Risk factors for reoperation after discectomy of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc disease.

Objectives: Discectomy is the most common surgery for lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD) disease. However, 5%-24% of patients undergo a second surgery due to recurrent disc herniation. Materials and Methods: This study was aimed to identify the risk factors for reoperation after discectomy of lumbar HIVD and recommend treatment for patients with a high risk of reoperation. We recruited patients diagnosed as having single-level lumbar HIVD who underwent open discectomy from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2012 in our hospital. We used a survival curve to inspect the survival time and reoperation rate after surgery. We discussed the correlation of reoperation rate with discectomy level, body mass index, heavy lifting after surgery, sex, and age. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation between the experience of a surgeon and the reoperation rate. Results: A total of 619 patients were enrolled in our study. Most patients were 40-60 years old (48.8%), and most of them had herniation at L4/5 level (48.9%). The 8-year survival rate was 92%. Weight lifting after surgery may increase the reoperation rate by 115 and 18 times for those >60 years and <40 years, respectively. In addition, less experience of the surgeon and female sex had a high reoperation rate. Conclusion: Postoperative working modification may be very important for preventing patients from recurrent HIVD. For elderly people with HIVD, a more conservative therapy could be selected. If patients with lumbar spine hypermobility or severe degeneration require wide laminectomy, primary fusion should be considered.

Therapeutic advantage of teriparatide in very elderly patients with proximal femoral fractures: a functional and BMD analysis.

BACKGROUND: Teriparatide, a recombinant parathyroid hormone, is pivotal in osteoporosis treatment, particularly in post-surgical recovery for hip fractures. This study investigates its efficacy in functional recovery post-hip fracture surgery in elderly patients, a demographic particularly susceptible to osteoporotic fractures. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 150 elderly patients with proximal femoral fractures undergoing open reduction and internal fixation were enrolled. They were categorized into two groups: receiving 20 µg of daily teriparatide injections for 18 months and receiving standard antiresorptive medications during a 24-month follow-up. Detailed records of patient demographics, Fracture Risk Assessment Tool scores, and comorbidities were kept. Key outcomes, including bone mineral density (BMD) and functional scores (Barthel Index and Visual Analog Scale for hip pain), were evaluated at 3 and 24 months post-surgery. RESULTS: Out of the original cohort, 126 patients (20 men and 106 women with an average age of 85.5 ± 9.3 years) completed the study. The teriparatide group exhibited significant enhancements in both functional scores and BMD when compared to the control group. Notably, functional improvements were less pronounced in male patients compared to female patients. Additionally, the incidence of new fractures was markedly lower in the teriparatide group. CONCLUSION: Administering teriparatide daily for 18 months post-surgery for proximal femoral fractures significantly benefits very elderly patients by improving functionality and bone density, with observed differences in recovery between genders. These results reinforce the efficacy of teriparatide as a potent option for treating osteoporosis-related fractures in the elderly and highlight the importance of considering gender-specific treatment and rehabilitation strategies.

Effect of Osteoporosis Treatments on Osteoarthritis Progression in Postmenopausal Women: A Review of the Literature.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this literature review was to determine if medications used to treat osteoporosis are also effective for treating osteoarthritis (OA). RECENT FINDINGS: A total of 40 relevant articles were identified. Studies were categorized into those (1) discussing estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), (2) bisphosphonates, (3) parathyroid hormone (PTH) analogs, and (4) denosumab, and (5) prior review articles. A large amount of evidence suggests that estrogen and SERMs are effective at reducing OA symptoms and disease progression. Evidence suggests that bisphosphonates, the most common medications used to treat osteoporosis, can reduce OA symptoms and disease progression. In vivo studies suggest that PTH analogs may improve the cartilage destruction associated with OA; however, few human trials have examined its use for OA. Denosumab is approved to treat osteoporosis, bone metastases, and certain types of breast cancer, but little study has been done with respect to its effect on OA. The current evidence indicates that medications used to treat osteoporosis are also effective for treating OA. Estrogen, SERMs, and bisphosphonates have the most potential as OA therapies. Less is known regarding the effectiveness of PTH analogs and denosumab in OA, and more research is needed.

