Reduction of radiation dose during facet joint injection using the new image guidance system SabreSource: a prospective study in 60 patients.

Interventional procedures are associated with high radiation doses for both patients and surgeons. To reduce the risk from ionizing radiation, it is essential to minimize radiation dose. This prospective study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness in reducing radiation dose during facet joint injection in the lumbar spine and to evaluate the feasibility and possibilities of the new real time image guidance system SabreSource. A total of 60 patients, treated with a standardized injection therapy of the facet joints L4-L5 or L5-S1, were included in this study. A total of 30 patients were treated by fluoroscopy guidance alone, the following 30 patients were treated using the new SabreSource system. Thus a total of 120 injections to the facet joints were performed. Pain, according to the visual analogue scale (VAS), was documented before and 6 h after the intervention. Radiation dose, time of radiation and the number of exposures needed to place the needle were recorded. No significant differences concerning age (mean age 60.5 years, range 51-69), body mass index (mean BMI 26.2, range 22.2-29.9) and preoperative pain (VAS 7.9, range 6-10) were found between the two groups. There was no difference in pain reduction between the two groups (60 vs. 61.5%; P = 0.001) but the radiation dose was significantly smaller with the new SabreSource system (reduction of radiation dose 32.7%, P = 0.01; reduction of mean entrance surface dose 32.3%, P = 0.01). The SabreSource System significantly reduced the radiation dose received during the injection therapy of the lumbar facet joints. With minimal effort for the setup at the beginning of a session, the system is easy to handle and can be helpful for other injection therapies (e.g. nerve root block therapies).

Effectiveness of combination use of antibiotic-loaded PerOssal with spinal surgery in patients with spondylodiscitis.

Degradable composites of calcium sulphate and nanoparticulate hydroxyapatite (PerOssal) have shown promising results in vitro. Here we investigated the handling, efficacy and compatibility of PerOssal when loaded with gentamicin or vancomycin in 19 patients with spondylodiscitis in vivo. So far, 12 patients who were followed up over at least 1 year have shown a normalization of the infection parameters, no more bone loss in the affected regions and a bony fusion after 3-6 months postoperatively. No revision surgery was related to the use of PerOssal. Locally there were no signs of an ongoing infection. This study demonstrates encouraging results regarding handling, resorption, biocompatibility and antibiotic release using PerOssal pellets in vivo.

[Pain and its treatment reflected in time]. / Der Schmerz und seine Therapie im Spiegel der Zeit.

This article describes the history of pain therapy and anesthesiology with respect to the field of surgery. The history of this part of medicine is dependent upon the development of the appropriate medication groups, which were of great importance in the field of pain therapy and anesthesiology. Specifically the development of nitrous oxide, ether, morphine and the first local anesthesiologic substances will be described and discussed. The above mentioned developments combined with the knowledge of physiology of pain and new results from psychological studies led to the modern pain therapy in recent perioperative treatment concepts. Modern pain therapy is a multimodal therapy concept with a variety of specialties working as a team to optimize an individualized therapy plan which respects the needs of every single patient under different circumstances (acute, perioperative and chronic pain).

[Health-economic considerations for the use of BMP-2 for spinal surgery in Germany]. / Gesundheitsökonomische Uberlegungen für den Einsatz des Knochenwachstumsfaktors BMP-2 in der Wirbelsäulenchirurgie für das deutsche Gesundheitssystem.

