A Cross-Sectional Study on Patient Preferences for Selecting Surgeons for Joint Replacement Surgery in India.

Introduction This study aims to investigate the complex decision-making process of patients in India when choosing surgeons for joint replacement surgery, with a focus on both clinical and non-clinical factors influencing their preferences. Methods This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at the KIMS-Sunshine Hospitals, Hyderabad, a high-volume tertiary care institute in India, in which patients with end-stage osteoarthritis requiring primary total knee arthroplasty were evaluated using a self-administered questionnaire, which assessed both patient-related and surgeon-related factors in choosing their joint replacement surgeon. Results A total of 210 participants were surveyed among whom the majority were females with an average age of 60.2 years with the majority belonging to the upper-middle-class socioeconomic status (48.6%, N=102). Fifty-nine percent preferred surgeons with over 20 years of experience, and 63.8% were willing to travel out-of-state for recognized expertise. Family recommendations (33.8%) and surgeon reputation (24.3%) were primary factors in surgeon selection. A vast majority (73.3%) preferred surgeons who were skilled in robotic surgery and had foreign training (32.9%). However, the majority (67.6%) did not express any gender preference. The survey highlighted a broad range of informational sources affecting decisions, including financial consideration (63.8%), personal referrals, and online platforms (17.1%). Preferences were also shaped by hospital reputation and insurance options (10.5%), illustrating a nuanced interplay of quality, cost, and personal connections in the selection process. Conclusion The findings of this survey illuminate the intricate and diverse preferences exhibited by patients when selecting a surgeon for joint replacement surgery. A significant rise in patient expectations is evident, underscoring a demand for more personalized, contemporary, and high-quality healthcare services. Importantly, geographical proximity appears to be a diminishing concern in their decision-making process. This trend presents an opportunity for centers of excellence to extend their influence and attract patients on both a regional and national level.

Patellar Dislocation Masking a Tibial Post Fracture: An Unusual Complication of Posterior Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has established itself as a highly effective design for total knee arthroplasty, renowned for its longevity and success. However, a subset of cases, approximately 6-12%, faces early failure, necessitating revision procedures. This case report presents a unique and previously undocumented complication involving a tibial post fracture following hyperflexion of the knee, masked by chronic patellar dislocation. This case highlights the importance of considering polyethylene wear-related failure in cases of instability without an apparent history of trauma. The surgical intervention involved polyethylene insert exchange, patellar debulking, lateral retinacular release, and quadriceps tendon double-breasting.

Unveiling Scapular Pseudo-winging: A Case Report on Ventral Osteochondroma of the Scapula in a 21-year-old.

Introduction: Scapular pseudo-winging caused by ventral osteochondromas is a rare condition that has been reported in only a handful of cases. This case report describes a 21-year-old male patient with scapular pseudo-winging due to ventral osteochondromas of the scapula. This report adds to the limited literature on this topic and highlights the importance of considering ventral osteochondromas as a possible cause of scapular pseudo-winging. Case Report: A 21-year-old male presented with a swelling on his left upper back that had gradually increased in size over the past 10 years. Physical examination revealed a bony hard swelling arising from the medial border of the scapula, with associated scapular pseudo-winging. Diagnostic imaging confirmed the presence of two ventral osteochondromas located on the body of the scapula. Surgical excision was performed to address the patient's cosmetic concerns. Conclusion: This case report highlights the importance of considering ventral osteochondromas as a possible cause of scapular pseudo-winging. It contributes to the existing literature by documenting a rare presentation and providing insights into the clinical course, diagnostic imaging, and surgical management of this condition. By raising awareness among tumor surgeons and orthopedic surgeons, this report may aid in early recognition and appropriate management of scapular pseudo-winging cases caused by ventral osteochondromas. Furthermore, this report expands our understanding of the etiology and treatment options for scapular pseudo-winging, potentially benefiting patients across various clinical specialties. Categories: Oncology, orthopedics.

How Not To Fix a Tibial Fracture: A Case Report on Treatment By a Quack.

Quackery in the orthopaedic profession has existed for quite a long time. Due to the shortage of orthopaedic healthcare staff in public hospitals and the high costs in private facilities, members of disadvantaged communities turn to unlicensed and unskilled practitioners (quacks). The main factors responsible for the increased number of quacks performing orthopaedic treatment are illiteracy, high treatment cost, mismatch in the orthopaedic surgeon-to-population ratio, especially in rural areas, and the absence of any form of health insurance. Moreover, their easy availability and offer of low-cost treatment draw innocent and illiterate patients to them, even though these quacks perform orthopaedic treatment in the most unhygienic, unsterilized, and unconventional manner. The government should intervene and take measures to make orthopaedic treatment more affordable and accessible, especially to the rural population.

Isolated Tillaux Fracture in a Skeletally-Mature Patient: A Rare Presentation.

Isolated Tillaux fractures are uncommon injuries that occur due to external rotational forces acting on the ankle joint. They are more commonly seen in adolescents due to the presence of open epiphyses. In adults, isolated Tillaux fractures present as plafond fractures well described with the AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen) Classification as well as Types 1, 2, and 3 according to the degree of articular comminution present. They occur rarely and can be easily missed or misdiagnosed as other ankle injuries. A thorough clinical examination, combined with imaging studies such as X-rays and CT scans, can aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Management typically involves open reduction and internal fixation, followed by a short period of immobilization and early mobilization with non-weight bearing. We present a case report of a 27-year-old female who presented with an isolated Tillaux fracture of the ankle following a road traffic accident. This type of fracture is typically seen in teenagers and young adults due to the incomplete closure of the growth plate, which makes it more susceptible to injury. The patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a contoured three-hole 3.5 mm titanium T-plate, followed by immobilization in a plaster splint for one week. Early mobilization was encouraged with strict non-weight bearing for 8-10 weeks. Follow-up at 12 weeks revealed complete union at the fracture site, with the patient being asymptomatic except for minimal pain and mild restriction in dorsiflexion.

