Secondary fracture and mortality risk with very high fracture risk osteoporosis and proximal femoral fracture.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate secondary fracture and mortality rates, and risk factors in patients with proximal femoral fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study on female patients with proximal femoral fractures who underwent surgical treatment between April 2020 and March 2021. Postoperative follow-ups were performed at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month intervals to determine the secondary fracture and mortality rates, and the risk factors and its influence were examined. RESULTS: Of the 279 registered patients, 144 patients (51.6%) were diagnosed with very high fracture risk osteoporosis. The postoperative osteoporosis rate exceeded 96%; however, osteoanabolic agents were used sparingly. The risk factor of both secondary fracture and mortality was very high fracture risk osteoporosis, and secondary fractures within 12 months were markedly occurred. Secondary fracture rates increased as the number of matched very high fracture risk osteoporosis criteria increased. Notably, secondary fractures and mortality were recorded in 21.4% and 23.5% of the patients who met all criteria, respectively. CONCLUSION: Over half of the female patients with proximal femoral fractures had very high fracture risk osteoporosis. Although, very high fracture risk osteoporosis demonstrated a notably increased risk of secondary fractures, particularly at 12 months post-surgery, the use of osteoanabolic agents was substantially low. Collectively, our findings highlight the need to consider the risk of very high fracture risk osteoporosis, expand the use of medications to include osteoanabolic agents, and reconsider the current healthcare approach for proximal femoral fractures.

The Novel Ulnar Nerve Coverage Method Which Has the Potential to Prevent the Postoperative Ulnar Neuropathy after Plate Fixation of Distal Humerus Fractures: Three Case Reports.

Introduction: Postoperative ulnar neuropathy is still an unresolved complication in patients undergoing plate fixation of distal humerus fractures. We hypothesized that decreased blood flow to the ulnar nerve due to intraoperative procedures is an important factor in the development of postoperative ulnar neuropathy. We herein report three cases of distal humerus fractures in which the soft tissues surrounding the ulnar nerve were preserved as much as possible and finally not transferred anteriorly. Case Presentation. A 76-year-old woman, 82-year-old woman, and 34-year-old woman underwent plate fixation for distal humerus fractures. None of the patients developed postoperative ulnar neuropathy, and there were no complaints of numbness after postoperative day 1. Nerve conduction studies were performed after 3 months postoperatively and revealed that the motor nerve conduction velocities and compound motor nerve action potentials of the ulnar nerve in two of the three patients were higher than those of the noninjured side. In one of the three patients, these values were slightly lower than those of the noninjured side. All three patients achieved bony union after several months postoperatively. Conclusions: We obtained good outcomes with the ulnar nerve coverage method for preventing postoperative ulnar neuropathy in patients with distal humerus fractures. Preservation of blood flow to the ulnar nerve was considered important, and anatomical repositioning of the ulnar nerve after plate fixation has the potential to prevent adhesion between the ulnar nerve and the plate.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Zoledronate Acid or Denosumab After Switching from Romosozumab in Japanese Postmenopausal Patients.

We aimed to compare the efficacy of switching from romosozumab (RMAb) to denosumab (DMAb) or zoledronic acid (Zol) with respect to changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism. We also aimed to determine predictors of changes in BMD among patients who received sequential therapy from RMAb. One hundred patients who received RMAb therapy were recruited for this study. A total 49 patients received bisphosphonate (BP) pre-treatment and 51 received active vitamin D3 analog pre-treatment or no treatment. Forty-two patients were switched to Zol (BP-RMAb-Zol; 20 and RMAb-Zol; 22), and 58 patients were switched to DMAb (BP-RMAb-DMAb; 29 and RMAb-DMAb; 29). Longitudinal changes in bone metabolic markers (P1NP and TRACP-5b) and BMD were also evaluated. In the BP-RMAb-Zol group, TRACP-5b increased after administration of Zol, and the mean BMD of the lumbar spine (LS) was significantly lower than those in the BP-RMAb-DMAb, RMAb-Zol and RMAb-DMAb groups at 24 months. The % changes in BMD of the LS after 24 months were associated with TRACP-5b values at baseline and at 12 months in patients who received Zol therapy, and with TRACP-5b value at baseline in patients who received DMAb therapy. The DMAb follow-on regimen could be considered more effective than Zol as a sequential agent for the enhancement of BMD after RMAb in patients with BP pretreatment. TRACP-5b, especially the baseline value, may predict the efficacy of sequential therapy from RMAb, as well as previous treatments.