Subsequent bilateral acute carpal tunnel syndrome due to tophaceous infiltration: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Acute carpal tunnel syndrome (ACTS) is commonly caused by repetitive strain, trauma, or inflammatory conditions. However, ACTS due to tophaceous gout is a clinical event that remains poorly understood and underreported. This rare manifestation necessitates prompt diagnosis and intervention to prevent irreversible complications. CASE SUMMARY: A 51-year-old man who had poorly controlled hyperuricemia presented with ACTS secondary to tophaceous gout. Because of rapid symptom progression symptoms and severe median nerve compression within 3 mo, the patient underwent emergency decompression surgery for both wrists at different time points. Postoperatively, he exhibited complete recovery of sensory and motor functions, with no recurrence at long-term follow-up. Favorable outcomes were achieved through immediate decompression surgery, anti-inflammatory medications, postoperative active and passive range-of-motion exercises, and intermittent wrist splinting. Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention, when necessary, are crucial for preventing long-term complications and obtaining favorable outcomes in patients with ACTS. An optimal gout management strategy involving pharmacologic therapy and lifestyle modifications may help minimize ACTS recurrence and improve clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Prompt surgical intervention and optimal gout management are crucial for preventing irreversible nerve damage and ACTS recurrence.

Femoral neck system versus multiple cannulated screws for the fixation of Pauwels classification type II femoral neck fractures in older female patients with low bone mass.

BACKGROUND: Femoral neck fractures in older adult patients are a major concern and often necessitate surgical intervention. This study compared the clinical outcomes of 2 surgical techniques: the femoral neck system (FNS) and cannulated compression screws (CCSs). METHODS: A total of 40 female patients (mean age 73.50 ± 11.55 years) with femoral neck fractures of Pauwels classification type II and receiving surgical fixation between 2020 and 2022 were enrolled. The patients were categorized into an FNS group (n = 12) or a CCS group (n = 28), and surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, and incidence of postoperative adverse events were analyzed. RESULTS: No significant intergroup differences in demographic characteristics were discovered. The mean surgical duration for all patients was 52.88 ± 22.19 min, with no significant difference between the groups. However, the FNS group experienced significantly higher intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.002) and longer hospital stay (P = 0.023) than did the CCS group. The incidence of osteonecrosis was higher in the CCS group, whereas the incidence of nonunion or malunion was higher in the FNS group. The surgical method did not appear to be a significant risk factor. The main risk factor for revision surgery was longer duration until the first adverse event (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: The FNS does not appear to provide superior surgical outcomes compared with CCSs in older adult women with Pauwels classification type II femoral neck fractures. A longer duration between surgical fixation and the first adverse event before stabilization of the fracture site may be a risk factor for revision surgery.

Five-Year Outcomes of Continuous Treatment with Zoledronic Acid Versus Denosumab in Older Men with High Fracture Risk: Risk Factor Analysis of Bone Density Improvement and Incidence of New Fracture.

Denosumab and zoledronic acid are both effective and easily administrable injectable anti-osteoporotic medications for postmenopausal women. This study investigated the treatment efficacy of these agents in older male patients with low a bone mass and history of fragility fracture. A cohort of 175 male patients receiving continuous zoledronic acid treatment and a cohort of 366 male patients receiving continuous denosumab treatment at our medical center between 2015 and 2020 were included, and we analyzed the efficacy of treatment by the improvement in bone mineral density (BMD) and the new-onset low-energy fracture rate after 5 years of continuous medication. BMD significantly improved after 5 years of medication, and >90% of patients were satisfied with their treatment medication. BMD improved more with denosumab than with zoledronic acid, especially in patients with T-scores higher than -2.5. Smoking, alcohol abuse, diabetes, and inflammatory polyarthritis were associated with poor improvements in BMD. The incidence rate of new fragile fracture was 4.4% and old age was significantly associated with the incidence rate of new fracture. In summary, our study revealed that denosumab and zoledronic acid both significantly increased BMD among older male patients with high fragility fracture rates over a 5-year follow-up period. Early medical treatment and lifestyle adjustment were crucial for improving quality of life.

