTS: A mean 81.5° kyphoscoliosis was gradually induced. In the control group, after cutting the suture, an initial reduction in the deformity was observed, but later it remained stable throughout the time (54° at two weeks). In the Nitinol group, a gradual reduction was observed in the scoliosis angle value, to a mean of 8.7° at two weeks. The curvature of the apical vertebral body and adjacent discs were partially corrected after two weeks of correcting the deformity. CONCLUSION: This scoliosis model has demonstrated the efficacy of a straight Nitinol wire fixed to the spinal column in the gradual correction of kyphoscoliosis and in the changes in its adjacent structures.

[Thromboprophylaxis with enoxaparin for total knee replacement: an observational, retrospective and multicentre study comparing starting the treatment before and after the operation]. / Tromboprofilaxis con enoxaparina para artroplastia total de rodilla: estudio observacional, retrospectivo y multicéntrico comparando el inicio del tratamiento preoperatorio con el postoperatorio.

OBJECTIVE: The low molecular weight heparins are the first option for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolic disease in major orthopaedic surgery. The time of starting their administration is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of enoxaparin in patients subjected to total knee replacement comparing the starting of it before and after the surgery. METHODS: An observational, retrospective and multicentre study of normal clinical practice to determine the incidence of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary thromboembolism in total knee replacement surgery. Thromboprophylaxis was normal practice in each centre. Patients were included if they received the first dose of 40 mg/24 h of enoxaparin either 12 h (± 2 h) before the surgery (G-PRE) or between 6 and 12 hours after the surgery (G-POST). The main safety objective was haemorrhage. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the real influence of each variable. RESULTS: Data was collected from 2014 patients, of whom 1440 were included for the analysis of efficacy (782/1440, 54% of the G-PRE and 658/1440, 46% of the G-POST). The mean incidence of symptomatic thrombotic events was 1.67% (24/1440). The incidence of deep venous thrombosis in the G-PRE was 1.15% compared to 1.22% in the G-POST (P=.569 after multivariate analysis) and the incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism was 0.51 compared to 0.76%, respectively (P=.582 after multivariate analysis). A total of 1422 patients were included for the safety analysis. There was significant bleeding in 59/788 of the G-PRE and in 35/634 of the G-POST (7.49% compared to 5.52%, respectively, P=.138). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that thromboprophylaxis with enoxaparin (40 mg/24 h sc) in patients subjected to total knee replacement surgery has a similar safety and effective profile when it is given 12 hours before the surgery or between 6 and 12 hours afterwards.

Femoral shaft fractures after cemented total hip arthroplasty.

Thirty-seven femoral shaft fractures occurred in 2360 cemented hip arthroplasties carried out between 1971 and 1989 at varying intervals after operation (average 3.7 years). Three types of fracture were recognised and treatment depended on the type, as did the prognosis. Good results were obtained in 70% of the cases.

Osteomyelitis of the pubic symphysis due to Streptococcus anginosus. A case report.

An unusual case of osteomyelitis of the pubic symphysis in an insulin-dependent diabetic is reported. The infection occurred after the insertion of a penile prosthesis and the organism was streptococcus anginosus. Healing took place after wide excision and drainage, with penicillin given systemically.