[Injection treatment with hyaluronic acid]. / Injektionsbehandlung mit Hyaluronsäure.

This article presents the spectrum of indications for the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) based on the recommendations of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI), the International Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO) taking the reality of patient care in Europe into account.

[Differences between short stem prostheses]. / Unterschiede zwischen verschiedenen Kurzschaftendoprothesen.

The short stem designs currently available are significantly different and can be differentiated into neck containing, partial containing and neck resection designs. In this article, the differences in the design features are presented. These include the differences in the technique of implantation, the significant differences in the reproducibility of the given anatomy of the patient and also concerning their osteologic competence.

[Is shorter really better? : Philosophy of short stem prosthesis designs]. / Ist kürzer wirklich besser? : Philosophie der Kurzschaftendoprothesen.

The presently available short hip stem designs show significant differences and can be differentiated into those containing the neck, those partially containing the neck and neck resection designs. In this article the currently available designs will be presented. Except for the Mayo stem there are no long-term results available. There are significant differences between the the systems especially with respect to reproducibility of the individual anatomy of patients therefore DEXA and DSA studies are needed in order to identify problematic stem designs early before clinical failures are produced in a large number of patients.

Single, intra-articular treatment with 6 ml hylan G-F 20 in patients with symptomatic primary osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomised, multicentre, double-blind, placebo controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to compare a single, 6 ml, intra-articular injection of hylan G-F 20 with placebo in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. The safety of a repeat injection of hylan G-F 20 was also assessed. METHODS: Patients with primary osteoarthritis knee pain were randomly assigned to arthrocentesis plus a 6 ml intra-articular injection of either hylan G-F 20 or placebo in a prospective, double-blind (one injector/one blinded observer) study. RESULTS: were evaluated at 4, 8, 12, 18 and 26 weeks post-injection. The primary outcome criterion was change from baseline over 26 weeks in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index A pain. Secondary outcome measures included WOMAC A1 and C, patient global assessment (PGA) and clinical observer global assessment (COGA) and Outcome Measures in Rheumatology, Osteoarthritis Research Society International responder rates. A 4-week, open, repeat treatment phase evaluated safety only. Results: A total of 253 patients (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II or III) was randomly assigned. Patients receiving hylan G-F 20 experienced statistically significantly greater improvements in WOMAC A pain scores (-0.15, SE 0.076, p = 0.047), and several of the secondary outcome measures (WOMAC A1, PGA and COGA), than patients receiving placebo. There was no difference between the safety results of the two groups. No increased risk of local adverse events was observed in the open, repeat treatment phase. CONCLUSIONS: This placebo-controlled study demonstrated that, in patients with knee osteoarthritis, a single 6 ml intra-articular injection of hylan G-F 20 is safe and effective in providing statistically significant, clinically relevant pain relief over 26 weeks, with a modest difference versus placebo.

[Konzept Perioperative management for endoprosthetic hip joint replacement. The functional interdisciplinary therapy (FIT) concept]. / Perioperatives Management beim endoprothetischen Hüftgelenkersatz. Das funktionelle interdisziplinäre Therapie-(FIT-) Konzept.

During the last decade there have been significant changes in the perioperative management of total hip replacement patients. This process begins in the preoperative phase. Many patients are much better informed and standardized preoperative patient programs improve patient outcome and optimize the clinical pathways. The techniques in perioperative pain management have also significantly improved. The surgeon should not only rely on the anesthesiologist but should also use the options available during surgery. Postoperative weight bearing is handled in a much more progressive way than previously. In a standard primary hip replacement pain-adapted full weight bearing is possible if there are no patient-specific problems. There has also been a shift in the postoperative capability of performing athletic or recreational activities. In general patients can perform those activities that were performed before the surgery, which also includes, for example downhill skiing.

