Acceptance of a robotic system for nursing care: a cross-sectional survey with professional nurses, care recipients and relatives.

BACKGROUND: The end-users' acceptance is a core concept in the development, implementation and evaluation of new systems like robotic systems in daily nursing practice. So far, studies have shown various findings concerning the acceptance of systems that are intended to assist people with support or care needs. Not much has been reported on the acceptance of robots that provide direct physical assistance to nurses in bedside care. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the acceptance along with ethical implications of the prototype of an assistive robotic arm aiming to support nurses in bedside care, from the perspective of nurses, care recipients and their relatives. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was applied at an early stage in the technological development of the system. Professional nurses, care recipients and relatives were recruited from a university hospital and a nursing home in Germany. The questionnaire was handed out following either a video or a live demonstration of the lab prototype and a subsequent one-to-one follow-up discussion. Data analysis was performed descriptively. RESULTS: A total of 67 participants took part in the study. The rejection of specified ethical concerns across all the respondents was 77%. For items related to both perceived usefulness and intention to use, 75% of ratings across all the respondents were positive. In the follow-up discussions, the participants showed interest and openness toward the prototype, although there were varying opinions on aspects such as size, appearance, velocity, and potential impact on workload. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the current state of development, the acceptance among the participants was high, and ethical concerns were relatively minor. Moving forward, it would be beneficial to explore the acceptance in further developmental stages of the system, particularly when the usability is tested.

Revision surgery after failed surgical treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures is often associated with positive detection of bacteria.

BACKGROUND: Midshaft clavicle fractures are common, and the proportion of patients treated surgically has increased in recent years. With this increase in surgical treatments, the complication rate, for instance of infection, non-union, or implant failure, has also risen. This study evaluates the frequency of pathogen detection during revision surgeries occurring after a prior failed osteosynthesis of midshaft clavicle fractures. METHODS: All patients treated in our hospital with a prior failed surgical therapy of a clavicle midshaft fracture between January 2013 and March 2022 were screened. Epidemiological data, intraoperative tissue samples, sonication, and the type of revision surgery were assessed. A postoperative follow-up at a minimum of 6 month was defined and osseous consolidation was verified. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (twelve male and eight female) were included with a mean age of 40.4 ± 14.1 years. Eleven of the patients showed pathogen detection (Group I), and seven remained without (Group II). A significant difference in age existed between Groups I and II (36.1 ± 12.8 and 51.6 ± 11.5, p ≤ 0.05). The three most common pathogens were Cutibacterium acnes (n = 7), Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 4), and Staphylococcus sacchorlyticus (n = 3), respectively. Thirteen patients presented for a follow-up. In nine patients (69%), bone healing was detectable. Four patients received a second revision surgery. CONCLUSION: Revision surgery frequently shows pathogen detection without signs of infection. Cutibacterium acnes is the most common pathogen. Despite pathogen detection, bone healing can be achieved with revision surgery, although the rate of repeat revision surgeries is high.

Descriptive analysis and short-term follow-up clinical results of osteochondral lesions of the distal tibia based on data of the German Cartilage Register (Knorpelregister® DGOU).

INTRODUCTION: An increasing number of ankle injuries with osteochondral lesions (OCL) also include lesions of the distal tibia. Therefore, the German Cartilage Society database is used to describe and examine the characteristics of these lesions and, early on, the results of different surgical therapies on the clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients out of 844 registered in the German Cartilage Society database met the inclusion criteria showing an OCL of the distal tibia (OLDT). Sixteen of them also presented a 1-year follow-up regarding the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Further evaluations were included in the follow-up, such as the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS). RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 35 ± 11 with a mean BMI in the range of overweight (26/27 ± 5 kg/m2). The lesions were equally distributed on the articular surface of the distal tibia. Most patients were operated using anterior ankle arthroscopy [nT 34 (72%); nS 13 (81%)], while some (nT 9; nS 4) converted to open procedures. Almost 90% staged III and IV in the ICRS classification. Debridement, bone marrow stimulation, solid scaffolds, and liquid filler were the treatment choices among the subgroup. All therapies led to a clinical improvement between pre-op and 1-year follow-up but not to a significant level. CONCLUSION: This study presents baseline data of OLDT based on data from a large database. BMS and scaffolds were the treatment of choice but did not present significant improvement after a 1-year follow-up.

