Do Magnets Have the Potential to Serve as a Stabilizer for the Shoulder Joint in Massive Rotator Cuff Tears?: A Biomechanical Cadaveric Study.

Background: Disruption of the rotator cuff muscles compromises concavity compression force, which leads to superior migration of the humeral head and loss of stability. A novel idea of using the magnetic force to achieve shoulder stabilization in massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs) was considered because the magnets can stabilize two separate entities with an attraction force. This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical effect of the magnetic force on shoulder stabilization in MRCTs. Methods: Seven fresh frozen cadaveric specimens were used with a customized shoulder testing system. Three testing conditions were set up: condition 1, intact rotator cuff without magnets; condition 2, an MRCT without magnets; condition 3, an MRCT with magnets. For each condition, anterior-posterior translation, superior translation, superior migration, and subacromial contact pressure were measured at 0°, 30°, and 60° of abduction. The abduction capability of condition 2 was compared with that of condition 3. Results: The anterior-posterior and superior translations increased in condition 2; however, they decreased compared to condition 2 when the magnets were applied (condition 3) in multiple test positions and loadings (p < 0.05). Abduction capability improved significantly in condition 3 compared with that in condition 2, even for less deltoid loading (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The magnet biomechanically played a positive role in stabilizing the shoulder joint and enabled abduction with less deltoid force in MRCTs. However, to ensure that the magnet is clinically applicable as a stabilizer for the shoulder joint, it is necessary to thoroughly verify its safety in the human body and to conduct further research on technical challenges.

The Inlay Technique with Cortico-Cancellous Olecranon Bone Graft Used for Revision of Failed Distal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis.

Background and Objectives: Although distal interphalangeal (DIP) arthrodesis is an effective surgical method for end-stage osteoarthritis of the phalangeal joint, the nonunion rate of DIP arthrodesis has been reported to range from 15% to 20%. To this end, we devised an inlay technique with a cortico-cancellous olecranon bone graft for failed DIP arthrodesis. This study aimed to introduce the inlay bone grafting technique for failed arthrodesis of the DIP joint and demonstrate its advantages. Materials and Methods: We reviewed consecutive 19 digits (15 patients) who had undergone DIP revision arthrodesis using the technique at our institution between January 2010 and December 2020. The observed outcome measures were the bone union rate, and related complications. Bone union was evaluated using follow-up radiography. The quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and VAS for satisfaction assessed patient function and perceived clinical outcomes. Results: No major complications were observed at the recipient site. The average VAS for pain and satisfaction and DASH score improved from preoperatively to 6 months after surgery (both, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The inlay technique with cortico-cancellous olecranon bone grafts showed excellent bone union rates and functional scores with nonunion of the DIP joint. This technique may be an adequate surgical option for patients with confirmed nonunion of the DIP joint and persistent symptoms.

Effectiveness of continuous femoral nerve block for pain relief after total knee arthroplasty: comparison with epidural patient-controlled analgesia and periarticular injection.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcomes among three analgesic techniques, continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB), epidural patient-controlled analgesia (EPCA) and periarticular injection (PAI), in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: This retrospective case-control study enrolled patients that underwent TKA. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, sleep disturbance, additional opioid consumption and incidence of opioid-related side-effects were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were categorized into three groups: EPCA (group A, n = 40), PAI (group B, n = 40) and CFNB (group C, n = 40). Group C had significantly lower VAS pain scores than groups A and B at 8, 12 and 24 h after TKA. There were no significant differences in VAS pain scores among the three groups from 48 h after TKA. Sleep quality on the first day after surgery was significantly better in group C than in groups A and B. Additional opioid consumption was significantly lower in the group C than in the groups A and B. Group C showed a lower rate of opioid-related side-effects than groups A and B. CONCLUSION: CFNB was a more effective additional analgesic technique than EPCA or PAI for acute postoperative pain control within 24 h of TKA.

Plate fixation versus titanium elastic nailing in midshaft clavicle fractures based on fracture classifications.