Prospective, multi-centre, randomised evaluation of the safety and efficacy of five dosing regimens of viscosupplementation with hylan G-F 20 in patients with symptomatic tibio-femoral osteoarthritis: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Viscosupplementation by repeated intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) is used widely in the treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). The number of injections required can limit the availability of treatment and affect patient compliance. The aim of this study was to assess different dosing regimens of hylan G-F 20, a high molecular-weight cross-linked derivative of HA, in the treatment of pain due to knee OA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pilot, prospective, multi-centre, open-label, randomised trial in 100 patients with unilateral, symptomatic, tibio-femoral OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II or III), aged > or =40 years. Patients were randomised to receive varying dosing regimens of hylan G-F 20 (1 x 6 mL, 1 x 4 mL, 2 x 4 mL 2 weeks apart, 3 x 4 mL 1 week apart, or 3 x 2 mL 1 week apart). Adverse events (AE's) were monitored throughout the study. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline in the patient-rated knee OA pain assessment (100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS)) at 24 weeks. The secondary efficacy criteria included the WOMAC index, patient and physician global assessments using a 100 mm VAS, and knee OA pain assessment at all other visits. Concomitant use of permitted rescue medications (paracetamol) was also assessed. RESULTS: The treatment was well tolerated overall. Patients in the 3 x 4 mL group reported the highest percentage of device-related local AE's (30%) while patients in the 1 x 6 mL and 3 x 2 mL groups reported only 10%. There were no serious device-related AEs. There was a statistically significant improvement from baseline at week 24 in all efficacy endpoints for all treatment regimens. The 1 x 6 and 3 x 4 and 3 x 2 mL treatment groups showed the greatest mean improvements (-34.9, -32.6 and -36.7 mm respectively) in the patient-rated knee OA pain assessment VAS. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a single 6 mL injection of hylan G-F 20 may be as efficacious, and as well tolerated, as 3 x 2 mL one week apart. A double-blind, controlled trial is needed to confirm these data.

Changes of the bone structure after cap resurfacing arthroplasty of the humeral head.

INTRODUCTION: Although humeral head resurfacing with a cap is relatively common in clinical practice, clinical studies about the changes of the bone are rare. The aim of this study was to analyse qualitative and quantitative changes of the bone after cup arthroplasty. Our hypothesis is that the implant leads to a new functional load with remarkable changes of the bone underneath the cap. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Overall, 12 explanted caps with adherent bone tissues, retrieved at the revision surgery, were collected for histological examination. None of these implants were revised for loosening. Afterwards, there was a qualitative evaluation of the bone as well an assessment of established quantitative bone tissue parameters. Results were analyzed in correlation to the time to revision surgery, as well as to patient's age. RESULTS: A significant decrease of the bone volume and trabecular architecture underneath the cap was already observed after a relatively short lifetime. The quantitatively measured bone loss does not depend on the patient's age, but correlates significantly with the lifetime of the implants. In contrast to these findings within the central areas, an increased bone remodeling with bone densifications and microcallus formations was noticed at the edge of the cap in most cases. DISCUSSION: A significant reduction of the bone volume underneath the cap and remarkable changes of the trabecular architecture confirm our hypothesis. Even if these changes did not lead to a clinically relevant loosening in our series, they might influence revision surgeries. Thus, these findings might be of interest, especially when a non-stemmed reversed or anatomical revision arthroplasty with a central metaphyseal press-fit fixation is chosen. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV - retrospective or historical series.

