The Impact of Reduced Skeletal Muscle Mass on Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Although several studies have suggested a possible association between sarcopenia and knee osteoarthritis (OA) in the elderly, there remains no definitive evidence. Recently, however, the serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio (sarcopenia index: SI) was reported to correlate with skeletal muscle mass. The present retrospective study therefore investigated the impact of reduced skeletal muscle mass on advanced knee OA using SI. In 55 individuals scheduled for knee osteotomy or knee arthroplasty, correlations between SI and patient-reported outcomes such as the Knee Society Score (KSS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Oxford Knee Score (OKS) were explored. Significant associations were found between SI and the KSS functional activity score (ß=0.37; p=0.022), KOOS subscale for activities of daily living (ß=0.42; p=0.0096), and OKS (ß=0.42; p=0.0095). This study underscores the role of reduced muscle mass in functional outcomes and introduces SI as a valuable marker for assessing muscle loss in knee OA patients.

A Novel Classification of Coronal Plane Knee Joint Instability Using Nine-Axis Inertial Measurement Units in Patients with Medial Knee Osteoarthritis.

The purpose of this study was to propose a novel classification of varus thrust based on gait analysis with inertial motion sensor units (IMUs) in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis (MKOA). We investigated thigh and shank acceleration using a nine-axis IMU in 69 knees with MKOA and 24 (control) knees. We classified varus thrust into four phenotypes according to the relative medial-lateral acceleration vector patterns of the thigh and shank segments: pattern A (thigh medial, shank medial), pattern B (medial, lateral), pattern C (lateral, medial), and pattern D (lateral, lateral). Quantitative varus thrust was calculated using an extended Kalman filter-based algorithm. We compared the differences between our proposed IMU classification and the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grades for quantitative varus thrust and visible varus thrust. Most of the varus thrust was not visually perceptible in early-stage OA. In advanced MKOA, increased proportions of patterns C and D with lateral thigh acceleration were observed. Quantitative varus thrust was significantly increased stepwise from patterns A to D. This novel IMU classification has better clinical utility due to its ability to detect subtle kinematic changes that cannot be captured with conventional motion analysis even in the early stage of MKOA.

Evaluation of the Nature and Etiologies of Risk Factors for Diaphyseal Atypical Femoral Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: Differences in mechanisms of subtrochanteric and diaphyseal atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) are speculated in studies that analyzed differences in the patients' background. However, the etiologies of each type of AFF have not been studied in detail. This study aimed to investigate the nature and etiologies of the risk factors for diaphyseal AFFs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty consecutive Japanese patients with 91 diaphyseal AFFs (AFF group) and 110 age-matched women with osteoporosis (non-AFF control group) were included. Their clinical data were compared; factors affecting AFFs were investigated, and the etiologies of the risk factors for diaphyseal AFFs were examined. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that femoral serrated changes, bisphosphonate or denosumab usage, and lateral and anterior femoral curvatures were risk factors for diaphyseal AFFs (p < 0.0011, p = 0.0137, and p < 0.0001, respectively). Multivariate analyses revealed that serrated changes and low serum 25(OH)D levels affected the lateral curvature (p = 0.0088 and 0.0205, respectively), while serrated changes affected the anterior curvature (p = 0.0006), each significantly affected the femoral curvature. High serum calcium (Ca) levels, lateral femoral curvature, and anterior femoral curvature were predictors of serrated changes (p = 0.0146, 0.0002, and 0.0098, respectively). CONCLUSION: Risk factors for diaphyseal AFFs were bone resorption inhibitor usage, a strong femoral curvature, and serrated changes. Low serum 25(OH)D levels and serrated changes are risk factors for lateral curvature, while a high serum Ca level is a risk factor for serrated changes.

Eldecalcitol improves muscle strength and dynamic balance in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: an open-label randomized controlled study.

