Single Versus 3-incision Triple Pelvic Osteotomy: Comparison of Clinical and Radiologic Results.

BACKGROUND: Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) is indicated when the anatomic and functional realignment of the hip joint is needed. Although the traditional approach for TPO involves a separate incision for ischial cut, there has been a trend for single-incision TPO in recent years. This study aims to compare the clinical and radiologic results of 2 different approaches. METHODS: Forty-two hips of 39 patients treated using TPO with a minimum of 24 months of follow-up were included in our cohort. Demographics, perioperative, and radiologic parameters were evaluated. Harris Hip Score and International Hip Outcome Tool were used for clinical evaluation. RESULTS: A single anterolateral incision approach was used in 18 hips (17 patients), whereas a 3-incision approach was used in 24 hips (22 patients). The mean follow-up was 4.7 years in the 3-incision group and 3.8 years in the single-incision group ( P =0.43), with mean surgery age at 8.7 years (range, 5.4 to 12) for single-incision and 9.7 years (range, 7.7 to 11.7) for 3e-incision ( P =0.22). There were no significant differences observed between the 2 groups concerning radiographic measurements, complications, and functional scores. The mean surgical time was 118.6 minutes in the single-incision group and 97.9 minutes in 3-incision group ( P =0.036). Mean intraoperative blood loss was 181.7 ml in the single-incision group and 243.4 ml in 3-incision group ( P =0.028). Three-incision group demonstrated significantly higher intraoperative blood loss, leading to lower hemoglobin values ( P =0.042). CONCLUSION: The single-incision TPO demonstrated similar outcomes compared with the traditional 3-incision approach in terms of radiologic correction and functional improvement. The single-incision technique exhibited advantages such as reduced intraoperative blood loss and potential benefit of decreased pain due to fewer scars. However, it required a longer surgical time compared with the 3-incision approach. Surgeons should consider patient-specific factors and their expertise when selecting the most appropriate approach for each case. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective comparative series.

Effectiveness of RF ablation and cementoplasty in enhancing functional capacity in pelvic malignant bone metastases.

PURPOSE: Pelvic and sacral bone metastases cause significant morbidity. The primary aim of the study is to thoroughly evaluate the increase in functional capacity resulting from combined RF ablation and cementoplasty surgery applied to malignant bone metastases of the pelvic bones. METHODS: Twenty patients who underwent RF ablation and cementoplasty for malign pelvic bone and sacrum metastases between January 2014 and December 2021 were retrospectively identified. The inclusion criteria were having a life expectancy of more than 1 month, being > 18 years old, and having at least 1 month of follow-up. The Visual Anlogue Scale (VAS) pain, Karnofsky Performance Status (KP), and Musculoskelatal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores were calculated. RESULTS: VAS pain values decreased, and KP values increased postoperatively (p = 0.006 and p = 0,013). There was no statistically significant increase in MSTS (p > 0.05). The correlation relationships between lesion filling ratio and VAS pain, KP, and MSTS scores were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Cement leakage was observed in 5 patients (25.0%), and no symptoms related to this leakage were observed. CONCLUSION: The pelvic region, given its close proximity to blood vessels, nerves, and joint areas, along with the distinct challenges associated with its surgery, requires separate evaluation. In studies evaluating applications in the isolated pelvic ring region, as in our study, functional gains have been most comprehensively assessed in this study, demonstrating that the procedure results in significant functional improvements.

Effects of Different Frequencies of Physical Therapy Visits on Shoulder Function After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

OBJECTIVE: There is no consensus about the optimal frequency of patient visits during the rehabilitation program after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). This study aimed to investigate the short- and long-term effects of high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) visits of the patients in the first 12 weeks of rehabilitation after ARCR. METHODS: This was a quasi-randomized study with 2 parallel groups. Forty-seven patients with ARCR were included in 2 different patient visit frequency protocols (HF = 23, LF = 24) in 12 weeks of postoperative rehabilitation. Patients in the HF group visited the clinic twice a week, whereas patients in the LF group visited once every 2 weeks for the first 6 weeks and once a week for the following 6 weeks. Both groups performed the same exercise protocol. Outcome measurements were pain and range of motion measured at baseline; at the 3rd, 5th, 8th, 12th, and 24th weeks; and at 1-year follow-up. Shoulder function was assessed at the 12th and 24th weeks and at 1-year follow-up with an American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score. RESULTS: There was a significant group × time interaction in pain intensity during the activity between the groups. The activity pain intensity was higher in the LF group (4.2 points) at 8 weeks post surgery than in the HF group (2.7 points) (mean difference: 1.5 points, P < .05), whereas it was similar in both groups at other time periods. The interaction term was not significant between the groups for pain intensity during rest and night through the 1-year follow-up. No group × time interactions were observed in shoulder range of motion and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score over the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Both rehabilitation programs at different visit frequencies after ARCR showed similar clinical results in the long term. A supervised, controlled rehabilitation program with LF visits in the first 12 weeks after surgery can be sufficient to achieve optimal clinical results and reduce rehabilitation-related costs after ARCR. IMPACT: This study highlights that LF treatment protocols under the supervision of the therapist can be adopted after the arthroscopic rotator cuff repair to achieve successful results while decreasing the treatment costs. Physical therapists should plan the treatment sessions efficiently for the compliance of the patients to the exercise treatment. LAY SUMMARY: If you are a patient with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, a supervised, controlled rehabilitation program with low-frequency visits in the first 12 weeks after surgery could help you achieve the best outcome and help lower the costs of rehabilitation. A total of 3 visits in the first 6 weeks might be sufficient (once every 2 weeks). More frequent visits (1-2 visits a week) should happen 6 to 12 weeks after the surgery.