Artificially produced cartilage lesions in small joints: detection with optimized MRI-sequences.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulse sequences in the detection of artificial cartilage lesions in small joints using an animal model. A total of 32 artificial cartilage lesions were created in the knee joints of 20 rabbits. Twenty lesions were produced 4 weeks and 12 lesions 1 h before the MRI examination, performed in an extremity coil at 1.0 T. All joints were examined with five imaging sequences: (1) a conventional T1-weighted spin-echo (SE)-sequence (repetition time [TR] 600 ms, echo time [TE] 15 ms), (2) a T2-weighted turbo-SE-sequence (TR 2000 ms, TE 85 ms), (3) a two-dimensional (2D) gradient echo (GE)-sequence (TR 440 ms, TE 10 ms, flip angle 60 degrees) and (4,5) two three-dimensional (3D) GE-sequences (TR 40 ms, TE 7 ms, flip angle 40 degrees, with fat suppression (FS) and TR 30 ms, TE 9 ms, flip angle 40 degrees). Two examinations had to be excluded because of insufficient image quality and the remaining examinations were analyzed by two experienced radiologists. The MRI images were correlated with the pathologic findings and anatomical structures were scored according to a 5-level scale. Direct comparison of the pathological and MRI findings showed that 19 of the 30 artificially induced cartilage lesions were detected with the FS 3D GE-sequence, 13 with the 2D GE-sequence, 11 with the 3D GE-sequence, 3 with the T1-weighted SE-sequence, and 2 with the T1-weighted SE-sequence. The highest percentage of artificial cartilage lesions was demonstrated using a fat-suppressed 3D GE-sequence. However, the analysis of cartilage defects in small joints with optimized sequences as well as clinical routine hardware and software had limitations. Therefore a pilot study was performed analyzing newly developed high resolution FS 3D GE images obtained from 5 rabbit knees with 10 cartilage lesions at 1.5 T. Two sequences were used with 1.0 and 0.5 mm slice thickness, a matrix of 256 x 256 and 512 x 256 and a field of view of 12 x 6 and 8 x 6 cm. In this small subset detection rates were substantially higher than in the 30 rabbit knees examined before.

Restriction of indication for automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy based on computed tomographic discography.

This report details the authors' early experience using the automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy (APLD) procedure, developed by Onik et al., in 97 patients with a disc protrusion. In the evaluation of a herniated disc, we used computed tomography (CT) discography. According to the distribution of the dye inside the disc, five different disc types can be differentiated. With a follow-up after 3-7 months, the short-term outcomes of the first 40 APLD-treated patients varied, depending on the shape of the protruded nuclear material. Patients with a broad dye base on CT discography had better short-term outcomes than patients with a narrow dye base. In the next 57 patients we treated with APLD, this tendency was confirmed. The success rate of a consecutive group of patients with a disc protrusion with a broad dye base, treated with APLD, was 80%. In comparison, the patients with a disc protrusion with a narrow dye base had an overall success rate of only 53%. The difference is statistically significant (P < 0.05). The message of this report is that APLD is a useful invasive treatment for patients with a disc protrusion. The outcome depends, however, on the shape of the protruded nuclear material as shown by CT discography, which makes this examination as a conditio sine qua non before treating patients with a disc protrusion with APLD.

Accuracy of pedicle screw placement in lumbar vertebrae.

STUDY DESIGN: The location of pedicle screws (n = 42) in four human specimens of the lumbar spine and in 30 patients (n = 131 screws) after lumbar spinal fusion was assessed using computed tomography. OBJECTIVES: To determine the accuracy of pedicle screw placement in lumbar vertebrae and the reproducibility and repeatability of the computed tomography examination. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Failures in the placement of transpedicular screws for lumbar fusion are reported. The evaluation of such screws using computed tomography examination has not been investigated. METHODS: After surgery, the specimens were dissected in transversal slices to observe macroscopically the location of the pedicle screw and to correlate these observations with the computed tomography images. All patients were examined by one observer. To determine the reproducibility and repeatability of the computed tomography examination, two observers studied computed tomography images of 12 patients (n = 58 screws) twice within 3 months. RESULTS: In the specimens, 10 screws were observed to penetrate the medial wall of the pedicle. This correlated fully with the images. In the patients' group, 40% of all screws penetrated the cortex of the vertebra. Of all screws, 29% penetrated the medial wall of the pedicle. From the computed tomography images, it appeared that a deviation of more than 6 mm medially was a high risk for nerve root damage. Three months after his first examination, Observer 1 documented a different position in three of 58 screws (kappa = 0.90). Observer 2 found a different position in eight screws (kappa = 0.65). The comparison between the reviews of the two observers showed a different opinion for the first evaluation, four disagreements (2-4 mm) and 17 disagreements (0-2 mm; kappa = 0.34), and for the second evaluation, four disagreements (2-4 mm) and 12 disagreements (0-2 mm; kappa = 0.43). CONCLUSIONS: Correct placement of transpedicular screws for spinal fusion seems to be more difficult than it looks. The computed tomography scanning is useful for differential diagnosis of postoperative radicular syndromes after lumbar transpedicular fixation.

