Analysis of low-dose estrogen on callus BMD as measured by pQCT in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis affects elderly patients of both sexes. It is characterized by an increased fracture risk due to defective remodeling of the bone microarchitecture. It affects in particular postmenopausal women due to their decreased levels of estrogen. Preclinical studies with animals demonstrated that loss of estrogen had a negative effect on bone healing and that increasing the estrogen level led to a better bone healing. We asked whether increasing the estrogen level in menopausal patients has a beneficial effect on bone mineral density (BMD) during callus formation after a bone fracture. METHODS: To investigate whether estrogen has a beneficial effect on callus BMD of postmenopausal patients, we performed a prospective double-blinded randomized study with 76 patients suffering from distal radius fractures. A total of 31 patients (71.13 years ±11.99) were treated with estrogen and 45 patients (75.62 years ±10.47) served as untreated controls. Calculated bone density as well as cortical bone density were determined by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) prior to and 6 weeks after the surgery. Comparative measurements were performed at the fractured site and at the corresponding position of the non-fractured arm. RESULTS: We found that unlike with preclinical models, bone fracture healing of human patients was not improved in response to estrogen treatment. Furthermore, we observed no dependence between age-dependent bone tissue loss and constant callus formation in the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Transdermally applied estrogen to postmenopausal women, which results in estrogen levels similar to the systemic level of premenopausal women, has no significant beneficial effect on callus BMD as measured by pQCT, as recently shown in preclinical animal models. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Low dose estrogen has no significant effect on bone fracture healing measured by pQCT in postmenopausal women, DRKS00019858 . Registered 25th November 2019 - Retrospectively registered. Trial registration number DRKS00019858 .

[Salmonella osteomyelitis - a rare differential diagnosis of bone tumors]. / Salmonellenosteomyelitis ­ eine seltene Differenzialdiagnose eines Knochentumors.

This case describes a rare salmonella infection suspected to be an osseous lymphoma. A 27-year-old female presented herself with painful swelling of her knee, with prednisolone-treated Crohn's disease as her only pre-existing condition. Salmonella species group C were detected in the osseous material derived from an extraction. The disease was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone, oral cotrimoxazole as well as multiple debridements. The working diagnosis should thus always be questioned and bone pain in patients who are immunosuppressed should be further investigated.

[Cement augmentation on the spine : Biomechanical considerations]. / Zementaugmentation an der Wirbelsäule : Was ist biomechanisch zu beachten?

BACKGROUND: Vertebral compression fractures are the most common osteoporotic fractures. Since the introduction of vertebroplasty and screw augmentation, the management of osteoporotic fractures has changed significantly. AIMS: The biomechanical characteristics of the risk of adjacent fractures and novel treatment modalities for osteoporotic vertebral fractures, including pure cement augmentation by vertebroplasty, and cement augmentation of screws for posterior instrumentation, are explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen human osteoporotic lumbar spines (L1-5) adjacent to vertebral bodies after vertebroplasty were tested in a servo-hydraulic machine. As augmentation compounds we used standard cement and a modified low-strength cement. Different anchoring pedicle screws were tested with and without cement augmentation in another cohort of human specimens with a simple pull-out test and a fatigue test that better reflects physiological conditions. RESULTS: Cement augmentation in the osteoporotic spine leads to greater biomechanical stability. However, change in vertebral stiffness resulted in alterations with the risk of adjacent fractures. By using a less firm cement compound, the risk of adjacent fractures is significantly reduced. Both screw augmentation techniques resulted in a significant increase in the withdrawal force compared with the group without cement. Augmentation using perforated screws showed the highest stability in the fatigue test. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The augmentation of cement leads to a significant change in the biomechanical properties. Differences in the stability of adjacent vertebral bodies increase the risk of adjacent fractures, which could be mitigated by a modified cement compound with reduced strength. Screws that were specifically designed for cement application displayed greatest stability in the fatigue test.

[Primary meningococcal infection of the knee. A rare cause of septic arthritis]. / Primäre Meningokokkeninfektion des Kniegelenks. Eine seltene Ursache einer septischen Arthritis.