Unprecedented neighboring group participation of C2 N-imidoxy functionalities for 1,2-trans-selective glycosylation.

Stereoselective glycosylation reactions are important in carbohydrate chemistry. The most used method for 1,2-trans(ß)-selective glycosylation involves the neighboring group participation (NGP) of the 2-O-acyl protecting group; nevertheless, an alternative stereoselective method independent of classical NGP would contribute to carbohydrate chemistry, despite being challenging to achieve. Herein, a ß-selective glycosylation reaction employing unprecedented NGP of the C2 N-succinimidoxy and phthalimidoxy functionalities is reported. The C2 functionalities provided the glycosylated products in high yields with ß-selectivity. The participation of the functionalities from the α face of the glycosyl oxocarbenium ions gives stable six-membered intermediates and is supported by density functional theory calculations. The applicability of the phthalimidoxy functionality for hydroxyl protection is also demonstrated. This work expands the scope of functionalities tolerated in carbohydrate chemistry to include O-N moieties.

High-Throughput Screening Assay Identifies Berberine and Mubritinib as Neuroprotection Drugs for Spinal Cord Injury via Blood-Spinal Cord Barrier Protection.

Because the breakdown of the blood-brain spinal cord barrier (BBSCB) worsens many central nervous system (CNS) diseases, prevention of BBSCB breakdown has been a major therapeutic target, especially for spinal cord injury (SCI). However, effective drugs that protect BBSCB function have yet to be developed. The purpose of the current study was 1) to develop a high-throughput screening assay (HTSA) to identify candidate drugs to protect BBSCB function, 2) to identify candidate drugs from existing drugs with newly developed HTSA, and 3) to examine the therapeutic effects of candidate drugs on SCI. Our HTSA included a culture of immortalized human brain endothelial cells primed with candidate drugs, stress with H2O2, and evaluation of their viability. A combination of the resazurin-based assay with 0.45 mM H2O2 qualified as a reliable HTSA. Screening of 1,570 existing drugs identified 90 drugs as hit drugs. Through a combination of reproducibility tests, exclusion of drugs inappropriate for clinical translation, and dose dependency tests, berberine, mubritinib, and pioglitazone were identified as a candidate. An in vitro BBSCB functional test revealed that berberine and mubritinib, but not pioglitazone, protected BBSCB from oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation stress. Additionally, these two drugs minimized BBSCB breakdown 1 day after cervical SCI in mice. Furthermore, berberine and mubritinib reduced neuronal loss and improved gait performance 8 weeks after SCI. Collectively, the current study established a useful HTSA to identify potential neuroprotective drugs by maintaining BBSCB function and demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of berberine and mubritinib after SCI.

Real-world persistence of twice-weekly teriparatide and factors associated with the discontinuation in patients with osteoporosis.