Arthroscopic transglenoid stabilization versus open anchor suturing in traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder.

Sixty-two consecutive patients with recurrent traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder were prospectively observed. Thirty patients were observed after arthroscopic stabilization, and 32 were observed after open Bankart repair during a mean follow-up of 36 and 40 months, respectively (range, 24 to 60 months for both groups). To reattach the labrum, the arthroscopic technique used transglenoid sutures and the open technique used bone anchors. Redislocation occurred in two patients (6%) in the open repair group and in five patients (17%) in the arthroscopic repair group. Three of the five patients with redislocations in the arthroscopic repair group underwent reoperation. According to the criteria of Rowe et al., 29 patients (90.6%) who had open repair and 24 patients (80%) who had arthroscopic repair had good-to-excellent results. The patients averaged 90.6 points in the open repair group and 83.1 points in the arthroscopic repair group postoperatively. Little or no limitations in their postoperative sport activities were reported by 30 patients (94%) who underwent open repair and by 25 patients (83%) who had arthroscopic repair. Despite similar patient populations and using arthroscopic examination to select the type of repair in both groups, the results of arthroscopic shoulder stabilization are inferior to those of the classic open Bankart procedure.

Stress fracture of the patella.

Stress fractures are rarely an indication for surgical treatment. In our case we decided to operate on the patient because of distraction of the fragments. Solid bony healing took longer than in traumatic fractures, but the good functional result confirmed our regimen.

Percutaneous facet coagulation: indication, technique, results, and complications.

Literature has suggested that the facet joint is responsible for at least some low back pain. This article discusses the history, neuroanatomy, pain formation in the joints, definition of facet syndrome, diagnostics, therapy, a review of the literature, and complications of facet coagulation.

Automated percutaneous nucleotomy: restricted indications based on CT scan appearance.

Automated percutaneous lumbar nucleotomy is not a treatment modality for every patient with herniated disc. It should be performed only in patients with a disc protrusion with a broad dyebase, as shown in CT discography.

Live interdisciplinary teaching via the internet.

The independence of teachers and students is one of the main advantages of teleteaching. Specialties considered unsuitable for combined lessons are manageable using the internet. This study outlines simultaneous communication with students and lecturers over long distances between the anatomical dissection laboratory, the operating theatre, and the lecture hall. In several three-directional on-line lectures, different equipment was used. Students could also participate using personal computers from other locations. During the presentations, the participants have the opportunity to discuss problems with any lecturer. It was possible to demonstrate sufficient transmission capability for real-time application with the use of the new internet technology. No important qualitative differences can be reported between: hardware and software based solutions; or commercial and free offers. Although it is often difficult to reconcile the timetable of surgeries and lectures, multimedia on-line teaching via the internet provides new potential for interdisciplinary medical education.

Endoscopic release of plantar fasciitis--a benign procedure?

This is a case report of a patient suffering from subcalcaneal pain syndrome due to plantar fasciitis that was resistant to non surgical treatment. After endoscopic partial release of the plantar fascia the patient was pain free for several weeks, before he became symptomatic again. This new pain was located more proximally. An MRI study showed a stress reaction of the calcaneus.

[Value of computerized tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance tomography in preoperative diagnosis of meniscus lesions and ligamentous lesions of the knee joint]. / Der Aussagewert der Computertomographie und Kernspintomographie bei der präoperativen Diagnostik von Meniscusläsionen und Bandläsionen des Kniegelenks.

In a prospective study, 53 patients with chronic complaints and acute injuries of the knee joint, were evaluated by clinical examination, CT-scanning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Subsequently, arthroscopy or an open surgical procedure was performed. A total of 21 patients suffered from meniscal lesions. There were 17 ruptures of the medial and 4 ruptures of the lateral meniscus. In patients with meniscus ruptures, the sensitivity of both MRI and CT-scan was 86%, whereas the specificity of MRI was slightly lower than that of CT-scan. The accuracy and the predictive value were also slightly lower, although the difference was not significant. Fifteen patients suffered from acute or chronic ligament ruptures. In patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures, all complete ACL ruptures had correctly been diagnosed by CT and MRI. Two out of four partial ACL ruptures were missed by MRI; only one was missed by CT-scan. Three medial collateral ligament ruptures were documented by MRI and two by CT-scanning. The high negative predictive value of CT and MRI can realize a reduction of the amount of diagnostic arthroscopies.