This article presents a case of primary septic arthritis of the knee due to serogroup C Neisseria meningitidis. A 19-year-old female presented to the emergency department with a painless but swollen knee joint which had started 2 days previously and fever (38 °C). The patient reported that she suddenly felt unwell 3 days ago and developed a rush at the same time which had almost disappeared when arrived at the emergency department. The patient was admitted to hospital and an antibiotic therapy was started with sulbactam and ampicillin. Initially, incubation of synovial fluid over the next 3 days did not result in detection of any pathogens; therefore, a reactive arthritis was assumed until Neisseria meningitidis was detected in cultures of the synovial fluid. Therapy was then switched to antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxon and arthroscopic irrigation was performed. The patient quickly recovered and was discharged from hospital after 14 days. This case example shows the difficulties of the clinical and microbiological diagnostics of a primary septic meningococcal arthritis; however, the treatment is relatively easy and mostly successful compared to other forms of bacterial joint infection.

[New horizons for minimally invasive treatment of acromioklavikular joint injuries]. / Neue Horizonte zur minimal-invasiven Versorgung von Akromioklavikulargelenkverletzungen.

BACKGROUND: A novel radiation-free electromagnetic navigation system (ENS) method was developed and the feasibility and accuracy for transklavikular-transkorakoid drilling procedures were evaluated in an experimental setting. METHODS: In this study ten arthroscopically assisted, electromagnetically navigated transkorakoid-transklavikular drilling procedures with subsequent implantation of two TightRope® (Arthrex, Naples, FL.) devices (anatomical reconstruction) were performed on five human cadavers. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan analysis was carried out to determine tunnel placement accuracy. All procedures were performed without fluoroscopy. RESULTS: The mean overall operation time was 28.5 ± 6.6 min. Successful anatomical tunnel placement was achieved in 98.8 %. During the navigated drilling procedure no misguidance of the drill requiring directional readjustments or restarts occurred. No cortical breaches, fractures or complications occurred. CONCLUSION: The electromagnetically navigated transkorakoid-transklavikular drilling procedure used in this study demonstrated high targeting accuracy, required no intraoperative x-ray radiation and was associated with no complications.

[Suprapatellar approach to tibial medullary nailing with electromagnetic field-guided distal locking]. / Suprapatellarer Zugang zur Tibiamarknagelung mit magnetfeldgeführter, distaler Verriegelung.

Closed tibial shaft fractures are the domain of intramedullary nailing. With the introduction of new nail designs and technologies, even small, dislocated distal fragments can be anatomically aligned and safely fixed. Unsolved or to a lesser degree controlled are the problems of distal locking in the freehand technique, which can still be difficult and can lead to a significant radiation exposure, and how to control very short proximal tibial fragments in metaphyseal tibial fractures or tibial segmental fractures, where the proximal fracture line also runs through the metaphysis.By using a suprapatellar approach, i.e. a skin incision proximal to the patella with an entry point into the tibial bone from within the knee at the same site as for a standard infrapatellar approach, and then nailing the tibia in a semi-extended position, i.e. the knee is only flexed 10-20°, the intraoperative dislocation of a short proximal fragment can be avoided. The main indications for semi-extended tibial nailing are a short diaphyseal fragment in an isolated tibial shaft fracture, a segmental fracture where the proximal fracture line is metaphyseal and in patients where infrapatellar soft tissues are compromised.The use of the electromagnetic guidance system SureShot® generates reliable and reproducible results, reduces the operating time and is independent from radiation for distal locking.

[Finger injuries in ball sports]. / Fingerverletzungen beim Ballsport.

Ball sports are the most frequent cause of sport injuries and 60% of all hand injuries involve the fingers. The most common injury is closed rupture of the extensor tendon of the distal interphalangeal joint (mallet finger). Rupture of the deep flexor tendon (jersey finger) occurs particularly in contact ball sports, such as rugby. Injuries of the proximal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints are of high functional relevance. These injuries frequently represent complex lesions which are demanding both in diagnostics and therapy. Errors in diagnosis or insufficient treatment can lead to misalignment and functional impairment of the hand. This article provides an overview of the current treatment strategies and includes recommendations for the treatment of professional athletes.

[Periprosthetic and interimplant femoral fractures: Biomechanical analysis]. / Periprothetische und interimplantäre Femurfrakturen : Biomechanische Analyse.