INTRODUCTION: A 28.2 µg twice-weekly formulation of teriparatide (2/W-TPD) was developed to provide comparably high efficacy for osteoporosis to a 56.5 µg once-weekly formulation while improving the safety and persistence rate. In the current study, we aimed to elucidate the real-world persistence of 2/W-TPD and to identify the factors associated with the discontinuation of 2/W-TPD in patients with severe osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 90 patients who were treated with 2/W-TPD at three hospitals in Japan. Patient information was collected, including age, sex, distance to the hospital, family structure, comorbidities, previous treatment for osteoporosis, timing of the injection, side effects and duration of 2/W-TPD treatment, barthel index (BI), and bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. We examined the factors influencing 2/W-TPD discontinuation using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The 12 month completion rate of 2/W-TPD therapy was 47.5%. The Cox hazard analysis identified side effects [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 14.59, P < 0.001], low BMD of the femoral neck (HR = 0.04, P = 0.002), and morning injection (HR = 3.29, P = 0.006) as risk factors influencing the discontinuation of 2/W-TPD. Other variables, including age, did not contribute to the continuation of 2/W-TPD. CONCLUSION: One year continuation rate of 2/W-TPD was higher than the previously reported value of the once-weekly formulation in real-world setting, probably due to the lower incidence of side effects. Introducing injection of 2/W-TPD may further improve the persistence of TPD therapy for osteoporosis.

Radiological predictors associated with success of treatment for developmental dysplasia of hip using the Pavlik harness: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: While various predictors of treatment outcome of Pavlik harness have been reported, appropriate indications for treatment and relationships between patient characteristics and outcome are unclear. The present study aimed to identify radiological predictors for successful Pavlik harness treatment of DDH at the initiation of treatment and investigate the progression of radiological characteristics after successful treatment. METHODS: One-hundred-forty-two of 527 infants who visited our hospital for secondary screening of DDH were treated with the Pavlik harness. One-hundred-eight hips of 108 infants experienced successful treatment and could be followed up until 3 years of age (group S); treatment was unsuccessful within the first 2 weeks for 22 hips of 21 infants (group F). We investigated the Graf classification and radiological parameters. RESULTS: We observed the ipsilateral-side measurements of distance A and B as defined by Yamamuro and Chene's method to be significantly smaller and greater, respectively, in group F compared with those of group S. Group F tended to exhibit the smaller distance A and larger distance B compared to the group S among the same Graf type. The cut-off values for successful treatment at were >7.4 mm at initiation of treatment for distance A and <11.2 mm for distance B. The acetabular index (AI) of the ipsilateral side at the initiation of treatment was significantly correlated with that at 1 and 3 years of age. Patients with an AI of >32° at the initiation of harness treatment were more likely to exhibit hip dysplasia at 3 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographic parameters prior to the Pavlik harness could be predictors of treatment failure and DDH in the future. This study showed that AI at the initiation of treatment is associated with residual acetabular dysplasia, suggesting that radiographic assessment may be useful even considering the risks associated with radiation exposure.

Short-term efficacy and safety of zoledronate acid or denosumab in Japanese patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to compare the efficacy after switching from either bisphosphonates (BPs) or non-BPs (NBPs) to combination therapies of denosumab (DMAb) or zoledronic acid (Zol) with eldecalcitol (ELD) in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism and investigate the prognostic and risk factors of side effects of this therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred forty-eight patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis were recruited; their therapy was switched from BPs or NBPs to Zol or DMAb plus ELD (BP-Zol: 43, NBP-Zol: 32, BP-DMAb: 35, and NBP-DMAb: 38). Longitudinal changes in bone metabolic markers (P1NP and TRACP-5b) and BMD were evaluated. RESULTS: In the BP-Zol group, P1NP did not change after 6 months and increased by 38.9% after 12 months. TRACP-5b decreased 15.8% after 6 months, but came back to baseline values 12 months after administration. In the rest of the groups, the bone metabolic markers remained suppressed after 6 and 12 months. Compared with baseline, all groups showed increase in BMD after 6 and 12 months. Bone metabolic markers at baseline were correlated with %change in lumbar spine BMD from baseline to 12 months. P1NP and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels at baseline were identified as potential predictors of development of acute-phase reactions. CONCLUSIONS: The combination therapy of Zol or DMAb and ELD may increase BMD at 12 months after the first administration in Japanese patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis, regardless of BPs pretreatment. Bone metabolic markers at baseline may be useful predictors for reaction to the therapy and side effects caused by these combination therapies in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Effects after starting or switching from bisphosphonate to romosozumab or denosumab in Japanese postmenopausal patients.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the longitudinal changes in bone metabolic markers and bone mineral density (BMD) after starting or switching from bisphosphonate (BP) to romosozumab (ROMO) or denosumab (DENO) therapies over 12 months and to determine predictors that establish associations with changes in BMD among the patients received the ROMO therapy. METHODS: Postmenopausal osteoporosis patients with a high risk of fracture-154 in total-were recruited; their therapies were switched to ROMO or DENO from BP/naïve or vitamin D (ND) (ND-ROMO: 43, BP-ROMO: 38, ND-DENO: 38, and BP-DENO: 35). Longitudinal changes in bone metabolic markers and BMD were evaluated. RESULTS: ROMO groups showed significant increases in BMD of the lumbar spine at 6 and 12 months and femoral neck at 12 months compared to the DENO groups. Although BP-ROMO showed significant increase in the lumbar spine BMD compared to BP-DENO, there were no significant differences in femoral neck and total hip BMDs between BP-ROMO and BP-DENO. Among the ROMO groups, % changes of BMD from baseline to 12 months were associated with bone metabolic markers at baseline and changes in TRACP-5b from baseline to 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: ROMO continuously increased BMD for 12 months and performed better than DENO. On the other hand, effects of ROMO switched from BP on BMD of femoral neck and total hip were almost same with DENO. Bone metabolic markers at baseline and changes in TRACP-5b from baseline to 3 months may predict the efficacy of ROMO after 12 months of administration.

