The Comparison Between 3.5- and 4.5-mm T-plates for Management of the Patients with Schatzker Type II Tibial Plateau Fractures that Referred to our Emergency Department: A Clinical Trial.

Background: Tibial plateau fractures have become more frequent in recent years. The most prevalent Schatzker classification is type II, which is a lateral tibial plateau fracture with depression. Our null hypothesis was that the 3.5 T-plate and the 4.5 T-plate have no difference in the management of patients with Schatzker type II tibial plateau fractures. Materials and Methods: The current study is a clinical trial that was conducted on patients with tibial plateau fractures. The Knee Society Score (KSS) was this study's main outcome. Tourniquet time (TT) and patient quality of life using the 36-item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36) were secondary goals of the outcomes measurement study. VAS measured pain. Among 176 patients, 89 and 87 of cases underwent surgical treatment with 3.5-mm (group A) and 4.5-mm (group B) T-plate, respectively. The data were entered into SPSS software (version 25, IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY) and analyzed. Results: In our study, we evaluated 176 patients with a mean age of 34.8 ± 15.2 years. Functional and clinical KSS scores were similar between the two groups throughout follow-up (P > 0.05). Regarding the other variables of VAS, TT, SF-36 physical function, and SF-36 mental health, no significant difference was observed between the two groups, and the two groups had similar averages in terms of these indicators (P > 0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, both plates had the appropriate functional outcomes in patients with split depression tibial plateau fracture.

Comparison of Postoperative Pain and Clinical Outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty Among Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Referred to Clinic or Emergency Department.

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is among the most frequent orthopedic procedures. TKA has been shown to provide significant benefits to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). We hypothesized that patients undergoing primary TKA with diverse preoperative diseases would have varying expectations for both pain and function following TKA. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with OA or RA participated in this prospective cohort investigation. We assessed variables including Knee society score (KSS), and patient's quality of life using 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36). Pain was also measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: In this study, 606 patients including 412 females and 194 males with a mean age of 65.5 ± 8.7 years were included in the study. Among patients, 46 patients underwent TKA due to RA and 560 patients due to knee OA. There was no statistically significant difference in term of KSS clinical score before the operation (P = 0.101). The mean of KSS clinical score and functional score variables at 6 months and 12 months after the operation were higher in OA group in comparison to RA group. SF-36 was significantly improved in OA group in comparison to RA group. Also, VAS in the RA group is significantly higher than in the OA group after 12 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that patients with OA after TKA have better KSS clinical and functional results than patients with RA.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Conventional Prostheses Against Dual-Mobility Prostheses in the Treatment of Femoral Neck Fractures in Two Separate Groups of Patients: A Clinical Trial Study.

Background: Femoral neck fracture is a common posttraumatic injury in the elderly. Currently, orthopedic surgeons conducting total hip arthroplasty (THA) for hip fractures have various prosthetic alternatives. Dual-mobility cup THA is recommended for hip fracture patients to reduce prosthesis dislocation. Therefore, the goal of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional prostheses against dual-mobility prostheses in treating femoral neck fractures in two groups of patients. Materials and Methods: The current clinical investigation involved patients with femoral neck fractures. Among approved 84 patients, 44 and 40 were undergoing conventional THA (group A) and dual-mobility THA (group B), respectively. Patients were observed regularly after surgeries, and the same measurements were performed. The data were assembled and entered into SPSS software (version 25, IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) and analyzed. In all analyses, a P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Eighty-four cases with an average age of 63.97 years were evaluated. In postoperative follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of Harris hip score, SF-36, and infection (P > 0.05). However, patients who received conventional implants had more dislocation postoperatively (P = 0.045). Regarding the rehabilitation costs, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups, so the group using the conventional implants incurred a higher cost (P = 0.041). Conclusion: According to the results, both dual mobility and conventional implants had optimal functional outcomes in patients with femoral neck fractures.

The role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography in the diagnosis and monitoring of large vessel vasculitides - a review article.

In the last two decades, advancements in positron emission tomography (PET) technology have increased the diagnostic accuracy of patients with large-vessel vasculitis (LVV). Numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been conducted, and patients suspected of having LVV can be diagnosed earlier with 18F-FDG PET. Two subtypes, giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TA), will progress when their response to corticosteroids and enhanced immunosuppression is inadequate. In the majority of patients, disease activity cannot be monitored solely through laboratory procedures; consequently, glucose metabolism may be a source of potential biomarkers. In this article, we discuss the current state of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging standards.

Persistent pain following total knee arthroplasty: The role of underlying diseases.