Incidence of Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Related Risk Factors among Elderly Patients Undergoing Surgery for Major Limb Fractures: An Analytical Cohort Study.

(1) Background: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), a major postoperative complication after surgical fixation of major limb fractures, can be fatal but is often neglected. This study determined the incidence rates of and related risk factors for perioperative UGIB among older patients with major upper limb fractures but without a history of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). (2) Methods: We collected the data of patients aged more than 65 years who underwent surgery for major limb fracture between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2017, from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database and excluded those with a history of UGIB and PUD before the date of surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence of UGIB requiring panendoscopy during hospitalization. A multiple logistic regression model was used to identify the independent predictors of UGIB, with adjustment for confounding factors. The final model included variables that were either statistically significant in univariate analyses or deemed clinically important. (3) Results: The incidence of UGIB was 2.8% among patients with major limb fractures. Male sex, older age, major lower limb fracture, and a history of chronic renal disease were significant risk factors for the increased incidence of perioperative UGIB. (4) Conclusions: Patients with major limb fractures who underwent surgery exhibited a higher rate of stress ulceration with UGIB, even when they had no history of PUD. Perioperative preventive protocols (e.g., protocols for the administration of proton-pump inhibitors) may be necessary for patients with these major risk factors.

COVID-19 Infection Was Associated with the Functional Outcomes of Hip Fracture among Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic Apex.

Background and Objectives: Hip fractures are associated with mortality and poor functional outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected patterns of care and health outcomes among fracture patients. This study aimed to determine the influence of COVID-19 infection on hip fracture recovery. Materials and Methods: We prospectively collected data on patients with hip fractures who presented at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital between 9 March 2022 and 9 September 2022. The data included demographic information and functional scores taken before, during, and after surgery. The patients were divided into two groups: COVID-19 (+) and COVID-19 (-). Results: This study recruited 85 patients, 12 of whom (14.12%) were COVID-19 (+). No significant differences in preoperative or perioperative parameters between the two groups were observed. The postoperative Barthel index score was significantly impacted by COVID-19 infection (p = 0.001). The incidence of postoperative complications was significantly correlated with general anesthesia (p = 0.026) and the length of stay (p = 0.004) in hospital. Poor postoperative functional scores were associated with lower preoperative Barthel index scores (p < 0.001). Male sex (p = 0.049), old age (p = 0.012), a high American Society of Anesthesiologists grade (p = 0.029), and a high Charlson comorbidity index score (p = 0.028) were associated with mortality. Conclusions: Hip fracture surgeries were not unduly delayed in our hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the patients' postoperative Barthel index scores were significantly influenced by COVID-19 (+). The preoperative Barthel index score may be a good predictive tool for the postoperative functional recovery of these patients.

Epidural Steroid Injections and the Risk of Osteoporosis in Lumbar Spondylosis Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) involve the administration of steroids and local anesthetics into the spinal epidural space, and they are performed by inserting a needle between the ligamentum flavum and dura. This procedure is suitable for patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy secondary to disc herniation or postsurgical radicular pain. The relief period of the analgesic medications may be prolonged by > 6 weeks, resulting in nonsurgical management becoming a suitable option. However, the negative effect of ESIs on bone mineral density has been reported. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to clarify the association between ESIs and osteoporosis risk by analyzing a nationwide population database. STUDY DESIGN: This study is a nationwide retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Data on 1 million cases randomly selected from the 2000 Registry for Beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) were collected. METHODS: In total, 4,957 patients who were diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis and received ESIs between 2000 and 2013 were identified from the NHIRD. Subsequently, another 4,957 patients with lumbar spondylosis were randomly selected from the same database and frequency matched by age, gender, and index year with the patients who received ESIs. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients were 50.3 ± 17.1 years. The incident rates of osteoporosis in the ESI and non-ESI groups were 7.95 and 7.01 per 1,000 person-years, respectively. Osteoporosis risk was significantly higher in the ESI cohort than in the non-ESI cohort (absolute standardized hazard ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence interval = 1.05-1.45, P = 0.01). The risk factors for osteoporosis were old age, being female, and undergoing ESIs. Osteoporosis risk was significantly higher in the ESI cohort than in the non-ESI cohort in the male, lowest-urbanization-level (fourth level), other-occupations, and comorbidity-free subgroups. LIMITATIONS: The NHIRD did not provide information on osteoporosis-related scales, renal function, blood pressure, smoking habit, pulmonary function, daily activities, and dosage of injected steroids. CONCLUSIONS: For patients diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis, ESIs are associated with a high osteoporosis risk. Thus, this therapy should be recommended with caution, especially for patients with correlated risk factors (e.g., high risk of osteoporotic fracture, low socioeconomic status, and retired or unemployed status).