BACKGROUND: The requirements for treatment of femoral fractures are increasing with the rising age of the patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate femoral stiffness and the fracture risk after inserting different implants and implant combinations. METHODS: A total of 48 cadaveric femors were harvested and 8 groups were randomized on the basis of the bone mineral density (BMD). Different osteosyntheses following prosthetic stem implantation (hip and knee prostheses) were performed and compared with native femurs. All specimens were biomechanically tested in a four-point bending until fracture. RESULTS: The insertion of a femoral stem decreases the stiffness by approximately 33%. Ipsilateral retrograde nailing reduces the force to failure even more. This instable situation can be stabilized by a lateral locking compression plate. The most stable situation occurred in the presence of two cemented stems. CONCLUSION: Taken together these results clearly indicate that a hip prosthesis significantly weakens the femur, whereas two stems produce the most stable situation at all. The situation of a hip prosthesis and an retrograde nail should be avoided or covered by a bridging-osteosynthesis. In clinical practice an extramedullary fixation technique for distal femoral fractures should be preferred.

[Fractures of the distal radius]. / Frakturen des distalen Radius.

The most prevalent fractures managed by trauma surgeons are those involving the distal radius. The injury occurs in two peaks of prevalence: the first peak around the age of 10 years and the second peak around the age of 60 years. Distal radius fracture management requires sensitive diagnostics and classification. The objectives of treatment are the reconstruction of a pain-free unlimited durable functioning of the wrist and avoidance of typical fracture complications. Non-operative conservative management is generally employed for stable non-displaced fractures of the distal radius with the expectation of a good functional outcome. Unstable comminuted fractures with intra-articular and extra-articular fragment zones are initially set in a closed operation and finally by osteosynthesis. An armament of surgical implants is available for instable fractures requiring fixation. Palmar locked plate osteosynthesis has been established in recent years as the gold standard for operative management of distal radius fractures. Complex Working Group on Osteosynthesis (AO) classification type 3 fractures require extensive preoperative diagnostics to identify and treat typical associated injuries around the wrist.

[Surgical treatment of posterior shoulder dislocation: importance of arthroscopy]. / Operative Versorgung der posterioren Schulterluxation: Stellenwert der Arthroskopie.

OBJECTIVE: Posterior dislocations of the shoulder represent a rare injury with frequently occurring soft tissue and/or bony concomitant lesions such as the reverse Hill-Sachs lesion and the dorsal labrum tear. For the combination of these injuries, no evidence-based therapeutic recommendations exist. AIM OF STUDY: Reflecting on two clinical cases and the current literature data, options for the treatment of combined osseous and soft tissue injuries due to posterior dislocation of the shoulder are presented. METHODS: We report two cases of fresh traumatic first-time posterior dislocations that were each explored arthroscopically and subsequently operated using an open technique. In the first case, we performed refixation of the labrum, followed by open osteosynthesis with bone substitution. Treatment of the second case included diagnostic arthroscopy and - after a frustrating attempt to elevate the defect in an arthroscopically assisted retrograde technique - open reconstruction of the humeral head with an allograft. RESULTS: In both cases good clinical outcomes with Constant scores of 79 and 86 points at the 16- and 12-month follow-ups, respectively, were achieved. Radiologically complete integration of the used materials was found. CONCLUSION: These cases show that for the operative treatment of fresh, traumatic posterior shoulder dislocation, it is useful to explore the joint arthroscopically to identify concomitant injuries of the labrum and if necessary treat them. The bony pathology of the humeral head can subsequently be addressed in an open technique, whereby the appropriate treatment should be chosen based on the size of the defect.

[Beyond the horizon of health-care delivery - medical marketing]. / Neue Wirklichkeiten - Marketing und Chirurgie.

BACKGROUND: The progress in medical health care and demographic changes cause increasing financial expenses. The rising competitive environment on health-care delivery level calls for economisation and implementation of a professional marketing set-up in order to ensure long-term commercial success. METHODS: The survey is based on a questionnaire-analysis of 100 patients admitted to a trauma department at a university hospital in Germany. Patients were admitted either for emergency treatment or planned surgical procedures. RESULTS: Competence and localisation represent basic criteria determing hospital choice with a varying focus in each collective. Both collectives realise a trend toward economisation, possibly influencing medical care decision-making. Patients admitted for planned surgical treatment are well informed about their disease, treatment options and specialised centres. The main source of information is the internet. Both collectives claim amenities during their in-hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Increasing economisation trends call for a sound and distinct marketing strategy. The marketing has to be focused on the stakeholders needs. Concomitant factors are patient satisfaction, the establishment of cooperation networks and maintenance/improvement of medical health-care quality.

Impaired bone mineralization accompanied by low vitamin D and secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with femoral neck fracture.

