The Epidemiology of Shoulder Injuries in Water Polo Players: A Monocentric Descriptive Study on Clinical and Radiological Presentation.

Water polo players' shoulders are exposed to repeated overhead and throwing motions as well as direct and indirect traumas. Shoulder injuries account for over half of all injuries sustained by water polo players. This is a monocentric descriptive epidemiological study on the clinical and radiological presentation of a consecutive series of water polo players from January 2002 to September 2022. All patients underwent clinical and physical examinations and an MRI arthrogram. A total of 92 water polo players were included in this study. Fifty-three patients (57.6%) reported at least one previous shoulder instability episode; 100% of patients in this group were diagnosed with a capsulolabral complex lesion, and 88.7% of these players complained of subjective symptoms of shoulder instability (RR: 4.4). A total of 39 out of 92 patients (42.4%) did not report previous shoulder dislocation episodes; the mean age at presentation in this group was significantly higher than the mean age of the patients who experienced previous instability episodes (p < 0.01), and the throwing arm was affected in 79.5% of patients (RR = 1.41).

Motion acquisition of gait characteristics one week after total hip arthroplasty: a factor analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical gait analysis can be used to evaluate the recovery process of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). The postoperative walking patterns of these patients can be significantly influenced by the choice of surgical approach, as each procedure alters distinct anatomical structures. The aim of this study is twofold. The first objective is to develop a gait model to describe the change in ambulation one week after THA. The secondary goal is to describe the differences associated with the surgical approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients undergoing THA with lateral (n = 9), anterior (n = 15), and posterior (n = 12) approaches were included in the study. Walking before and 7 days after surgery was recorded using a markerless motion capture system. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), a data reduction technique, condensed 21 spatiotemporal gait parameters to a smaller set of dominant variables. The EFA-derived gait domains were utilized to study post-surgical gait variations and to compare the post-surgical gait among the three groups. RESULTS: Four distinct gait domains were identified. The most pronounced variation one week after surgery is in the Rhythm (gait cycle time: + 32.9 % ), followed by Postural control (step width: + 27.0 % ), Phases (stance time: + 11.0 % ), and Pace (stride length: -  9.3 % ). In postsurgical walking, Phases is statistically significantly different in patients operated with the posterior approach compared to lateral (p-value = 0.017) and anterior (p-value = 0.002) approaches. Furthermore, stance time in the posterior approach group is significantly lower than in healthy individuals (p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a four-component gait model specific to THA patients. The results showed that patients after THA have longer stride time but shorter stride length, wider base of support, and longer stance time, although the posterior group had a statistically significant shorter stance time than the others. The findings of this research have the potential to simplify the reporting of gait outcomes, reduce redundancy, and inform targeted interventions in regards to specific gait domains.

Clinical and radiological outcomes of autologous humeral bone grafting for radial head reconstruction: a minimum 2-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the clinical and functional results of radial head reconstruction with an autologous bone graft from distal humerus in 12 patients, with a follow-up for a period of 24 months. METHODS: From March 2017 to June 2018, we surgically treated 12 patients using an autologous bone graft from the lateral distal metaphysis of the homolateral humerus. Patients were divided into two groups: -Group A consisted of patients with previous failed ORIF for radial head fracture. Patients underwent revision surgery at an average time of 7 months (between 6 to 8 months) from the first surgery. All the patients reported pain during the elbow range of motion with no gross clinical signs or instability of the joint. They all presented standard X-ray and CT-scan of the elbow suggestive of non-union fracture. None of them presented osteoarthritic modification at the time of surgery. -Group B consisted of patients reporting acute irreparable radial head fractures. Patients were evaluated clinically at 6-, 12-, and 24-months duration according to Disabilities of the Arm. Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), and Visual analogue score for pain (VAS);, range of motion (ROM) was evaluated at 6 and 24 months after surgery. Plain radiographs on anteroposterior and lateral views of the elbow were evaluated at final follow-up. RESULTS: In both, groups (A and B) patients showed a significant improvement with regards to VAS, MEPS, and DASH at each follow-up (p < 0.05). X-rays showed complete bone healing in all patients with no sign of mobilisation or loosening of the screws. One case in group A presented asymptomatic partial ossification of LUCL. No cases of fracture or residual pain at the donor site. Furthermore, no other complications such as infection, wound issues, elbow instability, elbow stiffness, ulnar neuritis, graft non-union were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Distal humerus bone graft should be considered a reliable option for the treatment of acute fractures that are unrepairable fractures or revision surgery for failed ORIF of the radial head, especially among young patients where prosthesis may be reserved as a salvage procedure, and radial head resection is a damaging and is not considered desirable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV - Prospective Case Series.