Tramadol May Increase Risk of Hip Fracture in Older Adults with Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis.

Tramadol, an analgesic widely used for arthritic pain, is known to have adverse effects. This study investigated the association between the long-term use of tramadol for pain control and subsequent hip fractures in patients aged 60 years or older with posttraumatic osteoarthritis. This population-based retrospective cohort study included patients with posttraumatic osteoarthritis who received tramadol for pain control for more than 90 days within a 1-year period. A control cohort was enrolled using propensity score matching. The primary outcome was a new diagnosis of hip fracture requiring surgery. In total, 3093 patients were classified into each cohort. Tramadol use was identified as a risk factor for hip fracture (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09-1.82; p = 0.008), especially among patients aged 60-70 years (aHR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.29-3.47; p = 0.003) and among male patients (aHR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.24-2.70; p = 0.002). This is the first cohort study focusing on the association between long-term tramadol use and hip fracture among older adults with posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Tramadol, as a long-term pain control analgesic for older adults with posttraumatic osteoarthritis, may increase the risk of hip fracture, especially among male patients and those aged 60-70 years.

The Risk of Venous Thromboembolism after Thoracolumbar Spine Surgery: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Although venous thromboembolism (VTE) is rare, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), it is a catastrophic complication after spinal surgery. This study was aimed to investigate the risk factors and incidence of VTE after thoracolumbar spine surgery (TLSS). Methods: We retrieved the data of 8697 patients >20 years old who underwent TLSS between 2000 and 2013 from Taiwan's Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. Each patient was randomly frequency-matched with four individuals who did not undergo TLSS by age, sex, and index year (the control group). Results: The incidence rates of VTE in the TLSS and control groups were 1.84 and 0.69 per 1000 person-years, respectively. The TLSS group had a higher VTE risk (adjusted HR (aHR): 2.13, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.41−3.21), DVT (aHR: 2.20, 95%CI: 1.40−3.46), and PE (aHR: 1.60, 95%CI: 0.68−3.78) than the control group. The correlated risk factors of VTE included older age (50−64 years: aHR: 2.16, 95%CI: 1.14−4.09; ≥65 years: aHR: 3.18, 95%CI: 1.65−6.13), a history of cancer (aHR: 2.96, 95%CI: 1.58−5.54), heart failure (aHR: 2.19, 95%CI: 1.27−3.78), and chronic kidney disease (aHR: 1.83, 95%CI: 1.18−2.83). Conclusions: The overall VTE risk following TLSS was less than 2% but correlated with certain risk factors. This information could help the spine surgeon help the patient prevent this fatal complication.

The Incidence of Acute Respiratory Infection Was Higher in the Older Adults with Lower Limb Fracture Who Receive Spinal Anesthesia Than Those Who Receive General Anesthesia.