SUMMARY: Although it is well established that a decrease in bone mass increases the risk of osteoporotic fractures, the proportion of fractures attributable to areal bone mineral density (BMD) is rather low. Here, we have identified bone mineralization defects together with low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH) D) levels as additional factors associated with femoral neck fractures. INTRODUCTION: Osteoporotic fractures of the femoral neck are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Although it is well established that a decrease in bone mass increases the risk of osteoporotic fractures, the proportion of fractures attributable to areal BMD is rather low. To identify possible additional factors influencing femur neck fragility, we analyzed patients with femoral neck fracture. METHODS: We performed a detailed clinical and histomorphometrical evaluation on 103 patients with femoral neck fracture including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, laboratory parameters, and histomorphometric and bone mineral density distribution (BMDD) analyses of undecalcified processed biopsies of the femoral head and set them in direct comparison to skeletal healthy control individuals. RESULTS: Patients with femoral neck fracture displayed significantly lower serum 25-(OH) D levels and increased serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) compared to controls. Histomorphometric analysis revealed not only a decreased bone volume and trabecular thickness in the biopsies of the patients, but also a significant increase of osteoid indices. BMDD analysis showed increased heterogeneity of mineralization in patients with femoral neck fracture. Moreover, patients with femoral neck fracture and serum 25-(OH) D levels below 12 µg/l displayed significantly thinner trabecular bone. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our data suggest that impaired bone mineralization accompanied by low serum 25-(OH) D levels is of major importance in the etiology of femoral neck fractures. Therefore, balancing serum 25-(OH) D levels and thereby normalizing PTH serum levels may counteract pronounced mineralization defects and might decrease the incidence of femoral neck fractures.

Calcium homeostasis influences radiological fracture healing in postmenopausal women.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies suggest that calcium and 25-[OH]-cholecalciferol represent substantial co-factors in fracture healing. However, there still seems to be no sustainable consensus regarding the influence on fracture healing patterns. In this study, the influence of calcium and vitamin D levels on fracture callus formation was prospectively analysed using pQCT scan. METHODS: 94 postmenopausal females with distal radius fractures and consecutive surgery were included. Calcium, 25-[OH]-cholecalciferol, parathyroid hormone and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels were obtained prior surgical treatment and after 6 weeks. A pQCT scan was performed on both sites. Bone mineral density and fracture callus area were determined after detecting the outer border contour at a threshold of 280 mg/ccm. Patients received daily supplements of 1000 mg calcium and 880 IU 25-[OH]-cholecalciferol. RESULTS: Mean 25-[OH]-cholecalciferol level was 19.61 ± 21.87 ng/ml, mean parathyroid hormone level was 52.6 ± 58.9 ng/l and mean Ca level was 2.23 ± 0.35 mmol/l. After 6 weeks of supplementation a significant increase of calcium (p < 0.001) and 25-[OH]-cholecalciferol (p < 0.001), and a significant decrease of parathyroid hormone (p < 0.001) levels were observed. Sixth week follow-up fracture callus area correlated significantly with postoperative normal range calcium levels on the fractured site (p = 0.006). Bone mineral density correlated with age (p < 0.001), but not with calcium and 25-[OH]-cholecalciferol levels after 6 weeks. All fractures presented timely adequate callus formation. CONCLUSION: Calcium and parathyroid hormone serum levels influence fracture callus area interpreted as fracture callus formation patterns. Calcium levels within physiological range accounted for highest fracture callus area. Therefore, a balanced calcium homeostasis is required for appropriate callus formation.

[Posterior approaches to the pelvic ring]. / Posteriore Zugänge zum Beckenring.

The posterior pelvic ring is critical for the mechanical stability of the pelvis. There is considerable variability in the degree of traumatic injury to the posterior pelvis which results in damage to the ligaments, the bones or a combination of these two functional structures. For management of combined posterior and anterior pelvic ring injuries it is crucial to decide which side has to be treated with priority. Surgical approaches for the posterior pelvic ring include transiliacal plate osteosynthesis, local plate osteosynthesis, iliosacral screw ostheosynthesis and spinopelvic stabilization. The degree of soft tissue damage represents an important criterion that should be considered when determining the surgical approach because extensive soft tissue damage often prevents enlarged explorative surgical access. Especially in posterior pelvic ring injuries, soft tissues should be preserved as much as possible because long periods of immobilization in severely injured patients can compromise wound healing. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the most commonly used posterior surgical approaches for pelvic ring injuries.