INTRODUCTION: BMP-2 can replace autogenous bone grafting in lumbar one-level anterior lumbar interbody fusions (ALIF). The current G-DRG system does not reimburse the upfront price of 2,970 euro per BMP-2 application for hospitals in Germany. The purpose of the current study was to create a health economic model to evaluate the financial savings for health care providers (hospitals) and health care payers (health care insurance) that can be achieved by the use of BMP-2 in spine surgery. METHODS: A previously published pooled data analysis was used in which BMP-2 showed significant improvements in the treatment after ALIF surgery compared to autogenous bone grafting, including earlier return to work time and reduced revision rates. These medical findings were transformed into economic data based on the regulations of the German health system of 2005. RESULTS: The significantly shorter return to work time under BMP-2 treatment generates important financial savings for health care insurances offsetting the upfront prize of 2,970 euro for BMP-2. Savings for hospitals are mainly related to shorter surgery time due to the absence of the bone grafting procedure and faster discharge of the patient. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of improved medical outcome by BMP-2 treatment for the patient and net savings for the entire health care system in Germany represents a "dominant" strategy from a health economic perspective. This implicates that BMP-2 in ALIF procedures is to be recommended from a health economic point of view for the German health care system.

[Drug therapy of back pain]. / Medikamentöse Therapie des Rückenschmerzes.

The importance of analgesic drugs in the treatment of low back pain is a matter of intense debate. Based on the current literature, a multidisciplinary approach combining drug treatment with physical and psychotherapy has proven to be the most successful treatment of back pain. This perspective is challenged by various anesthesiologists who claim that early use of opioids in back pain therapy is the concept of choice. The results of recent studies regarding this matter are controversial. This chapter reviews the historical background of analgetic drugs and provides an overview of the current diagnostic and therapeutic options in the treatment of back pain. Recommendations are given based on the results of current randomized controlled studies.

[Foot surgery in Germany. Historical burden or scientific challenge?]. / Fusschirurgie in Deutschland. Historische Bürde oder wissenschaftliche Herausforderung?

In Germany foot surgery was established in the late nineteenth century. To correct foot deformities due to paralytic disorders, i.e., poliomyelitis, and congenital deformities, different types of tenotomies and arthrodeses were developed to obtain plantigrade weight-bearing and to avoid external orthosis. A description of surgical techniques during the last century is presented in detail. During those years resection arthroplasties for hallux valgus were common, although some authors recommended osteotomies of the first metatarsal as joint-sparing techniques. Nowadays, further knowledge in etiology, pathology, and biomechanics have effected the therapeutic algorithm in hallux valgus. Nevertheless, discussion about this topic has not come to an end. In 1991 the German Foot and Ankle Society (D.A.F.) was founded. Educational courses to improve surgical skills as well as clinical workshops were successfully established. A marked increase in membership and a broad international acceptance confirm these activities.

[200 years orthopedics. Images from the past]. / 200 Jahre Orthopädie. Bilder aus der Vergangenheit.

The term orthopaedics was first used by a French physician named Nicolas Andry in 1742. Since then the meaning of the term has changed dramatically. Starting as the planned title of a guidebook for parents it developed to become the name of a new medical discipline. During the 19th century orthopaedic surgery was dominated by private institutions, which were a privilege of the wealthy. Orthopaedic surgery as we know it in Germany today developed mostly from the so called "cripple asylums" (Krüppelheime). Their main objective was the treatment of infections of bones and joints, scoliosis and of hereditary diseases. Many of these orthopaedic diseases lost their importance due to prophylaxis and early diagnosis. The great improvements in the living conditions led to a change regarding the age of the patients and the diseases treated. Until world war II mostly children were treated by orthopaedic surgeons. After world war II orthopaedic surgeons have adjusted to the demographic change and have increasingly been treating elder patients. The development and the spread of prostheses display the increasing importance of age related illnesses.

[History of arthroplasty for finger joints]. / Geschichte der Endoprothetik der Fingergelenke.

The history of joint prostheses does not begin before the end of the 19th century. Prior to that, resection arthroplasty of functionally impaired joints was attempted with results sometimes allowing flexion or straightening of a previously immobile joint. These operative methods developed into interposition arthroplasty, which in its turn represents the predecessor of joint implantation. Lower extremity joint implantation is nowadays a well established and rewarding strong hold of orthopaedic and trauma surgeons. Due to certain obstacles specific to the hand, a similar success story for prostheses of the finger joints is still awaited. Although there have been many different designs of finger joint prostheses over the last 50 years, there is still no implant which offers satisfactory and reliable long-term results such as those that we have become accustomed to expect from lower extremity joint allo-arthroplasty. Only recently are we able to speak of an acknowledged standard of PIP-joint allo-arthroplasty. Using the library of the German historical museum of orthopaedic surgery as well as the relevant sources of international medical literature, a survey of the development of finger joint implantation is made.