INTRODUCTION: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) can significantly reduce postoperative quality of life and impair the recovery of older adult patients with lower-limb fractures, and its relationship with methods of anesthesia remains inconclusive. Using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan, this study examined the data of patients who received surgical management for lower-limb fractures and compared those who underwent general anesthesia (GA) with those who underwent regional anesthesia (RA) in terms of their incidence of acute upper and lower respiratory infection during the one-month postoperative period. The study also identified related risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Approximately two million patients were randomly sampled from the NHIRD registry. We identified and enrolled patients with lower-limb fractures who were over 60 years old and underwent GA or RA during surgeries conducted between 2010 and 2017. We divided these patients into two groups for further analysis. The outcome of this study was the development of ARI during the one-month postoperative period. RESULTS: In total, 45,032 patients (GA group, 19,580 patients; RA group, 25,452 patients) with a mean age of 75.0 ± 8.9 years were included in our study. The incidence of postoperative ARI within one month of surgery was 8.0% (1562 patients) in the GA group and 9.5% (2412 patients) in the RA group, revealing a significant difference. The significant risk factors for the incidence of ARI were the application of RA for surgery, older age, hypertension, liver disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A subgroup analysis revealed that the RA method was associated with a significantly higher ARI incidence relative to the GA method among patients aged between 60 and 80 years, among male patients, among the patients with or without any comorbidity and among the patients without COPD. CONCLUSION: The incidence of postoperative ARI within one month of surgery was higher among older patients with lower-limb fractures who received RA for surgery than among those who received GA for surgery. The other major risk factors for ARI were older age, hypertension, liver disease, and COPD. Therefore, we should focus on patients with a high risk of developing ARI, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quantitative evaluation of correlation between lumbosacral lordosis and pelvic incidence in standing position among asymptomatic Asian adults: a prospective study.

The determination of lumbopelvic alignment is essential for planning adult spinal deformity surgery and for ensuring favorable surgical outcomes. This prospective study investigated the correlation between the lumbar section of lumbar spine lordosis and increasing pelvic incidence in 324 Asian adults with a mean age of 55 ± 13 years (range: 20-80 years), comprising 115 male and 209 female volunteers. Participants were divided into three groups based on pelvic incidence (G1, G2, and G3 had pelvic incidence of < 45°, 45-55°, and ≥ 55°, respectively). We determined that distal and proximal lumbar lordosis contributed differentially to the increase in pelvic incidence, whereas the lordosis ratio of the L3-L4 and L4-L5 segments mostly remained constant. The mean contribution ratio of the segmental lordosis from L1 to S1 was as follows: L1-L2, 2.3%; L2-L3, 11.7%; L3-L4, 18.1%; L4-L5, 25.2%; and L5-S1, 42.7%. Pelvic incidence had a stronger correlation with proximal lumbar lordosis than did distal lumbar lordosis. The ratios of proximal lumbar lordosis to distal lumbar lordosis were 37.8% in G1, 45.8% in G2, and 55.9% in G3. These findings serve as a reference for future lumbar spine correction or fusion surgery for Asian adults.

Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Requiring Surgery May Increase in Patients Treated with Trigger Finger Release: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: The correlation between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) surgery and trigger finger (TF) surgery is unclear; we conducted this nationwide population-based study to assess the development of severe CTS requiring surgery after TF surgery. Patients and Methods: This retrospective cohort study used the data of patients diagnosed as having TF between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2017, and they were divided into two comparative groups. Patients who underwent surgical release within 1 year of diagnosis were included in the TF-OP group, and those who did not undergo TF release during the same period were included in the TF-NOP group. The primary outcome was the new incidence of CTS release (CTR), and data on the related risk factors were collected for analysis. Results: A total of 8232 patients each were enrolled into the TF-OP and TF-NOP groups and were 1:1 propensity score matched (mean patient age, 54.7 ± 10.1 years; mean follow-up duration, 6.58 years). The incidence rate of CTR was 1.1 per 1000 person-years in the TF-OP group and 0.7 per 1000 person-years in the TF-NOP group. The adjusted hazard ratio of TF surgery was 1.51. The factors significantly correlated with an increased incidence of CTR were age, female sex, diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal failure. In subgroup analysis, patients aged >65 years and female patients in the TF-OP group were still at significantly higher risks of CTR than were their counterparts in the TF-NOP subgroups. The cumulative incidence of CTR after TF surgery linearly increased with time in both groups. Conclusion: Patients undergoing TF release may have a higher incidence of CTR 1 year later, especially women and patients aged >65 years. Diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure may be risk factors.

Correlation between the Control of Blood Glucose Level and HbA1C and the Incidence of Surgical Site Infection after Emergent Surgery for the Lower Limb Fracture among Type II DM Patients Aged More Than 50 Years Old.

