Editorial Commentary: Machine Learning Can Indicate Hip Arthroscopy Procedures, Predict Postoperative Improvement, and Estimate Costs.

Complex statistical approaches are increasingly being used in the orthopaedic literature, and this is especially true in the field of sports medicine. Tools such as machine learning provide the opportunity to analyze certain research areas that would often require the complex assessment of large amounts of data. Generally, decision making is multifactorial and based upon experience, personal capabilities, available utilities, and literature. Given the difficulty associated with determining the optimal patient treatment, many studies have moved toward more complex statistical approaches to create algorithms that take large amounts of data and distill it into a formula that may guide surgeons to better patient outcomes while estimating and even optimizing costs. In the future, this clinical and economic information will play an important role in patient management.

[ROBOTICS- WHY NOW?]

INTRODUCTION: Total knee arthroplasty is already one of the most successful procedures in orthopedics with high survival rates and excellent post-operative outcomes. Despite these satisfying results, robotic-guided arthroplasty is slowly but surely infiltrating both worldwide and domestic. In Steinfeld et al.'s review "Robotic Total Knee Arthroplasty" the authors navigate through the pros and cons of robotic-guided total knee arthroplasty and try to answer the question: Robotics, why now?

[TOTAL ELBOW REPLACEMENT AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SEVERELY COMMINUTED FRACTURES AROUND THE ELBOW].

BACKGROUND: Intra-articular elbow fractures are considered to be one of the most complex injuries in orthopedic trauma. Some are too comminuted for open reduction and internal fixation. Recently, total elbow replacement (TER) has gained popularity for the treatment of comminuted elbow trauma when other treatment options are not possible. METHODS: Since 2007-2013 we treated 18 patients with TER due to comminuted distal humeral fractures. We used the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scoring system (DASH) to evaluate the patient's satisfaction. In addition we evaluated the elbow range of motion and collateral stability. CONCLUSIONS: Functional range of motion was achieved with high patient satisfaction. Based on the results we conclude that TER is a reasonable option for complex elbow fractures when open reduction and internal fixation is not suitable.

[A NEW PLAYER IN THE FIELD OF SHOULDER SURGERY - THE REVERSE SHOULDER ARTHROPLASTY].

INTRODUCTION: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) in its modern design was first introduced over 25 years ago and approved by the American FDA over ten years ago. This type of prosthesis allows treatment of glenohumeral joint disease among patients with severe rotator cuff deficiency once thought to be inoperable. Modifications to the prosthesis design, along with improved surgical technique, led to better clinical outcomes and lower complication rates, which subsequently led to an increase in the usage of this implant device. The promising results led shoulder specialists to re-assess and expand the indications for surgery, which currently also include complex fractures of the proximal humerus in the elderly population. In this review we will cover the history and evolution of the RSA prosthesis, indications and contraindications, along with up-to-date outcomes and complications.

[NON-ARTHROPLASTY TREATMENT FOR KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS].

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis is characterized by marked pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion and is one of the most common causes of disability and reduced quality of life. The disease is diagnosed in 20% of the adult population; the prevalence rises to 50% of adults over 65 years of age. There are various treatment options in the early stages of knee osteoarthritis which are intended to postpone the need for arthroplasty, which is the gold standard treatment at the end-stage level of the disease. Evidence based medicine (EBM) facilitates optimized decision-making and treatment for an individual patient based on meta-analysis, randomize control studies and systematic reviews. Based on these studies, physical activity is an effective treatment option resulting in reduced disability and improved quality of life. Among other conservative treatment options, chondroitin, a food supplement, was found to be as effective as anti-inflammatory medication with a lower side effect profile. Similar results were found for intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid, while intra-articular injections of platelet rich plasma (PRP) were found to be the most effective of all the above. No advantage was reported for knee arthroscopy over conservative treatment options even when examining those patients with combined symptomatic meniscal tear and knee osteoarthritis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDS) and opiate treatment have limited long term effect on reducing pain, disability and improving quality of life. These drugs can have a high rate of substantial side effect. Hence, their use should be limited, especially in the elderly population, and safer modalities should be explored.

[THE EVOLUTION IN TREATING MENISCAL TEARS--FROM RESECTION TO SUTURING].