[Pott triad and Schmorl nodules. A historical overview of kyphosis with special reference to tuberculous spondylitis and Scheuermann disease]. / Von Pott-Trias und Schmorl-Knoten. Ein geschichtlicher Uberblick zur Kyphose unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der tuberkulösen Spondylitis und des Morbus Scheuermann.

This report provides an overview of the history of the different types of kyphosis (arcuated and angulated forms). Especially tuberculous spondylitis and Scheuermann's disease are pointed out from among the large group of kyphotic diseases. Therefore, Beckhterew's disease, the combination of rickets and kyphosis as well as the dysraphic diseases and constitutional kyphosis caused by faulty posture are only mentioned. These two special types of kyphosis (Scheuermann's disease and tuberculous spondylitis) are presented from the first description with diagnostic findings, the ideas of pathogenesis and aspects of treatment through to the different periods of medical history. This article describes the way of thinking and discussing of opinion leaders at the beginning of the century and the influence of new techniques and developments (asepsis, antisepsis, anesthesia, bacteriology, X-ray, antibiotics) on the differential diagnosis and therapy. It is impossible to give a complete overview of all aspects during the centuries concerning tuberculous spondylitis or arcuated kyphosis. The authors of this article have focussed their studies on developments from the first descriptions until World War II, based mainly on literature from German journals and historical books from the library of the German Museum for Orthopedic History and Science.

[Transition from malum coxae senile to the arthrosis deformans concept. A summary of the best known theories and classifications]. / Der Weg vom Malum coxae senile zum Begriff der Arthrosis deformans. Eine Zusammenfassung der bekanntesten Theorien und Klassifikationen.

The disease of degenerative arthritis has been known for thousands of years. Paleopathology has provided findings of ancient degenerative alterations. Furthermore, physicians in classical antiquity described several forms of joint diseases. A challenging problem was the therapy, which was limited at that time. For centuries all joint diseases were subsumed under the term"rheumatism." In 1683 Thomas Sydenham, who suffered himself from gout, first differentiated this joint disease from the larger group of rheumatic joint diseases. Another early classification was undertaken by John Haygarth in 1779. He differentiated gout from malum coxae senilis and the chronic rheumatic diseases. The different theories and the resulting classifications were influenced by different disciplines such as surgery, internal medicine, pathology, anatomy, neurology, microbiology, and radiology. This investigation includes the time period from the early nineteenth century until 1925 when the word "arthrosis" was first used in a medical publication. This investigation is based on research at the library of the German Museum for Orthopedic History and Science as well on the systematic search for articles in different German journals such as Zeitschrift für Orthopddie and Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Röntgenstrahlen. It includes almost all important books and publications about degenerative arthritis for this time period. In the past there were many different descriptions for degenerative arthritis. The establishment of X-rays and new methods in histology and microbiology and the aspect of biomechanical theories led to a better understanding of the different diseases. The authors tried to construct new classifications without the knowledge of the causal and formal pathogenesis. This is the reason for the large number of different classifications, which had to be revised after a short period of time. This publication gives an overview about the most important articles and books which led to the classification currently in use.

[The German Orthopedics Society 1918-1932. Developments and trends]. / Die Deutsche Orthopädische Gesellschaft von 1918-1932. Entwicklungen und Strömungen.