This is the first study focusing on perioperative blood glycemic monitoring for the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) among patients with type II DM (T2DM) during the 1-year follow-up after emergent orthopedic surgery. We retrospectively collected the data of 604 patients who had received surgery for unilateral lower limb traumatic fracture from January 2011 to January 2021, including 215 men and 389 women with a mean age of 71.21 and a mean BMI of 25.26. In total, 84 (13.9%) of them developed SSI during the 1-year follow-up. Higher preoperative and postoperative -3-month hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and AC blood glucose and the presence of rheumatoid arthritis were all associated with increased rates of SSI. The thresholds for predicting SSI were the following: (1) preoperative HbA1c > 7.850% (area under curve [AUC] = 0.793); (2) postoperative HbA1c > 6.650% (AUC = 0.648); (3) preoperative AC blood glucose > 130.50 mg/dL (AUC = 0.773); and (4) postoperative AC blood glucose > 148.5 mg/dL (AUC = 0.709) by receiver-operating characteristic curve method. These findings may provide a useful control guideline for patients with T2DM older than 50 years old and who received surgery for a lower limb fracture in the prevention of postoperative SSI.

Arthroscopic foveal repair with suture anchors for traumatic tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex.

BACKGROUND: Foveal tears of the traumatic triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) are the most commonly neglected high-energy injuries of the wrist joint, and the patients with such tears often experience unrecovered ulnar-sided wrist pain and poor wrist function. This study investigated the functional outcomes of patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of foveal TFCC tears with suture anchors and adjuvant platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections after the surgery. METHODS: From September 2014 to August 2018, 156 men and 45 women with diagnoses of foveal TFCC tears without wrist fractures underwent arthroscopic repair by using the outside-in method with 1.3-mm suture anchors and subsequent PRP injection. After surgery, splinting was applied for 6 weeks, and the patients underwent rehabilitation, re-examination, and follow-up at our clinic. The patients' wrist functional scores and grip strength data were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 32.6 months, and the mean age was 26.7 years. The mean modified Mayo wrist score improved from 48.5 ± 2.6 to 82.4 ± 2.5, whereas the mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score decreased from 39.2 ± 6.7 to 10.6 ± 7.5. Overall, the wrist functions of 186 (92.5%) of the patients were satisfactory according to their modified Mayo wrist scores, and the patients with satisfactory scores returned to sports or work activities. These patients retained normal ranges of motion, and their average grip strength in the affected hand was restored to at least 85% of that of the other hand. CONCLUSIONS: According to the postoperative 25-36 months surgical results of our study, arthroscopic repair with adjuvant PRP injections is a satisfactory method of repairing early foveal tears of the TFCC and can enhance wrist function by relieving pain and increasing tolerance for work or sports.

Retrograde Intramedullary Kirschner Wire Fixation as an Alternative for Treating Distal Fibular Shaft Fractures Combined with Distal Tibial Pilon Fractures.

Treatment or management techniques for pilon fractures are associated with high complication rates and poor outcomes. No consensus exists regarding the optimal surgical option for pilon fractures, especially for pilon fractures combined with distal fibular fractures. Accordingly, we explored the use of fibular fixation for treating pilon fractures involving distal fibular shaft fractures. We hypothesized that retrograde intramedullary Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation is a suitable alternative technique for distal fibular fixation. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 156 patients who underwent surgery for pilon fractures at our hospital from May 2013 to May 2021. The radiographic and functional outcomes were comparable between the fibular intramedullary nailing (Group A; n = 80) and the fibular plating (Group B; n = 76) groups. Groups A and B differed significantly in total hospitalization time (11.4 vs. 18.2 days, p = 0.024), length of postoperative admission (6.8 vs. 11.4 days, p = 0.012), and total admission cost (USD 3624 vs. USD 6145, p = 0.004). We also noted that poor Olerud and Molander ankle scores were significantly associated with age (p = 0.008), smoking (p = 0.012), and preoperative admission length (p = 0.018). Retrograde intramedullary K-wire fixation produced a comparable 12-month functional outcome to plate fixation for distal fibular shaft fractures, rendering it a viable alternative method based on soft tissue condition.

The Short-Term Changes of the Sagittal Spinal Alignments After Acute Vertebral Compression Fracture Receiving Vertebroplasty and Their Relationship With the Change of Bathel Index in the Elderly.

