How can the orthopedic surgeon ensure optimal vitamin D status in patients operated for an osteoporotic fracture?

In this narrative review, the role of vitamin D deficiency in the pathophysiology, healing of fragility fractures, and rehabilitation is discussed. Vitamin D status can be assessed by measuring serum 25(OH)-vitamin D level with standardized assays. There is a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l (i.e., 20 ng/mL)) or deficiency (25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l (i.e., 10 ng/mL)) in patients with fragility fractures and especially in those with a hip fracture. The evidence on the effects of vitamin D deficiency and/or vitamin D supplementation on fracture healing and material osseointegration is still limited. However, it appears that vitamin D have a rather positive influence on these processes. The fracture liaison service (FLS) model can help to inform orthopedic surgeons, all caregivers, and fractured patients about the importance of optimal vitamin D status in the management of patients with fragility fractures. Therefore, vitamin D status should be included in Capture the Fracture® program as an outcome of FLS in addition to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and specific antiosteoporosis medication. Vitamin D plays a significant role in the pathophysiology and healing of fragility fractures and in rehabilitation after fracture. Correction of vitamin D deficiency should be one of the main outcomes in fracture liaison services.

Meniscal biomechanical alterations in an ACLT rabbit model of early osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the early biomechanical alterations of menisci during the early stage of osteoarthritis (OA) development and to correlate them with the chemical composition and matrix alteration. A particular focus was paid to pathological changes in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and collagen fiber architecture. DESIGN: Menisci (n = 24) were removed from rabbits' knee joints 6 weeks following surgical anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). Both the anterior and posterior regions of medial and lateral menisci were characterized using indentation tests, Raman microspectroscopy (RM), biphotonic confocal microscopy (BCM) and histology. RESULTS: Mechanical and matrix alterations occurred in both regions of medial and lateral menisci. A significant decrease in the mechanical properties was observed in OA menisci, with a mean reduced modulus from 2.3 to 1.1 MPa. Microstructural observations revealed less organized and less compact collagen bundles in operated menisci than in contralateral menisci, as well as a loss of fiber tension. GAG content was increased in OA menisci, especially in the damaged areas. Neither changes in the secondary structure of collagen nor mineralization were detected through RM at this stage of OA. CONCLUSION: ACLT led to a disorganization of the collagen framework at the early stage of OA development, which decreases the mechanical resistance of the menisci. GAG content increases in response to this degradation. All of these results demonstrate the strong correlation between matrix and mechanical alterations.

Prosthetic knee arthritis due to Granulicatella adiacens after dental treatment.

We report prosthetic knee arthritis in a 55-year-old diabetic man due to Granulicatella adiacens, a micro-organism present in the oral flora, usually described in endocarditis but rarely in prosthesis joint infection. This patient had undergone a dental extraction without antibiotic prophylaxis one month before, and an aseptic loosening of the prosthesis had been diagnosed previously. If antimicrobial prophylaxis against infective endocarditis for dental procedures is well established, such an approach is still controversial for joint prosthesis and should be considered in some conditions.

Alumina-on-alumina hip arthroplasty in patients younger than 30 years old.

UNLABELLED: THA in patients younger than 30 years old presents challenges: the initial technical challenge relates to the initial disease that often causes deformities making reconstruction difficult, while the long-term challenge is wear and subsequent osteolysis and component loosening. Ceramic-on-ceramic prostheses may represent a valuable option to reduce wear. We retrospectively studied 101 patients (132 hips) with ceramic-on-ceramic prostheses implanted from 1977 to 2004. As a result of the long span of time, different implant designs and modes of fixation were used. The average age of the patients was 23.4+/-5 years (range, 13-30 years), and the main indication for THA was femoral head necrosis. The minimum followup was 1 year (mean, 6.9 years; range, 1-26.5 years). We documented 17 revisions (13%) for aseptic loosening. Twelve were for isolated acetabular loosening, two for isolated femoral loosening, and three for loosening of both components. Survivorship was 82.1% at 10 years and 72.4% at 15 years. Inferior survivorship was observed for THA performed after secondary arthritis related to slipped capital epiphysis or trauma. Limited osteolysis was observed in one hip. The main limiting factor in this series was the fixation of the acetabular component. However, improvements in the design and in the mode of fixation of this component should enhance long-term results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Hybrid alumina total hip arthroplasty using a press-fit metal-backed socket in patients younger than 55 years. A six- to 11-year evaluation.