Preexisting and treated concomitant ankle instability does not compromise patient-reported outcomes of solitary osteochondral lesions of the talus treated with matrix-induced bone marrow stimulation in the first postoperative year: data from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the subjective ankle function within the first year following matrix-induced bone marrow stimulation (M-BMS) of patients with a solitary osteochondral lesion of the talus (OCLT) with and without concomitant chronic ankle instability (CAI). METHODS: Data from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU) for 78 patients with a solitary OCLT and a follow-up of at least 6 months were included. All patients received M-BMS for OCLT treatment. The cohort was subdivided into patients with OCLT without CAI treated with M-BMS alone (n = 40) and patients with OCLT and CAI treated with M-BMS and additional ankle stabilisation (n = 38). The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and the Numeric Rating Scale for Pain (NRS) were used to assess patient-reported outcomes (median (minimum-maximum)). RESULTS: From preoperatively to 12 months postoperatively, patients with OCLT without CAI treated with M-BMS alone had a significant improvement of all subscales in the FAAM [activity of daily living 64.3 (10-100) to 88.1 (39-100); sports 34.4 (0-100) to 65.6 (13-94), functional activities of daily life 50 (0-90) to 80 (30-100), functional sports 30 (0-100) to 70 (5-100)] and FAOS [pain 61.1 (8-94) to 86.1 (50-100), symptoms 60.7 (18-96) to 76.8 (29-100), activities of daily living 72.1 (24-100) to 91.9 (68-100), sport/recreational activities 30.0 (0-70) to 62.5 (0-95), quality of life 31.3 (6-50) to 46.9 (19-100)]. Within the first year, patients with OCLT and CAI treated with M-BMS and ankle stabilisation also showed significant improvement in the FAAM [activity of daily living 68.8 (5-99) to 90.5 (45-100); sports 32.8 (0-87.5) to 64.1 (0-94), functional activities of daily life 62.5 (25-100) to 80 (60-90), functional sports 30 (0-100) to 67.5 (0.95)] and the FAOS [pain 66.7 (28-92) to 87.5 (47-100), symptoms 57.1 (29-96) to 78.6 (50-100), activities of daily living 80.1 (25-100) to 98.5 (59-100), sport/recreational activities 35.0 (0-100) to 70.0 (0-100), quality of life 25.0 (0-75) to 50.0 (19-94)]. The pain level decreased significantly in both groups. No significant difference was found between both groups regarding the subscales of FAAM, FAOS and the NRS 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Improvements in subjective ankle function, daily life activities and sports activities were observed within the first year following M-BMS. Our results suggest that preexisting and treated ankle instability did not compromise subjective outcome in patients treated with M-BMS in the first postoperative year. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Substantial changes in fracture rates in German hospitals in 2018 compared with 2002: an epidemiological study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to present recent epidemiological data on extremity and axial skeletal fractures in German hospitals and to compare them with older data to detect time trends. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inpatient data from the German National Hospital Discharge Registry were used. The absolute number and age-standardized incidence of fractures in 2002 and 2018 were analysed by fracture location according to the International Classification of Disease. Data were analysed according to age group. Male: female ratios (MFRs) and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated to compare the 2018 and 2002 data. RESULTS: The absolute number of fractures of the nine analysed locations was 15.2% higher in 2018 than in 2002. By fracture location, the changes were as follows (absolute change + IRR): "neck" (S12): + 172%, IRR = 2.6; "rib(s), sternum, thoracic spine" (S22): + 57%, IRR = 1.3; "lumbar spine and pelvis" (S32): + 66%, IRR = 1.3; "shoulder and upper arm" (S42): + 36%, IRR = 1.2; "forearm" (S52): + 13%, IRR = 1.0; "wrist and hand level" (S62): - 32%, IRR = 0.7; "femur" (S72): + 24%, IRR = 0.9; "lower leg, including ankle" (S82): - 24%, IRR = 0.7; "foot, except ankle" (S92): - 4%, IRR = 0.9. The overall MFR changed from 0.7 in 2002 to 0.6 in 2018. The age group of 45-54 years represented a turning point, males were more often affected than females in the younger age groups, and the opposite trend was observed in the older age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the absolute fracture rates was due to increased rates of femur, shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and axial skeletal fractures, with elderly women being the main contributors. Femur fractures were found to be the most common fractures treated in German hospitals.

