A Criterion Based Rehabilitation Protocol for ACL Repair with Internal Brace Augmentation.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the main stabilizing structures of the knee and its rupture is a common injury in young active adults. ACL reconstruction has been the preferred operative management of an ACL rupture for several decades; however, success rates are variable. Recently, interest in arthroscopic primary repair of the ligament has increased. The repair is augmented with an Internal Brace (IB), which is an ultra-high strength suture tape that bridges the ligament. This technique protects the ligament during the healing and the ligament is encouraged to heal naturally, whilst not requiring any external braces. It acts as a stabiliser to permit early mobilization and optimise rehabilitation. As understanding of rehabilitation has progressed, there has been an increased focus on early weight-bearing and achieving full range of movement. While detailed criterion-based rehabilitation protocols exist for ACL reconstruction, this is not the case for ACL repair. The purpose of this commentary is to present a novel criterion-based rehabilitation protocol following ACL repair surgery augmented with an IB. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

Challenges of cancer control in developing countries: current status and future perspective.

Cancer is a global problem accounting for almost 13% of all deaths worldwide. This equates to over 7 million people a year, more than is caused by HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria combined. Now is the time to strengthen the health systems of developing countries to deal with cancer, to avoid a future crisis similar to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. In this article we discuss the current state of cancer in the developing world, how we need to advocate for a change in cancer control policy with the governments of developing nations/transnational governmental bodies (e.g., the UN and WHO etc) and how we think cancer care could be improved in developing countries. We feel the only way to overcome the growing burden of cancer in the developing world is working in partnership with, nongovernmental organizations, international nongovernmental organizations, transnational governmental bodies and governmental bodies.

Trends in epidemiology and management of type II odontoid fractures: 20-year experience at a model system spine injury tertiary referral center.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of consecutive type II Odontoid fractures presenting to a Level 1 Regional Model Systems Spinal Cord Injury Center between June 1985 and July 2006. OBJECTIVE: To assess trends in management of type II Odontoid fractures presenting to a Level 1 Model Systems Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center over a 20-year period. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Type II Odontoid fracture management is controversial, and a majority of studies have had relatively small cohorts. There is no consensus regarding definitive treatment, particularly in older patients. METHODS: Medical records of 263 consecutive type II Odontoid fractures from June 1985 to July 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were excluded if they had neurologic deficits, nonacute fracture, or ambiguous fracture classification. A cohort of 192 neurologically intact, acute type II odontoid fractures were identified. Admission records were reviewed for age, date of injury, date of admission, date of discharge, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, medical comorbidities, and radiologic findings. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in the rate of presentation of type II odontoid fractures with time. The average age and medical comorbidities of the patient did not change over time. The probability of operative management markedly increased over time, corresponding to a statistically significant increase in length of hospital stay for patients undergoing surgery. The discharge disposition correlated significantly to both age of the patient and associated injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The number and frequency of type II odontoid fractures compared with other spine injuries seems to be increasing over the last 2 decades, which may be correlated with the increasing number of elderly persons in the population, given that referral patterns have been unchanged at our institution. Prospective outcomes data are needed to better elucidate optimal treatment algorithms from both, an outcomes and cost-efficacy perspective.

The challenge of cancer control in Africa.

While the world is focused on controlling the spread of diseases such as HIV and malaria in the developing world, another approaching epidemic has been largely overlooked. The World Heath Organization predicts that there will be 16 million new cancer cases per year in 2020 and 70% of these will be in the developing world. Many of these cancers are preventable, or treatable when detected early enough. Establishing effective, affordable and workable cancer control plans in African countries is one step in the right direction toward limiting this epidemic.

The outcomes of lumbar microdiscectomy in a young, active population: correlation by herniation type and level.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal clinical study. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our article was to investigate the clinical outcomes with type and level of disc herniation in a young, active population undergoing lumbar microdiscectomy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are few reported outcomes studies on the relationship between disc herniation level, type of disc herniation, and surgical outcomes of lumbar microdiscectomy in a young, active population. METHODS: One hundred ninety-seven (197) consecutive single-level lumbar microdiscectomies performed by a single surgeon were prospectively followed over a 3-year period. All patients had failed a period of nonoperative care including physical therapy and/or transforaminal epidural steroid injections. One hundred eighty-three patients (139 males, 44 females) with a mean age of 27.0 years (range 19-46 years) were prospectively followed for a mean of 26 months (range, 12-38 months). Outcomes were assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index, patient satisfaction, return to military duty, and need for additional surgery. The type of disc herniation (contained, extruded, or sequestered) and the lumbar level of herniation were also recorded. RESULTS: At final follow-up, 84% (154 of 183) of patients had returned to unrestricted military duty; 16% (29) had been medically discharged. The mean decrease in VAS leg pain score was 4.7 points (from mean preoperative 7.2 to mean postoperative 2.5); 80% (146) reported a decrease of greater than 2 points. The mean Oswestry index improved from 53.6 before surgery to 21.2 at final follow-up. Overall, 85% (156) were satisfied with their surgery. Six patients had recurrent herniations (3%) with 4 of the 6 undergoing additional surgery. Patients with preoperative VAS scores consistent with a preponderance of radicular leg pain versus back pain demonstrated better surgical outcomes in all categories (P < 0.001) When classified by disc herniation type, sequestered discs at all levels demonstrated better Oswestry and VAS scores versus extruded or contained disc herniations. (P < 0.001) Disc herniations at the L5-S1 level had significantly greater improvements in both mean VAS leg and Oswestry outcome scores than disc herniations at the L4-L5 level. (P < 0.001) Preexisting restricted duty status at time of first surgical consultation was associated with poorer outcomes. Smokers had a significantly lower return to full active military duty (P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Microdiscectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniations in young, active patients with a preponderance of leg pain who have failed nonoperative treatment demonstrated a high success rate based on validated outcome measures, patient satisfaction, and return to active duty. Patients with disc herniations at the L5-S1 level had significantly better outcomes than did those at the L4-L5 level. Patients with sequestered or extruded lumbar disc herniations had significantly better outcomes than did those contained herniations. Patients with contained disc herniations, a predominance of back pain, on restricted duty and smoking should be counseled before surgery of the potential for less satisfaction, poorer outcomes scores, and decreased return to duty rates.