The antifracture efficacy of vitamin D in osteoporosis is due to its direct action on bones and indirect extraskeletal effects to prevent falls. Eldecalcitol is an analog of active vitamin D3 that improves bone mineral density and reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures. However, the effects of eldecalcitol on muscle strength and static and dynamic postural balance are unclear. In this open-label randomized controlled study, we assessed the effects of eldecalcitol on muscle strength and static and dynamic postural balance in 50 postmenopausal women (mean age 74 years) with osteoporosis treated with bisphosphonate. Participants were randomly divided into a bisphosphonate group (alendronate at 35 mg/week; n = 25) or an eldecalcitol group (eldecalcitol at 0.75 µg/day and alendronate at 35 mg/week; n = 25) and were followed up for 6 months. Trunk muscle strength, including back extensor strength and iliopsoas muscle strength, was measured. Static standing balance was evaluated and the one leg standing test was performed to assess static postural balance. Dynamic sitting balance was evaluated and the 10-m walk test, functional reach test, and timed up and go test were performed to assess dynamic postural balance. At 6 months, there were no significant changes in any measure of muscle strength or balance in the bisphosphonate group, whereas eldecalcitol significantly increased back extensor strength (p = 0.012) and iliopsoas muscle strength (p = 0.035). Eldecalcitol also significantly improved findings on the timed up and go test (p = 0.001) and dynamic sitting balance (p = 0.015) at 6 months. These results with eldecalcitol may have an impact on prevention of falls.

Pediatric femoral shaft fracture requiring revision surgery for nonunion associated with vitamin D and K deficiencies: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Nonunion of femoral shaft fractures in children is rare, and there is no clear treatment protocol. In this case report, a pediatric femoral shaft fracture that developed in nonunion due to vitamin deficiency after osteosynthesis, which was successfully treated with vitamin augmentation and replacement with a rigid antegrade intramedullary nail, is described. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient is an 11-year-old Japanese girl. She injured her right femoral shaft fracture when she hit a wall after kickboarding down a hill and underwent osteosynthesis with a titanium elastic nail. Six months postoperatively, she developed nonunion, was found to be deficient in vitamins D and K, and was started on vitamin supplementation. She underwent replacement with a rigid antegrade intramedullary nail at 7 months postoperatively, and bone union was achieved 3 months after reoperation. CONCLUSION: When delayed union of a fracture is observed postoperatively, even in children without underlying disease, the cause of the problem must be investigated and treated promptly.

Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for occult femoral neck fracture.

Background: A delay in the diagnosis and treatment of an occult femoral neck fracture (OFNF) can negatively affect the subsequent quality of life. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for OFNF in patients confirmed with this condition by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and compared these results with other clinical findings. Methods: Ninety-four outpatients aged above 70 years with acute hip pain but without radiographic abnormal findings who were suspected of having an occult femoral neck fracture (11 men and 83 women with a mean age of 81.8 ± 6.0 years) were enrolled. Both ultrasonography and MRI were performed in all cases within 24 h. The ultrasonographic distance between the anterior aspect of the femoral neck and the anterior joint capsule (ultrasound joint swelling) was measured. Results: By MRI findings, 27 patients were assigned to an occult femoral neck fracture (OFNF) group (1 man, 26 women) and 67 patients to a non-OFNF group (10 men, 57 women). The mean ultrasound joint swelling in both groups was 7.53 ± 1.52 mm and 3.45 ± 0.89 mm, respectively (p = 0.006, 95% CI, 3.58-4.59). A cut-off value of 5.3 mm showed a sensitivity of 0.96 (0.89-0.96) and a specificity of 0.98 (0.92-1.00). Conclusions: Ultrasonography shows very high diagnostic accuracy for occult femoral neck fracture. This modality can thus contribute to initial bed-side examinations for this condition in patients over 70 years with acute hip pain.

Preoperative inspiratory muscle training in a patient with lung cancer and comorbid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory sarcopenia: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcopenia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Preoperative inspiratory muscle weakness is also a risk factor for PPCs. Sarcopenia and COPD are often associated with inspiratory muscle weakness. Respiratory sarcopenia has been defined as the coexistence of whole-body sarcopenia and respiratory muscle weakness. We report our experience with preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation, including inspiratory muscle training (IMT), in a patient with lung cancer and comorbid respiratory sarcopenia and COPD. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73-year-old man with squamous cell lung cancer (cStage IA2) was hospitalized for pulmonary rehabilitation before lung resection. He had comorbid severe sarcopenia and COPD (GOLD stage III). He also had inspiratory muscle weakness and a thin diaphragm. We conducted IMT on the patient in addition to aerobic exercise and instruction regarding sputum expectoration for 2 weeks before the surgery. Consequently, his pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and exercise capacity improved. Segmentectomy was performed using video-assisted thoracic surgery. No postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSION: IMT in a patient with lung cancer and comorbid respiratory sarcopenia and COPD resulted in improved respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function. IMT may have reduced the risk of PPCs by strengthening the respiratory muscles and improving pulmonary function.