[User-oriented needs assessment of the potential use of assistive robots in direct nursing care: A mixed methods study]. / Nutzerorientierte Bedarfsanalyse zum potenziellen Einsatz von Assistenzrobotern in der direkten Pflege.

User-oriented needs assessment of the potential use of assistive robots in direct nursing care: A mixed methods study Abstract. Background: So far, hardly any robots have been used in nursing that take over patient-related activities and thereby reduce the physical strain on the caregivers. Using user-centered design approaches, the interdisciplinary project "PfleKoRo" was therefore developing a robotic assistance system that can be used in the direct care of bedridden patients requiring intensive or very intensive care. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify nursing activities with the greatest support potential for an assistant robot for the direct care of bedridden patients. Method: Focus groups (n = 3) with nursing professionals (n = 14) from acute and long-term care were conducted first in an explorative mixed method design and then evaluated by means of content analysis. A selection of nursing activities was then prioritized by the participants of the focus groups (n = 10) with regard to their potential for support from an assistant robot in a standardized survey. Results: The highest priority was given to turning and holding patients in a lateral position as well as holding their legs in order to perform nursing tasks. Further support was needed, among other things, for repositioning the patient to the head of the bed and for tasks such as the transfer of patients. Conclusion: Turning patients and holding them in a lateral position as well as holding the leg are seen as target activities with the greatest support potential for "PfleKoRo", presenting the starting point for further development.

Changing epidemiology of lower extremity fractures in adults over a 15-year period - a National Hospital Discharge Registry study.

BACKGROUND: Demographic changes led to an increasingly ageing population in Germany and thus to possible changes in the frequency of fractures. The primary aim of this study was to report changes in fracture rates of the lower extremities in Germany in 2002 compared to 2017 and to evaluate those changes. METHODS: Inpatient data from the German National Hospital Discharge Registry (ICD10) for 2002 and 2017 were evaluated. Changes in total counts and incidence rates were analysed for fractures in the following locations: femoral neck, pertrochanteric, subtrochanteric, distal femur, femoral shaft, proximal and distal tibia, tibial shaft, medial and lateral malleolus, and other parts of the lower leg (including bi- and trimalleolar fractures), calcaneus, talus, other tarsal bones, metatarsal bones, greater toe, lesser toe, other fractures of foot or unspecific fractures of foot and toe. Patients were classed into age groups by sex: 15-24, 25-34,35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75-84, 85-90 and >  90 years. RESULTS: The total count for lower extremity fractures in men and women increased slightly by 4.5% from 305,764 in 2002 to 319,422 in 2017. Hip and femur fractures increased by 23.5% from 150,565 in 2002 to 185,979 in 2017. The number of these fractures among men increased by 46% and among women by 15.3%. The total count of lower leg fractures decreased by 15.4% from 131,162 in 2002 to 110,924 in 2017. Especially, younger age groups showed a decline for all tibial segments and ankle fractures. For both sexes, the number of lower leg fractures in those 75 years or older increased in all lower leg fracture locations. Most femur and lower leg fractures occurred in women. The incidence of fractures rose sharply from 2002 to 2017, especially for older cohorts. CONCLUSION: The total numbers of lower extremity fractures increased slightly in 2017 compared to 2002 - especially hip and femur fractures among men. The incidence of almost all lower extremity fracture types among older people increased during this time. Women were particularly affected. Therefore, focused prevention programmes should be considered including an extended fracture spectrum in the elderly.