Pupil evaluation in addition to Glasgow Coma Scale components in prediction of traumatic brain injury and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis and prediction of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is essential for determining treatment strategies and allocating resources. This study evaluated the predictive accuracy of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) verbal, motor and eye components alone, or in addition to pupil size and reactivity, for TBI. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of data from 51 425 severely injured patients registered in the Trauma Registry of the German Society for Trauma Surgery from 1993 to 2009 was undertaken. Only directly admitted patients alive on admission and with complete data on GCS, pupil size and pupil reactivity were included. The unadjusted predictive roles of GCS components and pupil parameters, alone or in combination, were modelled using area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve analyses and multivariable logistic regression regarding presence of TBI and death. RESULTS: Some 24 115 patients fulfilled the study inclusion criteria. Best accuracy for outcome prediction was found for pupil reactivity (AUROC 0.770, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.761 to 0.779) and GCS motor component (AUROC 0.797, 0.788 to 0.805), with less accuracy for GCS eye and verbal components. The combination of pupil reactivity and GCS motor component (AUROC 0.822, 0.814 to 0.830) outmatched the predictive accuracy of GCS alone (AUROC 0.808, 0.800 to 0.815). Pupil reactivity and size were significantly correlated (r(s) = 0.56, P < 0.001). Patients displaying both unequal pupils and fixed pupils were most likely to have TBI (95.1 per cent of 283 patients). Good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score 4 or more) was documented for only 1929 patients (8.0 per cent) showing fixed and bilateral dilated pupils. CONCLUSION: The best predictive accuracy for presence of TBI was obtained using the GCS components. Pupil reactivity together with the GCS motor component performed best in predicting death.

[Clinical findings and treatment of perilunar dislocations and dislocation fractures]. / Diagnostik und Therapie von perilunären Luxationen und Luxationsfrakturen.

Perilunate dislocations, dislocation fractures and lunate dislocations are rare injuries predominantly resulting from hyperextension of the wrist during high-energy trauma. Early recognition and treatment of these injuries usually results in good functional outcome despite degenerative changes on radiographs. Immediate reduction and adequate restoration of normal alignment are the key to successful healing. Surgical intervention with open reduction and ligament repair aims at stable reconstruction of the carpus. It requires broad surgical experience and a profound knowledge of normal anatomy.

[Subtrochanteric renal cell carcinoma metastasis: implantation of a femoral head preserving prosthesis]. / Subtrochantäre Nierenzellkarzinommetastase: Hüftkopferhaltender Femurteilersatz.

A 60-year-old man presented to our institution with a singular subtrochanteric renal cell carcinoma metastasis of the right femur. Tumor resection and implantation of a cemented femoral head preserving prosthesis was considered as the best treatment option to obtain a good hip joint function. After successful surgery (R0 resection) the patient was immediately mobilized with full weight-bearing. One year postoperatively the patient presented with good joint function and absolute mobility. X-ray examinations revealed a good position of the implanted prosthesis without signs of tumor recurrence or femoral head necrosis. Implantation of a femoral head preserving prosthesis is a good option for the treatment of subtrochanteric/diaphyseal tumors of the femur.

[Nutritional status influences trauma outcome]. / Traumatologisches Outcome in Abhängigkeit vom Ernährungszustand.

Polytrauma mortality rates are continuously decreasing over the last years. Due to rising prevalence of obesity, patients with overweight and obesity are rising in numbers within the polytrauma collective. The body mass index (BMI) provides information about the nutritional status. Varying results have been reported concerning the effect of BMI on polytrauma outcome. Both obesity and underweight are independent risk factors for increased polytrauma mortality. While underweight is associated with early polytrauma mortality, obesity shows higher rates of multi organ failure and sepsis and is associated with late polytrauma mortality.

[Refixation of sternoclavicular luxation with a suture anchor system]. / Refixation der sternoklavikulären Luxation mit einem Fadenankersystem.

Luxations of the sternoclavicular joint are rare injuries. We present a case of anterior dislocation which was caused by a minor fall onto the right shoulder. Diagnosis was delayed by 2 weeks which prevented treatment by closed reduction. As an alternative surgical treatment a PDS cord around the clavicle and the first rib was used to stabilize the clavicle at the vertical level. Subsequently, fixation to the medial side was achieved by a suture anchor that was placed into the manubrium. The presented case highlights this simple and safe method to treat dislocations of the sternoclavicular joint in which standard treatment cannot be performed. A detailed description for each operation step is given and our experience in terms of aftercare and outcome is reported.