The meniscus has an important biomechanical role in the normal function of the knee including load bearing, shock absorption and joint stability. Tears of the meniscus are one of the common sports injuries. The knowledge that total meniscectomy causes early development of degenerative changes has raised the prevalence of meniscal tear repair in order to preserve as much as possible of the meniscal tissue. The type of tear (degenerative of traumatic), shape and location have a critical effect on healing ability after suture of the tear and thus will determine the treatment plan.

Recurrent episodes of micturition with expulsion of symphyseal plate screws following pelvic ring fixation: case report.

BACKGROUND: Based on a computer-assisted literature search, this case is the first description of repeated loosening of metallic internal fixation implants after pelvic ring stabilization, associated with intravesical metal migration and micturition with expulsion of two bone screws. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year old woman was seen after the urinary expulsion of a 6.5 mm diameter cancellous screw. About seven years earlier, she had been hit by a motorcyclist while crossing the street. On admission at the time of the initial injury, thoraco-abdominal computerized tomography with intravenous contrast material revealed a bladder injury and pelvic ring fractures. An anterior-posterior type injury to the pelvic ring was diagnosed with symphyseal pubis disruption, and widening of the left sacroiliac joint with an associated sacral fracture. Explorative laparotomy revealed two bladder lacerations of both the posterior and the anterior bladder wall, which were repaired primarily. Orthopedic surgeons reduced the pelvis and stabilized it with two plates and screws. Seven years after the original injury, the patient presented with recurrent abdominal pain after expelling a screw into the toilet while urinating. Planar radiographs showed only five of the original screws remaining in the two symphyseal plates, and all screws appeared to have loosened when compared to the original fixation radiograph. CONCLUSION: This clinical report emphasizes the importance of symphyseal plate positioning and the sequelae of imprecise positioning, especially postero-superiorly adjacent to the Retzius space. The presence of protruding metal prominences, even smooth ones like a plate corner or screw head, might endanger the bladder. When using superior plates, imprecise contouring may lead to plate edge protrusion which could damage the bladder even long after application.

Gait characteristics and quality of life perception of patients following tibial plateau fracture.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the long-term functional outcome as measured by gait patterns and quality of life assessment of patients with high-energy tibial plateau fracture compared to matched controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients were evaluated in a case-controlled comparison. Twenty-two patients with tibial plateau fracture were evaluated after 3.1 (1.63) years (sd) from injury. Patients underwent a computerized spatiotemporal gait test and completed the SF-12 health survey. 16 healthy subjects, matched for age and gender served as a control group. The main outcome measures for this study were spatiotemporal gait characteristics, physical quality of life and mental quality of life. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in all gait parameters between patients with tibial plateau fracture and healthy controls. Patients with tibial plateau fracture walked slower by 18% compared to the control group (p < 0.001), had slower cadence by 8% compared (p = 0.002) to the control group and had shorter step length in the involved leg by 11% and in the uninvolved leg by 12% compared to the control group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.003, respectively). Patients with tibial plateau fracture also showed shorter single limb support (SLS) in the involved leg by 12% compared to the uninvolved leg and 5% in the uninvolved leg compared to the control group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.017, respectively). Significant differences were found in the Short Form (SF)-12 scores. Physical Health Score of patients with tibial plateau fracture was 65% lower compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001), and Mental Health Score of the patients was 40% lower compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). Finally, significant correlations were found between SF-12 and gait patterns. CONCLUSION: Long-term deviations in gait and quality of life exist in patients following tibial plateau fracture. Patients following tibial plateau fracture present altered spatiotemporal gait patterns compared to healthy controls, as well as self-reported quality of life.

Effect of seasonality, weather and holidays on the incidence of proximal hip fracture.

BACKGROUND: Proximal hip fractures in the elderly are common and place a heavy burden on health resources. Researching the timing of these fractures could contribute to diverting resources towards peaks in incidence and investing in prevention at certain times. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of seasonality, weather and Jewish holidays on hip fracture incidence in older adults. The study population comprised 2050 patients aged 65 years or more who sustained a proximal hip fracture. METHODS: The computerized files of the patients were reviewed for trends in incidence by season, precipitation, minimum and maximum temperatures, day of the week, and certain Jewish festivals. RESULTS: Hip fractures were more likely to occur in the winter than in the summer (P < 0.0001). Factors that significantly correlated with hip fracture were the maximum daily temperature (r = -0.746, P = 0.005) followed by the minimum daily temperature (r = -0.740, P = 0.006) and precipitation (r = 0.329, P = 0.02). There were fewer fractures on Saturdays (the Sabbath) as compared to other days of the week (P = 0.045). Researching the incidence on Jewish holidays, we found an elevated incidence on Passover (P < 0.0001) and a reduced incidence on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippui) (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: In older people there is an elevated incidence of proximal hip fractures during the winter and on the Jewish festivals. On weekends and on the Day of Atonement the incidence of proximal hip fractures was reduced.