Substantial decrease in paediatric lower extremity fracture rates in German hospitals in 2017 compared with 2002: an epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: There are no recent studies on the frequency of paediatric lower extremity fractures in Germany. The aims of this study were to report fracture rates of paediatric lower extremity fractures treated in German hospitals in 2002 and 2017 and to detect changes over time as well as to evaluate the gender and age distribution for each fracture location. METHODS: Data from the German National Hospital Discharge Registry, which covers over 99% of all German hospitals, were used for this study. The absolute frequencies and incidence of lower extremity fractures as well as age at the time of fracture and gender were included in the data. The population was subdivided into four age groups: 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 15-19 years. The boy: girl ratio (BGR) for all fracture locations was calculated by dividing the absolute frequency of boys by that of girls. The fracture incidence in 2017 was compared with 2002 by calculating the incidence rate ratio (IRR). RESULTS: The total number of fractures decreased by 39.9% from 2002 to 2017. The most common fracture locations in 2002 were femoral shaft, tibial shaft, distal tibia, and lateral and medial malleolus; the absolute number of all these fractures was lower in 2017 than in 2002 in all age groups. The incidence of hip and thigh fractures, knee and lower leg fractures, and foot fractures decreased by 39.0, 41.1, and 33.3%. Proximal tibial fractures increased both in absolute numbers and in incidence in the age groups 0-4, 10-14, and 15-19 years (IRR ≥ 1.1). The overall BGR was 2.3 in 2002 and 2.0 in 2017, indicating that the number of girls relative to that of boys who suffered a lower extremity fracture was higher in 2017 than in 2002. Furthermore, the BGR of all fracture locations increased with age in both years. CONCLUSIONS: The number of paediatric lower extremity fractures treated in German hospitals in 2017 was significantly lower than that in 2002. However, the fracture frequency in girls decreased to a lesser extent than that in boys. The incidence of proximal tibial fractures increased.

Concomitant ankle instability has a negative impact on the quality of life in patients with osteochondral lesions of the talus: data from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare patients with osteochondral lesions of the talus (OCLT) with and without concomitant chronic ankle instability (CAI). METHODS: Data from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU) for 63 patients with a solitary OCLT were used. All patients received autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) for OCLT treatment. Patients in group A received an additional ankle stabilisation, while patients in group B received AMIC alone. Both groups were compared according to demographic, lesion-related, and therapy-related factors as well as baseline clinical outcome scores at the time of surgery. The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and the Numeric Rating Scale for Pain (NRS) were used. RESULTS: Patients in group A were older compared to group B [median 34 years (range 20-65 years) vs. 28.5 years (range 18-72 years)]; the rate of trauma-associated OCLTs was higher (89.7% vs. 38.3%); more patients in group A had a previous non-surgical treatment (74.1% vs. 41.4%); and their OCLT lesion size was smaller [median 100 mm2 (range 15-600 mm2) vs. 150 mm2 (range 25-448 mm2)]. Most OCLTs were located medially in the coronary plane and centrally in the sagittal plane in both groups. Patients in group A had worse scores on the FAOS quality-of-life subscale compared to patients in group B. CONCLUSION: Patients with OCLT with concomitant CAI differ from those without concomitant CAI according to demographic and lesion-related factors. The additional presence of CAI worsens the quality of life of patients with OCLT. Patients with OCLT should be examined for concomitant CAI, so that if CAI is present, it can be integrated into the treatment concept. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Change in paediatric upper extremity fracture incidences in German hospitals from 2002 to 2017: an epidemiological study.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies investigating the frequency of paediatric fractures in Germany are not available. The primary aim of this study was to report frequencies of the most common paediatric upper extremity fractures treated in German hospitals in 2002 and 2017 and to detect changes over time. METHODS: This study used inpatient data from the German National Hospital Discharge Registry. Absolute frequencies and incidences of the following fracture localisations were analysed: clavicle, proximal humerus, humerus shaft, distal humerus, ulna shaft, radius shaft, forearm shaft, distal radius, and distal forearm. Four age groups were formed: 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 15-19 years. The boy-girl ratio (BGR) was calculated for all fracture localisations for both years, respectively. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated to compare fracture incidences between 2002 and 2017. RESULTS: The absolute number of the nine fracture localisations together decreased from 38,480 in 2002 to 35,128 in 2017. The overall BGR was 2.0 in both years. The BGR increased with increasing patient age. The incidence of clavicle fractures increased from 2002 to 2017 (IRR ≥ 1.72), while that of humerus fractures (proximal, shaft, and distal) remained the same or decreased (IRR ≤ 1.00) within all age groups. The incidence of isolated ulna or radius shaft fractures increased slightly or remained the same in the two lower age groups (IRR ≥ 1.00), while it decreased in the two higher age groups (IRR ≤ 0.80). Furthermore, complete forearm fractures were more frequent in the 0-4, 5-9, and 10-14 year age groups (IRR ≥ 1.44) in 2017 compared to 2002. The incidence of distal radius und forearm fractures changed only slightly. CONCLUSIONS: The absolute number of paediatric upper extremity fractures decreased from 2002 to 2017, while the incidence of in-hospital treatment of clavicle and forearm fractures increased significantly, indicating a trend towards operative treatment.