Return to physical activity and change in body mass index after hypoallergenic medial mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The primary purpose of the present prospective study was to consecutively analyse the outcomes of the return to sports activity of patients with positive patch tests undergoing a medial mobile-bearing titanium niobium nitride (TiNbN) unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). The secondary purpose was to ascertain if a higher grade of physical activity leads to a reduction in the body mass index (BMI) of the patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-one patients with positive skin patch tests were included in this prospective study. The clinical evaluation consisted of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale and the High-Activity Arthroplasty Score (HAAS). Each patient was evaluated the day before surgery (T0), after 12.37 ± 0.70 months (T1), and on the day of the final follow-up, after 67.03 ± 18.2 months (T2). Furthermore, the BMI of each patient was analysed before surgery and during the final follow-up. RESULTS: The UCLA and HAAS mean preoperative values ranged from 3.68 ± 1.1.7 and 6.15 ± 0.76 to 6.1 ± 0.76 and 10.34 ± 1.3, respectively, at T1 (p < 0.0001) and to the final values of 6.34 ± 0.62 and 11.0 ± 8.9, respectively, at T2 (UCLA: T2 versus T1: p = 0.132; T2 versus T0: p < 0.0001; HAAS: T2 versus T1: p = 0.0027; T2 versus T0: p < 0.001). BMI ranged from a preoperative value of 27.97 ± 3.63 to a final value of 26.84 ± 3.11 (p < 0.0001). The only differences within the subgroups concerned patients with BMI ≥ 28, showing a superior HAAS at each follow-up (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between BMI and HAAS at T0 and T2 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to evaluate the rate of the return to sports activities and change in BMI following hypoallergenic UKA. The majority of patients reduced their weight following UKA and improved their physical activity, showing outcomes that were comparable to the standard cobalt-chrome (CoCr) prostheses, regardless of gender, age, BMI and implant size. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV - Prospective Cohort Study. Trial registration researchregistry5978-Research Registry www.researchregistry.com.

Treatment of Proximal Femoral Fragility Fractures in Patients with COVID-19 During the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in Northern Italy.

BACKGROUND: From February 20 to April 2020, the coronavirus SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)-CoV-2 spread in northern Italy, drastically challenging the care capacities of the national health care system. Unprepared for this emergency, hospitals have quickly reformulated paths of assistance in an effort to guarantee treatment for infected patients. Orthopaedic departments have been focused on elderly traumatology, especially the treatment of femoral neck fractures in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the orthopaedic management strategy for femoral fragility fractures in COVID-19-positive patients with the hypothesis that operative treatment may contribute to the overall stability of the patient. METHODS: Sixteen patients affected by proximal femoral fracture and a recent history of fever, shortness of breath, and desaturation were admitted to the emergency room. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) and oropharyngeal swabs confirmed that they were positive for COVID-19, requiring hospitalization and prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin. RESULTS: Three patients died before surgery because of severe respiratory insufficiency and multiple-organ-failure syndrome. Ten patients underwent surgery on the day after admission, whereas 3 patients had suspended their use of direct thrombin inhibitors and needed surgery to be delayed until the third day after admission. In all patients except 1, we noted an improvement in terms of O2 saturation and assisted respiration. In 9 patients, hemodynamic and respiratory stability was observed at an average of 7 days postoperatively. Four patients who underwent surgical treatment died of respiratory failure on the first day after surgery (1 patient), the third day after surgery (2 patients), or the seventh day after surgery (1 patient). CONCLUSIONS: We noted a stabilization of respiratory parameters in 12 COVID-19-positive patients who underwent surgery treatment of proximal femoral fractures. We believe that in elderly patients with COVID-19 who have proximal femoral fractures, surgery may contribute to the overall stability of the patient, seated mobilization, improvement in physiological ventilation, and general patient comfort in bed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Radial Head Resection versus Arthroplasty in Unrepairable Comminuted Fractures Mason Type III and Type IV: A Systematic Review.

Unrepairable comminuted fractures of the radial head Mason type III or type IV have poor outcomes when treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Radial head resection has been proposed as good option for surgical treatment, while in the last decades, the development of technology and design in radial head prosthesis has increased efficacy in prosthetic replacement. The present review was conducted to determine the best surgical treatment for comminuted radial head when ORIF is not possible. Better outcomes are reported for radial head arthroplasty in terms of elbow stability, range of motion, pain, and fewer complications compared to radial head excision. Nevertheless, radial head resection still can be considered an option of treatment in isolated radial head fractures with no associated ligament injuries lesion of ligaments or in case of older patients with low demanding function.

Laceration of a branch of the profunda femoris artery caused by a spike of the displaced lesser trochanter in an inter-trochanteric femoral fracture. A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Injury of femoral vessels is an extremely rare complication in intertrochanteric femoral fractures. In most cases reported, the vascular lesion involves the superficial femoral artery, whereas in very few cases does it involve the profunda femoris artery. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of acute bleeding due to laceration of a perforating branch of the profunda femoris artery caused by a sharp fragment of the displaced lesser trochanter in an intertrochanteric femoral fracture; the lesion was treated by transcatheter embolization. DISCUSSION: The arterial injury may be iatrogenic, occurring during intramedullary internal fixation, or less frequently, the injury may be due to the fracture itself, caused by a sharp bone fragment that damages the profunda femoris artery or one of its perforating branches. CONCLUSION: We believe that intertrochanteric femoral fractures with avulsed lesser trochanter are at risk for femoral vessel injuries caused by the displaced bone spike, and we advise meticulous clinical and laboratory monitoring pre- and post-operatively to prevent serious complications.

Internal fixation after fracture or osteotomy of the femur in young children with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia.

Children from 4 to 7 years of age with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (PFD) may need internal fixation of the femur for either fracture or osteotomy. At that age, the small size of the femur allows only the use of small intramedullary nails. However, titanium elastic nails and rigid intramedullary pediatric interlocking femoral nails - good for fracture or osteotomy fixation in the normal femur - are not indicated in PFD. From 2009 to 2011, we treated eight cases of PFD femoral fracture and deformity by internal fixation with a custom-modified adult humeral nail to which a spiral blade was connected. The 7-mm thick nail fit properly into the small femoral shaft and the spiral blade conferred ideal mechanical support to the femoral neck. Three cases had replacement of the humeral nail with a more appropriate adult femoral nail 3 years after the index procedure when the femur had reached an adequate size. In the maximum follow-up period of 4 years, few complications were observed.