COVID-19 Resulted in Reduction Trainee Bedside Experience, But No Reduction in Surgical Experience.

Purpose: Because of the concerns regarding residency process during the pandemic, this study aimed to investigate the volume of clinical interactions of orthopaedic residents at a tertiary hospital by reporting the number of patients treated in the outpatient clinic, inpatient ward, and operating room. Methods: This retrospective chart study evaluated variables such as volume of clinical interactions of orthopaedic residents at a tertiary hospital by reporting the number of patients treated in the outpatient clinic, inpatient ward, and operating room, from an orthopaedic department in a tertiary trauma center throughout the COVID-19 pandemic era. Comparing these measures was an indirect evaluation tool for measuring the amount of work completed and clinical exposure gained by the residents. Results: Occupancy percentage, hospitalization days, admissions to the department, and attendance of the outpatient clinic were all decreased during the pandemic. No significant changes were evident in the total number of surgeries nor the number of elective surgeries during the pandemic. Conclusions: Overall, a reduction in overall hospitalization days, admissions to the department, total number of visits in the outpatient clinic, and occupancy percentage of the ward was observed during COVID-19. However, there was no difference in the average number of monthly surgeries between the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 timeframes. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative review.

Core decompression and alendronate treatment of the osteonecrotic rat femoral head: computer-assisted analysis.

Femoral head avascular necrosis is a process leading to femoral head deformity and osteoarthritic changes in the hip joint. Alendronate slows down bone resorption and remodelling in rats, while core decompression hastens the healing processes. We evaluated the influence of daily alendronate treatment on the rat femoral head shape after surgical osteonecrosis with core decompression, compared with controls. No differences were found in shape factor and femoral head height/length ratios. It was concluded that alendronate treatment slows down the process of replacing osteonecrotic bone by new bone and prevents early immature new bone collapse resulting from early revascularization because of core decompression.

Surgical stabilisation in equivocal pelvic ring injuries - Into the grey zone.

Pelvic ring injuries comprise a spectrum of bony, ligamentous and muscular injuries, described by several common classification systems. However, the majority of injuries lie in areas of intermediate severity, where complexity and variable nature make it extremely hard to define in detail. This fact and associated injuries make it extremely difficult to conduct randomised control trials, with purpose to direct treatment guidelines. Thus, special interest and expertise are required by pelvic trauma surgeons, while surgical indications and fixation methods rely on their experience, at least in part. Namely, a significant grey zone of indication exists. As fixation methods evolve, specifically percutaneous fixation using osseous fixation pathways, some injuries in which morbidity bound with surgical fixation was considered too high relative to its benefits, may be considered eligible for surgical treatment nowadays. Moreover, due to significant progress in the treatment of the acute polytrauma casualties, the survival rate increased over the years, emphasizing the effect of long-term morbidity and functional outcome of pelvic ring injuries. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the equivocal areas of controversies, hence "the grey zone", and to provide the readership with up-to-date published data. We aimed to collect and detail clinical and radiological clues in the diagnosis of intermediate unstable anterior-posterior compression and lateral compression injuries, and for the selection of treatment methods and sequence. Recent publications have provided some insights into specific injury features that are correlated with increased chance of instability, pain and delay in ambulation. Specific focus is given to the utility of examination under anaesthesia in selected cases. Other publications surveyed the shared experience of pelvic trauma surgeons as for the classification, indication and treatment sequence of pelvic ring injuries. Although the data hasn't matured yet to a comprehensive treatment algorithm, it may serve clinicians well when making treatment decisions in the grey zone of pelvic ring injuries, and serve as a basis for future prospective studies.