The German Orthopedic Society was founded in 1901. The period between 1918 and 1932 was characterized by the aftermath of World War I. Up to the middle of the 2nd decade, orthopedic surgeons mainly treated soldiers and civilians affected by the war. Almost every congress dealt with amputations and artificial limbs. At the same time, orthopedic surgery became a specialty at the German universities, legitimizing it as a subject of its own. Besides the large number of victims of the First World War who had to be treated by orthopedic surgeons, there was a second group of patients, the so-called cripples. These handicapped people had not previously been treated in general. A new law established in 1920 guaranteed the government's support for treatment and education of these patients. This law was called "Krüppel-Fürsorge-Gesetz," which entailed welfare but also resocialization of the handicapped, including their return to work. The German nation recognized the economic benefit of this law and accepted the financial burden. During this period, German orthopedic surgeons developed many important surgical techniques, diagnostic tests, and technical findings for the production of orthoses and artificial limbs. Some examples of techniques are described in the article: UVirradiation for the treatment of rickets according to K. Huldschinsky, Borggreve's rotationplasty of the leg (Umkehrplastik), hallux valgus arthroplasty according to Brandes, and Bragard's sign.

[History of surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament]. / Geschichte der Chirurgie des vorderen Kreuzbandes.

Early comments on the anterior cruciate ligament were found in ancient literature, and the first scientific reports were published in the nineteenth century. The first surgical treatment of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament was carried out in 1895 by Robson performing a primary suture of the torn ligament. In 1903 F. Lange suggested a complete replacement of the injured ligament using silk ligaments and in 1914 Grekow was probably the first who recommended autogenous transplants by using a fascia lata strip. In 1917 Hey-Groves presented his surgical technique that was the fundament for reconstruction surgery in the following years. Today, the autogenous transplant is accepted to be the golden standard for replacement of the injured anterior cruciate ligament. The bone-tendon-bone transplant of the patellar ligament and the semitendinosus or gracilis tendon are recommended by most surgeons. In the history of anterior cruciate ligament surgery, the surgical technique of the operative procedures has also changed. The evolution started with open arthrotomy followed by mini-arthrotomy and led to arthroscopically assisted replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament.

[Complications of vertebroplasty]. / Komplikationen in der Vertebroplastie.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty was first introduced in 1984 by Galibert et al. for the treatment of hemangiomas in the spine. The current indications for vertebroplasty also include compression fractures due to osteoporosis as well as osteolytic metastases and spinal myeloma lesions. With the numbers of percutaneous vertebroplasty performed by orthopedic and trauma surgeons, neurosurgeons, and radiologists steadily increasing, complications have also risen. Over the last 3 years an increasing number of cases with varying complications, their genesis, and their management have been reported in the literature. Complications include asymptomatic cement leakage, cardiovascular effects, embolism with lethal outcome as well as severe neurological deficits. This article presents a review of the complications reported in the literature, strategies for preventing possible complications as well as current concepts in therapy management. Several of our cases with cement leakages are presented.

[From "wet caries" to controllable complication. History of post-traumatic and postoperative osteitis]. / Vom "feuchten Beinfrass" zur beherrschbaren Komplikation. Die Geschichte der posttraumatischen und postoperativen Osteitis.

In former times treatment of osteomyelitis was based on very few surgical principles such as incision of the infected region, debridement with sequestrectomy, and continuous drainage to prevent superficial closing of the wound. There were no rules for asepsis, anesthesia, and microbiology in the treatment of bone infection. Therapy improved dramatically when J. Lister introduced and performed antisepsis. With the beginning of the twentieth century it became much more standardized and differentiated. In the 4th decade of the twentieth century, the development of antibiotics changed the regime of osteomyelitis therapy again. Especially systemic intravenous antibiotic therapy was very successful in the treatment of the hematogeneous osteomyelitis. Treatment failed in post-traumatic and postoperative osteitis. Local antibiotic therapy on a delivery system was the breakthrough for these cases. The application of PMMA cement as an antibiotic delivery system led to this new possibility for treating bone infections and is still in use nowadays.

[Diagnostics and minimally invasive therapy for chronic low back pain]. / Diagnostik und minimal-invasive Therapie bei chronischen Lumbalgien.