Evaluation of Medial Meniscal Extrusion Using Radiography.

Recently, there has been increasing interest in medial meniscal extrusion (MME), but few reports have evaluated MME via X-ray. In this study, the amount of MME and meniscal height at the medial border of the tibia were measured via X-ray with gradation processing. The extrusion length divided by the meniscal height yields the meniscal extrusion ratio, which was used as an index. In addition, the medial meniscal length of the part protruding from the medial border of the tibia on MRI was measured as an absolute value. Then, the correlation between the meniscal extrusion ratio and the amount of MME on MRI was examined, and there was a strong correlation between the meniscal extrusion ratio via X-ray and the amount of MME on MRI (correlation coefficient 0.860, p < 0.0001). The cut-off value of the meniscal extrusion ratio via X-ray for positive meniscal extrusion on MRI was 0.50, with an AUC of 0.9825, sensitivity of 0.9063, and specificity of 0.8663. From the present study, it was possible to measure the extrusion length and meniscal height via gradation processing, with X-ray and without MRI, and to calculate the meniscal extrusion ratio, which strongly correlates with the amount of MME on MRI.

Early Pulmonary Rehabilitation with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in a Patient with Acute Exacerbation of Rheumatoid Arthritis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Early implementation of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been reported to prevent muscle atrophy and physical functional decline in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. However, its effect in patients with acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease (ILD) remains unclear. We herein report our experience using the NMES combined with mobilization in a patient with an acute exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis-associated ILD (RA-ILD) requiring mechanical ventilation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old man was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and put on mechanical ventilation due to severe acute exacerbation of RA-ILD. Early mobilization and the NMES using a belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation system were started on day 7 of hospitalization (day 2 of ICU admission). The NMES duration was 20 min, performed once daily. The patient could perform mobility exercises on day 8 and could walk on day 16. We assessed his rectus femoris and quadriceps muscle thicknesses using ultrasound imaging, and found decreases of 4.5% and 8.4%, respectively, by day 14. On day 27, he could independently visit the lavatory, and the NMES was discontinued. He was instructed to start long-term oxygen therapy on day 49 and was discharged on day 63. His 6-minute walk distance was 308 m and his muscle thickness recovered to levels comparable to those at the initial evaluation at the time of discharge. CONCLUSION: Combining the NMES and mobilization started in the early phase and continued after ICU discharge was safe and effective in a patient with a severe acute exacerbation of RA-ILD.

Contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation immediately improves hand function.

Murata S, Koike Y, Kasukawa Y, Saito K, Okada K, Kudo D, Shimada Y, Miyakoshi N. Contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation immediately improves hand function. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2022; 13: 26-30. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) on upper limb function in stroke patients. Methods: CCFES and mirror therapy (MT) exercises were conducted for 13 stroke patients at least 4 weeks post-onset. A sufficient interval of at least 24 hours was left between the two types of rehabilitation exercises. Before treatment and immediately after each training session, grip strength, Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) score and FMA-UE subscores for the shoulder/elbow/forearm, wrist, hand, and coordination were evaluated. Results: Grip strength, FMA-UE and FMA-UE shoulder/elbow/forearm, wrist, and coordination did not differ significantly after CCFES and MT compared to before therapy. FMA-UE hand did not change significantly after MT compared to before therapy, but it improved significantly after CCFES (p = 0.013). Conclusion: CCFES for the upper extremities immediately improves hand function and may be effective in maintaining and improving patients' motivation for rehabilitation treatment.

Utility of a wearable robot for the fingers that uses pneumatic artificial muscles for patients with post-stroke spasticity.

Mita M, Suzumori K, Kudo D, Saito K, Chida S, Hatakeyama K, Shimada Y, Miyakoshi N. Utility of a wearable robot for the fingers that uses pneumatic artificial muscles for patients with post-stroke spasticity. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2022; 13: 12-16. Objective: We investigated the utility of a wearable robot for the fingers that we developed using pneumatic artificial muscles for rehabilitation of patients with post-stroke spasticity. Methods: Three patients with post-stroke finger spasticity underwent rehabilitation for 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 3 weeks. Passive range of motion, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and circumference of each finger were measured before and after training and compared. Results: The range of motion and finger circumference increased when using a wearable robot. The MAS improved partially, and no exacerbation was observed. Conclusions: The wearable robot we developed is useful for rehabilitation of post-stroke spasticity and may improve venous return.

