Foot Pain is Common, But Frequently Improves 1 Year After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis frequently affects multiple joints through the lower limbs. This study sought to examine the incidence of foot pain in subjects undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and determine if foot symptoms improved following surgery. METHODS: Six hundred ten subjects undergoing TKA completed patient-reported outcome measures preoperatively, and at 6 and/or 12 months after surgery including the incidence and severity of foot or ankle pain, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) Joint Replacement, Oxford Knee Scores (OKS), EQ5D, and satisfaction. RESULTS: Foot or ankle pain was reported in 45% before, 32% at 6 months, and 36% at 12 months after TKA. Of those with preoperative foot pain, 42% at 6 months and 50% at 12 months reported no foot pain after TKA, and the Visual Analog Scale severity reduced from a mean of 4.0 before to 1.7 after surgery. Those with preoperative foot pain had lower baseline KOOS (P = .001), OKS (P = .001), and more depression/anxiety (P = .010), but experienced equivalent postoperative KOOS, OKS, and satisfaction with surgery, compared to those without foot pain. CONCLUSION: Foot or ankle pain was reported by nearly half of TKA subjects, but resolved after surgery in 50%. Those with preoperative foot pain experienced at least equivalent improvement in knee-related symptoms and mobility compared to those without foot pain. The presence of foot pain should not be a deterrent to TKA.

Radial nerve palsy in mid/distal humeral fractures: is early exploration effective?

BACKGROUND: Radial nerve palsies are a common complication with displaced distal humeral fractures. This case series examines the outcomes of early operative exploration and decompression of the nerve with fracture fixation with the view that this provides a solid construct for optimisation of nerve recovery. METHODS: A total of 10 consecutive patients with a displaced distal humeral fracture and an acute radial nerve palsy were treated by the senior author by open reduction and internal fixation of the distal humerus and exploration and decompression of the radial nerve. Motor function and sensation of the radial nerve was assessed in the post-operative period every 2 months or until full recovery of the radial nerve function had occurred. RESULTS: All patients (100%) had recovery of motor and sensation function of their upper limb in the radial nerve distribution over a 12-month period. Recovery times ranged between 4 and 32 weeks, with the median time to recovery occurring at 26 weeks and the average time to full recovery being 22.9 weeks. Wrist extension recovered by an average of 3 months (range 2-26 weeks) and then finger extension started to recover 2-6 weeks after this. Disability of the arm, shoulder and hand scores ranged from 0 to 11.8 at greater than 1 year post-operatively. DISCUSSION: Our study demonstrated that early operative exploration of the radial nerve when performing an open stabilization of displaced distal humeral fractures resulted in a 100% recovery of the radial nerve.

A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Evaluating the Effectiveness of Daily Vibration After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff repair is a common method to treat rotator cuff tears; however, retear rates remain high. High-frequency, low-magnitude vibration has been demonstrated to promote new bone formation in both animal models and in humans. HYPOTHESIS: This type of mechanical stimulation applied postoperatively will enhance tendon-to-bone healing and reduce postoperative retear rates. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the effects of 5 minutes of 80-Hz vibration applied daily after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for 6 months on postoperative rotator cuff healing. The primary outcome was ultrasound-assessed repair integrity at 6 months after repair. Recruited patients were randomized into 2 groups: one group received a vibration device that oscillated at 80 Hz, and the other group received a placebo device. RESULTS: The postoperative retear rates of both groups were similar (9.1% [5/55] in the vibration group, and 9.3% [5/54] in the placebo group) at 6 months as determined by ultrasound imaging. Vibration did provide acute pain relief at 6 weeks after surgery (visual analog scale [VAS] score, 2.24 ± 0.29 cm) compared with placebo (VAS score, 3.67 ± 0.48 cm) (P < .003). Six months after surgery, both groups had significant reductions in pain during overhead activities, at rest, and during sleep and overall shoulder pain compared with before surgery (P < .001). Both the vibration and placebo groups had significant increases in shoulder strength with abduction in the scapular plane, adduction, liftoff, internal rotation, and external rotation 6 months after surgery. Statistical analysis showed that vibration was not a contributing factor at improving these parameters in these periods. CONCLUSION: High-frequency, low-magnitude vibration did provide acute pain relief on application 6 weeks after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery. However, vibration did not improve tendon-to-bone healing, shoulder range of motion, shoulder strength, or shoulder pain with activities, at rest, and at night when compared with placebo.