Risk Factors for a Failed Transmetatarsal Amputation in Patients with Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Transmetatarsal amputation (TMA) is a well-recognized limb-salvage procedure, often indicated for the treatment of diabetic foot infections. Currently, there is no widespread agreement in the literature with regard to the factors associated with failure of TMA. This study aimed to define risk factors for the failure of TMA, defined as below-the-knee or above-the-knee amputation, in patients with diabetes. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 341 patients who underwent primary TMA. Patients who had a revision to a higher level (the failed TMA group) were compared with those who did not have failure of the initial amputation (the successful TMA group). RESULTS: This study showed a higher frequency of renal impairment, defined as a high creatinine level and/or a previous kidney transplant or need for dialysis, in the failed TMA group (p = 0.002 for both). Furthermore, a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) threshold value of 7.5 was identified as the optimal predictive value for failure of TMA (p = 0.002), and patients with a CCI of >7.5 had a median time of 1.13 months until the initial amputation failed. CONCLUSIONS: TMA is associated with a high risk of revision. CCI may be used as a preoperative selection criterion, as 71.8% of patients with a CCI of >7.5 had failure of the TMA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A comparison between Austin-Moore and Corail prosthesis regarding intraoperative periprosthetic femur fractures in hip hemiarthroplasty.

Hip hemiarthroplasty is considered the treatment of choice for displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly less active patients. One important complication of this procedure is an intraoperative periprosthetic femur fracture (IPF), which may lead to poor functional outcome and may increase morbidity and mortality. Our primary aim in this study is to compare between Austin-Moore and Corail prosthesis regarding IPFs. Our secondary aim is to assess patient and surgical technique related risk factors for the development of this complication. Inclusion criteria included patients older than 65 years of age who had a displaced femoral neck fracture and were operated for hip hemiarthroplasty between the years 2014-2018. Patient-specific data was collected retrospectively including age, gender, comorbidities, pre-injury ambulatory status, duration of surgery, surgical approach, use of Austin-Moore or Corail prosthesis, surgeon's experience and type of anesthesia applied. In addition, radiographs were reviewed for measurement of calcar to canal ratio (CDR) and classification of Dorr canal type. 257 patients with an average age of 83.7 years were enrolled in the study. 118 patients (46%) were treated with an Austin-Moore prosthesis, while 139 (54%) were treated with a Corail prosthesis. A total of 22 patients (8.6%) had intraoperative fractures. Fracture prevalence was significantly higher in the Corail group compared with the Austin-Moore group (12.2% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.025). The majority of patients had a Dorr A type femoral canal, while the rest had Dorr B type canal (70% vs. 30%). There was no difference in fracture prevalence between Dorr A and B canal type patients. We didn't find any significant risk factor for developing an IPF, neither patient wise (age, gender, and comorbidities) nor surgical technique related (surgical approach, type of anesthesia, and surgeon's experience). Intraoperative periprosthetic fracture prevalence was significantly higher in the Corail patient group compared with the Austin-Moore group. This may be an important advantage of the Austin-Moore prosthesis over the Corail prosthesis.

[Plantar fasciitis and extracorporeal shock wave therapy--essence, diagnosis and treatment methods].

Heel pain is a very common foot complaint, usually caused by inflammation at the origin of the plantar fascia in the heel, termed plantar fasciitis (PF). The diagnosis is based on patient history and physical examination. Treatment of PF is mainly conservative. In recent years, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for a variety of orthopedic pathologies has become more acceptable and is increasing in popularity. Treating PF with ESWT is effective and should be considered before steroid injections and definitely prior to surgical intervention.

[A new non-invasive biomechanical therapy for knee osteoarthritis improves clinical symptoms and gait patterns].

BACKGROUND: The management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) focuses on reducing the levels of pain and disability. Recently, a novel biomechanical device and treatment methodology (AposTherapy) was shown to reduce the knee adduction moment while simultaneously challenging the neuromuscular control system through perturbation. AIM: The purpose of the study was to investigate the changes in gait patterns and clinical measurements following treatment with a novel biomechanical device on patients with knee OA. METHODS: A total of 745 patients with bilateral knee OA were analyzed. Patients completed a gait test, Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire and SF-36 Health Survey at baseline and after 12 weeks. The biomechanical device was individually calibrated to each patient. Shifting the center of pressure, through changes in the location of the biomechanical elements causes realignment and reduction in the knee adduction moment. Furthermore the configuration of the biomechanical element allows training under controlled perturbation. RESULTS: A significant decrease was found in WOMAC pain (28.6%) and WOMAC function (25.2%) following three months of therapy (p<0.001). A significant increase was found in the patients' physical quality of life (17.8%) and mental quality of life (11.0%) (p<0.001). Gait velocity, cadence step length, stance phase and single limb support phase improved significantly following three months of therapy (7.6%, 4%, 3.7% and 1.6%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an overall improvement in the gait patterns, level of pain, function and quality of life of patients with knee OA following three months of AposTherapy.