Aphasia testing (auditory comprehension domain) using a new eye-tracking system in healthy participants.

Sakai R, Koike Y, Saito K, Matsunaga T, Shimada Y, Miyakoshi N. Aphasia testing (auditory comprehension domain) using a new eye-tracking system in healthy participants. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2022; 13: 31-35. Objective: We administered a conventional pointing-method test with eye-tracking to evaluate items associated with auditory comprehension and examined the concordance between the obtained results. Methods: The enrolled participants were 10 healthy volunteers. We performed tests after extracting auditory comprehension items from the SLTA, the WAB, and the Supplementary tests for the SLTA using the eye-tracking system and the pointing method. Results: The mean test duration was 9 min 51 s ± 1 min 41 s (mean ± SD), and the percentage of correct answers was 100% and in perfect agreement for the pointing method and the eye-tracking system. The mean response time was 0.96 ± 0.36 s for the pointing method and -0.39 ± 0.21 s for the eye-tracking system. Hence, the latter was faster than the former, and examinees completed their responses before listening to the end of the questions. Conclusion: The new eye-tracking system makes it possible to perform aphasia tests (auditory comprehension items) comparable to the conventional pointing method.

Fibrin monomer complex on postoperative day 1 is correlated with the volume of deep vein thrombosis after knee surgery.

PURPOSE: Patients undergoing knee surgery are at high risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is infrequent but potentially life-threatening. It has not been identified how to efficiently detect high-risk DVT while minimizing bleeding complications from anticoagulation. We hypothesized that the degree of activation of thrombotic markers may correlate with the size of the thrombus. Therefore, we investigated the correlation between thrombotic markers and DVT thrombus volume in patients after knee surgery. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 29 patients who underwent around knee osteotomy or total / unicompartmental knee arthroplasty from 2018 to 2020. Fibrin monomer complex (FMC) at 1, and 7 days after surgery, and D-dimer at 4, and 7 days after surgery were investigated. In addition, the volume of DVT was estimated with ultrasonography at the 7 days after surgery. Body mass index, surgical time, and total volume of blood loss were also evaluated. Factors related to thrombus volume were examined statistically. RESULTS: Nine patients (31.0%) exhibited asymptomatic distal DVT, whereas 1 patient (3.4%) experienced asymptomatic proximal DVT. No patients had pulmonary embolism. Statistical analysis showed that only FMC concentration on postoperative day 1 was significantly correlated with thrombus volume (p <  0.001, 95% confidence interval 0.41 to 0.839, r = 0.679). CONCLUSIONS: The FMC concentration was a useful early indicator of deep vein thrombosis after knee surgery. Monitoring the FMC concentration could enable selective identification of patients with a high thrombus volume, which is associated with a high risk for pulmonary embolism.

Development of a Gait Rehabilitation Robot Using an Exoskeleton and Functional Electrical Stimulation: Validation in a Pseudo-paraplegic Model.

OBJECTIVE: We have developed a robot for gait rehabilitation of paraplegics for use in combination with functional electrical stimulation (FES). The purpose of this study was to verify whether the robot-derived torque can be reduced by using FES in a healthy-person pseudo-paraplegic model. METHODS: Nine healthy participants (22-36 years old) participated in this study. The robot exoskeleton was designed based on the hip-knee-ankle-foot orthosis for paraplegia. Participants walked on a treadmill using a rehabilitation lift to support their weight. The bilateral quadriceps femoris and hamstrings were stimulated using FES. The participants walked both with and without FES, and two walking speeds, 0.8 and 1.2 km/h, were used. Participants walked for 1 min in each of the four conditions: (a) 0.8 km/h without FES, (b) 0.8 km/h with FES, (c) 1.2 km/h without FES, and (d) 1.2 km/h with FES. The required robot torques in these conditions were compared for each hip and knee joint. The maximum torque was compared using one-way analysis of variance to determine whether there was a difference in the amount of assist torque for each gait cycle. RESULTS: Walking with the exoskeleton robot in combination with FES significantly reduced the torque in hip and knee joints, except for the right hip during extension. CONCLUSIONS: In the healthy-participant pseudo-paraplegic model, walking with FES showed a reduction in the robot-derived torque at both the hip and knee joints. Our rehabilitation robot combined with FES has the potential to assist paraplegics with various degrees of muscle weakness and thereby provide effective rehabilitation.