Evaluation of whole-body modalities for diagnosis of multifocal osteonecrosis-a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the ability of whole-body bone scintigraphy (WB-BS) in the detection of multifocal osteonecrosis (ON) compared to whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) and to clarify the characteristics of patients with multifocal ON among those with ON of the femoral head (ONFH) using WB-MRI. METHODS: Forty-six patients who had symptomatic ONFH and underwent surgery in our hospital from April 2019 to October 2020 were included in the study. Data on patient demographics, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), history of corticosteroid intake, alcohol abuse, smoking, and symptomatic joints, were collected from their medical records. All patients underwent WB-MRI and WB-BS before surgery. RESULTS: The agreement in the detection of ON by WB-MRI vs the uptake lesions by WB-BS in the hip joints was moderate (κ = 0.584), while that in other joints was low (κ < 0.40). Among the 152 joints with ON detected by WB-MRI, 92 joints (60.5%) were symptomatic, and 60 joints (39.5%) were asymptomatic. Twelve out of the 46 (26.0%) patients had multifocal (three or more distinct anatomical sites) ON. Nonetheless, while WB-BS detected symptomatic ON detected by WB-MRI as uptake lesions in 82.6% (76/92) of the joints, asymptomatic ON detected by WB-MRI was detected as uptake lesions in 21.7% (13/60) of the joints. All patients with multifocal ON had a history of steroid therapy, which was significantly higher than that in patients with oligofocal ON (P = 0.035). The patients with a hematologic disease had multifocal ON at a higher rate (P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: It might be difficult for WB-BS to detect the asymptomatic ON detected by WB-MRI compared to symptomatic ON. Considering the cost, examination time, and radiation exposure, WB-MRI might be useful for evaluating multifocal ON. Larger longitudinal studies evaluating the benefits of WB-MRI for detecting the risk factors for multifocal ON are required.

Finite element analysis of double-plate fixation using reversed locking compression-distal femoral plates for Vancouver B1 periprosthetic femoral fractures.

