Is there any effect of presence and size of os trigonum on flexor hallucis longus tendon lesions?

BACKGROUND: It was hypnotized that presence and larger size of os trigonum (OT) can affect flexor hallucis longus tendon (FHL), so tenosynovitis, degeneration and partial tear can be developed. METHODS: A total of 98 (Study group: 50, Control: 48) subjects included to study and compered status of FHL lesions. Sagittal length and axial width of OT were measured on MRI to determine effect of OT on FHL lesions and correlated with arthroscopic findings. RESULTS: FHL tenosynovitis (p: 0,025), degeneration (p: 0,01) and partial tear (p: 0.008) was identified statistically high in study group. Statistical analysis revealed that as length of OT increased, frequency of degeneration (p: 0.03) and partial tear (p: 0.00) of FHL increased. CONCLUSION: Analyzes were showed that the presence of os trigonum had an important role on the FHL pathologies. Additional finding of study was to demonstrate that possibility of FHL lesion increased as length of OT extended. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

What is the importance of canal-to-diaphysis ratio on osteoporosis-related hip fractures?

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate whether the ratio of the canal-to-diaphysis in femoral subtrochanteric region is helpful in determining risk before hip fracture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 116 patients with osteoporotic hip fractures (26 males, 90 females; mean age 77.8 years; range, 61 to 89 years) and the control group consisted of 56 subjects (11 males, 45 females; mean age 75.3 years; range, 60 to 83 years). The canal-to-diaphysis ratio of patients in the study group was measured on plain radiographs. The results of the affected side and intact side were compared. To ensure the interobserver reliability of the measurements and to minimize technical errors, the assessments were performed twice (two weeks apart) by two different orthopedic surgeons. RESULTS: The canal-to-diaphysis ratio was significantly increased in patients with hip fracture compared with the intact side of same patient (p<0.001) and control subjects (p<0.001). According to the results of the receiver operating characteristic analysis, canal-to-diaphysis ratio had a diagnostic value in predicting hip fracture in osteoporosis patients, and the limit value was approximately 0.53 (sensitivity: 81%, specificity: 86%). An index of 0.53 represents a risk of intertrochanteric hip fracture of 89%. CONCLUSION: This method can be easily applied by all physicians as X-ray device is readily accessible with low cost. The risk of hip fracture should be determined, osteoporosis should be evaluated, and treatment should be started in patients with high risk to take the necessary precautions before the fracture develops.

Can distal radius or vertebra fractures due to low-energy trauma be a harbinger of a hip fracture?

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate whether or not low-energy distal radius or vertebra fractures are harbingers of hip fracture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 142 patients had surgical treatment due to hip fracture in our clinic between February 2013 and January 2017. The patients had low-energy fractures before hip fracture, and they received either medical treatment for osteoporosis or not before hip fracture developed. RESULTS: Of 142 patients, 32 had distal radius, humeral neck, ankle, vertebra fractures and 15 had a second hip fracture. The patients were determined to have most frequently a distal radius and vertebra fracture before hip fracture. The treatment of osteoporosis was determined to be neglected in 58% of 47 patients in total who had a fracture previously. CONCLUSION: Distal radius and vertebra fractures are the harbingers of a potential hip fracture. Physicians, especially orthopedists, who face with these fractures should be careful in terms of osteoporosis.

Is it possible that the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis could start with subchondral trabecular bone loss like osteoporosis?

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the role of subchondral trabecular bone thickness in the mechanism of knee osteoarthritis and the correlation of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis pathogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 62 patients (9 males, 53 females; mean age 66.7 years; range, 50 to 84 years) with osteoarthritis. All radiographs were evaluated according to Kellgren and Lawrence classification. The bone mineral density of the patients was measured and bone samples were collected from all patients included in the study during the surgical procedure and investigated pathologically. RESULTS: Osteoarthritis grade and trabecular bone thickness were correlated with each other. Trabecular thickness rate was higher in patients with severe osteoarthritis, whereas trabecular thickness rate was statistically significantly lower than the mean in patients with mild osteoarthritis (p=0.045). CONCLUSION: Trabecular thickness rate was significantly lower in the mild grade of osteoarthritis compared to the severe grade. As the level of osteoarthritis increased, the number of patients with osteoporosis decreased.

Localized pigmented villonodular synovitis in a child knee.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis is a benign proliferative tumor of the synovium. It is very rare, and most cases occur in the knee joint. In this article, we report a case of localized pigmented villonodular synovitis in the knee joint of a 14-year-old boy. This condition is rare in the knees of the children. We preferred to remove the tumor with arthrotomy instead of arthroscopy for two reasons: (i) the patient was obese, (ii) we thought that recurrence risk was high after arthrotomy.

Is there crosstalk between subchondral bone, cartilage, and meniscus in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis?

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate if there is any crosstalk between subchondral bone, cartilage, and meniscus in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve female patients (mean age 64 years; range 59 to 71 years) with osteoarthritis in medial compartment were included in the study. The samples of subchondral bone, cartilage and meniscus were obtained during total knee arthroplasty. Degenerated tissue samples obtained from medial compartment were used as the experimental group (12 samples of subchondral bone and cartilage, 1x1 cm each; and 12 samples of meniscus, 1x1 cm each). Healthy tissue samples obtained from lateral compartment were used as the control group (12 samples of subchondral bone and cartilage; 1x1 cm each; and 12 samples of meniscus, 1x1 cm each). After decalcification, tissue samples were evaluated with light and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: In the experimental group, light microscopic evaluation of subchondral bone samples demonstrated that the cartilage-to-bone transition region had an irregular structure. Degenerated cartilage cells were observed in the transition region and bone cells were significantly corrupted. In the experimental group, light microscopic evaluation of the meniscus samples demonstrated that the intercellular tissue was partly corrupted. Separation and concentration of the collagen fibers were evident. All findings were supported with ultra structural evaluations. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that degeneration of subchondral bone, cartilage, and meniscus probably plays a role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis with crosstalk.