Improved results of ACL primary repair in one-part tears with intact synovial coverage.

PURPOSE: It was the aim to assess the influence of synovial sheath disruption on early failure of primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair. It was hypothesized that more-part ACL tears with disruption of the synovial sheath are associated with a higher risk of failure after primary ACL repair. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted comprising patients with primal ACL tears undergoing primary ACL repair and dynamic intraligamentary stabilization (DIS). The patients were stratified into three groups: A-one-part rupture with intact synovial membrane (n = 50), B-two-part ruptures resultant to separation of the ACL into two main bundles with synovial membrane tearing (n = 52) and C-more parts involving multilacerated ruptures with membrane disruption (n = 22). Failure was defined as a retear or residual laxity (anterior posterior translation > 5 mm compared to healthy knee). Adjustment for potential risk factors was performed using a multivariate logistic-regression model. RESULTS: The overall failure rate was 17.7% throughout the mean follow-up period of 2.3 ± 0.8 years. The failure rate in patients with one-part ACL tears with an intact synovial membrane was 4% (n = 2) (Group A), which was significantly lower than the failure rates in groups B and C, 26.9% (n = 14) (p = 0.001) and 27.3% (n = 6) (p = 0.003), respectively. Disruption of the synovial sheath in two- or more-part tears was identified as an independent factor influencing treatment failure in primary ACL repair (OR 8.9; 95% CI 2.0-40.0). CONCLUSION: The integrity of the ACL bundles and synovial sheath is a factor that influences the success of ACL repair. This needs to be considered intra-operatively when deciding about repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Correction to: Parameters influencing complaints and joint function in patients with osteochondral lesions of the ankle-an investigation based on data from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

The original version of this article contained an error.

Incidence and risk factors for postoperative Achilles tendon calcifications after percutaneous repair.

INTRODUCTION: Numerous publications are dealing with acute Achilles tendon rupture. To our knowledge, no systematic trial has been published analyzing the incidence, risk factors and the potential clinical impact of postoperative tendon calcifications (PTC) after percutaneous Achilles tendon repair. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze these relevant aspects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2003 and November 2010, a total of 126 patients with an acute, complete Achilles tendon rupture were treated with a percutaneous technique according to Ma and Griffith at a single university-based trauma department. The follow-up included a detailed clinical and sonographic examination. To assess the functional outcome and possible impact of PTC after percutaneous Achilles tendon repair, the Thermann and AOFAS scores were used. 81 patients (65 men and 16 women) with a median age of 46 years (range 24-76) were available for a follow-up examination. The median time of follow-up was 64 months (range 15-110 months). RESULTS: PTC occurred in nine out of 81 patients (11.1%). All patients with PTC were male with a median age of 52 years (range 26-76 years). In the group of patients with PTC, the median overall Thermann score was 94 (range 68-100) and the median overall AOFAS score was 97 (range 85-100). In the group of patients without PTC, the median overall Thermann score was 88.5 (range 60-100) and the median overall AOFAS score was 97 (range 85-100). No significant differences were detected between the group of patients with PTC and the group of patients without PTC and the clinical outcome according to the Thermann (p = 0.21) and the AOFAS scores (p = 0.37). None of the patients with PTC sustained a re-rupture. The overall re-rupture rate was 4.9%. PTC was no risk factor for wound and neurological complications. CONCLUSION: The incidence of PTC after percutaneous Achilles tendon repair was 11.1%. Male gender and advanced age seem to be risk factors for PTC. In this study, PTC had no negative impact on the postoperative clinical outcome.