BACKGROUND: Internal fixation is recommended for treating Vancouver B1 periprosthetic femoral fractures. Although several fixation procedures have been developed with high fixation stability and union rates, long-term weight-bearing constructs are still lacking. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the stability of a double-plate procedure using reversed contralateral locking compression-distal femoral plates for fixation of Vancouver B1 periprosthetic femoral fractures under full weight-bearing. METHODS: Single- and double-plate fixation procedures for locking compression-distal femoral plates were analysed under an axial load of 1,500 N by finite element analysis and biomechanical loading tests. A vertical loading test was performed to the prosthetic head, and the displacements and strains were calculated based on load-displacement and load-strain curves generated by the static compression tests. RESULTS: The finite element analysis revealed that double-plate fixation significantly reduced stress concentration at the lateral plate place on the fracture site. Under full weight-bearing, the maximum von Mises stress in the lateral plate was 268 MPa. On the other hand, the maximum stress in the single-plating method occurred at the defect level of the femur with a maximum stress value of 1,303 MPa. The principal strains of single- and double-plate fixation were 0.63 % and 0.058 %, respectively. Consistently, in the axial loading test, the strain values at a 1,500 N loading of the single- and double-plate fixation methods were 1,274.60 ± 11.53 and 317.33 ± 8.03 (× 10- 6), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that dual-plate fixation with reversed locking compression-distal femoral plates may be an excellent treatment procedure for patients with Vancouver B1 fractures, allowing for full weight-bearing in the early postoperative period.

Association of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps with the Development of Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head.

Idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is defined as necrosis of osteocytes due to a non-traumatic ischemia of the femoral head. Iatrogenic glucocorticoid administration and habitual alcohol intake are regarded as risk factors. It has been suggested that glucocorticoid-induced activation of platelets contributes to the local blood flow disturbance of the femoral head. Both activated platelets and alcohol can induce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). To determine the association of NETs with the development of idiopathic ONFH, surgically resected femoral heads of patients with idiopathic ONFH and osteoarthritis were assessed for existence of NET-forming neutrophils by immunofluorescence staining. NET-forming neutrophils were present in small vessels surrounding the femoral head of patients with idiopathic ONFH but not osteoarthritis. Moreover, Wistar-Kyoto rats were intravenously injected with NET-forming neutrophils or neutrophils without NET induction, and then the ischemic state of the tissue around the femoral head was evaluated by immunohistochemistry for hypoxia-inducible factor-1α. NET-forming neutrophils circulated into the tissue around the femoral head, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression in the tissue was higher compared with that of rats intravenously administered with neutrophils without NET induction. Furthermore, ischemic change of osteocytes was observed in the femoral head of rats given an i.v. injection of NET-forming neutrophils. The collective findings suggest that NETs are possibly associated with the development of idiopathic ONFH.

Long-Term Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty with Modular Femoral Stem in Middle-Aged Asian Patients.

BACKGROUND: There is insufficient information regarding the outcome of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) with the modular femoral stem in middle-aged patients. This study aimed to assess long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of primary THA using the original or modified modular hip system (S-ROM) in middle-aged Asian patients. METHODS: A retrospective review identified 98 primary THAs that used a modular stem and were undertaken between 1997 and 2009 in patients younger than 58 years, for whom at least 5 years of follow-up data were available. Clinical data and radiograph assessments were reviewed to analyze differences between the original and modified modular stem groups. RESULTS: The mean patient follow-up duration was 148.3 months, and the follow-up ratio was 89.1%. The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the survival rate of both stems was 98.9% at 10 years and 89.8% at 15 years. Although no statistically significant differences in the survival rate were observed between the stem designs, the original stem group had increased incidence of thigh pain compared with the modified stem group. In total, 12 and 54 hips showed change in stem alignment and osteolysis, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show that the modular stems have a high survival rate, and results suggest positive outcomes among the Asian population over the long term. Although there were very few differences between the stem designs, the results suggest that the modified modular stem could prevent thigh pain and that selection of the implant based on the bone shape is important for THA.