Report of a Rare Case of Pubic Symphysis Tuberculosis in an Eight-Year-Old Child: An Unusual Presentation of the Disease.

Tuberculosis is a well-known and ancient disease with a wide range of clinical presentations. Although tuberculosis is a well-known infectious disease, involvement of the symphysis pubis is rare, with only a few documented cases in the medical literature. Distinguishing it from other more common conditions, such as osteomyelitis of the pubic symphysis and osteitis pubis, is essential to avoid delay in diagnosis and to minimize morbidity, mortality, and complications. We present a rare case of tuberculosis of the symphysis pubis in an eight-year-old female from India who was initially misdiagnosed with osteomyelitis. Following the correct diagnosis and commencement of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy, the patient demonstrated improvement in symptoms and hematological parameters at the three-month follow-up. This case emphasizes the importance of considering tuberculosis as a differential diagnosis in cases of symphysis pubis involvement, especially in areas with a high incidence of tuberculosis. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent further complications and improve clinical outcomes.

Mid-Trimester Fetal Anterior Abdominal Wall Subcutaneous Tissue Thickness: An Early Ultrasonographic Predictor of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Background This study aimed to determine whether mid-trimester fetal anterior abdominal wall subcutaneous tissue thickness (FASTT) is an early sonographic predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), as well as to study its correlation with maternal glycemic values on GDM screening at 24-28 weeks. Methodology We conducted a prospective, case-control study. FASTT was assessed at anomaly scan in 896 uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. The 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done for all included patients at 24-28 weeks. Women diagnosed with GDM were taken as cases and appropriately matched in equal numbers as controls. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Independent-samples t-test, chi-square test, receiver operating characteristic curve, and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) were performed wherever applicable. Results A total of 93 cases and 94 controls were included. Fetuses of women with GDM had significantly higher mean FASTT at 20 weeks (1.605 ± 0.328 mm vs. 1.222 ± 0.121 mm; p < 0.001). The FASTT cut-off obtained was 1.35 mm (sensitivity = 79.6%, specificity = 87.2%, positive predictive value = 86%, negative predictive value = 81.2%). There was a moderate positive correlation between fasting blood sugar (FBS) and two-hour OGTT values and FASTT (r = 0.332, p < 0.001 and r = 0.399, p < 0.001, respectively). FASTT >1.35 mm had an independent predictive value for GDM and was associated with a 19.608-fold increased risk of GDM. Conclusions FASTT values greater than 1.35 mm at 20 weeks are associated with a significantly increased risk of GDM. In addition, FASTT correlates with FBS and two-hour OGTT at 24-28 weeks and is a simple predictor of GDM at 18-20 weeks.

A Rare Case Report on Neurilemmoma of the Superficial Peroneal Nerve and a Review of the Literature.

Neurilemmoma is a form of nerve tumor that develops from the nerve sheaths. It is a slow-growing tumor with a rare malignant transformation. It has an incidence rate of less than 1% in lower limbs and its origin in the superficial peroneal nerve is an extremely rare occurrence. In this report, we present a case of neurilemmoma of the superficial peroneal nerve in a 67-year-old male who presented with complaints of pain and swelling at the lateral aspect of the leg. The swelling was enucleated while preserving the main nerve trunk. The patient was found to be asymptomatic after a two-year postoperative period.

Complement-associated deposits in the human retina.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate complement activation and associated inflammatory mechanisms in normal, aged human retina. METHODS: Evidence of complement activation and associated mechanisms was assessed in normal human retina (n = 52) using a panel of antibodies directed against membrane attack complex (C5b-9), microglia (CD11b), amyloid precursor protein (APP), scavenger receptor (CD36), and a phytolectin (RCA-I). Fifty-two eyes, categorized into two age groups, were used. Nineteen "younger" eyes (<56 years) and 33 "older" eyes (>69 years) with no history of ocular disease were processed between 4 and 22 hours, with a median delay of 14 hours postmortem. RESULTS: Age-dependent expression was evident in C5b-9, APP, CD11b, and RCA-I, but not CD36, immunoreactivity. Immunoreactivity for C5b-9 was robust in Bruch membrane (BM) and the intercapillary pillars of Bruch. Immunoreactivity for APP was robust in the basal cytoplasm of the retinal pigment epithelium. Immunoreactivity for CD11b was robust on the surface of the retinal pigment epithelial cell, in the choriocapillaris, and in BM. Lectin binding of RCA-I was strong throughout the neuroretina. CONCLUSIONS: Robust immunostaining for APP in older donor eyes suggested that amyloid beta peptides may be one of the triggers of complement activation during the normal aging process. Microglial markers CD11b and RCA-I also increase with age, suggesting a concomitant inflammatory response to C5b-9 deposits in the retinal pigment epithelium, BM, and CC. Immunoreactivity for CD36 was strong in both age groups; the lack of age dependence in this candidate receptor for amyloid beta suggested that complement activation may arise from interactions of amyloid beta with other candidate receptors in normal human retina.