Parameters influencing complaints and joint function in patients with osteochondral lesions of the ankle-an investigation based on data from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

INTRODUCTION: Patients with osteochondral lesions of the ankle represent a heterogeneous population with traumatic, posttraumatic and idiopathic forms of this pathology, where the etiology of the idiopathic form is principally unknown. The aim of this study was to classify the heterogeneous patient population according to the patients' complaints and joint function. Data from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU) was analyzed for this purpose to investigate whether traumatic and posttraumatic lesions cause more complaints and loss of joint function than idiopathic lesions. Moreover, it was sought to determine if lesion localization, defective area, stage, patient age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) are related to patients' complaints and loss of joint function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 117 patients with osteochondral lesions of the ankle were operated in 20 clinical centers in the period between October 2014 and January 2016. Data collection was performed by means of a web-based Remote Data Entry system at the time of surgery. Patients' complaints and joint function were assessed with online questionnaires using the German versions of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), followed by statistical data evaluation. RESULTS: No significant difference was indicated between the groups with traumatic/posttraumatic lesions and idiopathic lesions with regard to most of the patients' complaints and joint function, excluding the category Life quality of the FAOS score, where patients with idiopathic lesions had a significantly better quality of life (p = 0.02). No significant association was detected between lesion localization, defective area, patient age, gender, and BMI on the one hand, and patients' complaints and joint function on the other. Similarly, no significant association was found between lesion stage according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) classification and patients' complaints and joint function. However, a higher lesion stage according to the classification of Berndt and Harty, modified by Loomer, was significantly associated with more complaints and loss of joint function in some categories of the FAAM and FAOS scores (p ≤ 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Etiology of the lesion, lesion localization, defective area, lesion stage according to the ICRS classification, patient age, gender, and BMI do not seem to be of considerable relevance for prediction of patients' complaints and loss of joint function in osteochondral lesions of the ankle. Using the classification of Berndt and Harty, modified by Loomer, seems to be more conclusive.

Evaluation of ultrasound velocity in enucleated equine aqueous humor, lens and vitreous body.

BACKGROUND: Sonographic ophthalmic examinations have become increasingly important in veterinary medicine. If the velocity of ultrasound in ocular tissues is known, the A-mode ultrasound method may be used to determine the axial intraocular distances, such as anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, axial length of the vitreous and axial globe length, which are required for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculations. To the authors' knowledge, the velocity of ultrasound in the ocular tissues of the horse was not previously determined. In the present study, 33 lenses, 29 samples of aqueous and 31 of vitreous from 35 healthy equine eyes have been examined. The corresponding ultrasound velocities are reported in dependence of age, temperature, gender and elapsed time after enucleation. RESULTS: The velocity of ultrasound at 36°C in equine aqueous, lens and vitreous are 1529 ±10 m/s, 1654± 29 m/s and 1527 ±16 m/s respectively, and the corresponding conversion factors are 0.998± 0.007, 1.008 ±0.018 and 0.997 ±0.010. A linear increase of the speed of ultrasound with increasing temperature has been determined for aqueous and vitreous. No temperature dependence was found for the speed of ultrasound in the lens. The ultrasound velocity did not significantly differ (95%) on the basis of gender, age or time after enucleation during the first 72 hours after death. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to human eyes, the ultrasound velocity in equine lental tissue deviates by one percent. Therefore, axial length measurements obtained with ultrasound velocities for the human eye must be corrected using conversion factors. For the aqueous and vitreous, deviations are below one percent and can be neglected in clinical settings.