Between 1990 and 1992, we implanted 71 hybrid alumina-on-alumina hip arthroplasties in 62 consecutive patients under the age of 55 years, with a mean age of 46 years at surgery. There were 56 primary and 15 secondary procedures. The prostheses involved a cemented titanium alloy stem, a 32 mm alumina head, and a press-fit metal-backed socket with an alumina insert. Three patients (four hips) died from unrelated causes. Four hips had revision surgery for either deep infection, unexplained persistent pain, fracture of the alumina head, or aseptic loosening of the socket. The nine-year survival rate was 93.7% with revision for any cause as the end-point and 98.4% with revision for aseptic loosening as the end-point. The outcome in the surviving patients (50 patients, 57 hips) with a minimum five-year follow-up (mean eight years) was excellent in 47 hips (82.5%), very good in eight (14%), good in one and fair in one. A thin, partial, lucent line, mainly in zone III was present in 38% of the sockets and one socket had a complete lucency less than 1 mm thick. One stem had isolated femoral osteolysis. There was no detectable component migration nor acetabular osteolysis. This hybrid arthroplasty gave satisfactory medium-term results in active patients. The press-fit metal-backed socket appeared to have reliable fixation in alumina-on-alumina hip arthroplasty. The excellent results using cemented fixation of the stem may be related to the low production of wear debris.

Prevention of wear and osteolysis: alumina-on-alumina bearing.

Alumina-on-alumina bearings in total hip replacement have been used for 30 years. Excellent tribologic properties and extra low debris generation could, in theory, provide an answer to osteolysis. A review of the authors' experience with alumina-on-alumina bearings showed that, except in a few bearings that had been loose for a long time, osteolysis was not a problem. Although the cemented titanium stem and the alumina-on-alumina couple were not a problem, fixation of the socket had to be improved. To improve the socket fixation system and to avoid the use of a cemented titanium stem that may have created problems in the long-term, a new design was introduced in 1997. The current authors present the preliminary results of the first 96 hips with cementless fully-coated hydroxyapatite titanium alloy stems and sockets, 32-mm alumina femoral head, and alumina liner, both held with a Morse taper. Ninety-six consecutive hips in 89 patients (57 males, 32 females) with a median age of 46 years (range, 14-72 years) were analyzed. One socket was revised at 4 months because of poor primary stability in a patient with a severe acetabular fracture. One patient experienced a traumatic fracture of the implanted femur 3 weeks after surgery. The mean followup was 16 months (range, 4-38 months). One patient died from rupture of an aneurysm. Ninety-three hips in 86 patients were assessed regarding the clinical and radiologic ratings. Two patients (two hips) were interviewed by telephone. The Merle d'Aubigné rating system was 18 in 65 hips (59 patients), 17 in 25 hips (25 patients), and 16 in three hips (three patients) mainly related to a previous disability including limp, sciatic palsy, or stiffness. Examination of 93 available radiographs revealed no ostelolysis, no radiolucent lines at the last examination, and no subsidence. The level of excellent results, even in this young population, and lack of osteolysis and wear are encouraging, even if the followup is too short to allow any conclusions to be made.

Autologous platelet concentrate as an adjunct in macular hole healing: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: A pilot study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of autologous platelets in macular hole healing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight eyes of eight patients with stage 3 or 4 macular holes, two of which had failed to heal after previous vitrectomy and gas tamponade, were included. The procedure consisted of pars plana vitrectomy with removal of posterior cortical vitreous, stripping of associated epimacular membranes, 15% perfluoroethane-air tamponade, and instillation of autologous platelet concentrate onto the posterior pole. Strict postoperative facedown positioning was observed for 12 days. Postoperative evaluation included visual acuity measurement, biomicroscopic macular appearance and scanning laser ophthalmoscope examination. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 13 months (mean, 7 months). RESULTS: Of eight eyes, flattening of the surrounding retina and closure of the hole were achieved in seven (87.5%). Visual acuity improved two lines or more in four eyes (50%) Four eyes (50%) reached a postoperative visual acuity of 20/50 or more. Increased nuclear sclerosis was observed in six eyes (75%), and retinal detachment occurred in two eyes (25%). CONCLUSIONS: Autologous platelet concentrate administered peroperatively in full-thickness macular holes seems to be a safe and effective adjunct to vitrectomy with removal of posterior hyaloid and gas tamponade. A larger multicenter randomized prospective study is underway to verify these encouraging results before advocating the use of autologous platelets in macular hole surgery.

[Technique of peribulbar anesthesia]. / Technique d'anesthésie péribulbaire.

A new technique of peribulbar anesthesia using a short needle has been applied on 3,691 patients. Complications previously reported with the use of a long needle are thus avoided.