Introduction: Fragility vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are of major concern due to aging populations worldwide, which may occur after a fall from standing or due to severe osteoporosis, impacting greatly the life quality of the elderly. This study thus determined the factors independently associated with poor functional recovery from a new VCF and changes in sagittal spinal alignment after vertebroplasty in elderly patients with osteoporosis. Materials and Methods: The data were collected from patients older than 70 years and diagnosed with a new VCF. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors independently associated with function and radiographic status. Results: We enrolled 8 male and 34 female patients with a mean age of 80.74 ± 8.31 years between January and July 2020. Compared with preoperative data, post-vertebroplasty lumbar sagittal alignments and functional scores improved significantly, and function recovered gradually over 12 weeks. Climbing stairs was the most influential performance indicator at the beginning of the recovery process. At each postoperative follow-up, changes in the C7-sacrum sagittal vertical axis exhibited an influence on functional recovery. Male patients were better able to move from a chair to a bed at the 2-week postoperative follow-up, and positive changes in the spino-sacral angle led to improved function in terms of stair climbing at the 6-week postoperative follow-up. Conclusions: Vertebroplasty seemed to be effective for functional recovery related to sagittal spinal alignment improvement of the elderly with VCFs during postoperative 12 weeks, which may be a critical stage for the recovery for their life activities. The recovery rate for stair climbing after vertebroplasty was slower than for the other functional performance indicators in our study. In addition, if a patient was unable to demonstrate a marked improvement in sagittal alignment, they were likely to have ongoing impaired function and a poor prognosis after surgery.

Stromal-vascular fraction and adipose-derived stem cell therapies improve cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis-induced rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on cartilage injury in an osteoarthritis (OA) rat model. Sodium iodoacetate (3 mg/50 µL) was used to induce OA in the left knee joint of rats. On day 14 after OA induction, 50 µL of SVF (5 × 106cells), ADSCs (1 × 106 cells), or 0.9% normal saline (NS) was injected into the left knee-joint cavity of each group. The macroscopic view and histological sections revealed that the articular cartilage in the NS group was damaged, inflamed, uneven and thin, and had hyperchromatic cell infiltration. Notably, the cartilage surface had recovered to nearly normal and appeared smooth and bright on day 14 in the SVF and ADSC groups. Additionally, the white blood cell counts in the SVF and ADSC groups were higher than those in the NS group on day 14. Plasma IL-1ß levels on days 7 and 14 were reduced in the SVF and ADSC groups. These results indicated that both SVF and ADSC treatments may assist in articular cartilage regeneration after cartilage injury. Cell therapy may benefit patients with OA. However, clinical trials with humans are required before the application of SVF and ADSC treatments in patients with OA.

Use of an Intramedullary Allogenic Fibular Strut Bone and Lateral Locking Plate for Distal Femoral Fracture with Supracondylar Comminution in Patients over 50 Years of Age.

Background and Objectives: Distal femoral fracture is a severe injury that makes surgery challenging, particularly comminuted fractures in the supracondylar region. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of distal femoral fracture treated with the application of an intramedullary fibular allogenic bone strut in open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with precontoured locking plates in patients over 50 years of age. Materials and Methods: The study retrospectively enrolled 202 patients over 50 years of age with traumatic comminuted distal femoral fracture (AO/OTA 33-A3, 33-C2 and 33-C3) treated with ORIF with a locking plate from January 2016 to December 2019. The two groups were divided into patients who received an intramedullary allogenic bone strut and those who did not. Patients were followed for at least 1 year, with their function scores and radiographic data recorded. Results: A total of 124 patients were recruited, comprising 60 men and 64 women with an average age of 62.4 ± 8.5 years. The 36 patients who had received an intramedullary allogenic fibular bone strut reported lower postoperative pain scores at 1 month and lower postoperative Knee Society Scores (KSS) at 3 months than the control group. The application of an intramedullary allogenic fibular bone strut appeared to be significantly correlated with better 3-month postoperative KSS. Conclusions: The ORIF of distal femoral comminuted fracture with an intramedullary allogenic fibular bone strut can reduce pain and improve knee function in the early stages of postoperative rehabilitation and may reduce the time to union in patients over 50 years of age.