Postoperative Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Ankle: A Survey Among German-Speaking Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the current treatment of osteochondral lesions of the ankle (OCLA) by German-speaking foot and ankle surgeons, focusing on the management of postoperative care and rehabilitation. DESIGN: A questionnaire was created by a panel of 4 experienced foot and ankle surgeons on behalf of the "Clinical Tissue Regeneration" (CTR) working group of the German Society of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery (DGOU), and distributed electronically to members of the CTR, participants of the German Cartilage Registry (Knorpelregister DGOU©), and members of 6 German-speaking orthopedics or sports medicine societies. Results were classified depending on the consensus within the answers (agreement ≥75% "strong tendency," 50%-74% "tendency," 25%-49% "weak tendency," <25% "no tendency"). RESULTS: A total of 60 participants returned the questionnaire. The main results are as follows: regarding the frequency of surgical procedures for OCLA, refixation of the fragment, retrograde drilling, and bone marrow stimulation with or without using a matrix were performed by at least 75% of the surgeons and was considered a strong tendency. There was a strong tendency to stabilize the ankle (76.7%) and perform corrective osteotomies (51.7%). In total, 75.5% and 75% of the surgeons performed bone marrow stimulation with and without using a matrix, respectively. Corrective osteotomy and ankle stabilization were performed in 64.5% and 65.2% cases, respectively. Most participants included published recommendations on postoperative rehabilitation and the return to sports activities in their postoperative management. The main surgical procedures were considered the most critical factor in influencing the postoperative management by 81% of the participants (strong tendency). Adjunct surgical procedures such as corrective osteotomy and stabilization of the ankle were considered important by 67.8% of the respondents (tendency). CONCLUSIONS: The management of OCLA varies among German-speaking foot and ankle surgeons. Therefore, guidelines remain essential to standardize the management of OCLA, to achieve improved and stable results. This survey will assist clinicians and patients with rehabilitation to return to sports after treating the ankle's cartilage injury.

Etiology, Classification, Diagnostics, and Conservative Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus. 2023 Recommendations of the Working Group "Clinical Tissue Regeneration" of the German Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology.

METHODS: Peer-reviewed literature was analyzed regarding different topics relevant to osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) treatment. This process concluded with a statement for each topic reflecting the best scientific evidence available for a particular diagnostic or therapeutic concept, including the grade of recommendation. Besides the scientific evidence, all group members rated the statements to identify possible gaps between literature and current clinical practice. CONCLUSION: In patients with minimal symptoms, OLT progression to ankle osteoarthritis is unlikely. Risk factors for progression are the depth of the lesion on MRI, subchondral cyst formation, and the extent of bone marrow edema. Conservative management is the adaptation of activities to the performance of the ankle joint. A follow-up imaging after 12 months helps not to miss any progression. It is impossible to estimate the probability of success of conservative management from initial symptoms and imaging. Cast immobilization is an option in OLTs in children, with a success rate of approximately 50%, although complete healing, estimated from imaging, is rare. In adults, improvement by conservative management ranges between 45% and 59%. Rest and restrictions for sports activities seem to be more successful than immobilization. Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma can improve pain and functional scores for more than 6 months. If 3 months of conservative management does not improve symptoms, surgery can be recommended.

Matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation with autologous bone grafting of osteochondral lesions of the talus in adolescents: patient-reported outcomes with a median follow-up of 6 years.

BACKGROUND: This study presents patient-reported outcome measures after combined matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation and autologous bone grafting in high-stage osteochondral lesions of the talus in adolescents. METHODS: A total of 12 adolescent patients (13 ankles) received matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation and autologous bone grafting for a solitary osteochondral lesion of the talus at a single centre. The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure were defined as outcome measures (median follow-up 80 months [range 22-107 months]). Pre- and postoperative ankle radiographs were evaluated according to the van Dijk ankle osteoarthritis scale. RESULTS: The study population consisted of four male and nine female cases (mean age at the time of surgery, 17.7 ± 2.1 years). Eight lesions were classified as traumatic and five as idiopathic. Twelve lesions were located medial vs one lateral in the coronal plane and all central in the sagittal plane. The median lesion size and depth were 1.3 cm2 (range 0.9-3.2 cm2) and 5 mm (range 5-9 mm), respectively. There were no perioperative complications in any of the cases. In 9 cases patient-reported outcome measures were available. The results of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score subscales were symptoms, 70 ± 14; pain, 83 ± 10; activities of daily living, 89 ± 12; sports/recreational activities, 66 ± 26; and quality of life, 51 ± 17. The mean overall Foot and Ankle Outcome Score was 78 ± 13. The results of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure subscales were activities of daily living, 81 ± 20; function/activities of daily living, 84 ± 13; sports, 65 ± 29; and function/sports, 73 ± 27. According to the function overall subscale of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, in two cases, the patients assessed the ankle function as normal, in three as nearly normal, and in three as abnormal (missing data, n = 1). Preoperative van Dijk scale: stage 0 in five cases and stage I in eight cases; postoperative van Dijk scale: stage 0 in four cases, stage I in 9 cases CONCLUSIONS: Patient-reported outcome measures following matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation and autologous bone grafting for high-stage osteochondral lesions of the talus in adolescents show heterogeneous results. Long-term limitations mainly affect sports and recreational activities. Osteochondral lesions of the talus are associated with osteoarthritis, even preoperatively. However, we did not find significant osteoarthritis progression after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation and autologous bone grafting in the long term.