[Increasing the quality of preoperative planning and intraoperative application of computer-assisted systems and surgical robots--an experimental study]. / Qualitätssteigerung in der präoperativen Planung und intraoperativen Umsetzung durch die Verwendung von computerassistierten Systemen und Operationsrobotern--eine experimentelle Untersuchung.

UNLABELLED: 14 human femurs were scanned by CAT and 3D reconstructed. In every specimen digital documentation of CCD and antetorsion (AT) angle was performed. With a special software package (Orthodoc) virtual preoperative planning for implantation of a cementless total hip alloplasty was undertaken. The specimens were randomised into two groups, one of which had manual and the other one robot implantation of the femoral component. After implantation all specimens were evaluated again by CAT and CCT and AT angle were documented again. The preoperative CCD angle was 126.7 degrees (SD = 4.0) in the manual group and 127.8 degrees (SD = 4.3) in the robodoc group. Postoperatively the angle averaged 131.9 degrees (SD = 0.8) in the manual group and 133.2 degrees (SD = 1.9) in the robodoc group. Significant differences were found for the AT angle in both groups. The preoperative AT angle in the manual group was 31.3 degrees (SD = 8.8), decreasing to 20.5 degrees (SD = 9.5) after implantation. In the robodoc group this angle was 30.9 degrees (SD = 8.0) before and 31.3 degrees (SD = 8.7) after implantation. The difference between pre- and postoperative AT angle averaged 10.8 degrees (SD = 6.4) in the manual group and only 0.4 degree (SD = 0.9) in the robodoc-group. CONCLUSIONS: With the technique used, preoperative planning in hip alloarthroplasty is much more accurate than with the conventional technique with plain X-ray. The virtual preoperative planning can be transferred to the intraoperative setting with high precision. These factors may lead to an increase in outcome quality.

Arthroscopic ankle surgery. Indications, surgical technique, results, complications.

Based on the one experience and the information that is available in the literature indications for ankle arthroscopy are given, surgical equipment, patient placement and surgical technique of different procedures are described. Finally the results and possible complications are presented. Removal of loose bodies as well as synovectomies in case of an acute infection or rheumatoid arthritis are good indication. Arthroscopic treatment of anterior pathology in the athletic ankle need a thorough diagnostic work-up; the results of the treatment do not always meet the expectations of this especially demanding population. Cartilage treatment is technically possible, however, long term results are still missing. This is also true for the treatment on osteochondritis dissecans. In patients with degenerative joint disease arthroscopic debridement can only lead to a temporary benefit. Arthroscopic assisted arthrodeses (AAA) is technically demanding, but can serve as an excellent alternative to conventional open techniques. The complication rate in ankle arthroscopy is high compared to other joints, which is especially true for neurologic complications and postoperative infections. This should be addressed when performing the informed consent.

Das Akromioklavikulargelenk.

The anatomy and biomechanics of the acromioclavicular||| (AC) joint have been understood for a long time; however, the importance of||| this joint in the clinical setting is often underestimated. During clinical||| examination various sensitive functional tests can document any AC pathology.||| For X-ray documentation special techniques are necessary. Other imaging||| techniques are rarely indicated. The Rockwood classification for AC joint||| separation has increased our understanding of the pathology, which, in turn,||| leads to a better understanding of conservative and surgical therapy. Within||| the last few decades surgical treatment has shifted from AC to coracoclavicular||| stabilization. In patients with clinically relevant degenerative joint disease,||| resection of the lateral clavicle has proved to be a reproducible procedure.||| This operation can be performed using the conventional, open technique or with||| a minimally invasive procedure (arthroscopic resection of the AC joint; ARAC).||| In unstable joints, resection should be combined with a stabilization||| procedure.