Chronic low back pain is one of the most frequent causes for seeking medical help in Germany. Many factors play a causal role in its pathogenesis. This is where the dilemma resides in narrowing down the diagnosis and deciding on subsequent therapeutic intervention. There is overall agreement on the concept of when it is expedient to initiate further diagnostic measures. With the exception of clear pathomorphological findings and the presence of cardinal symptoms or warning signs, so-called "red flags", primary back pain should not be subjected to any specific diagnostic tests and therapy during the first 3 months. We present well-established techniques for blockade, discography, and minimally invasive treatment options such as cryotherapy, procedures for thermal ablation, and intradiscal electrotherapy. Vertebroplasty, currently a frequently applied method, is also included in the discussion of minimally invasive treatment for chronic low back pain.

[Rachitic knock knees in children]. / Das rachitische X-Bein im Kindesalter. Pathogenese und Therapie aus historischer Sicht.

Knee malpositions, for example valgus or varus deformations or flexion contractures, were often cited in the historical literature. In earlier times, clinical pictures such as rickets were often the reason for this kind of deformity. A causal therapy did not exist until the twentieth century. In most cases of rickets, genu valgum was reported as the typical knee deformation. The differential diagnosis for genu valgum caused by rickets was genu valgum traumaticum, paralyticum, and inflammatorium. The most important reports on the pathogenesis of valgus deformation can be found in publications by Hueter and von Mikulicz. The causal therapy of rickets was introduced at the beginning of the twentieth century.Vitamin therapy and UV phototherapy were developed during this period. Using these therapies, rickets decreased dramatically. Kurt Huldschinsky, a pediatrician from Berlin,was one of the main inventors of UV phototherapy in Germany. At the end of the nineteenth century, the operative correction of knee deformities increased while conservative treatment continued to be applied. Plaster casts,orthoses, and osteoclast therapy were the main noninvasive therapeutic possibilities. Positive aspects of the conservative techniques were mostly the good results and easy, timesaving technique compared with the operative treatment. The operative therapy increased with the knowledge of antisepsis and asepsis as well as advances in anesthetic procedures. Operative treatment modalities, for example tibial and femoral osteotomies, were more precise, but connected with multiple complications and greater time expenditure. Sufficient vitamin prophylaxis rendered knee deformations caused by rickets a rarity.

[Is meniscal repair an adequate procedure to prevent early osteoarthritis in athletes with chronic anterior knee instabilitity?]. / Kann die operative Meniskusrefixation bei Sportlern mit persistierender chronisch ventraler Instabilität das Entstehen einer Früharthrose verhindern?

We retrospectively evaluated the clinical outcome of arthroscopic assisted meniscal suture repair in athletes on different competitive sports levels with stable joint function and persisting anterior knee instability. Return to former sports levels and early osteoarthrotic changes were especially focussed. Examination included 50 athletes (32 men, 18 women) who underwent meniscal repair in inside-out technique during the period of 1989 to 1998. 23 patients had isolated full-thickness meniscal tears, 27 an associated rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament which was reconstructed in 13 cases with a patellar-tendon autograft. 3 study groups were formed referring to the athletes preoperative sports level evaluated with Tegner's score. Reexamination included Lysholm score, IKDC score and Fairbank's score. With a mean age of 32.1 years (range 13-53 years) and an average follow-up of 6.3 years 72 % of the patients (n = 36) showed a stable joint function on reexamination. With no persisting anterior knee instability 86 % of the professional athletes returned to former full sports activities on competitive levels. Non competitive athletes returned in all cases (100 %) to their former level. Fairbank's score increased by 0.1 observing minimal osteoarthitic signs. However, persisting anterior knee instability showed on reexamination poor results. Only one third of all athletes were able to return to former activity levels. Osteoarthritic changes were observed in all patients. Professional athletes had the most severe osteoarthritic changes with a significant (p = 0.03) increase of 0.8 in Fairbank's score. The results demonstrate that complete recovery on sports activities after meniscal repair is not possible without reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. Isolated meniscal repair shows poor results in persisting anterior knee instability and does not prevent increasing osteoarthritic changes in athletes.