BACKGROUND: The best strategy for implant selection in midshaft clavicular fractures (MCF) remains controversial. The present study aims to determine the optimal strategy for implant selection by comparing plate and Titanium Elastic Nail (TEN) with respect to outcomes and related complications and analyze the results based on fracture patterns. METHODS: A total of 97 patients with MCF who underwent plate (48 patients) or TEN (49 patients) fixation were retrospectively reviewed. Both groups were divided into three subgroups by fracture type using the AO Foundation/Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification: simple fracture (type A), wedge fracture (type B), and multi-fragmentary fracture (type C). The observed outcome measures were bone union rate, related complications, functional scores, and patient satisfaction score. These outcomes were analyzed based on the fracture classification. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated excellent union rates (p = 0.495) and similar functional scores (p > 0.05). Visual analog scale (VAS) for satisfaction was better in TEN than plate fixation (p < 0.001). In type A and B subgroups, there were no significant difference in functional scores between plate and TEN fixation (p > 0.05). In type C subgroup, however, both VAS for pain and DASH score in TEN fixation were significantly worse than in plate fixation at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively (p < 0.05). The incidences of clavicle shortening and skin irritation are higher especially in type C subgroup of TEN fixation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patient satisfaction of TEN fixation was higher than that of plate fixation, but TEN fixation had a higher incidence of early postoperative pain and migration in type C fractures. Therefore, type A and B fractures can successfully be treated with plate or TEN fixation, but type C fractures should be treated with plate fixation.

Factors associated with postoperative acute kidney injury after hip fractures in elderly patients.

OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a rare but serious complication after hip fractures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and the risk factors of postoperative AKI after hip fractures. METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2016, 550 patients who underwent surgery of hip fractures at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. AKI was defined and classified by AKI Network (AKIN) Classification/Staging System. The incidence, mortality, and risk factors of postoperative AKI were investigated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the ability of markers in predicting AKI. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative AKI was 4.4% (25 cases). The mean onset of postoperative AKI was 8.0 ± 5.3 days and recovered after 7.0 ± 4.2 days after the occurrence of AKI. Of 25 patients with AKI, 6 patients (24.0%) died within 1 year after surgery. The independent risk factors for postoperative AKI are the estimated blood loss (EBL) (odds ratio (OR) 1.64; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33-2.58; p < 0.01) and postoperative level of albumin (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.52-2.74; p < 0.01). The cutoff value of the serum albumin was <2.8 g/dL with a sensitivity of 88.0% and a specificity of 77.1%. The cutoff value of EBL was <766.5 mL with a sensitivity of 84.0% and a specificity of 66.3%. CONCLUSION: Postoperative AKI after hip fractures had low incidences (4.4%) but high mortality (24.0%). The postoperative AKI was correlated with blood loss and low postoperative albumin levels.

Etiology of Nasal Bone Fractures.

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the etiology of nasal bone fractures (NBFs).In PubMed (500 titles) and Scopus (272), the search terms "nasal bone fracture" AND "etiology OR cause" were used. Among the 772 titles, 137 were duplicated and excluded. The 552 titles were excluded and 83 abstracts were read. Subsequently, 42 abstracts were excluded and 41 full articles providing data on etiologies of NBFs were reviewed. Finally, 26 papers were incorporated into this analysis.The causes of NBFs were different between adults and children. In adults, the most frequent causes were fights (36.3%), traffic accidents (20.8%), sports (15.3%), and falls (13.4%). In children, the most frequent causes were sports (59.3%), fights (10.8%), traffic accidents (8.3%), collisions (5.0%), and falls (3.3%). It is noticeable that fights, traffic accidents, and falls were more frequent in adults than in children, although sports and collisions were more frequent in children than in adults (P < 0.001). The causes of NBFs varied geographically. Fights were the most frequent cause in Asia (36.7%), South America (46.5%), and Europe (40.8%). In North America, however, traffic accidents were the most frequent cause (33.6%), followed by fights (20.7%) and sports (17.3%). Among the sports injuries, ball-related sports were the most frequent cause (84.2%). Fighting-related sports (6.4%) contributed to relatively small proportion of NBFs.In efforts to prevent NBFs in children, sports injuries should be primarily considered. Restraining devices such as seatbelts are needed to prevent NBFs caused by traffic accidents, especially in North America.