Background: With increasing age and joint-destructive diseases, the need for novel surgeries such as total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has increased. Complications such as pain exacerbation and persistent pain after surgery may occur which increases rehabilitation programs. Factors such as body mass index (BMI), psychiatric disorders, spine diseases, and comorbidities diseases can affect outcomes. Our study was conducted to evaluate the effect of BMI, psychiatric disorders, spine diseases, and underlying diseases on persistent and annoying pain after TKA. Materials and Methods: This is a case-control study that was conducted on patients who underwent TKA in Kashani Hospital in Isfahan City in 2020-2022. Demographic data of patients including age and BMI, diabetes mellitus (DM), history of psychiatric disorders, spine disorders such as spondylolisthesis or disc herniation, and other underlying diseases were obtained. Patients were assigned to case or control groups based on pain complaints after surgery. All patients were evaluated 6 months after the initial surgery. After collecting the study data, they were entered into SPSS software (version 25, IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) and analyzed. Results: We enrolled 35 patients in the case group and 39 patients in the control group between June 2020 and September 2022, based on the severity of pain measured using a Visual Analog Scale score. Our results show that BMI and DM had a meaningful relationship with pain after surgery (P ≤ 0.01). Other factors did not show a significant difference between groups. Conclusion: Underlying diseases, psychiatric diseases, and spine disorders did not significantly affect the pain after TKA. Patients with DM and higher BMI experienced more persistent pain after TKA.

Quasi-Continuous Wave Pulsed Laser Welding of Copper Lap Joints Using Spatial Beam Oscillation.

Laser beam welding of copper (Cu) using near-infrared radiation is extremely challenging due to its high thermal conductivity and large laser reflectivity. In the present study, the challenges and benefits of using spatial beam oscillation during quasi-continuous wave (QCW) pulsed laser beam welding of 0.4 mm Cu to 1 mm Cu in lap joint configuration are presented. This work demonstrates how laser beam oscillating parameters can be used to control the laser weld quality and laser weld dimensions for Cu-Cu joining. Compared to a non-oscillated laser beam, welds made using laser beam oscillation showed fewer spatters, porosities, and better surface quality. Four levels of oscillating amplitudes (0.2 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm, and 0.8 mm) and oscillating frequencies (100 Hz, 200 Hz, 300 Hz, and 400 Hz) were compared to reveal the effect of beam oscillation parameters. The weld width was mainly controlled by oscillating amplitude, while weld penetration was affected by both oscillating amplitude and frequency. As the oscillating amplitude increased, the weld width increased while the weld penetration decreased. Increasing the oscillating frequency reduced the weld penetration but had a negligible effect on the weld width. The maximum tensile force of approximately 1944 N was achieved for the joint with a high width-to-depth ratio with an oscillating amplitude of 0.8 mm and an oscillating frequency of 200 Hz.

Contrast-enhanced weighted-T1 and FLAIR sequences in MRI of meningeal lesions.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in meningeal lesions due to rapid and accurate diagnosis and prevention of serious complications. The aim of the present study was to compare these two sequences after injection of a contrast agent into meningeal lesions. This is a descriptive-analytical study that was performed in 2018-2020 on patients referred to the radiology ward with detection of any meningeal involvements in the MRI images. In addition to T1-W, FLAIR sequence imaging was also performed. Images were initially evaluated by two expert radiologists and a neurologist. The diagnostic values of the sequences were compared. Overall, a total number of 147 patients with meningeal lesions in their brain MRI entered the study. 57.1% of cases (84 patients) had an infectious etiology and 42.9% (63 patients) had a tumoral etiology. T1-W images without contrast were able to diagnose 78 cases of meningitis (92.8% of them), and FLAIR sequences could diagnose 82 patients (97.6% of them). Without contrast injection on MRI, the diagnostic value of T1-W sequence was higher than FLAIR sequence for tumoral lesions (P < 0.01). The enhancement degree of T1-W was higher for tumoral findings (P < 0.01). In contrast, the enhancement degree of the FLAIR sequence was higher for infectious findings, which was also statistically significant (P = 0.015). FLAIR sequences had 92% sensitivity and 85% specificity for diagnosis of brain inflammatory diseases. Similar analysis showed that T1 sequence had 82% sensitivity and 73% specificity for diagnosis of brain inflammatory diseases.

Comparison of two different stems for total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the golden standard in treating severe osteoarthritis, which has not responded to conservative treatment. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the therapeutic results of THA using Short-stem and Standard-stem prostheses. METHODS: The study was a randomized clinical trial without a control group that was performed in 2020. A total number of 156 patients were recruited over three years. Patients were divided into two groups. The first group was treated with a Short-stem prosthesis and the second group was treated with a Standard-stem prosthesis. Patients were visited according to a schedule. At each visit, a control graph was prepared and the condition of the bone prosthesis and its position were examined. Also, the status of cane use and weightlifting were evaluated. Clinical signs such as pain, lameness, and the ability to climb stairs were assessed and recorded based on the Harris scale. Patients were also evaluated for surgical complications such as infection or limb length discrepancy. RESULTS: Data of 140 patients were analyzed. The mean age of patients was 60.2 ± 6.38 years. The amount of bleeding in the short-stem group was significantly lower than the standard-stem group (380.17 ml versus 430.13 ml, P = 0.001). In both groups, there was a significant increase in Harris score after the end of the study compared to before the operations. Furthermore, Harris's mean score was higher in the short-stem group compared to standard-stem group. However, these significant differences were observed only in the sixth week (P < 0.0001) and the third month (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The use of Short-stem prosthesis in the short term can play a role in improving patient performance but in the long term evaluations, there is no apparent difference with the use of Standard-stem prostheses.