Relationship between Intervertebral Disc Compression Force and Sagittal Spinopelvic Lower Limb Alignment in Elderly Women in Standing Position with Patient-Specific Whole Body Musculoskeletal Model.

The intervertebral disc loading based on compensated standing posture in patients with adult spinal deformity remains unclear. We analyzed the relationship between sagittal alignment and disc compression force (Fm). In 14 elderly women, the alignment of the sagittal spinopelvic and lower extremities was measured. Fm was calculated using the Anybody Modeling System. Patients were divided into low sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and high SVA groups. Comparisons between the two groups were performed and the relationship between the Fm and each parameter was examined using Spearman's correlation coefficient (r). The mean lumbar Fm in the high SVA group was 67.6%; significantly higher than that in the low SVA group (p = 0.046). There was a negative correlation between cervical Fm with T1 slope (r = -0.589, p = 0.034) and lumbar Fm with lumbar lordosis (r = -0.566, p = 0.035). Lumbar Fm was positively correlated with center of gravity-SVA (r = 0.615, p = 0.029), T1 slope (r = 0.613, p = 0.026), and SVA (r = 0.612, p = 0.020). The results suggested sagittal malalignment increased the load on the thoracolumbar and lower lumbar discs and was associated with cervical disc loading.

Accuracy of Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate Measurements Using Two Types of Wearable Devices.

Objectives: Wearable devices such as fitness trackers have become popular in the healthcare field. Tracking heart rate and respiratory rate, in addition to physical activity, may provide an accurate picture of daily health. We believe that a combination of two types of devices can simultaneously measure and record physical activity, heart rate, and respiratory rate. However, the measurement accuracies of these two types of devices are not clear. This study aimed to determine the measurement accuracies of two wearable devices for heart and respiratory rate measurements. Methods: Ten healthy men performed incremental load tests (ILTs) and constant load tests (CLTs) on a cycle ergometer. The heart and respiratory rates were measured using wrist-worn (Silmee W22, TDK, Japan, Tokyo) and respiratory tracking devices (Spire Stone, Spire Health, San Francisco, CA, USA), respectively. A 12-lead electrocardiograph and the breath-by-breath method were used as external standards for heart and respiratory rates, respectively. Results: Bland-Altman analysis showed that heart rate had a fixed bias at rest and during ILT and CLT and had a proportional bias during CLT. The standard error values of the regression at rest and during CLT were less than 10 bpm for heart rate and less than 5.0 /min for respiratory rate. During ILT, the standard error was greater than 10 bpm for heart rate and approximately 5.0 /min for respiratory rate. Conclusions: The heart and respiratory rate measurements obtained using wearable devices were accurate within the practical margin of error.

Association between global sagittal malalignment and increasing hip joint contact force, analyzed by a novel musculoskeletal modeling system.

Patients with adult spinal deformity have various standing postures. Although several studies have reported a relationship between sagittal alignment and exacerbation of hip osteoarthritis, information is limited regarding how spinopelvic sagittal alignment changes affect hip joint loading. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sagittal spinopelvic-lower limb alignment and the hip joint contact force (HCF) using a novel musculoskeletal model. We enrolled 20 women (78.3±6.7 years) from a single institution. Standing lateral radiographs were acquired to measure thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, the pelvic tilt, sacral slope, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), femur obliquity angle, and knee flexion angle. In the model simulation, the Anybody Modeling System was used, which alters muscle pathways using magnetic resonance imaging data. Each patient's alignment was entered into the model; the HCF and hip moment in the standing posture were calculated using inverse dynamics analysis. The relationship between the HCF and each parameter was examined using Spearman's correlation coefficient (r). The patients were divided into low SVA and high SVA groups, with a cutoff value of 50 mm for the SVA. The HCF was 168.2±60.1 N (%BW) and positively correlated with the SVA (r = 0.6343, p<0.01) and femur obliquity angle (r = 0.4670, p = 0.03). The HCF were 122.2 and 214.1 N (75.2% difference) in the low SVA and high SVA groups, respectively (p<0.01). The flexion moment was also increased in the high SVA group compared with that in the low SVA group (p = 0.03). The SVA and femur obliquity angle are factors related to the HCF, suggesting an association between adult spinal deformity and the exacerbation of hip osteoarthritis. Future studies will need to assess the relationship between the hip joint load and sagittal spinopelvic parameters in dynamic conditions.