Predictors of cartilage degeneration in patients with subchondral insufficiency fracture of the femoral head: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that the cause of primary osteoarthritis (OA) is related to the changes in subchondral bone; however, the influence of subchondral insufficiency fracture (SIF) of the femoral head on the degeneration of the hip joint and the prognostic factors related to joint degeneration remain unclear. The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the natural history of joint space width after the occurrence of SIF and (2) to investigate the associations between joint space narrowing and bone metabolic markers as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among the patients with SIF. METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2019, 238 patients in whom band pattern of the femoral head were observed on MRI visited Hokkaido University Hospital. Among these patients, 44 hips in 41 patients were diagnosed with SIF and eligible for this retrospective study. We evaluated the joint space width (JSW) of the hip on the radiograph obtained at the first and last visits, length of the band lesion on MRI, bone mineral density by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and bone metabolism markers. Similarly, the factors associated with the necessity of surgery and the progression of the narrowing of the joint space were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifteen of the 44 hips required total hip arthroplasty (THA). A significant decrease was observed in the JSW from the first visit to the final follow-up. Changes in the JSW were associated with the length of band patterns, serum type 1 procollagen-N-propeptide (P1NP), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) during diagnosis. Additionally, bone metabolic markers tended to be associated with the length of the band pattern. CONCLUSIONS: SIF could cause joint space narrowing and hip OA. In addition to MRI findings as prognostic predictors of SIF, as previously described, bone metabolic markers were equally associated with changes in JSW, suggesting that these parameters could be useful in predicting the prognosis of SIF. Considering that bone metabolic markers trended to be associated with the length of band pattern, they might reflect the local severity.

Septic Arthritis Caused by Mycobacterium Kansasii in a Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient.

We report an 18-year-old female individual with septic arthritis due to Mycobacterium kansasii. Three years and 6 months before arthritis, the patient underwent bone marrow transplantation and developed severe chronic graft-versus-host disease. The arthritis was refractory to medication, and she underwent joint lavage of the right foot, hip joint, and elbow joint. After surgery, her joint symptoms were relieved, and chronic graft-versus-host disease remitted more easily. It is important that we maintain a high index of suspicion for mycobacterial arthritis and diagnose it early when immunosuppressed patients experience chronic pain and joint swelling.

Ten years change in post-fracture care for hip fracture patients.

INTRODUCTION: This multicenter, retrospective study aimed to clarify the changes in postoperative care provided by orthopaedic surgeons after hip fractures and clarify the incidence of secondary fractures requiring surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects were patients with hip fracture treated surgically in seven hospitals during the 10-year period from January 2008 to December 2017. Data on patient demographics, comorbidities, preoperative and postoperative osteoporosis treatments, and secondary fractures were collected from the medical records. RESULTS: In total, 4764 new hip fractures in 982 men and 3782 women (mean age: 81.3 ± 10.0 years) were identified. Approximately 10% of patients had a history of osteoporosis drug treatment and 35% of patients received postoperative drug treatment. The proportion of patients receiving postoperative drug therapy increased by approximately 10% between 2009 and 2010, 10% between 2010 and 2011, and 10% between 2011 and 2013. Although the rate of secondary fractures during the entire period and within 3 years decreased from 2011, the rate of secondary fracture within 1 year remained at around 2% every year. CONCLUSIONS: The approval of new osteoporosis drugs and the establishment of osteoporosis liaison services have had a positive effect on the use of postoperative drug therapy in the orthopedic field. Our finding that the rate of secondary fracture within 1 year of the initial fracture remained around 2% every year, despite improvements in postoperative drug therapy, suggests that both rehabilitation for preventing falls and early postoperative drug therapy are essential to prevent secondary fractures.

Effects of femoral bone defect morphology on initial polished tapered stem stability in massive defect model: a biomechanical study.