Interobserver and intraobserver agreement for Letournel acetabular fracture classification system using 3-dimensional printed solid models.

BACKGROUND: Acetabular fractures pose diagnostic and surgical challenges. They are classified using the Judet-Letournel system, which is based solely on X-ray. However, computed tomography (CT) imaging is now more widely utilized in diagnosing these injuries. The emergence of 3-dimensional (3-D) printing technology in varying orthopedic fields has provided surgeons a solid model that improves their spatial understanding of complex fractures and ability to plan pre-operatively. AIM: To evaluate the reliability of the Judet-Letournel classification system of acetabular fractures, when using either CT imaging or 3-D printed models. METHODS: Seven patients with acetabular fractures underwent pelvic CT imaging, which was then used to create solid, 3-D printed models. Eighteen orthopaedic trauma surgeons responded to questionnaires regarding fracture classification and preferred surgical approach. The same questionnaire was completed using only CT imaging, and two weeks later, using only 3-D printed models. The inter- and intra-observer agreement rates were then analyzed. RESULTS: Inter-observer agreement rates based on CT imaging or 3-D printed models were moderate for fracture classification: κ = 0.44, κ = 0.55, respectively (P < 0.001) and fair for preferred surgical approach: κ = 0.34, κ = 0.29, respectively (P < 0.005). Intra-observer agreement rates for fracture classification and preferred surgical approach comparing CT imaging or 3-D printed models were moderate: κ = 0.48, κ = 0.41, respectively. No significant difference in intra-observer agreement was detected when comparing orthopedic pelvic specialists to general orthopedic traumatologists. CONCLUSION: The Judet-Letournel classification demonstrated only moderate rates of agreement. The use of 3-D printed models increased the inter-observer agreement rates with respect to fracture classification, but decreased it with respect to the preferred surgical approach. This study highlights the role of 3-D printed models in acetabular fractures by improving spatial understanding of these complex injuries, thus providing more reliable fracture diagnoses and alternative viewpoints for pre-operative planning.

There Is No Place Like Home: A Survey on Satisfaction and Reported Outcomes of a Home-Based Rehabilitation Program Among Orthopedic Surgery Patients.

BACKGROUND: Home-based rehabilitation (HBR) was previously found to be associated with positive outcomes that are equal to inpatient rehabilitation. Few studies have examined the challenges patients are facing during rehabilitation and recovery and their satisfaction from HBR. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the overall satisfaction and reported outcomes of HBR. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted among 146 orthopedic surgery patients who participated in an HBR program, at the end of the HBR and 6 months after. The questionnaire included information about level of independence, satisfaction from HBR, and difficulties during HBR. FINDINGS: The overall satisfaction was high (73.1%). Patients reported on improvements in level of independence between the time of hospital discharge, the end of the program (P = .0001), and the 6 months follow-up (P = .004). Long wait for beginning of HBR, being a widower, and residing in a facility or with a nonfamilial caregiver were associated significantly with less general well-being and independence. The repeated measures analysis showed age lower than 71 and private health insurance ownership were associated with a better recovery. The most common difficulties reported were physical difficulties, lack of function, and caregivers' burden. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and families need more emotional, social, and physical support during HBR. The increase in health services delivered in community settings requires a more clear-cut policy and supervision for HBR and the follow-up services.

Knee arthroplasty with hardware removal: complication cascade. Is it preventable?

An elderly woman underwent hardware removal and total joint replacement (TJR) of her right knee. Ipsilateral total tip replacement was performed 7 years earlier, and 12 months later, a supracondylar fracture of the index femur was successfully treated by open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of the distal femur with a locking compression plate condylar plate. Hardware removal attempt, prior to the arthroplasty, resulted in fracture of the distal femur. Total knee replacement (TKR) was commenced with temporary reduction and final stabilisation of the femur fracture with a condylar plate. Postoperatively, non-union of the femur fracture developed twice with fatigue failure of the plate fixation device in both instances. Refixation of the femur was performed on both occasions and additional bone healing augmentation measures were performed for each subsequent surgery. Femur union was achieved fourteen months after the last surgery.