Diagnostic Accuracy of the Mobile Assessment of Varus Thrust Using Nine-axis Inertial Measurement Units.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to clarify the diagnostic accuracy of the mobile assessment of varus thrust using inertial measurement units (IMUs). METHODS: A total of 80 knees in 49 patients were enrolled in this study. On visual analysis of gait to determine the presence or absence of varus thrust, 23 knees were assigned to the Present group, 17 to the Ambiguous group, and 40 to the Absent group. The peak knee varus angular velocities (PVVs), measured by quantitative gait analysis using nine-axis IMUs, were compared between these three groups. A receiver operating characteristic curve for the relationship between the visual assessment of varus thrust (Present and Ambiguous) and the measured PVV was created, and the cut-off PVV for visualized varus thrust was determined as the highest point for both sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: The mean PVVs were significantly different between the three groups (Present, 47.7 ± 8.2 degree/s, Ambiguous, 34.1 ± 10.5 degree/s, and Absent, 28.1 ± 8.3 degree/s, respectively, ANOVA P=0.000). The PVV cut-off value for visualized varus thrust was 28.1 degree/s, yielding a sensitivity of 0.957 and a specificity of 0.579. CONCLUSIONS: A PVV <28.1 degree/s is useful for ruling out varus thrust during gait. This quantitative varus thrust assessment method using IMUs has clinical utility as a screening test.

A new double level osteotomy procedure to restore a joint line and joint angles in severe varus osteoarthritis. - Double level osteotomy associated with tibial condylar valgus osteotomy (DLOTO).

High tibial valgus osteotomy (HTO) is a well-established surgical procedure to correct a varus malalignment and treat medial compartment osteoarthritis. Recently, double level osteotomy (DLO) was recommended for extensive varus knees as a single level osteotomy (SLO) approach may create an excessive joint line obliquity and eventually result in a new bony deformity. However, a severe varus knee in cases of advanced osteoarthritis involves not only a bony deformity (extra-articular deformity) but also a medial joint space narrowing with a widened lateral joint space (intra-articular deformity). A DLO alone cannot reduce this intra-articular deformity. However, tibial condylar valgus osteotomy (TCVO) can complement DLO as to reduce this intra-articular deformity. This technical note describes a novel modified DLO procedure associated with TCVO which can restore a normal alignment and a joint line and achieve joint preservation even in cases of extensive varus osteoarthritis.

Evaluation of factors affecting the occurrence of second atypical fracture after bone union of the first atypical fracture.

PURPOSE: Teriparatide is sometimes used in the treatment of atypical femoral fracture (AFF). Even if bone union is achieved, orthopedic physicians must consider the risk of relapse. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting AFF recurrence, and to determine the appropriate treatment for osteoporosis after bone union. METHODS: One hundred thirty-one consecutive AFFs in 113 Japanese patients were included. Eleven patients had AFF in the unaffected limb (9 patients) after the first AFF or re-fracture at the original fracture site (2 patients) after bone union of the first AFF was confirmed. We divided all patients into two groups: the second fracture group (22 AFFs in 11 patients) and non-second fracture group (109 AFFs in 102 patients). We compared clinical information between the 2 groups and investigated the factors affecting AFF recurrence using the Student t-, Welch t-, and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Although there was no significant difference in clinical characteristics between the 2 groups, multivariate analysis of factors associated with AFF recurrence identified short duration of treatment with teriparatide and active vitamin D3 (p = 0.0408 and 0.0366, respectively) as risk factors. Even in the analysis excluding subtrochanteric AFF, short periods of teriparatide and active vitamin D3 administration were observed as risk factors (p = 0.0484 and 0.0346, respectively). CONCLUSION: The administration of teriparatide for as long as possible after occurrence first AFF and the use of active vitamin D3 after completion of teriparatide therapy may be the most effective strategy to prevent the recurrence of AFF.