Re-operation rate after surgical treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus in paediatric and adolescent patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to analyse the re-operation rate after surgical treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OCLTs) in children and adolescents. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2019, 27 consecutive patients with a solitary OCLT (10 male, 17 female; mean age 16.9 ± 2.2 years; 8 idiopathic vs. 19 traumatic) received primary operative treatment (arthroscopy + bone marrow stimulation [BMS], n = 8; arthroscopy + retrograde drilling, n = 8; autologous chondrocyte implantation [ACI]/autologous bone grafting, n = 9; arthroscopy + BMS + retrograde drilling; n = 1; flake fixation, n = 1). Seventeen OCLTs were located at the medial and ten at the lateral talus. 'Re-operation' as the outcome measure was evaluated after a median follow-up of 42 months (range 6-117 months). Patients were further subdivided into groups A (re-operation, n = 7) and B (no re-operation, n = 20). Groups A and B were compared with respect to epidemiological, lesion- and therapy-related variables. RESULTS: Seven of 27 patients needed a re-operation (re-operation rate 25.9% after a median interval of 31 months [range 13-61 months]). The following operative techniques were initially used in these seven patients: arthroscopy + BMS n = 2, arthroscopy + retrograde drilling n = 4, ACI + autologous bone grafting n = 1. A comparison of group A with group B revealed different OCLT characteristics between both groups. The intraoperative findings according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) classification revealed significantly more advanced cartilage damage in group B than in group A (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We detected a re-operation rate of 25.9% after primary surgical OCLT treatment. Patients with re-operation had significantly lower ICRS classification stages compared to patients without re-operation.

Influence of the Medial Malleolus Osteotomy on the Clinical Outcome of M-BMS + I/III Collagen Scaffold in Medial Talar Osteochondral Lesion (German Cartilage Register/Knorpelregister DGOU).

OBJECTIVE: Osteochondral lesions of the talus are common injuries, with one of the leading treatment options being the M-BMS (matrix-augmented bone marrow stimulation) + I/III collagen scaffold. Osteotomy of the medial malleolus is not unusual but presents the risk of malunion or irritation by hardware. The aim of the study was to analyze data from the German Cartilage Society (Knorpelregister DGOU) to evaluate the influence of medial malleolar osteotomy on clinical results of M-BMS + I/III collagen scaffold. DESIGN: The ankle module of the Cartilage Register includes a total of 718 patients, while 45 patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients were treated with an M-BMS + I/III collagen scaffold of the medial talus, 30 without and 15 with an osteotomy of the medial malleolus. The follow-up evaluations included FAAM (Foot and Ankle Ability Measure), FAOS (Foot and Ankle Outcome Score), and VAS (visual analogue scale). RESULTS: Forty-five patients (22 male, 23 female) aged between 18 and 69 years (mean: 34 years) were included in this study. Between preoperative and 12 months postoperative, we noted a significant improvement in FAAM-ADL (Activity of Daily Living) (P = 0.004) as well as FAOS-Pain (P = 0.001), FAOS-Stiffness (P = 0.047), FAOS-ADL (P = 0.002), FAOS-Sport (P = 0.001), and FAOS Quality of Life (P = 0.009). There was no significant difference between patients who underwent an osteotomy or not. CONCLUSION: The results show a significant improvement in patients' outcome scores following a M-BMS + I/III collagen scaffold. No statistical difference was noted among those undergoing medial malleolar osteotomy.