BACKGROUND: Good outcomes have been reported in revision total hip replacement with massive segmental defects using impaction bone grafting with circumferential metal meshes. However, the morphology of defects that require a mesh is poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a variety of segmental defects on load transmission to the proximal femur under both axial and rotational loads. METHODS: Initial stability of the Exeter stem was investigated in a composite bone model using three medial bone defect morphologies: Long (length 5 cm × width 2 cm), Short (2.5 cm × 2 cm), Square (3.2 cm × 3.2 cm), Square with mesh (3.2 cm × 3.2 cm defect covered with metal mesh), and with no defect as control. Specimens (5 per group) were axially loaded and internally rotated up to 20° or to failure. Strain distributions of the femora were measured using a strain gauge. RESULTS: All Square group specimens failed while rotation was increasing. In the other four groups, failure was not observed in any specimens. Mean torsional stiffness in the Long (4.4 ± 0.3 Nm/deg.) and Square groups (4.3 ± 0.3 Nm/deg.) was significantly smaller than in the Control group (4.8 ± 0.3 Nm/deg.). In the medio-cranial region, the magnitude of the maximum principal strain in the Square group (1176.4 ± 100.9) was significantly the largest (Control, 373.2 ± 129.5, p < 0.001; Long, 883.7 ± 153.3, p = 0.027; Short, 434.5 ± 196.8, p < 0.001; Square with mesh, 256.9 ± 100.8, p < 0.001). Torsional stiffness, and both maximum and minimum principal strains in the Short group showed no difference compared to the Control group in any region. CONCLUSIONS: Bone defect morphology greatly affected initial stem stability and load transmission. If defect morphology is not wide and the distal end is above the lower end of the lesser trochanter, it may be acceptable to fill the bone defect region with bone cement. However, this procedure is not acceptable for defects extending distally below the lower end of the lesser trochanter or defects 3 cm or more in width.

Corticosteroid dose increase is a risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and contralateral osteonecrosis of the femoral head: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of bilateral corticosteroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is high. Although the precise mechanism of corticosteroid-induced ONFH development is unclear, hepatic enzyme abnormalities such as low activity of hepatic cytochrome P450 3A could be one cause. Herein, we report the case of a patient who developed ONFH in the contralateral hip after the dose of corticosteroids for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was increased. Liver biopsy was done to rule out autoimmune hepatitis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old woman had been treated with continuous corticosteroids of up to 10 mg/day for Sjögren's syndrome for 25 years and corticosteroid-induced ONFH in the left side. At age 33, idiopathic thrombocytopenia developed, which was treated by increasing the corticosteroid dose (40 mg/day). Two months later, liver enzyme level began to increase slightly and continued to increase. A year after corticosteroid dose increase, contralateral ONFH developed, and a liver biopsy demonstrated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). CONCLUSIONS: The current case indicates that corticosteroid dose increase is a potential risk factor for NAFLD and contralateral ONFH. Therefore, it would be useful and important for to screen and monitor patients with hepatic enzyme abnormality for ONFH occurrence.

Potential association with early changes in serum calcium level after starting or switching to denosumab combined with eldecalcitol.

The aims of this study are to investigate changes in serum calcium (Ca) level after switching from either non-therapy, bisphosphonate, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM) or teriparatide treatments to a combination therapy of denosumab (DMAb), and eldecalcitol, and the association between early changes in serum calcium and changes in bone metabolic markers and bone mineral density (BMD). 129 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (32 non-pretreatment, 50 bisphosphonates, 18 SERM, and 29 teriparatide) were recruited and switched to DMAb plus eldecalcitol. Serum calcium levels, bone metabolism markers, and BMD measurements of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were evaluated. All groups showed an increase in BMD 6 months and 1 year after DMAb administration compared to baseline via suppression of bone metabolism markers. The TPD group showed a significant decrease in serum calcium level 1 week after the first injection of DMAb and eldecalcitol compared to baseline and the bisphosphonate group. Changes in serum calcium level from baseline to 1 week after the first injection of DMAb trended to correlate with changes in bone metabolism markers and lumbar BMD. The risks of DMAb-induced hypocalcemia are different between starting and switching from bone resorption inhibitors and bone formation promoters. Therefore, appropriate assessment before administration of DMAb, including pretreatment therapy as well as serum Ca and bone metabolic markers will help identify the risk of hypocalcemia following DMAb in combination with eldecalcitol. Our findings also showed that early change in serum Ca level after DMAb initiation could potentially predict the efficacy for therapy reaction.